Minocqua Brewing Company Reviews

hershiser2	3.5 Minocqua Mandela Mash Pint can thanks to Drake! Clear gold, tiny white head. Nose is grain, crisp grasses, light floral hops. Floral hops, grain, light leaf, light cracker, hint of vanilla. Nice lager. Wish it would have worked out... Obligatory fuck Ron Johnson. Saturday, May 20, 2023
BeerdedDave	3.5 Minocqua AOC IPA hazy amber color; piney hop aroma; piney hops and bready malt flavor; bitter finish Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Brigadier	4 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout 12 ounce can The best of Minocqua's beers is unsurprisingly the one that provides the opportunity for more depth and complexity. Compared to other Wisconsin imperial stouts I'd place it solidly in the median - not exceptional but enough to be a good gateway for people who are dipping their toes in the waters of bigger ABV beers. AROMA / APPEARANCE Dark chocolate, malt, and hints of grape provide the creamy essence that powers this release. The oily black core and lean beige head are on point without being overly exciting or distinctive. FLAVOR / PALATE Thick bitter chocolate, coffee, and a muddy transition contribute to the full bodied rich mouthfeel. The warm finish glows in the throat with a robust and radiant texture. It might not be on par with Central Waters but at least is the equal of many other local imperial stouts that I've tried over the years. Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Brigadier	3 Minocqua Bernie Brew 12 ounce can A fairly basic pale lager might be one of the better experiences that I have had with Minocqua. While I really want to like their beers if this is the best they can offer I think I'll be giving them a pass unless the price is right. AROMA / APPEARANCE The light gold base supports a slender white head that falls in a few minutes to nothing. The bouquet is inoffensive and forgettable. There's a tease of fresh cut grass but it just feels feeble and bland. FLAVOR / PALATE The quick fading burst of citrus and hops fade within just a few seconds of hitting the tongue. The refreshing clean finish continues this trend with a generic forgettable nature. Nothing about it stands out and the results are at best a local distraction that blends in with other regional selections at the store. Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Brigadier	3.3 Minocqua Evers Ale 12 ounce can A bit of a letdown is another pedestrian release from Minocqua Brewing. If it were possible to buy a mixed pick which included one of each of the cleverly named releases I'd be more inclined to try a few more. However with so many other options the likelihood is that I will only give them another chance if I ever find myself in the neighborhood of the tasting room. AROMA / APPEARANCE Fresh pineapple, citrus, and hops brighten the air with a short lived bouquet. The transparent golden base supports a soft white head that falls over the course of a minute or two. FLAVOR / PALATE Dry yeast, lemon zest, and a hint of malt merge into a supple mouthfeel. Things feel a bit thin bodied and mellow resulting in a disappointing finish that seems to be par for the course for the brewery. Overall there are worse pale ales but it lacks anything that sets it apart from dozens of other similar Wisconsin beers. Thursday, January 26, 2023
Brigadier	3.1 Minocqua Biden Beer (2021) 12 ounce can Once again I had high hopes opening one of Minocqua's singles and once again it felt a bit disappointing. This theme will have me rethinking if it is worth buying any more despite the clever brand. Instead I might opt for better local options that deliver on their potential. AROMA / APPEARANCE Soft malt, creamy vanilla, and an inoffensive gentle nose temper expectations almost immediately. The laid back golden base is bland and basic. FLAVOR / PALATE Generally malt forward, this does possess a low key bitterness. Thankfully the profile fades quickly due to a lack of complexity. As a result this inoffensive experience is immediately forgettable. I was happy to try it once but will not be buying any future releases. Saturday, January 14, 2023
Brigadier	3.3 Minocqua Fair Maps IPA 12 ounce can I really want these beers to improve having tried a couple. Unfortunately this might be Minocqua's best so far which is not saying much. Otherwise this no frills daily drinker is overshadowed by dozens of other local options. AROMA / APPEARANCE A light bitterness, oak chips, and grass resemble an IPA in spirit even if it feels a bit hollow. The caramel brown base melds with an ivory head. FLAVOR / PALATE Caramel brownie, oak shavings, and an earthy bitterness soothe the palate. The inoffensive mouthfeel is basic and clean. As a result there is little to set this apart. As a consequence this feels disappointing and tempts me to add the brewery to my list of ones to ignore in the future. Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Drake	3.8 Minocqua Extinct Elephant Moderate Red Ale Pint can from Wagner Market, 12/23/22. Hazy amber, medium tan head, good retention. Aroma of caramel, grain, a hint of tinny. Taste is piney hop, toast, caramel. Crisp. Solid. Slick. Friday, December 23, 2022
Brigadier	2.8 Minocqua Tammy Shandy 12 ounce can A very bland shandy continues to demonstrate that despite the premise Minoqua has not delivered with this series of beers. Even for a shandy it feels forgettable. AROMA / APPEARANCE Light lemon zest, lemonade, and a mild mannered nose fade into the background. The cool cloudy base is tinged golden with a dandelion edge. The white head adds some contrast but overall this looks average. FLAVOR / PALATE A modest bite of citrus and lemonade feels tart though with a quick finish. The ABV is so well masked that this almost tastes like a packet of Crystal Light lemonade. The finish lacks any depth, body, or a lasting punch. Even for the style it could be improved. Hopefully Minoqua can make a few tweaks and improve this. Monday, November 14, 2022
Skyview	3.7 Minocqua Inauguration Day Chocolate Blonde Ale Picked up a single 32-oz crowler from the brewery in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Pours a clear golden colored brew with an averages sized off-white head that slowly dissipates. Aroma go golden grain malt, a hint of floral hops and very little chocolate. Flavor is light bodied with more of the chocolate flavors are detected, along with golden grain malt and floral hops. Finish is clean, crisp and some mild bitterness. Saturday, November 12, 2022
Drake	3.6 Minocqua Mandela Mash Pint can from Woodman’s Oak Creek, 10/14/22. Clear amber, medium white head, average retention. Aroma of grain, green and floral hops. Taste is toasted malt, floral hops. Crisp. Pretty simple and straightforward. Well balanced. Nice. Go Mandela!!! Fuck Ron Johnson. Thursday, October 27, 2022
MaltOne	3.4 Minocqua AOC IPA Solid IPA. Mostly in the resinous, dank group, some malt balance. Not overly bitter. Kudos Minocqua. Thanks to Marlon. Tuesday, October 25, 2022
ads135	2.4 Minocqua Bernie Brew I'd love to love this brew, but I really didn't. Pours clear gold with a thick white head. Aroma is grassy hops, but the flavor has a bit too much stale corn and the mouthfeel was slick. Tried courtesy of Brandon and Monica at Pig Roast 2022. Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Atom	3.5 Minocqua Bernie Brew Pint can pours a clear pale golden with a medium white head. Doughy bread malt aroma with light lemon citrus and grassy hops. Taste of sweet bread malt with corn, drying lager and light bitter hops on the finish. Nice clean lager. Friday, May 27, 2022
hershiser2	3.7 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout Can thanks to Drake! Pours black with a small brown head. Sweet chocolates, roasted malt, light sweaty nose. Chocolate, roast, cocoa, a bit of tart fruit (which I could do without). Nice, thicker stout and not sweet. Tuesday, May 24, 2022
hershiser2	3.2 Minocqua Tammy Shandy Can thanks to Drake! Hazy gold with a white head. Nose is lemonade, light black tea. Lemon zest, chlorine, lemongrass. Tart. Fine. Forgetable. Thursday, May 19, 2022
hershiser2	3.5 Minocqua Evers Ale Can thanks to Drake! Pale gold, haze, floaties, white head. Citrus peel, funk, tangerine, hose nose. Tangerine, lemon zest, clover, light pineapple. Nice. Wednesday, May 11, 2022
hershiser2	3.5 Minocqua Bernie Brew Can thanks to Drake! Pours gold, has floaties that look like seamonkies before they start swimming, white head. Dough, lemon, zest, orange nose. Orange and lemon zest, light tomato, dough, hint of pepper. Nice. Sunday, May 8, 2022
hershiser2	3.5 Minocqua Fair Maps IPA Can thanks to Drake! Hazy orange with chunks, off-white head. Floral hops, honey, citrus peel, pine nose. Orange peel, resin, pine, caramel. Stale, or at least past its prime, but it's tasty... so it was probably really good before. Wednesday, May 4, 2022
hershiser2	3 Minocqua Biden Beer (2020) Can thanks to Drake! WI brewery #59.Golden, hazy, with some floaties, white head. Dough, leaf nose. Flavor is bread, lemon zest, dough. Meh. Saturday, April 30, 2022
Drake	3.3 Minocqua AOC IPA Pint can from Total Wine Madison, 3/3/22. Hazy amber, large foamy tan head, good retention. Aroma of mango, dank, hints of citrus and pine. Taste is soap, floral notes, tropical fruit, citrus, pine. Mild bitterness. Decent. Fuck you Marjorie Taylor Green. This former bartender is a million times smarter than you. Sunday, March 13, 2022
mrjaxson	3.2 Minocqua Biden Beer (2021) Super light and sharp from start to finish. Pours to a minor head from a 16-oz can. While most of the head dissipates, what remains and is regenerated from the ample carbonation, leaving faint lacing throughout. It tingles the tongue and has a nice little hop bite on the finish. Support sane government. Buy Biden! Tuesday, January 18, 2022
mcjay	3.2 Minocqua Biden Beer (2021) This beer is ok. It didn't blow me away, but the beer I drank before it was so awful that by comparison... This beer is a breath of fresh air. Golden straw color with a thick foamy white head. Grainy aroma with a hint of funk. Crisp and clean with a hint of bread. Cheers to Minocqua Brewing Company for standing their ground. Phuck DJT and all he stands for. Thursday, January 13, 2022
mcjay	3.8 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout It's smooth, sensible, persistent and reliable. Let's just say it's not bad and I like it a hell of a lot more than that homophobic P.O.S. Mike Pence. Pours black with a creamy tan head. Aromas of chocolate and vanilla. Notes of cocoa, raisins and molasses. Smooth, sweet and velvety. I'd love to visit this brewery. They deserve the support. Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Drake	2.8 Minocqua Tammy Shandy 12 ounce can from Woodman's Oak Creek, 9/26/21. Hazy yellow, large white head, fair retention. Aroma of lemon, pale malt. Taste is tart lemon pale malt. Thin. Okay. Monday, September 27, 2021
Drake	3.1 Minocqua Filibuster-ale Pint can from Total Wine Brookfield. 9/26/21. Very dark brown. Looks like a stout. Large frothy tan head, good retention. Aroma of strong nuts, popcorn, caramel. Taste is roast, nut butter, chocolate. Thin. Smell scared me but it turned out all right. Monday, September 27, 2021
douglas88	4 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout 12 ounce can. Pours a pitch black hue with a medium creamy light brown head. A big metallic roast nose. Heavy roasted malts, lactose, light vanilla, light dark dark fruit, big roast. Very nice. It's nice to have a stout that isn't super sweet. Friday, September 24, 2021
Drake	3.5 Minocqua Bernie Brew 12 ounce can from Green Gecko, 9/10/21. Hazy orange, thin head. Aroma of doughy malt, orange, earthy and herbal hops. Taste is bready malt, citrus. Well balanced. Saturday, September 11, 2021
Drake	3.6 Minocqua Biden Beer (2020) 12 ounce can from Green Gecko, 9/9/21. Hazy orange, large foamy white head, good retention. Aroma of doughy malt, honey, leafy hop. Taste is lemon, pale malt, Crisp, well balanced. Just like our President. Friday, September 10, 2021
Drake	3.9 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout 12 ounce can from Green Gecko, 9/1/21. Comma-la. Get it? First female President someday soon I hope. Near black. Aroma of roast and chocolate. Taste is roast, coffee, nuts, molasses, dark fruits, dark chocolate. A bit thin for the style. Mild booze. Overall very nice. Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Drake	3.8 Minocqua Fair Maps IPA 12 ounce can from Green Gecko, 8/20/21. Clear copper, medium tan head, good retention. Aroma of tangerine, green hops. Taste is grapefruit, melon, pale malt. Moderate bitterness. Nice. FUCK GERRYMANDERING! Saturday, August 21, 2021
Drake	3.6 Minocqua Evers Ale 12 ounce can from Green Gecko, 8/20/21. Hazy orange yellow, medium white head, good retention. Aroma of citrus, dank, pale malt. Taste is mango, tangerine, pale malt, candied lemon. Simple but tasty. And thank you Governor Evers for fighting the death cult also known as the Wisconsin GOP. Saturday, August 21, 2021
drpimento	3.5 Minocqua ,la. A Strong Vice Presidential Stout The Aromas ARe a touch on the mild side, dark malts, cocoa, roast and meat. Flavors are somewhat similar to Noah's, bittersweet, a bit chalky. With good carbonation and okay body. Hides the alcohol well. The chalky thing gets in the way somewhat. Wednesday, July 28, 2021
drpimento	3.1 Minocqua Evers Ale The Aromas are mild slightly old resin hops and straw. Flavors are like nose, again mild slightly more sweet than bitter and totally uninspired. Okay body, carbonation and slightly bitter finish. Wednesday, July 28, 2021
drpimento	3.6 Minocqua Biden Beer (2021) Both Aromas and flavors are from a good quality though nothing special traditional kolsch. On the malty side, a little sweet upfront with some bitter in back, good carbonation body and Finish Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Skyview	0.9 Minocqua Biden Beer (2020) Sampled from a 32-oz crowler received from friends in Vilas County. Pours a golden light amber colored brew with an average sized off- white head that quickly dissipates. Aroma of golden and caramel malts, very little hop presence but a touch of white pepper. Taste is light bodied, very watered down golden grain flavor with a touch of cream tartar. Finish is non-existence with no bitter aftertaste whatsoever. Good Lord! Even Diet Coors (Coors Light) has more flavor than this. I can't even put this brew in the same category as real Kölsch from Cologne, Germany. When I tried to drain pour the rest of it, even my InSinkErator garbage disposal spit it back at me. If the brewers at Minocqua Brewing are trying to convince me that Biden has 'Bad Taste,' they convinced me both politically and literally. Sunday, December 6, 2020
Drake	3.6 Minocqua Zero Dark: 30 Clear amber large frothy tan head good retention. Aroma of grapefruit, pine, pepper, pale malt. Taste is grapefruit, lemon, pine, pale malt. Medium bodied. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	3.7 Minocqua M.P.A. (Minocqua Pale Ale) Very hazy orange, large tan head, fair retention. Aroma of orange, grapefruit, pale malt. Taste is grapefruit, pine, pale malt. Medium bodied moderate bitterness. Old school but nicely done. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	2.9 Minocqua Pudgy Possum Porter Keg at the brewpub, 1/3/20. Black large tan head fair retention. Aroma of roast, chocolate, caramel. Taste is coffee grounds, roast, dark chocolate. Thin. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	3.7 Minocqua Maple Brown Bear Clear dark red, medium tan head, fair retention. Aroma of chocolate, maple, mild roast. Taste is toffee, maple, raisin. Just enough bitterness to keep it balanced. Medium bodied. Nice. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	3.1 Minocqua Roadkill Red Keg at the brewpub, 1/3/20. Clear dark copper large white head fair retention. Aroma of toffee and raisins. Taste is cherry, toffee. Thin. Decent. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	3.6 Minocqua / Rocky Reef Safe at Second Keg at Minocqua Brewing, 1/3/20. Murky orange large tan head. Aroma of peach pits, guava, berry, passionfruit, lacto. Taste is guava, passionfruit, berry, lemon, funk. Medium bodied mild lingering tartness. Saturday, January 4, 2020
Drake	3.3 Minocqua Largemouth Blonde Keg at the brewpub, 1/3/20. Clear gold thin creamy white head good retention. Aroma of not much at all... some Stone fruit. Taste is bready malt, lime, stone fruit. Medium bodied lingering bitterness. Saturday, January 4, 2020
CigaRobbieBrews	4.3 Minocqua Bear Naked Brown Ale If you love the movie The Great Outdoors with John Candy and Dan Ackroyd this is your place picturesque mid-western mountain lake town the beer was really good the burgers where phenomenal. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 8, 2018
Carlisle	3.2 Minocqua Scotch Ale Draft at the brewery. Pours reddish-amber color with lighter beige head and substantial lacing. Caramel flavor with tropical fruit. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017
Carlisle	3.2 Minocqua Pudgy Possum Porter Draft at the brewery. Pours dark brown color with lighter beige head. Subtle chocolate aroma. Much lighter for a porter but very good. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017
Carlisle	3.1 Minocqua Bear Naked Brown Ale Draft at the brewery. Pours medium-brown color with off-white head. Light bread malt flavor. Lighter body. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017
Carlisle	3 Minocqua Road-Kill Red Ale (-2017) Draft at the brewery. Pours reddish-Amber color. Malt flavor with sweet citrus and some bitterness in the finish. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017
Carlisle	3 Minocqua Wild Bills Wild Rice Lager Draft at the brewery. Pours caramel color with thin off-white head. Toasted flavor. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017
Carlisle	3.1 Minocqua M.P.A. (Minocqua Pale Ale) Draft at the brewery. Pours caramel color with white head and lacing. Grapefruit with a resiny finish. Good malt and hop balance. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone Monday, January 16, 2017