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The beer and wine nook
The beer and wine section of the Yahara River Co-op is lovingly managed by one of our fantastic volunteers, “Jen, the Beer Lady.” Jen has adopted this section as her own, does the research, ordering, signage and promotion. Thank you Jen for all that you do for YRGC!
On the Road with Jen the Beer Lady
Lake Louie
Our final stop on our Wisconsin beer travels is Lake Louie Brewing in Arena.
It is a small yet popular brewery, producing only 3,000 barrels a year. Owner/Brew master Tom Porter is happy staying that size, commenting that he enjoys what he does and wants to keep it that way.
Soon after they started bottling in six packs, there was a waiting list to carry their beer. When I called to add the co-op to the list, I ended up talking with Tom. He had heard about the co-op from the newspapers and since he knew what it was like to be a small business he offered to bump us up the list. Shortly after, our first case of Arena Premium had arrived. He could easily sell more through larger stores, but thanks to Tom you will still find Lake Louie in places like Arena and Stoughton.
So, lift a glass to the Little Guy and thank Tom Porter for all the great beers he brews. You’ll find these Lake Louie beers at the Co-op: Arena Premium Pale Ale, Kiss the Lips IPA, Warped Speed Scotch Ale and, for a limited time, Milk Stout.
Ale Asylum
When most people think of pairing food and beer the first thing that comes to mind is a pretzel. With the increasing popularity of craft beers new pairing doors have opened. I recently spent the evening at Ale Asylum brewery at a beer and chocolate pairing with Gail Ambrosius.
From the citrus notes of the hops, the chocolate notes of the malt and the fruit notes of the Belgian beers, there are many possibilities for pairing. Pairing events can be a great way to explore new styles of beer without having to buy a full six-pack or even a full glass. It can also showcase something new to go with an old favorite.
This was the inaugural event for Ale Asylum and they will be holding different events the third Wednesday of every month. The most unusual pairing of the evening was a Shitake Mushroom chocolate with Diablo Belgian Dubbel, but my favorite was a Chai chocolate with Contorter Porter.
Check out Ale Asylum beer at the Co-op: Hopalicious, Ambergeddon, Contorter Porter and Madtown Nut Brown. Arriving this week in time for the holidays are variety packs from New Glarus, Tyranena, Capital, and Lakefront breweries.
Tyranena Brewery
I recently spent a rainy, yet fun day at Tyranena Brewery volunteering at their Oktoberfest Bike Ride. Tyranena believes in giving back to the community through charity events such as Dog Wash, Oktoberfest Bike Ride and the Beer Run. The events benefit the Jefferson Humane Society, Tomorrow’s Hope (for those with life limiting illness), and the Lake Mills Food Pantry.
As they prepare to celebrate 10 years in business this November they have truly come to embody the culture and spirit of Lake Mills. Their beer names come from local history and legend. Aunt Cal, the girlfriend of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow he never married, lives on in Bitter Woman. Rocky, the guardian placed in Rock Lake to protect the sacred Stone Tepees on the bottom of the lake. Also found under the lake is the Headless Man effigy mound.
For those of you who dream of opening your own local brewery, Tyranena’s e-mail newsletter gives you an inside look at the trials and tribulations of brewery ownership. You can sign up for free at their web site. Stop at the Co-op and pick up these great tasting Tyranena beers: Bitter Woman IPA, Rocky's Revenge Brown Ale, Headless Man Amber Alt, Stone Tepee PA, and Painted Ladies Pumpkin Ale.
Märzen Madness!
Are you ready to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese? Wait, what?! The Oktoberfest tradition was started with that royal wedding back on Oct. 12, 1810. Despite wars and epidemics, the celebration has only been canceled 24 times in its 199-year history.
This year’s festival runs from Sept. 19–Oct. 4. So why is it called Oktoberfest if it’s in September? The date of the festival was moved forward to take advantage of the better weather at the end of September. Today the festival ends on the weekend just after German Unification Day, on Oct. 3.
The beers associated with Oktoberfest are Märzens. Back in the days before refrigeration, brewing was almost impossible during the summer heat. Beer was brewed in March (Märzen) to be stored in a cool location until the fall when brewing could begin again. Most Märzens have a rich copper color, a nice balanced flavor, and easy drinkability. The Co-op has Oktoberfest Märzens from Capital, Central Waters, Lakefront and New Glarus Breweries.
Capital Brewery keeps beer garden tradition alive
Wisconsin was the destination for many European immigrants and with them they brought their traditions. One of the most notable was brewing, which laid the foundation for today’s craft brewer. They also brought the beer garden, and some of our brewers are keeping the tradition alive.
The beer garden at Capital Brewery may not look like its European cousins but it is quite at home in Middleton. Part community square and part living room, it is a gathering place to listen music, watch a movie and have a great beer. 
Capital’s beer garden has also hosted benefits such as REAP’s Burgers & Brews and last weekend’s Roots music festival. What better place to listen to a band while trying a new creation such as Wild Rice, or enjoying an old favorite. This weekend’s movie is “Twilight” and Capital will be officially tapping into its seasonal brew, Autumnal Fire.
Pick up your Capital Brewery beers at the Co-op, featuring: Wisconsin Amber, Special Pilsner, Munich Dark, Rustic and Oktoberfest.
Great Taste of the Midwest
features 650 beers
This past Saturday brought us a humid heat wave, but it also brought us the Great Taste of the Midwest with 123 breweries and over 650 beers at Olin Park. All of the breweries carried by YRGC were there showcasing their new creations. Some were specialty brews, available only at the breweries tap rooms, and some were brews that we will be seeing in the store soon.
Central Waters had Shine On in honor of their new solar panels, Capital’s wonderful Autumnal Fire was on tap, Ale Asylum brought its Belgian Tripel–Tripel Nova and Lakefront debuted its Oktoberfest. New Glarus had special tappings of its Unplugged series and Tyranena had its Brewers Gone Wild series.
So many wonderful beers, so little time!
A special thanks goes out to the Wisconsin Brewers Guild’s Wisconsin Beer Lovers who gave me the chance to talk to many of the brew masters. The WBG supports and promotes the local craft brewers in Wisconsin. Check out their website at www.wibrewerguild.com to support your local brewers!
New Glarus Brewery expansion open to the public
Back in 2006 a special set of plans came in to being, those plans were for the expansion of New Glarus Brewery. The new Hilltop brewery is now up and running and open to the public.
I visited Hilltop on its opening weekend back in June. The new building is up the road from the Riverside brewery and is designed to look like a German village. The thought that Deb and Dan Carrey put into the building is impressive. From the stone floors by the copper kettles and custom railings to the stainless steel and concrete.
The original Riverside brewery is still open and has a self guided audio tour available. So you can learn the science of brewing at Riverside and see the art of brewing at Hilltop.
Another reason to visit the brewery is to get your hands on the R&D beer series. Brewmasters Randy and Dan are working on this special project that will only be available at the brewery. If you have a day to get out and enjoy some great beer then don’t miss New Glarus!
The Yahara River Grocery Co-op carries a variety of the great beers crafted by New Glarus Brewery: Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, Organic Revolution, Stone Soup and Totally Naked. Pick some up for your next picnic or happy hour!
Central Waters Brewery is Wisconsin’s first green-powered brewery
The next time you head north, consider taking a side trip to Amherst to check out Central Waters Brewery. Central Waters has taken many steps to make themselves Wisconsin’s first green powered brewery. The biggest step has been the addition of roughly 1,000 square feet of solar collectors. In addition, Central Waters uses a radiant floor heating system and energy efficient lighting and equipment. They have also made efforts to reduce the amount of packaging that comes into the brewery. Central Waters even works with local farmers to recycle the grain used in the brewing process.
All of the materials used in the newly remodeled tap room are from recycled sources. If you visit the tap room, you will see a fine lineup of hand painted tap handles to enhance the visual experience. You always know when Central Waters is on tap by the colorful water birds at the bar.
Don’t miss this hidden gem! Central Waters Brewing Company…truly “making the world a better place, one beer at a time.”
Check out these Central Waters beers, available at Yahara River Grocery: Whitewater Weizen, Mud Puppy Porter, Glacial Trail IPA and Ouisconsing Red Ale.
229 East Main Street,
Stoughton, WI 53589
Phone: 608-877-0947
HOURS
Monday to Saturday– 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On the Road with Jen the Beer Lady
