*This is the one-hundred and fifty-first post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
22 Lakes Brewing Co.
107 W Fulton St
Waupaca, WI 54981
Visit date: 05/25/2019
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
4 of their own on tap, plus 4 visiting.
2) How long operational?
Since September 2018.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Local retired teacher and engineer nephew homebrewers.
4) Distribution?
Only 1 barrel currently, looking for more space to brew more and distribute.
5) What sets you apart?
Small, serving straight from the brite tanks.
6) How did you get your name?
Waupaca’s Chamber of Commerce advertises that phrase.
22 Lakes Brewing Co. in Waupaca, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
22 Lakes Brewing Co. in Waupaca barely looks like it can hold 22 people inside; in fact, when we arrived on a Saturday morning people were literally overflowing into the street out the front door. But the small stature didn’t stop the raucous party or big beer flavors inside.
We must’ve been the only non-locals, as we were greeted heartily upon entering by the nearby chapter of Trout Unlimited, asking whether we wanted a raffle buy-in for their potluck and fundraiser going on inside. Though we didn’t win any prizes, we did snag a flight of beers.
Put in the Dock Pale Ale
A lazy-drinker, with a curt hop profile cut with lingering lemongrass.
Marl Lake Brown
Satisfying. A bit nutty, a bit toasty, and a bit spicy. Clear and light in appearance, but full of flavor.
Stream Born Brown
Specially-brewed for the Trout Unlimited fundraiser. A bed of malt is laid first, then heavy cocoa nibs liven up this almost coffee-like Brown Ale.
Jane’s Dragonfly Porter
Fruit-flavored Porter. Milky, with elderberry in there (maybe?).
Unnamed Hazy IPA
Cloudy, balanced, but certainly striving towards NEIPA status. An impressive diversion from their other styles.
While the crowd was distracted by the homemade cookie plates and crock pot dishes, we snagged some time talking with owners Mark and John, the uncle / nephew duo behind the burgeoning enterprise. After homebrewing together for years, and 5 years after a previous deal on this very site had fallen through, retired teacher Mark enlisted engineer John to help set up shop with a 1 barrel system to serve the thirsty locals.
It seems to have been an immediate hit in the area, judging by our time there. According to John, it’s all thanks to Mark’s focus on quality even on such a small scale:
“Down to the basics, (Mark) really understands the science of the beer.”
They also seem to understand what their customers want: fresh beer served by and to folks who feel like family. Our own little family felt right at home, and are sure you will to, with a visit to 22 Lakes Brewing Co.
