Road Tripping it to Lake Geneva, WI late August- Any recommendations...

[THCDDM4]

Taking the Family ona orad trip to Lake Geneva, WI later this month and wanted to ask any WI locals of places I need to see, visit, eat or drink at whilst I am there.

I am big into craft beer/breweries & pubs, love ditillery tours and sipping whiskey and other such spirits, really good food (Not pretentious, just DELICIOUS!) and general outdoor adventure/fun stuff.

Any recommendations are much appreciated.

The family and I are pretty open to adventure of all kinds.

I want to keep in the vicinity of Lake Geneva for the most part, but if there is something a bit further out we absolutely SHOULD partake in- please let me know!

Thanks and take care!

ETA: we're definitely going to be visiting Geneva Lake Brewing Company!

[SeriousStudent]

You need to touch base with a member here named Vic303. I know she is familiar with all manners of wonderful beers and stuff in that state.

New Glarus (spelling?) comes to mind as one to check out.

[THCDDM4]

SS- Thank you very much for the info sir, I will be in contact with Vic303 for sure.

Thanks again and take care!

[thirteen/autumns]

born and raised in Milwaukee, WI though now located temp. in Phoenix, Az... Just your post wishes that I could make a road trip back home for alittle bit.

If you are looking for micro breweries SeriousStudent hit the nail on the head. New Glarous brewery is the place to stop. It's located just south of Madison and depending on which route you take on your road trip you might just pass right by it. New Glarous is known in WI for their Spotted Cow beer if you have ever heard of it... Def. give it a try!!!!

You already said you are going to Geneva brewing so I wont say anything about them...

Next place to look into would be Lake Front Brewery on the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee. About 30-40 minutes north of Lake Geneva. Nice brewery with some good micro brews. A favorite spot for locals who are tired of Miller Lite, and more of a "adult" crowd then that of the bars on Water Street where you get the drunk college adults drinking Bud and Miller Lite in excess. Ask me how I know... LOL. :rolleyes:

You can always stop and check out the old Pabst brewery in downtown Milwaukee too. If that's not really your cup of tea then just watch the movie Public Enemies as it has the brewery in the movie which was filmed in Milwaukee and Janesville WI.

The Miller tour is cool just for the nostalgia alone though if you like Miller then it's def. a tour to take. The entire area smells like yeast though, trust me you will smell the yeast if you are west of downtown Milwaukee.

The only really good whiskey bar that I know of would be located AGAIN in downtown Milwaukee which so happens to be called Whiskey Bar. It's alittle "trendy" and more of a club atmosphere but has one of the best selection of whiskeys that I can think of. Not worth going to downtown Milwaukee just for that as I am sure your hotel? or family? in Lake Geneva will or could have just as nice choices for you.

Lake Geneva aside is a great little place... A place I would like to move back to. Depending on where you are staying you can check out the Grand Geneva... Now a family resort though use to be Hugh Hefner"s Playboy Resort and Club.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask... I try to visit my family atleast twice a year now back in WI so my information may be alittle off. For sure try and stop by New Glarous and Lake Front.

[SeriousStudent]

Spotted Cow! That was it! :D

I was racking my brain, trying to remember the name of that beer. We have a local store that carries a lot of stuff like that, I'm going to check them out.

And brats and cheese, don't forget to check out all the brats and cheese shops while you are up there, THCDDM4.

I'm getting hungry and thirsty, and I'm not the one going on the drive.

[madisonsfinest]

Capital Brewery in Middleton, suburb of Madison. I really am partial to The Great Dane Pub in Madison. They make a lot of good brews. If the weather is hot, and if you are with your family, the Wisconsin Dells has a lot of well known water parks. Noah's Ark is the best outdoor water park. Ale Asylum is in Madison and is pretty popular as well. All of these places have websites.

If you are going to New Glarus, you will not be much farther to Madison, less than an hours drive. You could check out the state Capitol in Madison.

A lot of breweries in WI., just not sure of any near Lake Geneva, as it's pretty far south in WI.

[THCDDM4]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations- I knew asking here was a good idea.

I'm gonna do some background research on all these places and add the interesting/good looking ones to my list.

Very nice of you all to help out and it is much appreciated!

MMMMM!- Brats and Cheese. And BEER!

I'm gonna have a beer brat with cheese tonight; with a brewski of course.

Thanks again everyone!

Slainte!

[Mr Elbowseed]

Spotted Cow! That was it! :D

I was racking my brain, trying to remember the name of that beer. We have a local store that carries a lot of stuff like that, I'm going to check them out.

And brats and cheese, don't forget to check out all the brats and cheese shops while you are up there, THCDDM4.

I'm getting hungry and thirsty, and I'm not the one going on the drive.

You should try out Back 40 Bock which is also brewed by New Glarus.

[SeriousStudent]

You should try out Back 40 Bock which is also brewed by New Glarus.

Thanks very much, I'll add that to my list.

[tuck]

Capital Brewing and New Glarus both have awesome beer, I still need to take the brewery tours though...

Lake Geneva is quite a bit farther south of me so I'm not super familiar with the area, but it's close enough to Milwaukee and the surrounding areas to check out the sights. The Milwaukee County War Memorial/Veterans Park is very cool and worth checking out if you're in the area.

If you feel like making a bit more of a drive, you can head up to Waukesha and check out Midwest Industries too. They have a nice little store front that's perfect for killing some time.

Those are just some ideas off the top of my head. Let me know if there's anything I can help with. I hope you have a good trip!

[Mr Elbowseed]

Capital Brewing and New Glarus both have awesome beer, I still need to take the brewery tours though...

Lake Geneva is quite a bit farther south of me so I'm not super familiar with the area, but it's close enough to Milwaukee and the surrounding areas to check out the sights. The Milwaukee County War Memorial/Veterans Park is very cool and worth checking out if you're in the area.

If you feel like making a bit more of a drive, you can head up to Waukesha and check out Midwest Industries too. They have a nice little store front that's perfect for killing some time.

Those are just some ideas off the top of my head. Let me know if there's anything I can help with. I hope you have a good trip!

I'd like to make it over to New Glarus someday and do a tour. Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the state.

[polymorpheous]

Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee.
Friday fish fry and great beer!

New Glarus Brewery is owned by some of the biggest Obama drones in WI.
They donate to anti-gun causes and they had a front row seat for Obama's inauguration, (I think, may have been the State of the Union speech), speech this year.

If you hit up the Milwaukee area, PM me and we can hit my home range.

[Mr Elbowseed]

Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee.
Friday fish fry and great beer!

New Glarus Brewery is owned by some of the biggest Obama drones in WI.
They donate to anti-gun causes and they had a front row seat for Obama's inauguration, (I think, may have been the State of the Union speech), speech this year.

If you hit up the Milwaukee area, PM me and we can hit my home range.

Spotted cow forever ruined. I guess I will stick with killians and stella.

[polymorpheous]

I couldn't really care about who they support politically in all honesty.
But the fact that they shell out big bucks to groups like WAVE is a no go.

I used to drink Fat Squirrel, (nut brown ale), exclusively.

[Ryno12]

New Glarus Brewery is owned by some of the biggest Obama drones in WI.
They donate to anti-gun causes and they had a front row seat for Obama's inauguration, (I think, may have been the State of the Union speech), speech this year.

I couldn't really care about who they support politically in all honesty.
But the fact that they shell out big bucks to groups like WAVE is a no go.


Good to know. I don't stray much my Bud/Busch Light, except for an occasional Land Shark, but I know several people that are New Glarus fans & I think they will be awfully disappointed.

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[The_War_Wagon]

You could go visit the old TSR offices, or the Gygax homestead - the birthplace of Dungeons & Dragons! :p

[THCDDM4]

Thanks for the additional info and recommendation's. Much appreciated gents!

Leaving this Friday and I am stoked to get out of town and on the road. Ready for some wake boarding, beer and good food.

Thanks again guys.

[Ryno12]

Find yourself a good supper club & tip back a few whiskey sour "old fashions". ;)

Enjoy your trip!

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[tuck]

I haven't been on a wakeboard all summer. I'm jealous...

New Glarus does have some shitty political affiliations, but they still make damn good beer. I do find myself buying Capital products over New Glarus though.

[Ryno12]

How was your trip? What did you all end up doing?

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[THCDDM4]

How was your trip? What did you all end up doing?

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The trip was a blast! Thanks for asking.

We drove straight through stopping in Lincoln to grab lunch on the way. Only took us 15 hours with lunch included, so not too shabby.

People in Iowa drive like effing idiots by the way! No one knows how to yeild to faster traffic, what the hell?

We went to New Glarus- beer was mostly just okay, some was pretty good- I talked a bunch of shit about Obama and Democrats and ruffled some feathers and put a few 20-something idiots in their place with FACTS & LOGIC; so that was fun. We also went to Geneva Lake Brewing Company and to Sprechers (At Lake Geneva City) as far as breweries are concerned that's all we had time for.

Sprechers IPA2 was one of the best I tried out there, and the Amber from Geneva Lake Brewing was really hoppy and tasty. My favorite New Galrus was the "spotted cow"- pretty good stuff, too light to fully pleasure my palate though.

Had a few "Rye wines" from leinenkugel that were phenomenal (I like big ass beers!)- didn't hit the brewery but I found some at a local liquor store.

We bought a bunch of WI local beer and Lakefronts IPA was one of the best by far. Very good balanced hoppy/malt character and incredibly drinkable!

Great lakes distilling "American Absinthe" is really good FYI. I drank quite a bit and introduced more than a few people to absinthe during the trip.

My wife sprained her ankle the second day we were there so no hiking and we had to take it a bit easier than we normally would have...

Wanted to make it up to go shooting with Polymorpheous, but never found the time to do so since we lost a whole day to the ER for my wifes injury- and it slowed us down the rest of the trip.

We hung out in the lake and on the boat (A "Streblow" 26' footer- one of the most beautiful boats I have ever seen/had the pleasure to drive) mostly. It was HOT when we were there so we pretty much just played around the lake. Heat wave was killer! 90-97 on most days. A few cooler ones at 80-85. Humidity destroys me.

Took daily morning boat rides to watch the sun come up and midnight boat rides everynight to look at the stars- played guitar/sung songs with family- each of us taking turns and playing different styles (This was the most fun part of the trip for me- I haven't played for quite a while and it was a lot of fun to play/sing along with family), drank tons of beer and ate tons of cheese (I gained 12 pounds of cheese/beer weight on the trip! Had to increase my work out regimen since we got back in town to help work it off...).

The lake is beautiful, clear as any I have ever seen. The water is so clean and fresh- it was really amazing. The cottage was just off the lake oppossite the yerkes observatory and was very nice, pool table, boat house and boat launch, lot's of room.

We did the "postal delivery" tour of the lake. Lot's of rich Chicagoans with crazy houses on the lake.

The lake was quiet when we were there for the most part, lots of Harleys/bikers for the 110th anniversary- so we saw some kick-ass bikes and even helped break up a fight at a bar between a couple of drunk bikers.

There was a cool hotel/restaurant in Lake Geneva City right off the lake called "Baker house" that is like walking into the movie Clue, everyone dressed in late 1800's/early 1900's period pieces; each room themed differently (Game room, library, study, etc) so you could eat in style. They had great food and an absinthe fountain- the wife and I were at home there.

All in all it was a fantastic trip with lot's of good times, I got to hang out with family on my wifes side we rarely see and we really like- so that was nice.

On the way back we stayed a night in Omaha and hit up a few breweries and a steakhouse. It was the season opener for the Huskers so the city was crazy and everyone was drunk and wearing red all riled up for the game. Hadn't been in Omaha in a while and man has it grown.

Was happy to come back to CO and see the mountains, things just aren't right without them.

WI was really cool, lots of really nice fun people; I struck up a conversation with every local I came in contact with and everyone was more than happy to palaver with me about anything and everything. GREAT people! Hit up a bunch of local produce stands/farmers markets and man the tomatoes and corn were effing awesome! I think I ate (2) ears of corn a day and about 7 the first day we were there.

Did I mention the cheese and beer? I consumed quite a bit and brought a lot home as well.

We will be going there again next year for sure. Too much fun to pass up.

TOO many businesses in WI have "No guns or weapons allowed" signs- that was dissapointing. Although there were also several businesses with signs that said "Guns and weapons welcomed" so that was cool.

All in all WI is a great place and the vacation was a lot of fun and very much needed.

Cheers!

[Ryno12]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your vacation. I never think of WI being a vacation destination but of course, living here, I go elsewhere.
As for the "no firearms" signs, I presume the further north you go, the less you'd see. :)

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[polymorpheous]

Y'all come back and see us again now, ya hear!