Mr. Brews goes to Cottage Grove
The plan commission in the village of Cottage Grove has given the go-ahead for a Mr. Brews taphouse at 425 West Oak St., a building formerly home to Valvoline Instant Oil Change. The Cottage Grove location will have two patios and about 2,000 square feet of dining space. Mr. Brews started in Weston, Wis., and now has seven locations, including two in Madison, one each in Verona and Waunakee, and one in Monona that opened just two weeks ago.
Ownership changes for Furthermore and Esser’s
Furthermore Beer and Esser’s Cross Plains Brewery are now co-owned by the Sand Creek Brewing Company of Black River Falls. “We purchased the brands, and now it’s a full partnership for the next couple of years,” says Sand Creek’s Jim Wiesender. Aran Madden of Furthermore and Wayne and Larry Esser of the Cross Plains Brewery will be co-owners and stay involved in marketing and sales of their respective products. Sand Creek is already familiar with both companies, having produced their beers under contract. The ownership change should help both Furthermore and Cross Plains be more consistent in holding tap accounts and shelf space.
Bottled up
Madison’s Next Door Brewery will start releasing a handful of its most popular brews in 12-ounce bottles by early December. Brewmaster Bryan Kreiter says his Kaleidospoke American Pale Ale, Luminous IPA and Plumptuous Scotch Ale should be in Madison-area stores soon after Thanksgiving. Packaging will be done under contract with the Potosi Brewing Company.
Beers to watch for
Sour Cyber Monday from MobCraft Beer
This barrel-aged cherry stout finishes at 8.5% ABV. Look for it (obviously) the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Space Ace Robot Doctor from O’so Brewing Company
This white IPA is made with Orbit and Sorachi Ace hops; it finishes at 4.8% ABV. Look for it on tap at Mr. Brews-downtown and World of Beer in Middleton.
Sumatra from 3rd Sign
This coffee mild ale is among the first of four beers to be released by 3rd Sign, the in-house brand of Octopi Brewing, which just held its grand opening in Waunakee. In addition to Sumatra, look for bottles of Madagascar, Forest and Jungle to be on shelves by next week.
