Ahnapee Brewery in Algoma Wisconsin-The Coolest 2 Car Garage In Town!

Love craft beer?

I must admit that while I LOVE wine, I do enjoy dabbling in trying different craft beers from time to time. We’ve come a long way from the days where you basically had a handful of choices when it comes to beer.  Most of it tasted the same (okay, kind of), but as far as originality, there was little. Beer brewing is actually becoming an art form and the brew-master has become an artist using ingredients as his (or her) paints.

Recently hubby and I spent the day in Kewaunee and Algoma, Wisconsin.  I was in the mood for a wine tasting, so we headed to Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma to check out their wines.  While checking out the 4 bottles I purchased it was suggested that we stop in at Ahnapee Brewery just East of the winery.  She said it’s in what is a nondescript former 2 stall garage that is easy to miss if you blink.  What? A garage? We finished the purchase, she packed up my wine and we walked out.  We got to the brewery and feeling kind of adventurous stopped in to check it out.  There was another couple sitting at the bar and Scott, who was behind the bar serving up the brews. Scott handed us a menu which had a number of brews and some food offerings.  Having just had lunch, we didn’t need food, so I ordered the Two Stall- a chocolate milk stout.  I’m all about anything chocolate, so my choice was easy.  Let me just say, I loved it!!

My glass of Two Stall and Ahnapee Brewery’s menu

 

The garage

A little bit of history

The city of Algoma was once known as Ahnapee and in 1868 the Ahnapee Brewery was born under the supervision of head brewer Henry Shmiling. His Ahnapee Lager was a Wisconsin hit and he soon made a name for himself.  Unfortunately in 1886, the brewery was forced to close.

In July of 2013 the Brewery once again opened under the direction of Head Brewer Nick Calaway. Following a dream, he began crafting small batches of full-flavored beer.  The beer is brewed off-site, just 5 miles out of Algoma in the old Carnival Guernsey Dairy. The brews are served in the “Two Stall” garage that serves as a unique spot to highlight the eight seasonal, limited release, and year round brews currently on tap. Although it was a Friday afternoon and there were only a few of us in the “garage” I was told that it is a popular place especially in summer when the tourists come north to enjoy Lake Michigan and Door County.

 

With brews such as Long Goodbye, Little Soldier, and Fun Guy there is a beer for all tastes. I’m just excited to find that Two Stall is a year round brew and is also bottled and available at many Northeast Wisconsin outlets including my little town!

A great place to go for great beer in a unique setting

We spent a fun couple of hours chatting with some locals that came wandering in on a cold Friday afternoon.  I downed 2 of the Two Stalls in the 12 0z glass.  The on- tap regular draft brews cost $2 for 5 0z, $3 for 12 oz, and $5 of 20 oz.  You can also get a Growler filled for $15. As far as a great place to spend some time trying some exceptional craft beers in a out of the ordinary setting, the Ahnapee Brewery is the place to go!

Algoma is a great city along the Lake Michigan shore in northern Wisconsin with many things to do.  Small businesses, a great beach, fabulous winery, and great restaurants, but the best place for craft beers is in “the garage!”

Disclosure-All opinions in this post are honest and strictly my own based on my experience. I did not receive compensation for this post.

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