BTN: Battle of the Belge, Stone Soup, and Fat Squirrels

Visited Milwaukee this past weekend, so the theme was beer. None of it was from Milwaukee though.

The first night we ended up at Point East Pub; I'd heard about the incredible wings, so I figured I'd even brave the cigarette smoke (which unfortunately was at the fumigatory level, ech) and check 'em out. They were...incredible. Some of the best wings I've ever had. Twice cooked, loaded with spice---but more spice than sheer heat. Anybody can do hot; takes a good recipe to do spice, with balanced heat.


They had a panoramic selection of beer at PEB, and good wings deserved good beer, so first up was a Chimay Red. The bartender apologized and said all he had on hand was a Duvel glass; I laughed and said I'd let it slide this once. Great ale; tart apricot fruit on the nose, but red plums, red plums, red plums in the mouth, with a tincture of herbal sappiness and a lovely cinnamon-nutmeg dustiness, all wrapped up with a tart/sweet/sour/bitter finish.


And hey, since I already had a Duvel glass, heck, why not a Duvel?!? I'll tell you up front here: I'm not impartial when it comes to Duvel. I love the stuff; it's easily one of my favorite brews. And this iteration didn't let me down one bit. It was creamy and pleasantly bitter and drenched in tart fruit. Perfect, absolutely perfect, with the wings, and over the top with the sweet potato fries. And word: Duvel is great with food too.

Next day was the long awaited Green Bay-Minnesota game at Lambeau, so we ended up in front of a giant tv screen watching most of Wisconsin get depressed---but to salve our spirits we sucked down some beer from New Glarus Brewing Company.

I had heard good things about the cool couple at New Glarus, and been urged to try their brews, so this was my chance. Sure glad I did: These people are making some great beer down in southern Wisconsin, and I'm now a big fan.


The first was Stone Soup, billed as a Belgian-style ale. And it was. It was actually as close to being a la Belge as any American micro I've ever had. Very similar to the Chimay Red, with tart fruit and spice. This is a beer I could fall in love with. Great balance, and an even greater lingering finish that brings you back for more.

The next one, Fat Squirrel, was just as impressive in its way. It was a soft, fat, slightly caramel/chocolate nut brown ale, with a hazelnut for the nut and some pumpernickel for the brown, and just the right touch of hops to keep things tight and tasty. Liquid bread, baby!

Keep your eye on New Glarus. This is beer worth looking for. They're two for two with me. (They also make a Cracked Wheat, but I didn't try that. My son, who inhaled it, did say it was pretty good though.)

And say what you will (and I know you will), Favre came to play on Sunday. Gotta give him that.

Nice report Hoke. I cannot picture where PEP is (Riverwest?) but I have heard over the years that they have excellent wings as well as a very good fish fry. Lots of young, drunk women there also but I'm sure that did not factor into your decision to hang out there.

New Glarus makes some pretty good brews. Spotted Cow is by far their best-seller and that is by far my least favorite in their line-up.

I'm surprised you did not try any of Lakefront's fine brews. Did your UWM days of drinking Blatz permanently sour you on Milwaukee beers?

And yes, The Diva came to play.

I'm surprised you did not try any of Lakefront's fine brews.

Any favorites to recommend? I recently tried their New Grist Sorghum, which I found to be more of a curiosity item (gluten-free, beer without barley), but I don't know how it compares with their other offerings.

I'm surprised you did not try any of Lakefront's fine brews.

Any favorites to recommend? I recently tried their New Grist Sorghum, which I found to be more of a curiosity item (gluten-free, beer without barley), but I don't know how it compares with their other offerings.

The only two I have not had are Wheat Monkey and New Grist Sorghum but I have for the most part liked all of the others. Some are seasonal so you will not see all of them all of the time. My favortie is probably Fuel Cafe Coffee Stout. Also very good IMHO are the Eastside Dark, Oktoberfest, Bock and something called Pumpkin Lager which is a "spiced" beer. It is not the kind of thing I would sit down and drink a six pack of, but once in a while I enjoy a bottle. The IPA is alright but there are others out there that I prefer. I just thought of a third I have not had and cannot recall the name of but it is an Irish Stout style beer. If you like Lagers (not my prefered style) their Riverwest Stein is pretty good. I believe that is one of their core brews that is widely available year around. The Klisch Pilsner is not too bad if you like that style.

Now I'm going to be thirsting for beer for the rest of the day.

Points East is on Jackson at Lyon, Dave.

Good music, although it was on the way loud side. I know it was way loud because both sons commented it was too loud and louder than usual. Smoky as hell that night. Bartender was in t-shirt, jammy bottoms and bathrobe. Some babes, but not what I'd call overloaded. There was one in a tattered slut princess costume (after all, it was Halloween) that caught the eye though.

The chicken appendages were memorable though. And they do take time, as they are done right and served hot (and not from a microwave either.)

Yeah, I've had the Spotted Cow a couple of times. It's okay, but I'm not overly impressed with it either. Much prefer the Soup and the Squirrel---they are truly impressive brews.

Didn't have Lakefront. Don't recall seeing them in the div....er, places... my sons took me to. I'll be on the lookout next time around.

Did get a last drink of the night at County Clare. Good Irish pub (and b&b). But Milwaukee is blessed with an inordinate number of good Irish places, i think.

The best Chimay is Chimay blue - the red is essentially an export version. They also have tripel, with the cream-coloured label, which is also pretty good. Try also Rochefort 10 and Westmalle tripel. And Malheur, and....

The best Chimay is Chimay blue - the red is essentially an export version. They also have tripel, with the cream-coloured label, which is also pretty good. Try also Rochefort 10 and Westmalle tripel. And Malheur, and....

It just never stops, does it, Gert?

I'm comfortably familiar with all the Chimay renditions. But the Red was best in this instance because it had to contend with the hot wings spice.

Actually, the Duvel was better with the wings, truth told.

In any case, I prefer my Chimay out of the large bottles, and not the little six pack/bar bottles.

Belgian beers are the best there is, in my book. Preferably consumed in Belgium. too. I'm thinking Bruges, in the Eiermarkt on a warm, sunny day.

Preferably consumed in Belgium. too.

As always. There's just something about the local water used to clean out the glasses that is hard to replicate abroad! (And by 'abroad' I do mean elsewhere in Europe as well).

Am thinking about adding Belgium to my summer itinerary. Haven't been there in a while.