Basement brew brings in Cocoa Pebbles
Mark Mahoney is making two beers for Firkin Fest on July 22.
Despite not having a bricks-and-mortar brewery, the owner of Mahoney’s Basement will pour samples of his Irish Breakfast Stout (brewed with a full box of Cocoa Pebbles) and nestled in Jameson-aged oak. He’ll also have Not From Concentrate, an India Pale Ale using a new malt variety.
Mahoney is hoping to get honest feedback on his brews and possibly investors. Enjoy that Irish Breakfast Stout, because Mahoney promises to never make the same beer twice.
Mahoney, who learned the business from the marketing communications side, hopes to open a brewery in the Cooper Park neighborhood.
There’s a new head brewer for St. Francis Brewing Co., 3825 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., in St. Francis. Matthew Hofmann will run the brewing operations for the brewery and restaurant. Hofmann most recently was head brewer for 3 Sheeps Brewing Company in Sheboygan. Longtime St. Francis brewer Scott Hettig moved to Mississippi.
Here’s where to find beer in your future:
Friday: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp didn’t make Milwaukee a stop on its national tour this year, but The Brass Tap, 7808 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, is stepping in to serve all 12 brews on tap starting at 4 p.m. See the event page at Facebook.
Friday: Raised Grain Brewing Co. joins with Waukesha County Parks for pop-up beer gardens Thursdays and Fridays in June, July and August. The first Raised Grain Beer Garden opens from 4 to 9 p.m. at Minooka Park, 1927 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha.
Saturday: ABV Social, 11200 W. Burleigh Ave., Wauwatosa, celebrates its first year in business with a pig roast and a beer list that includes Good City Barrel-Aged Density, 3 Floyds Permanent Funeral and Perennial Citra Paradisi. The party begins at noon, according to the event page at Facebook.
Saturday: Sample more than 350 beers at the 14th annual World of Beer Festival organized by the Beer Barons homebrewers organization. The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m at the Schwabenhof Pavilion, N56-W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls. Ticket prices range from $50 for general admission to $70 for VIB (very interesting beers) admission.
Thursday: Bumstead Provisions hosts a Bumstead Block Party — a preEaux Claires event — with New Belgium Brewery. Look for Cherry Love Felix, Blackberry Love Oscar and Peach Wheat Wine to be served 5 to 11 p.m. A rotating selection of Milwaukee bands will play nonstop from 5 to 11 p.m. See the event page at Facebook.
Thursday: The Biergarten at the Schwabenhof Pavilion, N56-W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls, opens for the season with a grand opening from 4 to 10 p.m. The ceremonial keg tapping begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Blessing of the Bier and free beer. See the event page at Facebook.
June 9: Lake Country Beer Garden opens for its first season. The beer garden at 339 W. Maple Ave., Hartland, will serve beers from Sweet Mullets in Oconomowoc from 4 to 9 p.m.
June 9: The Traveling Beer Garden makes a stop at Kletzsch Park, 6560 N Milwaukee River Parkway in Glendale. The keg is tapped at 4 p.m.
June 10: Forest Home Cemetery, The Pabst Mansion and the Milwaukee County Historical Society will join forces for Brunch with the Barons, an interactive event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Forest Home Cemetery. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 18. Children 5 and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available from Forest Home Cemetery at (414) 645-2632 or at
June 14: Wisconsin Foodie and Company Brewing host “The State of Craft Beer” book signing, beer dinner and brewery tour from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Company Brewing, 735 E. Center St., according to the Facebook event page. Tickets are $99, which includes the book, and are available at
June 17: Phil Eck, author of “Remembering Fred Miller,” will sign the book about his grandfather from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the MillerCoors Girl in the Moon gift shop, 4000 W. State St., on the MillerCoors campus.