Robin Shepard
Isaac Showaki will make two versions of each beer for his own 3rd Sign label.
Octopi Brewing brews first batch, preps for grand opening
Octopi Brewing of Waunakee fired up its brew kettle on the first day of October to make its first official batch of beer, expected to be released later this month. The new brewery is the creation of Isaac Showaki, who has an ambitious goal: “We want to be the premier contract brewery for the Midwest,” he says. Moreover, he wants to set a better standard for contract brewing. “We are targeting breweries that make between 2,000 and 15,000 barrels per year, and if need be we can help with marketing, packaging questions, artwork, permitting and distribution,” he says.
Showaki is best known for his launching and co-ownership of Chicago’s 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, which he left in 2013.
The new brewery, located on Waunakee’s southeastern edge at 1131 Uniek Drive, makes beer in a 50-barrel brewhouse capable of producing about 13,000 barrels/year immediately. However, it can ramp up to around 65,000 barrels annually with minor modifications to its equipment. Over time, should demand support it, 150,000 barrels/year could be possible, which would put it among Wisconsin’s largest craft breweries. Octopi will specialize in making beer for others under contract, but also brew its own beer under the name 3rd Sign Brewery, which will brew two versions of each beer it makes.
The first beer will be an English Mild, made in two renditions — one called Madagascar Vanilla Mild Ale (made with vanilla beans and lactose for a smooth, creamy body), the other called Sumatra (made with cold-pressed Sumatran coffee, for mild bitterness and toasty coffee flavor). Also on the docket: two IPAs — Forest IPA (piney West Coast hops) and Jungle IPA (grapefruit and tropical flavor hops).
These beers should be available at the Octopi grand opening, set for Oct. 24. 3rd Sign beers will be sold primarily in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles, with the occasional special releases in 22-ounce bombers, and on select tap accounts.
In the taproom, patrons will find reclaimed wood from Chicago’s Navy Pier and Wisconsin’s Badger Army Ammunition Plant. It seats about 70, features 14 taps, plus a beer engine for hand-pulled brews.
Showaki has hired Michael Krause as his head brewer. Krause came to Octopi from O’so Brewing in Plover and has also brewed at the Blue Heron Brewpub in Marshfield.
World of Beer opens in Middleton
Robin Shepard
World of Beer opened Sept. 29 at 8225 Greenway Blvd. The upscale taphouse chain, based in Florida, offers 50 beers on tap and more than 500 in the bottle. Opening night featured a special firkin of brown ale called “Respect Your Elders,” made with elderberries, by Madison’s Vintage Brewpub. Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag grabbed a hammer and, with the help of Vintage brewmaster Scott Manning, tapped the ceremonial first keg for customers. World of Beer intends to highlight special beer releases from local breweries and brewpubs.
Beers to watch for
Brewmaster Dan Sherman (right) and Peter Gentry of One Barrel pick Cascade hops to use in a brew fewer than four hours later.
One Barrel Brewing: Two fresh hop beers are going on tap this week, an India brown ale madewith Wisconsin-grown Golding hops, and Wet Hop American Summer, made with locally grown Cascade hops. The release party for both beers is Oct. 8 at 4 p.m.
Hop Garden: Pumpkin Ale. Owner Rich Joseph grew the pumpkins himself and roasted them over applewood before adding them to the beer. Joseph plans to release this beer in his Paoli tasting room on Oct. 24
