One New Bar Three New Beers

On Friday I decided to have lunch out. My original intention was to eat at the Red Accordion on Old World Third Street, but when I and a co-worker started walking that way, it looked like there was a great deal of steam coming up from the street right along that block. I assume it had something to do with the heavy rains the night before, but neither one of us wanted to walk through it to grab lunch. So I suggested we head one block east and try The Harp on East Juneau. It's been there since 1965 and although I went out drinking right in that area along Water Street in my early 20s and I have been working right in that area for the last 7 years, I've never stopped in.

Well I count it as a success. It's a nice little place with a spot out back right on the Milwaukee river, which is where we decided to sit. First off, that was a good choice because the day hadn't gotten too hot, and the clouds were just beginning to burn off. And secondly, we got to enjoy the view of the river (and the random tree that floated past while we were eating). But I was also pleased to discover that in addition to a nice selection of beer, they also had Strongbow on tap and Magners in bottles.

I'm a fan of hard cider, but I've found my tastes have settled some. Woodchuck is nice, but I find that it's usually a bit too sweet for me. Magners and Strongbow aren't quite as sweet to my taste, and I like them both. I was rather excited to find both Strongbow and Magners at the same establishment since I haven't seen that very often. Usually if I'm looking for a cider while I'm out I only see one available. Two - and two of my favorites - was a nice change of pace.

I'd heard of Magners before I went to Ireland a couple years ago, but I don't think I ever tried it until I was there. My wife, Amanda, isn't much of a beer drinker (aside from Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss) So while I had Guiness or Smithwick's for nearly every lunch or dinner while on vacation there, she started drinking Bulmer's Original Vintage Cider (which is sold outside of Ireland as Magners Original Irish Cider). Strongbow is one of the first ciders I ever had and is a nice dry English cider with a crisp finish. The fact that it was on tap made my decision for me, so that's what I decided to have with my lunch. It was a lovely choice for the day, but I think it was still a bit too sweet for the rest of my meal. I had the tenderloin sandwich which was superb, but in hindsight I probably would have been happier with my drink if I'd paired my meal with a Smithwick's instead of a cider.

When I got home from work, I decided to start my evening off with another beer from my Lakefront Brewery sample pack and tried their Organic E.S.B. It has a nice flavor, light with just a little bitter and a slightly sour finish. Not a bad sour, but kind of like the sour you get off a nice tart lemondade. I loved it, and would definately recommend it. With dinner, I decided to have a second beer and I tried the Lakefront Brewery's Wheat Monkey Ale. After having enjoyed the E.S.B. so much I was extremely disappointed with the Wheat Money Ale. I found it bland with a light bitterness that I didn't find pleasing. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think I would qualify it as a "bad" beer - but it just wasn't flavorful enough for my liking, and I probably won't buy it again. (Unless I forget that I didn't like it and pick it up because I like the name. I've done that before, and I'll probably do it again.)

This morning I was at it again. I woke up late and started working on some of the household projects that needed to get finished. I hadn't thought about food, but by about 10:30 Amanda made me some eggs. Since it is a beautiful summer day out I was in the mood for a beer, and since it was late morning I decided to go for it. I grabbed the Lakefront Brewery Fuel Cafe which they label as A stout brewed with coffee especially for Fuel Cafe. It helps that I like stouts to begin with, and I've grown to like coffee every now and then too. I could definately taste both flavors very clearly, and I have to admit it's a nice combination. Because of the coffee flavor, I probably wont't drink this often, but since I enjoyed it I don't doubt that I'll drink it again. Lakefront Brewery's website suggests the Fuel Cafe stout be drunk with dessert. I can definately see that and wouldn't mind trying it sometime.

Eastside Dark and Murphey's Red

On Friday my wife and I had supper at Paulie's in West Allis, and I tried Lakefront Brewery's Eastside Dark lager. I liked this local Milwaukee beer. It was dark, a little dense, rich and creamy. Does it make the top of my list? No. This is the second creamy dark lager I've had, (The other was Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark.) and although they were both good they just don't seem to be quite my style. I don't know why not, I can't qualify what it is that just doesn't quite do it for me. I think I'll have to drink more to see if I can figure it out.

After dinner I tried the fat tire for a second time, and definately like it. The wierd thing is that this time I got it in the actual New Belgium globe glass. I'm not sure how I feel about beer coming in stemware. I understand why you do it for wine. And snifters are fine for brandy, whiskey, and liqueurs. But for beer? What purpose does it serve? Give me a pint glass, pilsner glass, or stein glass. Even a good old fashioned German beer stein. But stemware? Why?

Today, my second new beer was tried. We went to the Bristol Renaissance Faire with the intention of catching up with friends and eating and drinking our way around the site. While I worked there, I didn't drink during the day, so I'm not as familiar with the bar's around site as many people who go there are, and I discovered a couple of things -

1) Import beers are served at all of the bars. Unless I remember incorrectly I had thought only one did and the rest served your standard Miller fare. Well, if it's something that changed within the last few years, I like the change.
2) They now serve hard liquor at the bars (previously, it had only been malt beverages and non-alcoholic items).
3) I don't know if the other bars do it, but the Blackfriar serves Black and Tans and similar split beers.

Well, I was only interested in beers and water (can't let yourself get dehydrated on a warm day like today). I started with a Murphy's Irish Stout (not a new beer to me) then I decided to try the half Murphy's Irish Stout / half Hardcore cider. That was a new combination to me - and I liked it. I think I'm going to have to play around with that. Then I finished off with a new beer for me (that's right - only 3 and I quit early and drank water. I needed to be sober when we left). The new beer was Murphey's Red. I liked it. Stouts and Reds are probably going to be winners for me every time, but no need to make an assumption when there's uncharted territory just a tapper away.

Friday - good time, decent beer. Saturday - great time, great beer.