*This is the ninety-fifth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Bobtown Brewhouse & Grill
220 W Main St
Roberts, WI 54023
(715) 338-1046
Visit date: 01/15/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
7 on tap with small batch releases every Thursday.
2) How long operational?
Opened May 2016.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Family nearby.
4) Distribution?
In-house, 1 bbl system.
5) What sets you apart?
Small-town bar catering to locals.
6) How did you get your name?
Roberts, WI is known as “Bobtown”.
Bobtown Brewhouse & Grill in Roberts, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
We turned onto Main Street in the agriculturally-focused Roberts on a clean and crisp winter’s morning. The rest of of the world hadn’t yet woken from its frozen slumber when we opened the door into the Bobtown Brewhouse & Grill, named after the affectionate nickname locals have given the town of Roberts.
Though we were the first patrons of the day, our friendly server was ready with a “good morning” and a quick palm to the tap handles as soon as we found a seat.
The space filled up over the course of our stay with groups of friends and families. Pool tables, darts, video games of chance, sports on the TV; there was plenty to distract us while we sipped our sample flight (besides the bags of board games we hauled in ourselves).
Lead Off Runner Cream Ale
Nosey and butter, with a hoppy finish.
Screamin’ Laurie Blonde Ale
Easy-drinking with honey tinges. Stronger body than the average blonde.
Tart Raspberry Cream Ale
Subtle raspberry notes that add to the refreshing, lip-smacking tartness.
Crooked Row Pale Ale
Leans Amber; musty, friendly to the palate.
On The Sly Rye IPA
A meaty and earthy rye, with a subtle lingering smokiness.
North Station Brown Ale
A tailgating Brown, as odd as that sounds: nutty, malty, and smooth.
Without a Doubt Stout
“Stouty McStout Stout”. The classic, without a doubt.
The beers were a welcome complement to the wings, chicken tenders, fries, and other pub-grub we filled our bellies with. Bobtown is also lucky to have one of the few female head brewers in the state. As the story goes, brewmaster Katie Eells couldn’t find any beer she absolutely loved, so instead had to make it herself.
Owner Mike Christenson told me,
“We’re a small-town bar; we’re not being anything else.”
With a diverse beer selection and a community gathering space worth spending a long morning in (or afternoon, or night), small-town or not, Bobtown Brewhouse & Grill doesn’t need to be anything other than what it is already.
