Nick's Honeymoon To The UK

I recently embarked on an unforgettable honeymoon adventure across the UK, and as a proud beer enthusiast, I couldn't resist documenting the incredible brews I encountered along the way. From the bustling streets of London to the historic charm of Edinburgh and the stunning landscapes of Inverness, each stop was a treasure trove of flavor. I explored lively pubs renowned for their atmosphere and stumbled upon hidden gems that showcased the rich diversity of local craft beers. Each pint was a delightful experience, and I can’t wait to share the highlights of this journey!

Kicking off my journey in London, I gravitated towards the lighter side of the beer spectrum. With each mile I wandered through the vibrant streets, I craved refreshment rather than anything too heavy. Ciders and pale ales quickly became my go-to choices. England boasts some exceptional ciders, and I found myself smitten with delightful sips of Pulpit Flare and the crisp, fruity notes of Cornish Orchards Golden Cider. Each pour was a perfect companion to my explorations, keeping my spirits high as I soaked in the city’s charm!

When it came to beer, I savored an IPA that stood out dramatically from what I'm accustomed to back home. I also tried Nicholson’s Pale Ale, which offered a refreshing departure from the Dales Pale Ale and Sierra Nevada brews I usually enjoy. With its subtle hop presence, Nicholson’s was the ideal companion for a night filled with engaging conversations among the local crowd. Each sip was a delightful reminder of the unique character of British ales, perfectly suited for sharing stories and laughter long into the evening!

As we journeyed north to Edinburgh, the beers naturally grew a bit darker, though I still managed to sneak in a few refreshing lagers alongside my Wee Heavies and 80 Shillings. Among my favorites were the regal Innis & Gunn Lager and the ever-popular Tennent’s—true kings of Scottish beer. When the day came to a close and the chill of the grey Scottish weather settled in, I cozied up with a Belhaven 80 Shilling and a local Wee Heavy at The Queens Arms, savoring every sip.

Once we ventured further north to Inverness, we stumbled upon the fantastic Black Isle Brewing and Cairngorm Brewery, both of which crafted exceptional beers. The highlight was definitely Cairngorm's Bothy Strong Ale—rich, flavorful, and a perfect testament to the craftsmanship of Scottish brewers. Each stop was a new adventure in flavor!

Overall, my beer journey was nothing short of extraordinary! Every pour was a delight, and I was thrilled to discover a remarkable array of styles that are rarely seen back in the States. Each tasting experience showcased the creativity and craftsmanship of British brewers, making for an unforgettable adventure filled with flavor. It’s safe to say I didn’t have a bad beer, and I’m already dreaming of my next trip to explore even more!

MIAD Tap Handle Project

This past month, our Art Director Cole Krueger had the privilege of returning to his Alma Mater, The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design to work with Junior Product Design Majors on collaborative tap handles design project between us, the school, and our client Third Space Brewing.

After graduating with a BFA in Illustration from MIAD in 2007, Cole had always wanted an opportunity to return as a professional and work with students at the college on a tap handle project. So when Larry Murphy, a Product Design faculty member reached out to Cole over the summer about the opportunity, he couldn’t wait to dive in and immediately thought of reaching out to one of our best local clients, Third Space Brewing, about partnering with us on the project.

Third Space was enthusiastic about working with local students on a project and the students began working on concepts for tap handles for their flagship Happy Place brand, as well as their charitable “Pints with a Purpose” program.

Seeing the students excitement about this unique project and their well thought-out and impactful design work was a real treat! We want to thank MIAD for having us and Third Space Brewing employees Paul Mott and Lizzie Katt for being so accommodating and giving such great feedback. We hope to collab with MIAD again in the future!

Click the link below to read MIAD's web story about the project

https://www.miad.edu/product-design-students-design-custom-tap-handles

Black is Beautiful

In this Audio Only Podcast we sit down with Josh and Nick, two of our sales representatives. They told us about their trip to The National Black Brewers Association, more information about Black is Beautiful, and what it takes to be successful in the beer industry.

Handle Business

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"For Nick & I, to be part of the NB2A was a no-brainer, it is about inclusion and true partnership to move not only the Black brewing community forward, and the entire industry as a whole along with it.  Being part of a group that provides a network of resources to Black brewers to ensure they are given the opportunity to thrive from the jump.  The sharing of resources, the mentoring, the training, and all of the other countless benefits of working as a cohesive group is what makes any organization great and the NB2A is exactly that.  To ensure Nick & are moving the needle forward and providing a benefit and helpful resource to further empower the NB2A and its members, we made the decision to donate the tap handle for the Black is Beautiful Vol. 2 beer and movement.  The beer is the vessel for the movement, and to be part of it is humbling.  We wanted to ensure that every dollar that could go towards benefiting NB2A and its members, does.  Knowing that we are helping support countless breweries and breweries in planning simple is a great feeling." - Josh Ursprung