Milwaukee, Spreadin the Wine Bug!

After about a 6 hour drive we finally arrived in good 'ol Milwaukee, WI where the beer flows like rain and the wine.... well.... not so much.  So what is an oenophile doing in a place like Milwaukee, well, visiting some of my best friends on the planet, spreading the wine bug of course, and discussing business plans with business partners!

We arrived on Thursday and it immediately meant a trip to Trocadero (Trocadero) a place I've been wanting to go to for awhile.  We started with some Lakefront Brewery beer which I mentioned in an earlier post, and it was good as usual.  It seems they have added some new beers as well, I had a "French style" beer that according to the bartender is not even being bottled yet at Lakefront.  I wish I could remember what they are calling it because at the moment I cannot find it on either website.  Anyways, if you are in Milwaukee look out for this new "French style", I want to say Lager beer from Lakefront.  Trocadero did not disappoint, the huge sign on top, the location under a bridge, the warehouse next to it which clearly used to be a manufacturing plant that saw its demise, smelled like wet, rotting old building.  Walking into Trocadero was very interesting, the building was as old as the rotting building across the street, the inside was old world, tile on the floor, dimly lit, very unique, it also had an outside beer garden which I'm sure is a local hot spot in the summer.  We only worked on the appetizers here, they were good!  We had the Killer Guac, Steamed Mussel Pot green curry (we were supposed to get the Negra Modelo onion n' chorizo sauce, but what became a theme of the night, we would order something and the food that came out was not what we ordered, but we just went with it!), Yum Yum Dip, and some Frites with Sriracha Mayo, which was super good. All n all, the atmosphere was great and the food pretty good.  Recommended!

Friday rolled around of course I had the day off, I have everyday off at the moment so I convinced my friend Mike to take off Friday so we could be bums and roll all over Milwaukee.  The day started late, around 11am, we headed to a favorite breakfast spot in Milwaukee, Beans and Barley (Beans and Barley).  We arrived at around noon and breakfast was over, it was sad, however lunch was great!  I had the burrito which looks like they are known for.  I think I spent maybe 9 dollars there so not only was the food good, it was on the cheap.   After lunch we headed to the Great Lakes Distillery (Great Lakes Distillery), the first distillery to start up in Wisconsin since the dreadful prohibition.  I'm typically not that into spirits, however... however, this stuff was good!  Mike and I walked in and the first thing we had was a an Old Fashioned drink made with their Pumpkin Seasonal Spirit (Pumpkin Seasonal) which was superb!  Then it was on to the tour which short and sweet.  The tour guide, Jason, made it very informative.  After the tour we tasted through all of their spirits from Grappa to Absinthe.  Please check out their website to see what else they produce.

For me, the Absinthe was the most interesting.  We've all heard the stories of hallucinations, going crazy, van Gogh drank it, and Poe drank it, among others.  The interesting thing is that absinthe never caused hallucinations.... ever.  Yes, it is a high potency alcohol.  People were getting super drunk off of it but it did not cause hallucinations.  Stories of going crazy and hallucinations were started by the European wine industry.  You see at the time absinthe was becoming the drink of choice and a direct threat to wineries so they created these stories as a response. Drinking absinthe is quite the experience and no it doesn't involve dissolving sugars or burning it...etc.  You can drink it this way but the best way is to start with a glass water dispenser (see picture below) with ice water and spigots.  I was quite perplexed that we were going to add water to something (2 to 3 parts water, 1 absinthe) and that it would make it better.  I always associated adding water to things as a way to dilute not the case with absinthe.  The water actual brings out the flavor releasing oils and aroma.  You turn the spigot to a drip and you can see the oils releasing, once the absinthe become cloudy it's ready to go.  They had two different ones, one floral, one a little more licorice like.  Now, I don't like licorice however I really enjoyed the absinthe.  If you have the opportunity to try, DO IT!

Mike in front of the distillery

After tasting spirits all day it was time to head to the grocery store to get food for the 2nd annual Wine and Cheese party with friends.  It first started in D.C. with my friends George and Mike who came up with the brilliant idea of getting dressed up, eating great food, and drinking great wine.  Of course I brought some wine from the winery I worked at to share with everyone in Milwaukee.... to spread the wine bug!  With George as chef de cuisine and Mike as appetizer specialist, sous chef, we entered the realm of culinary art and wine lore, things you only dream of.  I contributed a Rochioli East Block Pinot and Sweetwater Chardonnay, both out did themselves.  They also complemented the cooking brilliantly. The chardonnay with the Chili Shrimp made by Chef Mike (Chili Shrimp) and the pinot with George's portabella mushrooms with pancetta and other goodies.  A great success!  The night was filled with good friends, great wine (15 bottles consumed), and beautiful food!  Thanks to George and Amber for hosting, thanks to the chefs, and thanks everyone who brought wine and brought their smiles!

the 15th bottle was being consumed at this very moment

Saturday was a day of hanging out and more wine.  We woke up and had Thai at the shadiest joint I've ever been to (Thai Lotus)!  It was good but I was a little scared for my life.  Don't go here by yourself.  Saturday evening I made my visit to Balzac (Balzac) which occurs every time I go to Milwaukee.  Balzac is probably one of my favorite places, great wine and food!

I made it back to Minnesota to find snow and cold! Winter is here!