By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Mar 20, 2023 at 11:01 AM

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Welcome to week two of the Merriment Madness Burger Competition, which is taking place at Merriment Social, 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave. 

During the March Madness-esque competition, burgers designed by eight local breweries will face off in a series of weekly battles. Burger fans (like you) will vote on their favorites and decide who comes out on top. 

But it gets even better. A portion of the proceeds from every burger purchased will accumulate in a “pot” which will be awarded to the nonprofit partner of the winning brewery. You can also raise funds for each brewery’s charitable partner by purchasing one of eight local brews on tap. One dollar ($1) from each beer sold will go directly to the nonprofit chosen by that brewery. [Read all the deets & get the full schedule here]

Feast your eyes on the competition

Week two of the competition will feature delicious burgers from two local breweries: 1840 Brewing Company and Black Husky Brewing

1840 Brewing is raising money for Project Bubaloo, an organization which is working to advance care for congenital heart disease.  Black Husky Brewing is raising funds for the Legal Aid Society, which works to prevent injustice.

The Style Burger for Project Bubaloo: The 1840 Brewing burger features a certified Angus beef patty, charred pepperoni, crispy jalapenos, pickled pineapple, vodka sauce and cream cheese on a “garlic bread” brioche bun.

1840 Brewing BurgerX

The Spruce Springsteen Burger for the Legal Aid Society: The Black Husky Brewing burger features a certified Angus beef patty, green chile mayo, green curry rub, green papaya-basil slaw, fried pickled shallots and fried halloumi cheese on a brioche bun.

Black Husky BurgerX

Get yours

Both competing brewery burgers will be available at Merriment Social Wednesday, March 22 through Sunday, March 26 for $18 (includes fries). Be sure to grab a beer from your brewery of choice. One dollar ($1) from each beer sold will go directly to the nonprofit chosen by that brewery.

Merriment Social is also bringing back their awesome happy hour just for the occasion! So fans can stop by Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for special pre-dinner pricing on featured burgers ($14 with fries). 

Guests can also partake in half price slushies, wine or taps for $2 off. Additional happy hour food specials will include BBQ chips and poblano ranch ($4); Merriment's famous brussels sprouts ($10); fries and aioli ($6); cheese curds and ranch ($9) or Fast Cheetah Chicken sandwiches for $13.

Merriment Social is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 5 to 9 p.m.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.