Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival

Today we went to the Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival. It's a lovely event that we try to do every year.

We led off at the Lions Club area where I got a hamburger and a Sprecher Oktoberfest. This is the first time I've had their Oktoberfest and it was a nice rich, dark color with a great full flavor. And it went well with the burger.

While we were walking around I saw a beer booth for a local microbrewery that I hadn't heard of - Silver Creek Brewing Co. They are from right there in Cedarburg. They had an Oktoberfest, a session ESB, a root beer and something else on tap.

I decided to try their ESB. Unfortunately I was so disappointed in it that I only drank half of it. The best thing it had going for it was it's beautiful reddish brown hue. It didn't have much head, it smelled like grape juice and apple cider vinegar - just a touch sweet with alot of sour. It tasted weak and watery, and the most distinct thing I could pick up from the flavor was an unpleasant sourness. I understand a session beer shouldn't be too strong, but I have had light beers that tasted better.

Now, I may have little good to say about it, but I doubt they could be successful and serve their own beer in their brew pub if they didn't bring something to the table. I didn't have time to try their Oktoberfest, so I can't judge the quality of their beers as a whole. I very much want to get my hands on some of the other beers that they brew, and maybe even visit their brew pub. They absolutely deserve a second chance.

I may even give their ESB a second chance. I have a friend who once said to try everything twice. It's good advice, especially since things go wrong sometimes and your first try isn't the typical quality. For example - a couple of years ago I decided that I wanted to try Heineken, so I bought a 4 pack of cans. I hated it. I told some friends of mine and one of them was surprised because he likes it. I mentioned that I had it in cans and he said that draught is best, bottles are good, and although cans aren't bad they are the bottom of the three. This last week Thursday I went out for some drinks after work and had a couple Heinekens in bottles. I enjoyed them. It was nothing like my first experience. Now it may be the three Jack and Coke's I had first, but I don't think they would have made that much of a difference.

Long story short - I am very interested in trying more Silver Creek beer. Hopefully soon. And I want to try the ESB, but I want another beer on hand in case I have the same experience the second time around.