Bi-Weekly Beer Blog

Hey World,

Yep, it's me...again. A few days ago, I mentioned that I wanted to reserve a spot in my blog for beer. Well, here it is. I am hoping to feature a different beer every two weeks or so. The two week time frame provides me with a chance to select a worthy beer; plus, it just adds some good alliteration with the three B's. I actually had a request for Local Acre to be featured as the first beer, and being the kind soul that I am, I obliged.

For those of you who don't know, Local Acre is a relatively recent product of Lakefront Brewery. If I can be honest, there are a number of Lakefront beers that may appear in this blog at some point. The brewery is just too cool, and it's about a mile from my house. Aside from that, Lakefront just puts out good quality beer that makes life worth living. The brewery tour is a must for anyone visiting Milwaukee. If there are any readers who have never been on the Friday night tour, shoot me an email, and I will personally take you. (I'm being serious too. Btw, now would be a good time to mention how excited I am for Ben and Theresa's wedding this summer, which is going to be held at Lakefront.) So let's discuss the beer.

Local Acre is a lager with a hazy gold color. It has a significant malt taste with a bit of bitterness. I think most beer drinkers would be surprised by the taste of the beer. I know I was. I wouldn't call Local Acre an easy drinking beer. It has a particular hoppiness and flavor that might take some beer drinkers a little while to get accustomed to. But, push through. It's well worth it. Another positive(or negative depending on your personality and tolerance) is that this lager comes in at 7ish% alcohol by volume.

I should also note that possibly the coolest feature of the beer is that it is made using 100% Wisconsin ingredients. The barley is organic and comes from Columbus according to Lakefront. The hops are also grown in the state. Lakefront claims Local Acre is the first beer since prohibition that is made with ingredients entirely from Wisconsin...pretty cool, eh? So, on top of supporting the best brewery in Milwaukee, you can support Wisconsin farmers, all while drinking great beer...sign me up. It's certainly better than supporting some goofy apricot beer from Vermont or some crappy beer from Colorado that will remain nameless. There is a reason we live in Wisconsin, because the beer is fantastic.

I have heard some people complain that the beer is only sold in 22oz bottles. (you can find it on tap at some local bars, but not many) Honestly, I don't mind the 22oz bottles. It gives the beer some good character, and provides the opportunity for sharing! Beer should be about socializing. So grab a 22oz of Local Acre. Pour 11oz for your date (ladies first), 11oz for yourself, and start getting to know each other.

I want to also provide some potential food recommendations with each of the bi-weekly beers. In honor of the Wisconsin goodness that is Local Acre, I can see pairing it with some really great Wisconsin sharp cheddar. I can also see it fitting in quite perfectly at my Brewer tailgates this summer...that means brats. I know. I know. "Jon, what about your diet/lifestyle change?" Exceptions are certainly acceptable for the Brewers, and I plan to make many exceptions this summer.

Bottomline: Drink Local Acre. We should all be in favor of supporting local products. And this is one local product that deserves support. I've had a relatively easy time finding the beer at various liquor stores around Milwaukee. So go buy some, and then invite me over. See you soon.