*This is the one-hundred and twenty-fourth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Minocqua Brewing Company
238 Lakeshore Dr
Minocqua, WI 54548
(715) 356-2600
Visit date: 08/12/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
4 on tap, usually 5, with 3 additional seasonals.
2) How long operational?
Opened 2005-06, with new owners in 2015 and brewmaster in 2017.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
White family was from the area, son was brewmaster: “was a family affair”.
4) Distribution?
In-house, festivals, growler stations in grocery stores.
5) What sets you apart?
Housed in 1929 Masonic Temple.
6) How did you get your name?
It’s a brewing company…in Minocqua.
Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
Minocqua is an island-city, literally stationed in the middle of a series of northern Wisconsin lakes. It’s picturesque in all sense of the word, even through a cracked windshield.
That’s right: the up nort’ dirt and gravel roads (admittedly few and far between) were a bit much for the ol’ Honda Fit’s front shades. But this minor setback did not stop us from rolling into Minocqua Brewing Company smack dab in the middle of the island.
You want views? This place has got them in spades. It’s easy to get lost in the scenery: from thick woodlands to watery vistas, we had to remind ourselves we’re here for the beer. Hard life, we know.
The only thing that could pull our attention away from Lake Minocqua and late afternoon games of bags on the shore was beer and cheesecurds. Trade offs.
Whitey’s Wheat Ale
Heavy mouthfeel, lasting clove notes in the nose.
Minocqua Pale Ale
A friendly, fresh, and approachable hop bed. Overall a very drinkable, lighter ale.
Bear Naked Brown Ale
At first struck me as a standard, true-to-style Brown, but the longer I sat the more subtle watermelon and honey tastes resonated out.
Pudgy Possum Porter
Chocolate, nut, granola bar, smoothness.
Though we did our darnedest to absorb the fresh air, inside MBC you’ll find a lively front bar with locals reminiscing about the history of this former Masonic Temple and the family that started off brewing here, while looking forward to what a brand new ownership and brewmaster have to offer.
Upstairs the brewing equipment hides behind an inconspicuous door, while the 2nd floor lounge fills with folks ready for some live piano drinking accompaniment.
Up here at Minocqua Brewing Company, things move a little slower so that you can enjoy the views, food, and music peacefully. Luckily, the beer still pours quickly.
