Miller Park’s new foods, attractions
Brewers add new food, entertainment options for upcoming season
With a Milwaukee Brewers team with a lot of new faces taking the field on opening day Monday at Miller Park, it might be tough to tell who’s playing without a score card. But the lineup won’t be the only thing new at Brewers games this season. Here’s a rundown of some of the new attractions and distractions at the ballpark.
Harry M. Stevens would love the 2016 Milwaukee Brewers. Stevens, a ballpark concessions legend, is not only credited by some (not all) with inventing the hot dog; he also was the first to sell a card with a team’s lineup at the ballpark.
As part of his pitch, Stevens would bellow: “You can’t tell the players without a score card.”
With a team with as many as 15 new faces taking the field for Monday’s opening day at Miller Park — the Brewers face the San Francisco Giants at 1:10 p.m. — score-card slingers at the stadium should do a brisk business as fans look out at the field and say, “Who’s that guy again?”
But the names in the lineup won’t be the only thing new at Brewers games this season. Here’s a scouting report on some of the new attractions and distractions at Miller Park this season.
New stuff to do
The U.S. Cellular Power Playground has added three baseballthemed interactive games — “Batter Up,” “Mow ’ Em Down” and “Strike Zone” — and a photo opportunity that allows fans to get their picture taken in a replica dugout, with Brewers players and mascots digitally added to their pictures. The playground is at Section 124.
The Home Plate Team Store has been expanded, including a new hat wall because, well, we all could use a new hat or three. It’s on the field level inside the Hot Corner entrance.
New stuff to eat
More than 10 new items have been added to the Miller Park menu in time for opening day. They include:
Wisconsin dog (hot dog topped with house-made beer jam, glazed sauerkraut and chopped bacon)
Banh mi brat (bratwurst, Asian slaw and cilantro lime mayo on a banh mi bun)
Jalapeño popper dog (hot dog with fried jalapeños and cheese sauce)
Buffalo chicken fries (waffle fries, pulled chicken, Buffalo sauce, cheese sauce, blue cheese dressing)
Racing Sausages chili loaded potato (baked potato, Racing Sausages chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream)
Supper Club ham and cheese sandwich (pimento cheese spread, gherkin pickles, ciabatta roll)
Stormin’ Gorman BBQ pulled pork (Carolina-style barbecue sauce on a buttery roll)
Turkey focaccia sandwich (fontina cheese, pesto aioli)
Soba noodle salad (noodles, carrots, cucumber, red onion, edamame, sesame seeds, chili lime vinaigrette)
Baby spice doughnut and custard sandwich (Holey Moley sugar doughnut sandwich with chocolate ganache sauce and vanilla custard)
Brisket Sloppy Joe (from Smoke Shack)
Check the interactive amenities map at brewers.com/millerpark for where you can find them.
New stuff to get for free*
(*sometimes a ticket to the game is required)
A Brewers ice cream Treat Truck is scheduled to visit tailgate parties at Miller Park, along with Milwaukee-area neighborhoods, special events and youth clubs throughout the summer, dispensing free ice cream. Yes, free.
Speaking of free, kids 14 and younger eat free during every Sunday home game, getting a voucher at the ballpark good for a free hot dog, apple slices, an ice cream treat and bottled water.
This year’s game-day giveaways include seven different bobbleheads, including a paint-your-own Bernie Brewer (sorry, for kids only) and a barking BobbleHank; seven free T-shirt Fridays; and, on July 10, a Talking Uecker alarm clock, which reportedly wakes you with “Get up, get up, get outta bed.” (Check out brewers.com/allfans for giveaway dates and ticket availability.)
About that score card . . .
You can buy a Brewers score card — classic cardboard, four page — for $2, usually as you walk into Miller Park. Vendors sell pencils, too. Just a tip: Keep them sharpened this season; they’re going to get a workout.