after dark

Try Tapas and Beer experience Thursdays
at Sprecher Brewing Company

By BETH STAFFORD
KeyMilwaukee.com Publisher

SURPRISING. Imaginative. Delectable.

For me, that describes the beer and food samplings that Sprecher Brewing Company has created for the company’s new Tapas and Beer experience.

Traditionally, tapas are “small plates.” Sprecher Brewing’s version features a dozen craft beers, each paired with five to six different food items. Each tidbit is selected to highlight and accent flavors in that specific pairing.

Since this is Sprecher Brewing, the beers, of course, represent a wide range of styles. By the end of Tapas and Beer, tasters sample more than 70 flavor pairings. I learned how pairings change and enhance the flavors in both the beer and food items.

In foodie terms, this is a great opportunity to experience “contrasting and complimentary” and “dominant vs. secondary” flavors.

The food samplings cover the salty, sour, bitter, sweet and savory landscape. I expected to be treated to some of Wisconsin’s finest cheeses, since Sprecher Brewing already recommends pairings for specific beers and products from the state’s artisan cheesemakers such as Carr Valley and Sartori.

But it was amazing to find Sprecher Hefe Weiss paired with chile spiced mango pieces and dried banana chips, Sprecher Pub Brown Ale with roasted coconut strips and dried apricots and Sprecher IPA with ruby red grapefruit sections and pickled beets. I’m obsessed with tracking down the source for the bacon pralines and dark chocolate toffee, but at least I know that the brewery’s Beer Popcorn and Oktoberfest Beer Brittle can be snagged at the Sprecher Gift Shop.

The host or hostess at each Tapas and Beer session provides a lot of background on beer brewing and brings visitors up-to-date on what Sprecher Brewing has been up to lately. For our group, that included a description of Sprecher’s new Hard Root Beer. This root beer with bourbon and oak flavors is strictly for adults 21+ and is delectable. (It’s also very limited in availability right now, so visit the Sprecher Gift Shop or check
sprecherbrewery.com for retailers.)

We also learned about Sprecher Commando, Pipers Scotch Ale aged in oak bourbon barrels, and Sprecher Czar Brew, Imperial Stout, similarly aged. I’m a bourbon lover with a bit of Scotch-Irish in the family tree, so I’m going (with) Commando.

Sprecher President Jeff Hamilton believes Tapas and Beer is a first for any brewery in the country and currently plans sessions every Thursday beginning at 6 p.m., although additional times may be scheduled. The pairing will change seasonally, reflecting Sprecher’s current beer lineup. The cost is $30 per person, with a maximum of 18 guests each session. Reservations are recommended and all participants must be 21. The brewery is located at 701 W. Glendale Ave., in Glendale. Reservations and info is at 414-964-2739 or sprecherbrewery.com.

BARS & CLUBS BY LOCATION

Downtown Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE BRAT HOUSE, 1013 N. Old World 3rd St. 273-8709.
Serving brats and fun until closing.

ENVOY LOUNGE, 2308 W. Wisconsin Avenue. 345-5005.
Located in the historic Ambassador Hotel. Food until midnight, live jazz Fri. & Sat. evenings.

METRO BAR & CAFÉ, 411 E. Mason St. 272-1973
Extensive list of wines, featured by the glass; over-sized martinis and world-class beers. $5 martini night every Friday. Great place to relax.

MYKONOS GYRO & CAFE, 1014 N. Van Buren St. 224-6400
Serving Greek specialties until 3 a.m. Thurs., 3:30 a.m. Fri. & Sat.

COUNTY CLARE, 1234 N. Astor St. 272-5273.
Irish food with an American spin, plus the best in Irish drink and entertainment.

SAFE HOUSE, 779 N. Front St. 271-2007.
Internationally known for “James Bond” décor. “Secret” entrance just south of E. Wells St. starts the unique experience. Entertainment nightly. DJ and dancing on weekends.

NEWSROOM PUB, 137 E. Wells St. 273-4900
Houses Milwaukee Press club collection of historic signatures and memorabilia dating back to the 1890s. Open 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sat. Karaoke Wednesdays, open mic comedy lab Thursdays.

WATER STREET
One of the city's oldest entertainment districts, this area from E. State Street north offers something for everyone.

WATER STREET BREWERY, 1101 N. Water St. 272-1195
Variety of own award-winning mirobrews. Enjoy games on big screens.

TRINITY - Three Irish Pubs
1215 E. Juneau Ave. 278-7033

RUDY'S, 1122 N. Edison St. 223-1122
Known for its specialty margaritas.

THE HARP, 113 E. Juneau Ave. 289-0700
Traditional pub food by the fireplace or on the patio.

ROSIE'S WATERWORKS, 1111 N. Water St. 274-7213
Popular with pro athletes from the nearby Bradley Center.

THE LODGE, 154 E. Juneau Ave. 765-9999
The atmosphere of Wisconsin's northwoods.

MCGILLICUDDY'S, 1135 N. Water St. 278-8888.
Irish food, fun and drink.

BRADY STREET
Once a very ethnic area, this East Side area now hosts trendy restaurants, often with live music or Djs.

APOLLO CAFÉ, 1310 E. Brady St. 272-2233
Authentic Greek food favorites in a European atmosphere. Good place to start or pause during a night out.

CASABLANCA 728 E. Brady St. 271-6000.
Come see and be seen every weekend with live DJs, exotic hookah flavors and live belly dancing performances every Friday night. View VIDEO here.

BALZAC WINE BAR, 1716 N. Arlington Pl. (Arlington at Brady St.). Vast wine list, 23 different bottled beers, eight beers on tap, and 13 different martinis, plus “small plate” fare.

CRISP PIZZA BAR & LOUNGE
1323 E. Brady St. 727-4217. Enjoy the contemporary vibe as well as weekly drink specials and Hookah service. Open every day 11 a.m. to bar close.

HI HAT LOUNGE & GARAGE, 1701 N. Arlington Pl. 225-9330
Upscale appetizers, extensive wine list and specialty drinks. Live music in the adjacent “garage.”

EAST SIDE

DISTIL, 722 N. Milwaukee St.
New upscale experience with exclusive bourbon and rye selections, cheese varietals, cured and dry-aged meats, and more. Open 4 p.m.-bar close Mon.-Sat.

WEST SIDE/BRADLEY CENTER AREA
This area west of the Milwaukee River includes the Midwest Airlines Convention Center, the Bradley Center, Milwaukee Theatre and U.S. Cellular Arena.

MILLER TIME PUB, Corner of N. 5th and W. Wisconsin Ave. in Hilton Milwaukee City Center. 271-BEER.
Great spot for sports fans near the Midwest Airlines Center.

HISTORIC THIRD WARD AND WALKER'S POINT
Just south of downtown is the Historic Third Ward, once a major distribution center and now a well-lit and lively entertainment venue. Continue south over the Milwaukee River and you're in Walker's Point, another emerging district with new clubs in historic buildings.

MILWAUKEE ALE HOUSE, 233 N. Water St. 226-BEER
All-grain brew pub with great patio on the Milwaukee River offers live music almost every evening. Second location on the Milwaukee River in Grafton, just south of Hwy. 60 on 13th St.

RYAN BRAUN’S GRAFFITO, 102 N. Water St. (opening April 4). 727-2888.
Lounge open 4 p.m.-midnight Mon.-Thurs; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.

CHEZ JACQUES 1022 S. 1st St., in Walker’s Point. 672-1040
This touch of Paris in the heart of Milwaukee offers live music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Superior wine list.

NUOVO CENTANNI, 218 N. Water St. 221-6565.
Live music mingles with martinis at Milwaukee’s premier piano bar, a modern take on classic 1940s nightclubs. Open 8 p.m.-bar close Wed.-Sat.

SOUTH SIDE

ATTEBURY'S PUB AND EATERY, 3807 S. Packard Ave., St. Francis. 294--3800. English-style pub close to Mitchell International Airport.

EL FUEGO MEXICAN RISTORANTE, 909 W.Layton Ave. 455-3534. "Hottest Happy Hour in Mllwaukee" 2:30-6 p.m. every day, 9-11 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.

ST. FRANCIS BREWERY, 3825 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., St. Francis, near Mitchell International. 744-4448. Special events, team trivia 8 p.m. every Thurs.

THE PACKING HOUSE, 900 E. Layton Ave. adjacent to Mitchell International Airport. Live music in the lounge Wed.-Sat. evenings.

WEST SIDE OF METRO AREA

BENNO'S GENUINE BAR & GRILL, 7413 W. Greenfield Ave.
Operated by Milwaukee's most knowledgeable “beer man,” offers 30 selected microbrews on tap, 200-plus bottled beers.

JOEY'S SEAFOOD & GRILL, 12455 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. 262-750-9500.
Open until 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Joey's takes you dockside in Boston or San Francisco where you can pair a favorite drink with appetizers like calamari or scallop poppers.

SAZ'S STATE HOUSE, 5539 W. State St. 453-2410
Award-winning BBQ ribs and chicken. Close to Miller Park and Miller Brewery and always packed with sports fans.

NORTH SIDE OF METRO AREA

ANCHORAGE, 4700 N. Port Washington Rd. 962-4710
This popular spot in the Milwaukee River Hilton boasts an elegant bar, overlooking the Milwaukee River.

PORT HOTEL RESTAURANT AND BAR, 101 E. Main St., Port Washington
Enjoy the turn-of-the-century character of the hotel as you relax in the bar.

VON ROTHENBURG BIER STUBE, N116W15863 Main St., Germantown. Choose from more than 200 imported and domestic beers.

TRY YOUR LUCK…

POTAWATOMI BINGO CASINO, 1721 W. Canal St. 645-6888 or visit
www-paysbig.com. Located minutes from downtown and open 24 hours a day. In addition to gambling and big-name entertainment, the Casino's Fire Pit Lounge is one of the best sports bars in the area.

FOR A GOOD LAUGH…

COMEDYSPORTZ, 420 S. 1st St. 414-272-8888.
Milwaukee's longest-running comedy show offers improvisational comedy designed for all ages. Call for show times and reservations.

COMEDY CAFÉ, 615 E. Brady St. 271-5653.