Last summer, when Brewers’ All-Star closer Devin Williams joined Pilot Brewer Corrine Georges to make a beer at the J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard in American Family Field, he – unsurprisingly – pitched the yeast for the brew ... presumably not at 92 mph.
That was the first player-made beer in the new three-barrel brewhouse installed the previous spring in the Brewers’ stadium.
This week, two more Brew Crew players – starting pitchers Colin Rea and Bryse Wilson – went up to the Barrel Yard to make beers with Georges, who has been releasing limited-edition beers at the stadium brewpub for more than a year now.
The players tell Georges what they would like to see in a beer in terms style, aroma, taste and appearance and together they brew the beer on the pilot system located within the J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard brewery, taproom and restaurant, located on the field level of the stadium out in the left field corner.
Like Williams’ Airbender Ale, Rea and Wilson are making a pair of blonde ales, which will be tapped at the Barrel Yard in August.
"One of the blonde ales has honey malt and Amarillo hops, that will contribute a malty honey sweetness as a base with citrus hop aromas of lemon, orange, and other fruits," Georges explains about Billy Ale, a name that riffs on Manager Pat Murphy's nickname for Wilson.
Of #48 Ale (Rea wears uniform number 48), Georges adds, "The second blonde ale has wheat malt and Hersbrucker hops, that will contribute a malty bready wheat base paired with floral, herbal, and spicy hop character."
The players will check in with Georges on the beers as they are filtered, tasted and kegged and readied for a release date, to be announced, in September.
Because each beer will be made in a three-barrel batch, they will be around only for a limited time.
In the years before the J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard opened, Brewers players were occasionally invited to the innovation brewery at Miller Brewing in the valley to collaborate on brewing projects.
(Question: Have any other Brewers fans noticed that Georges' title includes both names this team has had during its lifetime?)
In related news, Milwaukee Brewing Co. recently released Perk Pilsner, a collaboration with Brewers outfield Blake Perkins.
The beer – which was brewed at Eagle Park in Muskego in mid-June – is a fundraiser for the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin. It's available at retail in 12-ounce six-pack cans and on tap on select local taverns.
At just 4 percent ABV, it's an easy drinker this summer, especially on the patio of the new Milwaukee Brewing Co. taproom in Bay View.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
