James O'Boyle
As in past years of Madison Craft Beer Week, there’s a glut of cool tappings and takeovers, and you’ll be lucky to hit a fraction of them. Some sifting and winnowing is in order. These are my picks from the offerings of out-of-state breweries.
Friday, April 29, Tipsy Cow, 102 King St., 4 pm-2:30 am
I’m paying extra attention to most Surly events this year because the Minneapolis brewer has been rereleasing its excellent anniversary beers in anticipation of its upcoming 10th birthday (these showed up in Milwaukee for that city’s recent beer week). This MCBW tradition, however, will be worth it for the wild scene regardless.
Saturday, April 30, The Coopers Tavern, 20 W. Mifflin St., 5 pm-2:30 am
For those who take their pot puns 10 days late, 4/30 features Lagunitas Brewing at The Coopers Tavern, with its potently dank Waldos’ Special Ale and some other treats like High-Westified Imperial Coffee Stout.
Saturday, April 30, Field Table, 10 W. Mifflin St., 5 pm-12:30 am
Welcome to the craft crazy scene, Field Table! The new market/cafe scored a very rare barrel of Bo and Luke, the smoky, Pappy Van Winkle barrel-aged stout from Kentucky’s Against the Grain.
4. Perennial, Founders and Evil Twin tap takeover
Sunday, May 1, Dexter’s Pub, 301 North St., 11 am-2 am
Take a deep breath, try to get some sleep before, during or after your Great Taste of the Midwest ticket line-sitting on Sunday, and then stop by Dexter’s Pub. Perennial, Founders and Evil Twin will fill the cool digital menu board behind the bar. Owner Nick Zabel gets the good stuff, and these brewers are known to deploy some wild adjuncts and big stouts.
5. Ballast Point Sculpin and Taco Night
Monday, May 2, Jordan’s Big Ten Pub, 1330 Regent St., 6-9 pm
Four varieties of Ballast Point’s Sculpin IPA — original, Grapefruit, Habanero, and Pineapple — will be offered on tap with a special taco night menu. I’m told they blend fairly well with each other, so politely asking for an empty sampler glass is probably the pro move.
6. Perennial and Avery Takeover
Tuesday, May 3, HopCat, 222 W. Gorham St., 6 pm-midnight
Catch a cab over to HopCat for its two-brewery Perennial/Avery tap takeover. Perennial’s Sump coffee stout (10.5% ABV), Avery’s Uncle Jacob’s Stout (16.9%) and Tweak barrel-aged coffee stout (17.81%) will unquestionably require a safe ride home, no matter how much cheeseburger you jam into your face.
7. Embrace the Darkside with Alaskan Brewing and Great Lakes Brewing
Wednesday, May 4, Jordan’s Big Ten Pub, 1330 Regent St., 3 pm-midnight
Oh, I’m afraid the Star Wars puns will be quite operational when you arrive at the Big Ten Pub on May the Fourth. Great Lakes Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout never sees bottle distribution outside of Ohio, and rarely escapes on draft, so this keg will almost certainly go fast.
8. Upland Brewing: Lambics and More
Thursday, May 5, Gib’s Bar, 1380 Williamson St., 7 pm-1 am
If you’re a sour fan, swing by Gib’s Bar for Upland sours you probably won’t see elsewhere, as well as non-sour Upland brews.
Friday, May 6, Mr. Brews - Downtown, 305 W. Johnson St., 6-10 pm
The underrated Lift Bridge pours at Mr. Brews’ downtown location. Though the tap list has yet to be revealed, this is a brewery that turns out quality standard beers and some fun seasonal and limited offerings. Keep your radar up for Irish Coffee Stout, Silhouette and Commander, and of course the flagship IPA, Hop Dish.
10. Surly Night
Friday, May 6, The Coopers Tavern, 20 W. Mifflin St., 5 pm-2:30 am
A-ha, there’s an anniversary re-brew, finally. Though I wouldn’t be shocked if One (quadruple bock) or Three (black braggot) popped up at one of the many Surly events throughout Madison Craft Beer Week, the Coopers Tavern event is the only one to publicly proclaim one. That is, Two — a cranberry stout originally hailing from 2008.