Great Lakes Distillery

In keeping with our theme of taste testing alcoholic establishments, Jackie, Kathy and myself recently checked out the Greats Lakes Distillery, located on 6th and Virginia in Milwaukee.

Great Lakes Distillery opened in 2004 and is Wisconsin's first distillery since prohibition.  We visited on a Saturday, where they have tours at 12, 1, 2, 3pm and taste testing on the half hour.  Since we arrived just before 1:30 pm, we did the taste testing first, then did the free tour.  Tasting costs $3.00, they collected our money, handed us a glass and it began.
Now, I know nothing about drinking alcohol straight, give me some rum with coke, brandy with 7up, or vodka and orange juice, that is what I would enjoy, so I wasn't really sure what I would gain from this taste testing.
First they poured Rehorst Premium Vodka, then Citrus Honey Vodka which is made with Wisconsin honey.  Strong stuff

Then on to Rehorst Premium Gin, made with sweet basil and Ginseng.
Next their rum, Roarin Dan's Rum, with Wisconsin's own pirate on the label.  Dan Sievy (sorry I am not sure of the spelling)..known for his piracy on the Great Lakes.  This was not as strong as the vodka and gin, and I was actually able to take a bigger sip.
Then on to Absinthe, a green version and a rouge version.  126 proof, (yeah, now is the time to laugh), and is served to us mixed with water.  It has a licorice taste, and the rouge was a bit milder.
Just a for your information, when I said they poured us samples, I am talking about an ounce maybe, and though many people in the tasting with us treated their sample like a shot, we were slight sippers only.
On to the tour:
 In 1920 prohibition started, making it illegal to make liquor in the hopes of stopping people from drinking, but there still was homemade brews, or moonshine that was made.  Some foreign made spirits came around this time, like Russian vodka.  Prohibition ended in 1943.  In 2004 Great Lakes Distillery was established and is similar to a Micro Brewery.  The tour director explained how Vodka is made.   It starts with active fermentation.  They use local ingredients whenever possible, and making a good mash is crucial to the outcome of a good vodka.

Then the kettle, or "Pot Still" raises the temperature, alcohol vapors go up the pipe, the coil circulates and cools, evaporation starts, condensation at the end.

 The more times the mash is distilled, the better the separation.  This distillery feels three times is typical.   The first liquid removed through condensation is called the heads, and the last cycle's  is called the tails.  Water is added and then it's bottled.  A batch makes about 700 bottles.  This is a very brief description but I hope you get the picture.
There were 27 people in our tour group, and most of them went to the bar as they walked in and ordered a drink first.  Most do the tour first and then the tasting, but we like being different.  We were always in the same room, just moved from the fermenting vat, to the still and then to the storage area.

Here the tour person explained that rum is stored in the barrels to add color and the oak flavor.  Whiskey is aged in barrels for 2 to 3 years.
Overall, it was fun, and in our opinions, an unusual type of tour.  We probably didn't appreciate the tasting as much as some do, but it was a good time.  They also have a small store, but none of us purchased anything.

Two Brothers Wines

Two Brothers' Wines LLC,  is located in Pewaukee, close to Pewaukee Lake.  The two brothers indicated in the title are Henry (Hank) and Joe Gutmann, along with Peter Laundre and Trish Gutmann, these long time friends are operating a one of a kind local winery using Wisconsin products.  They also run Joe's Unique Art Gallery and Gifts, which is in the same building.    I happen to know Pete as his daughter Kristina, was on my daughter's first soccer team, 19 years ago and I was their coach.  Kristina has three older brothers, as does my daughter and the two became close friends.  They played together on a Brookfield Select soccer team a few years later, and played together on BCHS Lancer's soccer team (where they were bus buddies), and won two State Championships.
When I found out Pete was involved in this winery, I thought it was the perfect escape for Kathy, Jackie and I and one afternoon a couple weeks ago we checked it out.
We walked in and instantly our attention was drawn to all the different pieces of  wildlife artwork and glasswork on display.  Joe was in the back room and came out.  I asked if Pete was around and would we be able to take a peek at how they make wines.  Pete wasn't going to be in until later and it was Joe and Hank's birthday that day and they were going to be having a party.  Now, this is what made this afternoon so special, from the minute we walked in and met Joe, he treated us like long time friends.  He is very friendly, a great story teller, and really enjoys the wine business.
Two Brothers has fruit wines, white wines, red wines, seasonal and speciality wines.

We went into the "work room" and saw multiple vessels.  Some were large, some were smaller.  He allowed us to smell the soon to be Strawberry wine...fabulous!!

  In another container was the Cranapple, which Joe described as liquid candy.  He explained the process, that all the fruit used is from Wisconsin, they do not use any California grapes, that no tap water is used, that there are 11 different varieties of apples in the apple wine.  The mixture sits in a working vat, fermenting, then its time for racking, putting the wine in the large jugs that have air locks on them.  The amount of time the wine sits in racking varies, then it goes into bottles  and its ready to be consumed.

Then Joe asked if we would like to do a little tasting.  Yes, please!  Here is what we sampled:
Cranapple: and we all agreed it was very good.
Rhubard: not overly sweet, one of my favorites.
Berry Blend: which is Red Raspberry, Black Boysenberry, and Blackberry, and Jackie commented it was like a Sangria.  Add a little 7up or Sprite and its a perfect wine cooler.
Deer Camp: semi sweet, combination of different grapes and their own label of a female deer. We all liked this one too.
Cayuga White:  light grape and very smooth, one of my favorites.
Edelweiss: white grape wine, and we also tried this one on the rocks, which created a different taste and very enjoyable.
Seyval Blanc: we all agreed this was good, light and smooth.
Vignoles: Jackie and Kathy liked it, I thought it was ok.
Concord: red grape wine, much smoother than I remember concord grape to taste.

We were all smiling and exchanging stories as we picked out the bottles of wine we each wanted to purchase.  Joe mentioned if you call ahead and set up a taste testing, they will provide cheese and crackers and make it fun event.  We had pretzels with our wine and we all had a great time!  If you want fresh off the tree fruit wine, or plucked from the vine grape wine, this is the place to come.  Their website lists the wines they currently have available www.twobrotherswines.com

Wait, there is more.  After we left Two Brothers,  we stopped at my house and played a little Dance party.  Check out Jackie and Kathy...oh and Kathy and me too!

 I think now would be a good time to add that I don't really drink a lot of wine.  I hate to drink something that gives me a squishy face after I drink it. (not a pleasant taste)   As Joe said numerous times, "You should drink what you like!" and I liked quite a few that I sampled!  We all rated Two Brothers' Wines, LLC   a great place to come and sample wines and to purchase something special for anytime consumption.

Hours

1. -Monday: Closed
2. -Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
3. -Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
4. -Sunday: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location

Two Brothers Wines

125 Oakton Ave

Pewaukee, WI 53072

262-695-wine. (9463).

Sprecher Tour

A couple Sundays ago Kathy, Jackie, Sue Ringer, and myself went on the Sprecher Brewery Tour.  This particular Sunday, it was snowing and blowing and we thought we would be the only ones that would brave the weather to take a brewery tour, so come along and join us as we learn a little about the Sprecher Brewery and sample some of its wares.

Sprecher Brewery is located at 701 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, WI.  Reservations are required and tours are offered year round on Fridays at 4pm, Saturdays at 1, 2 3pm and Sundays at 12, 1 and 2pm.  During the warmer months they do add mid week tours at 4pm, and some times could change but their tour schedule is posted on their website weekly.  Cost is $4.00 for seniors, $5.00 adults and $2.00 under 21.

We arrived a little early and checked out the gift shop, which had quite a lot to offer, then we were called to gather together and we entered the ageing cellar and learned a little about Sprecher's history.  The Sprecher Brewery was started in 1985 by Randal Sprecher, a former supervisor at Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee.  Randal Sprecher wanted to bring European beer to the United States. The brewery outgrew its first location after 9 years and moved to where it is now.  Sprecher is a micro brewery, referring to relative size compared to gigantic national brands.  Sprecher is still growing and in the process of purchasing more land so they can brew both beer and soda at the same time.  Sprecher has year round, seasonal and some limited release beers.

Beer:
The first beer Sprecher brewed and still one of its most popular is Special Amber, followed by Bavarian.
Water is heated and malted barley added making the mash. Starches are converted into sugar during this first fermentation.  These sugars are converted into alcohol after mashing is done.  Liquid (wort) is separated from the grain.  Wort is pumped back into the brew kettle, heated to 212 degrees for two hours.  Hops are added then filtered, chilled and fermented for about a week then transfered to a storage tank.

Jackie smelling the Hops

It ages for 3/12 weeks, then filtered and bottled or kegged and shipped to distributors.

The bottling line and warehouse

Soda:
All of Sprecher's sodas are caffeine free and gluten free.  Sprecher is widely known for their Root Beer, truly old fashion rich and creamy blend of ingredients. They also offer a LoCal version of their Root Beer.  Other flavors include Cream; Orange Dream, orange, honey and vanilla; Ravin Red, cherry and cranberries blended; Ginger Ale; Puma Kola, kola, vanilla, cinnamon and honey; Cheery Cola, cherry juice, honey, cola and spices.

After the tour we were lead to the tasting area.

Sue was with us, she is just hiding behind Kathy.

All tour participants (by the way I forgot to mention there were 34 people attending this tour, during a snow storm, wear a plastic bracelet that allows adults over 21 to sample 4 different glasses of beer and unlimited amounts of soda for anyone (because of the soda samples this tour can be enjoyed by children as well as adults).
What we tried and how we liked it (unfortunately I was really the only person that really drinks beer, but as I said earlier, we also were able to taste the sodas!)
Hefe Weiss..yuck, not liked by Kathy or myself
Winter Brew..ok, kind of a licorice taste
Fire Light...good, very similar to Miller Lite
Witty...too spicy, has a strange aftertaste
Redner Red Ale...In my opinion peppery.
Abbey Triple..good, smooth
Cherry Kriek Lambie...suppose to be sour, we didn't think it was sour but didn't really like it either.
Sodas:
Orange Dream...good, sweet
Root Beer...heavy but really good
Cherry Cola...a great blend of cherry and cola
Cream...smooth,

We also split a large soft pretzel.. cost a little extra but yummy.

Overall, it was fun.  When it came time to do the tasting I felt it was really hard to decide what to taste.  You get one glass (which you keep) and after you taste something, you rinse it out and use it again, but the description of the beers is by the bar and I felt a little rushed to pick a brew, when I really didn't know which one to pick.  I believe we sampled a variety and overall I liked the Fire Light and the Cherry Cola the best.
We toured on a Sunday, so nothing was in operation.  I am sure it would be cool to view the bottling line when its working but the space is so small, that maybe all tours take place after workers leave, I really don't know.   So when you want to sample beer AND soda, this is the place to go!