KEY Milwaukee - Featured Restaurant

Milwaukee Ale House

JUNE IS A GREAT time to drop by the Milwaukee Ale House, located in the Historic Third Ward at 233 N. Water St. When warm weather arrives in Milwaukee, the riverside, double-decker patio offers some of the best views of the city. Ample public boat slips even provide access for thirsty, hungry boaters. Those strolling south on Milwaukee’s RiverWalk discover that their explorations have led them to the Ale House’s hospitable doorstep.

The Milwaukee Ale House, one of the entertainment anchors in the Historic Third Ward, is located in a historic brick and timber warehouse building, (Schooners used to dock in front of the building to get fitted with new sails before heading back out onto Lake Michigan.)

Although high ceilings and a cavernous interior accommodate the brewpub’s brewing apparatus and give visitors a feel for Milwaukee past, by night the Milwaukee Ale House is a major part of the city’s nightlife scene. The Ale House was voted the Best Live Music Venue in 2006 by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry. (For a current schedule, check www.ale-house.com.)

The Ale House is regularly voted “Best of” in reader polls from online surveys and publications—Best Live Music Venue, Best Downtown Bar, Best Brew Pub and Best Visitor’s Destination.

The Milwaukee Ale House also is among the city’s best corporate citizens. In the past eight years, over $750,000 has been raised for Children’s Hospital, Leukemia Society, Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Angel on my Shoulder, Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, and others.

Opened in 1997, the Ale House brews fresh beer, serves an extensive menu in a riverside dining room and the patio, and features six live music shows every week. This casual destination provides a great place for everything from family gatherings to a late night music experience.

Beer-lovers can sample six or more handcrafted beers at the curving front bar, at a table in the spacious bar area, or in the spacious dining room. The seasonal “Session Beer,” brewed in single batches, always is must to sample.

Those in the mood for something other than beer can take advantage of a full wine selection, 280 spirits and mixed drinks such as the “Ale Mary.” Here, the garnish includes pickled hop shoots.

The Milwaukee Ale House also draws crowds with great food, often featuring beer in the recipes.

Peruse the menu, and find appetizer options ranging from escargot to Ale House Wings. Jerk Salmon Salad and Southern Fried Chicken Salad are among the rabbit food offerings, and pasta lovers can choose from Barrel Stacked Lasagna or Veggie Cappelini.

Stout Pot Roast is braised in the Ale House Sheepshead Stout (the beer that is named after one of Milwaukee’s favorite card games). Burger lovers will find a number of options, and veggie lovers have a number of sandwich possibilities as well. Choices for sides are fries, blue cheese potato salad, fresh potato chips or Asian slaw.

If it just has to be pizza, try a Margherita or barbecue chicken version, or create your own thin-crust creation or Calzone. If you’re in the mood for steak, the Ale House serves only Certified Angus Beef entrees. At the Ale House, you can order a Porterhouse with Pull Chain Pale Ale beer sauce, or try the tenderloin filet, New York strip, or sirloin steak sandwich.

At lunch, diners can choose from lunch specials or order from the regular menu. Always check the chalkboard menus hanging overhead, where the chef describes specials that often make use of the best fresh ingredients available.

Live entertainment and special events add to the fun. In the bar area, there are darts, pool tables and other amusements. Local bands provide blues, rock, jazz and more in the main bar on Wednesday through Saturday nights. You can listen, or get up and dance on the dance floor.

The Milwaukee Ale House can accommodate large and small groups, but continues to grow. The popularity of its beers has led Ale House owner Jim McCabe to build a new brewery for his company, Milwaukee Brewing. (McCabe contracts with Gray Brewing for package sales at present.) The new brewery is being put together just a few blocks away in Walker’s Point. With a full-scale packing operation there, the McCabe and his brew master, Jim Olen, will be able to monitor brewing operations and expand the beers they offer.

For hours, directions, and more info, visit www.ale-house.com of phone 226-BEER.

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