Anyone been to Like Minds recently? I went there today while in Milwaukee and was very impressed. Honestly didn't realize they were transitioning to primarily mixed fermentation/ barrel-aged beers based on what they had been previously sending to Madison. This is definitely going to be a spot to watch out for if they keep on the same trajectory. Their 100% Brett IPA (Sherman) was killer. Honestly one of the better hoppy Brett beers I've had compared to Hop Savant, Marietta Ave, Dry-hopped Oak Theory, etc.. And damn...that Marron Pêche is quite possibly better than R&D Wild Peach. What are your opinions on this brewery? I was very pleasantly surprised and seriously hope they continue on the current path they are on.
In Chicago, they release mediocre/terrible contract brewed beers. None of the ones you mentioned above. I had written them off, but next time in Madison I'll have to give the "real" brewery a chance!
The beers they had on tap/ to-go in Milwaukee were nothing like I'd seen in Madison. I was very surprised. I was not expecting to enjoy my visit as much as I did.
As far as I know the sours are coming from MKE. They can't brew that kind of stuff at Great Central......at least not yet. EDIT: I guess they could do kettle sours but that's not what these are. They are barrel aged sours.
Was at Like Minds Friday from about 6pm to 8pm and there were maybe 10 other people that during those two hours, kinda weird. The beer however was all good to very good. I know there's been a handful of different changes within the business model during their short existence so who knows what's up there but I must say I was impressed with the beer they put out.
First off to everyone who has been in and/or tried our beers, thanks! Secondly I'll say this as politically as possible, I agree with your assessments on all of our original beers. Not particularly inspired, nor anything I wanted to make. Unfortunately some of my partners didn't want to be patient and didn't understand sour/mixed fermentation production so there were sacrifices like the beers done at Great Central (no complaints there, those guys are good people and can brew some great beer). I stand by those recipes, but they aren't what inspired me to start brewing. Anyway, in regards to all production, it is all sour and/or Brett fermentation and will be going forward. It took us until about 3 months ago to get our barrel program to maturity, which was the 18 month mark from when the program started in earnest. We've got some pretty rad stuff coming out. All in 750ml. Definitely let me know what you guys think and I'll be happy to answer any and all questions. Thanks again! John Lavelle Head Brewer Like Minds
Hey John, haven't tried any LM stuff yet. But saw some cans of Dark Tower stout on the shelf a while ago and was just curious. Was it named after the King book series? I could see how it could be based on the label. If so, I'll have to track some down to drink while watching The Gunslinger. Cheers!
I've heard similar, but I've also heard from friends who loved the series that's its good if you read it, probably not so much of you haven't.
I can't tell you how many bottles of Flora I have consumed. Just a wonderful delicious beer. 100% brett fermented too blows my mind that it is not Lactobacillus or Pediococcus sour driven. My biggest complaint is that there is no way the bottles are 375ml because I find my glass empty soon after starting to drink one. One of my all time favorite "simple" no fruit flavors added sours period. Very well done. Marron Peche is also wonderful. You get a little sour, a little peach and a little Woodford Reserve bourbon. Loved it. Wilder tasted like a wild cherry jolly rancher to me. The rhubarb sour saison is also delicious. I'm excited to try the new ones that are coming out!
I visited a month ago and thought the Marron Peche was fantastic along with Wilder and Julia, which were both solid. I'd recommend picking up a bottle if you can find it (Discount had it yesterday). I recently opened the blueberry and blueberry rhubarb saisons from January with my mom and we were both big fans. It's a strange location for them to be right off of Brady Street since their sours aren't the most accessible, but I'm hoping to stop in every now and then to see what they're doing. As the Milwaukee craft scene continues to get more and more cluttered, I'm glad that they're finding their groove.
Sitting here enjoying the crowler of Sherman (Brett IPA) I brought home last weekend and thinking how stoked I am to see what this brewery is able to do in the future. I have a good feeling... I echo what was said about the taproom kind of being deserted on a weekend (compared to Good City, where I stopped next). I feel as though Like Minds did themselves a disservice by putting out the contract brewed cans and the bottled beers that were out around Madison. The impression left was not great, and was not at all telling of what the brewery had set out to do. I'd urge everyone to forget about anything that Like Minds put out in the past and forget about any pre-conceived notion you may have of the brewery and consider this a fresh start for them. The output from this brewery is polar opposites of what you may have seen from them a few months ago. Go check 'em out! If they keep on the same trajectory they are on now, I see some great things in the future.
I don't know about that. It's a perfectly right fantasy/action flick that's WAY different from the books
