Sometimes the best things originate from collaboration. Such is the case with three upcoming beer dinners, which showcase the magic that partnerships can achieve.
Sprecher Brewery Dinner at c.1880
On July 23, c.1880, 1100 S. 1st St., will present a five-course pairing dinner in collaboration with Sprecher Brewing Company.
The menu, which includes several of Sprecher’s award-winning beers, includes an amuse paired with Hefe Weiss, pork belly with honey, mustard and marjoram paired with Beyond Braggot, Ivory Char seafood choucroute with Special Amber, black pudding with smoked potatoes, caraway and beets served alongside Piper’s Scotch Ale, and shortribs with onion carbonara and rapini. Dessert will incorporate toffee with chocolate, cherry and crème fraiche paired with Bourbon Barrel-aged Czar Brew.
"We really based the menu off of the flavors of the beer," says Chef Thomas Hauck. "In some cases we actually looked for inspiration behind the derivative inspiration of the beer – for instance, Black Pudding with Pipers Scotch Ale. We really want the beer to do the talking, and the food to be the audience."
Brewery owner, Randy Sprecher, will be in attendance at the dinner to answer questions and talk about the beer selections to interested guests.
Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Cost: $75 per person. Reservations can be made by calling (414) 431-9271 or emailing reservations@c1880.com.
Best of Milwaukee Beer Dinner
Blue Jacket, will host the third Best of Milwaukee Beer Dinner on Tuesday, Aug. 5 beginning at 6 p.m.
The menu, which will feature courses prepared by Justin Aprahamian of Sanford, Dan Van Rite of Hinterland Erie Street Gastropub, Matt Kerley of Blue Jacket, Dan Jacobs of Odd Duck and Paul Zerkel and Lisa Kirkpatrick of Goodkind. Beer pairings will include brews from from Like Minds, Dogfish Head, Founders, Central Waters and Hinterland.
Due to the intimate venue, seating is extremely limited. Please call (414) 312-7098 to make your reservations.
Oskar Blues Dinner at Tess
Tess, 2499 N. Bartlett Ave., will partner with chefs Chris and Ally Benedyck from the east side’s Love Handle for an Oskar Blues Brewery dinner on Monday, Aug. 11.
The collaborative six-course dinner will feature Oskar Blues beers including Mama’s Little Yella Pils, the iconic Dale’s Pale Ale, a brand new Bavarian Hefeweizen, G’Knight Imperial Red IPA, Old Chub Scottish Strong Ale and the debut of Coconut Porter.
Reception begins at 6pm with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost for this event is $59 per person plus tax and gratuity and includes all beer and food. As always, the chefs can make accommodations for dietary restrictions or allergies with ample notice. For reservations, call (414) 964-8377.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
