*This is the ninety-second post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Oliphant Brewing
350 Main St #2
Somerset, WI 54025
(651) 705-6070
Visit date: 01/14/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
12 on tap, some 130 total made.
2) How long operational?
2.5 years.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
One English major, one music major, worked together with other professional brewers previously.
4) Distribution?
Growlers, howlers, crowlers, hoglets. Self distributed around WI.
5) What sets you apart?
“Letting unreason reign.”
6) How did you get your name?
Named after the animals Hobbits referred to as Oliphaunts in The Lord of the Rings.
Oliphant Brewing in Somerset. All photos by Joe Powell.
With a motto like “letting unreason reign”, and a name inspired by beasts from The Lord Of The Rings, you have to expect Oliphant Brewing to be unique. It starts the moment you pull into the back lot of the local liquor store to find murals leading to what looks like a utility door.
Inside it’s small and cozy. This converted garage is decked in kitsch from the tall walls to the hefty flights.
C.H.U.D.weiser Multinational Corp. Lager
Crisp, faceless, but somehow familiar lager.
Perpetual Cabaret Pilsner
A little nuttier, a little smoother.
Citizen Kang Helles Bock
Beer flavor-forward with a slight bite.
Smoked Wheat Erryday Smoked Hefeweizen
“Ooo, that is smokey.” Also wheatey. It’s named right.
Bort Belgian Quad
Booze on the front, roasted malt on the backside.
Also Bort Tripel
Booze on the backside, floral wheat on the front.
Skullship Muerte IPA
Takes you on a space ride to the land of hops.
Pokemans & Jackie Chans IPA
Subtle sake tinge under a generous bed of hops.
Semigorgon Weizenbock
Tart & dark fruitiness that lingers.
Nakatomi Night Moves Dusseldorf Altbier
Musty, musky, nostrily, smokey.
The Lizards McGuire Double IPA
Soft floral beginning, huge delayed hop hit.
Honees Honees Peanut Butter & Honey Ale
Also named right. Peanut butter beer, why do you work so well?
The never-ending chalk murals depict most of the beers they’ve made, all of which have pop culture related names, not to mention the room full of every VHS on earth. Is there a term for hipster/punk/nerd/artíst?
Ever-changing beers with the most ironic and/or clever names around would make Oliphant Brewing a unique destination by themselves, but the atmosphere and artistic sights truly make this brewery a must-see.
