A Sconnie Paradise: ACB at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest

, A Sconnie Paradise: ACB at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest

Nothing says Wisconsin like beer and cheese. And nothing says beer and cheese like the aptly-named Isthmus Beer and Cheese Festival that took place in Madison last weekend. Even in below-freezing conditions, determined Sconnies cabbed, bussed, biked, and walked to get to their favorite event of the year. So many, in fact, that the event sold out, resulting in “Will sell soul for 1 ticket” signs outside. Worth it.

Inside, I was surrounded by over 100 crafts, 20 creameries, and the best people-watching Wisconsin has to offer. Over several hours of painstaking beer sipping, grueling cheese gobbling, and taking pictures with guys wearing skunks for hats, I was able to identify the highlights.

, A Sconnie Paradise: ACB at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest

Most Resourceful:

Madison’s only nano-brewery One Barrel Brewing Company takes the cake for most resourceful with a process called parti-gyle. After brewing their fruity and malty #2 Strong Ale, they remove the wort and brew a second batch using the same grains. The result is Party Guy ESB. It still has a hoppin’ taste, but a lighter feel that is appreciated by the marathoners among us.

Most Old-Fashioned:

Lakefront Brewery doesn’t need modern marvels to deliver great beer. Their Firkin of Local Acre Wet Hop was served sans C02 in a gravity keg, and it was brewed with hops that are available now for the first time since before prohibition. It comforts me to know that beer of the early 20th century could have tasted this good. Good for you, old people.

Most Unique:

Like most of the others, Woodman Brewery was manned by the head brewer himself. Unlike the others, this brewer proudly distributed beers with ingredients I would never dream of. The BBQ Rauchbier was the subject of some debate at the table. While I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t like a beer that tastes like bacon, the strong smoky flavor was too much for some. I had to ask what the inspiration for it was. “I thought of it, so I brewed it”. Well, that explains the Jalapeno Blonde Ale, the Cirque du Saison (infused with cotton candy), and the Raisin Dak Porter. Mad scientist-turned-brewer: a win for us all.

, A Sconnie Paradise: ACB at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest

Most Impressive:

Karben4 , Madison’s newest brewery, delivered with a Silk Scorpion Black IPA that we’re still raving about. Not your grandma’s IPA- this one has confident amount of hops, but a surprisingly smooth delivery. We’re excited to see where these guys go next.

After 3 years at this festival, even with countless others in between, this one remains my favorite. For the dairy capitol of the country, and one that is rather adept at brewing, I’ll put up with the single-digit temperatures. On Wisconsin!

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