*This is the one-hundred and twentieth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Bull Falls Brewery
901 E Thomas St
Wausau, WI 54403
(715) 842-2337
Visit date: 08/11/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
12 on tap.
2) How long operational?
10 years.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
“Whole, big family is from Wausau.”
4) Distribution?
Kegs and in-house canning.
5) What sets you apart?
“Specifically, German-style beer.”
6) How did you get your name?
Used to be a Bull Falls in Mosinee (a nearby town).
Bull Falls Brewery in Wausau, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
Late Friday night, in the deep, starry darkness of the gateway to the nort’ woods, we found ourselves directed to a lonely dead-end street. As we parked, we glanced up at the only two lights on the block: a spotlight on a painted brewing tower, and a lamp leading the way to the Bull Falls Brewery taproom.
While the large brewery sat as dark as the murky night, the bar just across the hall was bathed in the warm glow from light fixtures and local fixtures. Indeed, it seemed we were late to the beer party this Friday evening.
An impressive list of German-styled house brews were described on the wall near the full tap line, where our wonderful server Hilary was eager to pour us a flight.
Steinadler Kolsch
A light, spicy fruitiness; like peppered-orange slices.
Hefeweizen
Banana & clove, banana & clove, everybody loves banana & clove.
Holzhacker Lager
Give this slow-burner a second to germinate in your mouth; subtle raspberry & malt notes are your reward.
Prost-able Pils
Brusque, abrupt, but oddly satisfying.
Oktoberfest
Throwback/preview to falling leaves and light-jacket nights, year-round.
Über Nacht Dunkleweizen Dubblebock
Like a boozy, maple-y barley wine.
Nut Brown Ale
Higher, evident ABV than a normal Brown. Sweeter and smoother because of it.
Midnight Star Schwarzbier
Black pepper, musty, with a surprisingly dry finish.
Crossroads Coffee Lager
Smells like coffee, tastes like coffee, makes happy like coffee.
Oatmeal Stout
Starts like a classic Oatmeal Stout, but transitions to red apple, strawberry, and caramel at the end.
This particular taproom is open surprisingly late, with much of the crowd staying towards the witching hour watching the Brew Crew attempt (in vain) to climb back into a game. When Thames hit a 3-run homer, the place erupted. A dropped glass elicited the requisite “Oooooh”s.
The German influences were evident beyond the beer; in fact, the owners go to Germany each year and often take along regulars and locals for the ride.
Another hallway is lined with images of veteran Honor Flights. The owner’s dad is a veteran, and Bull Falls’ annual Bock Fest is a fundraiser for local Honor Flights.
Their motto, used throughout the merchandising, is “Brewed True”. For a place like Bull Falls Brewery, with well-crafted traditional German beers and a local community focus, it seems only fitting.