*This is the thirty-sixth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Appleton Beer Factory. All photos by Joe Powell.
Appleton Beer Factory
603 W College Ave
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 364-9931
Visit date: 11/14/15
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
7 on tap with rotating seasonals.
2) How long operational?
2 years.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Owner used to work for Budweiser and saw an opportunity to add brewing to an under-construction restaurant.
4) Distribution?
Keg distribution to bars in Appleton, working on bottling line.
5) What sets you apart?
New to the scene, “hip”, updated. Waiter said it’s the “cleanest restaurant (he’s) ever worked in.”
6) How did you get your name?
Waiter didn’t know, but I’d venture a guess it has to do with their industrial decorating theme.
The most welcoming of sinks I’ve ever met.
Appleton’s newest brewing addition was hard to miss: beautiful signage and huge front windows showed the full-to-the-brim inside – it’s a sure-fire way to draw more people in (including us). I’m not sure how much money was sunk into remodeling this former auto garage, but Appleton Beer Factory seems to have made a mighty investment to put together such a gleaming place. From front bar/seating space, to side dining area, to the back brewing/indoor beer garden combo space, you’ll find a comfortable seat.
Overlooking the bar entrance space.
Their full menu leans heavily on beer-inspired bar and suppler club favorites. Our Beer’n’Bacon Mac & Cheese and Ale-Braised Shredded Chicken were perfect for soaking up the suds. We opted to enjoy a flight of their 7 house brews on tap ($1.50 each) to complement our dinners.
Their brewing equipment is out in the open for your viewing pleasure.
Bellywetter Blonde
Tasty, crisp, classic.
Millhand Hefeweizen
Notable clove and banana notes; delicious.
Eh-P-Eh (APA)
Easy-drinking. Hop slightly overpowers the malt.
Iron Fireman Amber
Standard, “down-able”. Nom nom.
Oktoberfest (seasonal)
Malty, lingers in your nose.
Butte des Morts Black
Light drinking for the dark hue; coffee/caramel balance.
Bourbon Barrel Black (seasonal)
Exactly what you’d expect. The bourbon burn comes through.
The indoor beer garden-inspired back room.
Appleton Beer Factory has a well-designed microbrew-pub in the trendy industrial style of today: their crowds prove how comfortable it really is to enjoy a few of their house brews. I can’t imagine a better place to spend the cold central-Wisconsin winters than belly-upped at their indoor communal beer garden watching the brewers at work.
