Pulled Together, the Rogue's notes.

River flights. Milwaukee River.

   Father's Day weekend. I'm in the western suburbs of Chicago. My son is stationed, or more like working a station, in Wassau, WI. A sports anchor/reporter for a local TV station. About eighteen hours from the coast. Four hours further than I. It's a distance, either way. Give my Chi-Girl credit, she pulled us together, coordinated a halfway mark in Milwaukee, that the three of us could meet for lunch. A brewery. Needless to say, I was stoked.

Very stoked Father's Day! 6/19/2016

   Lakefront Brewery on the Milwaukee River had a pretty expansive selection of beer set in a German Beer Hall styled setting. Long tables with community style seating. Not sure about the location of Lake Michigan (or any lake for that matter), in relation to the brewhaus, but the setting on the river was pretty impressive. Beers downed as party boats, kayakers, and SUP'rs cruised by. Sundays are brunch day, and we enjoyed a brat board sample, and a couple of big pretzels with Bavarian cheese and Polish mustard. Not to be left out were the two flights of beer, sampling each of their brews on tap. My fiance' knows me. Hadn't seen my Son in a while. This Father's Day trip was sweet.
   Brought back two of Lakefront's offerings. SMaSH Ale, a single hop/single malt Pale. Beer at it's simplest as their ads say. Poured a hazy yellow-gold with a two-finger plus white head. Aromas of sweet lemon and herb. Flake biscuit taste up front with a light hop bitterness (14 IBU) that really added the crisp to the finish. A great sessionable ale at 5.2% ABV. A draft favorite of all of us. I could drink these all day. Rated an A.

"It takes beer to make a thirst

worthwhile."  -German saying.

  Bridge Burner Imperial Amber Ale was a bit of a bigger beer at 8.5% ABV. This wrench wielding brew will knock the careless senseless which explains the four pack they came in. Poured a deep reddish amber haze with a two-finger tan head. Could smell a scent of pine and citrus from the 40 IBUs of hops with a hint of toffee in the background. The taste however, was much sweeter than I anticipated... like a barleywine, dominated by the dark roast malts. Still sensed the fruit of the hops which added balance. Rated a B.