*This is the sixty-third post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Bloomer Brewing Company
1526 Martin Road
Bloomer, WI 54724
Visit date: 06/25/16
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
7 on tap, with a bigger system coming to support 10-12 taps.
2) How long operational?
April 2013.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Owner/brewer owned different businesses in same space for years, inspired by homebrewing-son to start up.
4) Distribution?
40 gallon system, on tap at bars nearby.
5) What sets you apart?
Old, historic brewery.
6) How did you get your name?
Homage to previous brewing companies in the same building.
Bloomer Brewing Company in Bloomer, WI. All photos by Joe Powell.
From 1875 to 1947, small-town Bloomer was home to a big-time brewing operation. Though the brewery changed hands and names a dozen times in that span, and the fortunes eventually dried up, some 66 years later beer once again started flowing out of the same 124-year old brick building.
A brief history and brewery image from the 30s.
The history is not forgotten here, either, as owners Dan and Cindy line the entrance with news clippings, photos, and an entire room with local and national beer memorabilia.
Brewing museum.
In fact, you have to wind your way through this brick landmark to get to the bar, passing some interesting things along the way.
You can drink in a mess hall.
Or admire the brewer’s archery-trophies.
But we recommend the bar-proper.
After passing the brewing setup, the room opens up into a large sitting area and bar. Out back there’s even a modern, beautiful patio space.
For enjoying the crisp northwoods air and beer.
We cozied up to the bar and grabbed a 4-piece sampler.
Getting our flight fix.
Buckingham Ale
Like biting into a crisp red apple, but smooth; no snap.
Bloomer Beer Blonde Ale
A buttery nose in an otherwise light, poundable ale.
Weathered Brick Wheat
Eye-opening berry taste; like Berry Weiss on steroids.
Bloomer Town Brown
Sweet with a vanilla, almost root-beer quality.
The bar is open and welcoming.
Owner and brewer, Dan, explained his motive for starting a brewing business,
“I couldn’t keep enough homebrew available for myself, my landlord, and my friends.”
Truly, it seems like he’s still brewing for that same clientele but on a larger scale. The space is cozy, comfortable, and familiar for all of us Wisconsinites who’ve spent time in a northern cabin with friends and family. We may have been the only non-locals in that day, but that’s no reason to not stop by.
As Dan noted about Bloomer,
“We’re a ‘drive-through’ town.”
But Bloomer Brewing Company certainly makes it a worthwhile stop.
