The first of many new brewery openings happens this week with a four-day event at Urban Harvest Brewing. Plus: renderings of the new Third Space Brewing, brunch with Milwaukee’s beer barons and much more.
The wave of new breweries opening this summer starts with a bang. Urban Harvest Brewing (1024 S. 5th St.) starts pouring this week during a four-day grand opening. Try the creations of co-owner and head brewer Steve Pribek from Wednesday to Saturday. Here’s an abbreviated lineup of festivities:
Wednesday, June 1: The taproom opens and 3 p.m. and pints are just $3 until 6 p.m. Mayor Tom Barrett will be there and so will Braise, preparing some serious snacks.
Thursday, June 2: Urban Harvest spreads the new brewery love, by hosting representatives from Westallion Brewing, Third Space Brewing, City Lights Brewing and MobCraft—all breweries that are coming soon. Kevin Revolinski will be there talking about his book, Wisconsin’s Best Beer Guide: A Travel Companion. And, oh yeah, pints are $3 until 5 p.m.
Friday, June 3: The taps start pouring at 2 p.m. and pints are $3 until 5 p.m. Radio Milwaukee’s Tarik Moody will be manning the tap handles and Transfer Pizzeria Café is supplying the appetizers.
Saturday, June 4: Urban Harvest opens at 2 p.m. and the $3 tap special runs until 5 p.m. Dave Reid and Jeramey Jannene from Urban Milwaukee will be running the taps.
Find out all of the details on Urban Harvest’s Facebook page. Good luck Urban Harvest, and cheers!
An Early Look at Third Space Brewing
Third Space sent out some renderings last week showing exciting progress on its brewery at 1505 W. St. Paul Avenue in the Menomonee Valley. The good news is that the new brewery features 2,000 square feet of taproom space, and a 1,200-square-foot outdoor beer garden. Looking forward to spending time there at the end of the summer.
Brunch with the Barons
Beer-related events just keep getting more unique. Brunch with the Barons definitely fits in the unusual, but cool, category. Plan to spend part of the day Saturday, June 18, on the gorgeous grounds of Forest Home Cemetery (2405 W. Forest Home Ave.) with some of the dudes that made Milwaukee famous.
Walk by the graves and mausoleums of families like Pabst, Schlitz and Blatz at the amazing cemetery, and learn from family members or re-enactors more about the each one. The Blatz mausoleum will be open and hosted by members of the Blatz family. And, you can walk the ground with a Pabst in your hand—beer and brunch items will be on sale. The price is just $10 and advance tickets can be purchased at 414-645-2632 or online here.
Barley Pop of the Week
I’m constantly looking for sessionable IPAs that are worth drinking—the list continues to improve. It took me a while to try it, but I finally snagged some Alpine Hoppy Birthday last week. There’s no lacking of flavor in this 5.25% ABV brew. Piney bitterness is nicely balanced and strong enough so that it doesn’t dissipate like in lesser session IPAs. Alpine has a big reputation, and it’s beers like this that helped them earn it.
Quick Taps
New Glarus Gueuze made Draft Magazine’s list of the best beers they tried last week. A well deserved shout out.
I loved hearing about the edible six-pack rings being used by Saltwater Brewery. Good for Saltwater, and good news for all kinds of wildlife.
Events Brewing
Tuesday, May 31: Surly Brewing brings samples of #Merica! Lager to Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 31: Craft Cow (153 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc) is hosting a visit from 5 Rabbit Cerveceria at 5 p.m. It’s a good bet that they’re bringing a few special brews.
Wednesday, June 1: Deschutes takes over the taps at Draft & Vessel (4417 N. Oakland Ave.) at 6 p.m. They’re bringing some goodies, including the first Milwaukee tapping of Pinot Suave Belgian Ale.
Wednesday, June 1: It’s a big night at Ray’s Growler Gallery (8930 W. North Ave.). Milwaukee Brewing is bringing Ce-RAY-za, the newest gallery-only beer. Also, the staff is putting a tap list together of some of their favorites. It’s pretty much a guarantee that the choices will be top notch.
Thursday, June 2: St. Bernardus is bringing some gems to Draft & Vessel at 6 p.m. The list includes an oak-aged Abt 12 and an Abt 12 Magnum. Good idea to get there right at 6 p.m.
Friday, June 3: Central Waters takes over the taps at the Humboldt Park beer garden (3000 S. Howell Ave.).
Saturday, June 4: Beers for camping are the subject of the weekly sampling at both Three Cellars locations (7133 S. 76th St., Franklin and N72 W13400 Lund Lane, Menomonee Falls) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 4: Try Bofferding brews at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow Ave.) from noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 4: The Beer Barons’ World of Beer Festival takes place at the Schwabenhof Pavilion (14750 W. Silver Spring Dr.) from 1 to 5 p.m. It’s a great fest for serious beer lovers. Get tickets before you make the trip.
Sunday, June 5: Paint rain barrels at Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.). That’s right, for $30 you get a 60-gallon barrel and the tools to transform it into a rain barrel. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can decorate the barrel any way you want to. Register with Milwaukee Riverkeeper to ensure a spot.