By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Nov 03, 2014 at 8:02 AM

It's a busy month over at Sprecher Brewing Company. The Glendale-based brewer releases two new barrel-aged beers, hosts a vendor fair and gets a visit from Santa Claus.

New Brews
Two Sprecher brews have been aging – and mellowing -- in white oak bourbon barrels for the past two years. And in the next week, both Bourbon barrel-aged Czar Brew and Commando will be available for public consumption.

Bourbon and oak highlights perfectly balance the dark roasted malts in Czar Brew, a sumptuous Russian Imperial Stout. Similarly, bourbon barrel aging naturally complements the malts and hops at the heart of Commando, a decadent Peated Strong Scotch-style ale with its dried fruit, caramel and smoky notes.

Both brews will be bottled this week and expect to be available in the Sprecher Gift Shop immediately after packaging, and distributed through retail channels the week of Nov. 10. Both brews will be packaged in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

Christmas Shopping at the Brewery
On Sunday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can get your Christmas shopping done while having a boatload of fun at Sprecher Brewing Company’s Holiday Vendor Fair.

Join the brewery at its indoor beer garden where you can sample beers and sodas while shopping to your heart’s content. There will be something for everyone on your holiday list, pets included, with nearly 20 vendors offering items including jewelry, home decorations, skin care, lifestyle, kitchen and pet items.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for minors. Military personnel with valid ID can attend for free.  Admission fee includes an optional brewery tour (offered on the hour, noon-3 p.m.), beer samples with a commemorative glass for adults and soda samples for everyone.

Reservations for tours are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (414) 964-2739.

Soda with Santa
After making his list and checking it thrice, Santa decided that the folks at Sprecher Brewery (and its customers) have been so very good this year he’s returning for Soda with Santa on three Sundays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14.  

Get your photo taken with the king of the ho, ho, ho!  Santa will listen to Christmas requests and spread some holiday cheer while merrily smiling for the camera.

Everyone gets to take their photo home. But, attendees also have the option to get their image put on bottles of Sprecher Root Beer.

Cost for Soda with Santa is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for minors. Admission is free for all military personnel with valid ID. Admission includes visit and photo with Santa, brewery tour, commemorative glass and beer samples for adults, unlimited soda samples for all.  Customized holiday Sprecher Root Beer bottles are $2 per bottle; minimum 12 bottle order.

Tour times: noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Arrive 45 minutes before the tour to have your picture taken with Santa. Reservations are required and may be made online at: sprecherbrewery.com, or by calling (414) 964-2739.

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.