Greetings and Salutations,
Join us this week as we travel to Old World Third Street and knock a few back at Ugly’s Pub. A bar that was uniquely named when the renovation was done using discarded and thrown away products. This, of course, is not a bad thing as it has brought a unique space where good food and great drinks meet. If the weather holds up, I am sure you will find most of us on the rooftop enjoying those beautiful views. You see, even with thrown away materials and discarded objects, Ugly’s wants us to learn that no matter what we can find beauty in something.
With the inspiration of Ugly’s on my mind, I took time to go back and appreciate what many out there would call “ugly” beers. In today’s micro-brewery world where everything is hopped up or aged in some sort of barrel, I find peace in an ice cold 12 oz. can straight from a cooler. These are but a few of my favorites.
When a red bulldog is looking back at me, I know that for the next 12 delicious ounces, man’s best friend will be there for me, as loyal and refreshing as ever. Honor stands tall with these dogs; they stand for something that many have forgotten. It is only after you truly experience Red Dog, that you understand.
The beautiful curves of that sweet sweet cursive font that spells Blatz always finds a way directly into my heart and cooler. With every can opened, a sweet shanty of adventure and love is sounds off, followed by what can only be described as euphoria. Blatz calls out to me, beyond the horizon of infinite possibilities. You too can hear her siren call, if only you take a drink of faith.
The strong, powerful, beautiful pin-up gals of our past look directly into my soul as if they are inviting me to enjoy that amazing taste that is Old Milwaukee. With each sip, I taste something different, something infinite – and it is at that moment I truly understand why I love Old Milwaukee.
Like a golden sunrise over a vast horizon, she glistens in the sun. I look at her, she stares back, we both know that we were made for each other. I reach into the ice-cold half melted cooler water and grab her like the golden treasure she is. I hold her up and she glistens in the sun as if she was made for this moment. Yes, she belongs here. She, of course, is Miller Genuine Draft.
Yes, I stand up for these beers of old, these legends of the can. And although many of you reading this may disagree with me, I still stand tall, waiting for that next 12 oz. adventure to take me away.
Cheers my friends!
Your Co-founder and Ugly Beer Lovin’ Friend,
Jeremy Blandin
Photo Credit: Me, Jeremy Blandin (yes I took this)
*Keeping your glass filled and spirits high one Thursday at a time, this is Welcome to Thursdays: a local social group determined to make your Thursdays more fun. Each week, The Squeaky Curd features a Milwaukee County bar that we gather at on Thursday evening. Join us Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Ugly’s, 1125 N Old World 3rd St, at 7:30pm.*