Beer Trippin'-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a city rich with beer history. Once regarded as  "The Beer Capital of The World", it has been home to breweries such as Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz, and Miller. Milwaukee has been kicking out barrels of beer since the mid 1800's and while it certainly had it's ups and downs, it's been able to keep atop the list of beer destinations in the United States. In the late 1800s, there were as many as 80 breweries in the city! That's a lot of beer. The Milwaukee beer scene is a little bit different from the days when Pabst reigned supreme, so here are some of the spots to throw a few back when you're in town for a visit.

Cafe Hollander is the place to come when you're in the mood for some belgian beer. You can find them serving up blondes, dubbels, tripels, trappist ales, and more. If you feel like you just can't choose one beer, why not grab a flight. For $12, you will get to choose 4 of their 14 draft beers to sample. Also residing at Cafe Hollander is a wonderful bottle selection. May I suggest a Kasteel Rouge? How about a Rochefort 8? Their menu dives into the typical belgian cuisine, but also has some American style food such as burgers and BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. I know I'd probably go for the Steak & Frites.. my favorite. P.S- You can also make your very own belgian waffle.

Sprecher Brewery has been in operation since 1985 and is one of Milwaukee's Best (sorry, had to do it) microbreweries. I recommend taking the tour here, learning about the history of their brewery, and checking out their beer garden where you can sample their beers. Make sure you try the Black Bavarian! They also do reserve tastings, so make sure you call ahead for that.

Milwaukee Ale House is located in the Third Ward district of the city and was founded in 1997 by a couple of home brewers. You can usually find 10 of their beers on tap, including 1 seasonal. They have a menu that is sure to please anyone who likes to eat. Try pairing their Stuffed Mushroom Burger with their Pull Chain Pale Ale! If you live close, join their mug club. You get all sorts of cool stuff, plus a personalized mug that's hung on the wall for you to use whenever you come in. It's 4 oz. more than a pint glass.. and you still only pay the price of a pint.

Uncle Mike's Highway Pub is offering up more than 250 bottles of beer, 24 drafts and a cask tapped every Friday. Hell yea. Listed on their bottle selection is Westvleteren 12, though I wouldn't hold my breath for it. You can still find a ton of beer there including Three Floyds, Goose Island, and a personal favorite of mine, Big Sky Moose Drool! One cool thing I happened to notice is that they serve breakfast.. so if you've ever dreamed of having a stout with an omelette, now you can.

Stonefly Brewing Company is brewing up some pretty good beer. Come in to try their Moustache Ride Pale Ale, the 5% Four Wolves English Ale, or any of their 8 beers on draft. They also have some pub fare for you to munch on such as bangers and mash. Their food is also vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Roman's Pub was built in 1885 and during prohibition was used as a speakeasy. To say this place is awesome would be an understatement. They are pouring around 30 great beers including a 2004 vintage of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, Three Floyds Gumballhead and Duchesse De Bourgogne Flemish Red Ale. They almost always have something on the beer engine, as well! If you're a cigar aficionado you're in luck because they have a humidor. This is a place to come to if you want to unwind, drink quality beer, and meet some great people.

While you're in the city you might as well check out The Milwaukee Beer Museum. Here you can view some of the artifacts detailing the history of beer in Milwaukee. Also, you might want to head over to Three Cellars. You can choose from over 500 beers to purchase while perusing their cellar, or even grab a beer on tap. They say it is "The Most Unique Wine and Beer Experience."

Since I'm a huge baseball fan, what would be a trip to a city without getting to a ball game. Catch The Brew Crew at Miller Park and toss a few back.