Previously on Tap
Sun D'Appled Orchard Ale - Seasonal Fruit Beer
We married sweet caramel malts, spicy rye, and just a dash of South Asian cinnamon (the good stuff!) with apple cider fresh from the family farm, for a sweet-tart, refreshing tribute to the Fall season. Crisp as an autumn breeze, blushing like the turning leaves.
1.050 OG 17 IBUs 5.5% abv
Why the Name? Picture a "sun-dappled orchard"...hear the rustling leaves, take in the aroma of ripe fruit, feel the scattered sunlight dancing through the trees.
Sister Golden Ale - Kolsch
Beautifully crisp and light golden blonde ale in the style of a German Kolsch. A suggestion of fruit and malt in the aroma and just a kiss of noble German hops for balance make for a very refreshing and easy-drinking pint. In a world gone mad stretching the limits of beer flavor and bitterness and strength... behold- "normal" beer! 4.75 % alcohol by volume.
Why the Name? ...there's a classic rock group called America, and they have this song...
30 Point Bock - Dunkles Bock
Fall seasonal. Modeled after the famous strong dark lagers of Germany, our 30 Point Bock is rich and substantial yet with a smooth and clean finish. Stylistically 30 Point is a "dunkles", meaning "dark", and Dunkles Bock beers feature an awesome depth of malt flavor with very little hop presence or bitterness. Look for lovely ruby highlights within its red-brown hue, and enjoy our bock best with rich and hearty food from the grill. Steaks, sausages, and VENISON would make excellent company for the 30 Pointer.
Why the Name? For many folks, Fall means hunting season, and the 30 point buck is as elusive and legendary an adversary as Moby Dick. The chilly autumn mornings, the rustling of fallen leaves, the spirit of kinship and telling of tall-tales, the blaze-orange fashion...good times indeed. For those who don't hunt, I say "we're all hunting for something", so why not enjoy a delicious traditional beer with a silly name?
Hop Harvest - Hoppy Amber Ale
Reaping the rewards of a successful growing season, Hop Harvest is a hoppy amber ale made with 100% hops grown on the family farm. Cascade, Magnum and Nugget hops were hand-picked fresh by us and rushed straight to the brew-kettle for a fruity, grassy, "green" aroma only attainable from the freshest hops! 1.062 OG 42 IBUs 6.6% abv
Black Mirror - Double Black IPA
The relatively new Black IPA style, alternately called "Cascadian Dark Ale", celebrates the craft-brewing heritage and bountiful hop cultivation of the American Pacific Northwest. Brewers in "Cascadia" (Oregon, Washington, and Northern California) are fortunate to have the freshest and best hops close at hand, and brewing trends that originate there are often bold and hop-heavy in the extreme.
Well we love hops, too! "Black Mirror" packs a whallop of American hops into every delcious sip. Brewed to double India Pale Ale strength (8.2% abv), it features an intense and beguiling hop aroma, bracing bitterness (calculated at over 100 IBU's!), and a complex tangle of hop flavors like a sticky resinous bramble in an ominous shadowy forest of dark malt. Cascadia is really just a state of mind!
Why the Name? "Black Mirror"- the mysterious, nebulous reflection of an IPA in a placid twilight pond.
Better Off Red - Hopped Up American Red Ale
Brewed with a blend of American caramel malts for deep color and malt sweetness, and bombarded with hops throughout the brewing and conditioning process for a hoppy aroma and snappy bitter bite. Six hop varieties each vie for attention from the first sniff through the lingering finish- some citrusy, some resiny, some earthy and dank... but all in a high-flying balancing act with the malt richness. 1.065 OG 45 IBUs 6.7% abv
Why the Name? Ask any Badger....you're better off red!
Pumpkin Disorderly - Spiced Abbey Ale
No tricks- just treats. Our pumpkin ale is an abbey ale first and a specialty beer second- formulated with a keen sense of balance. Brewed with real pumpkin and a secret blend of spices, along with caramel and roasted malts, we bring you the essence of the harvest season in a glass! 1.067 OG 13 IBUs 7.0% abv
Tippy Toboggan - German-style Rye Beer (Roggenbier)
Brewed with rye, European specialty malts and Czech Saaz hops, Tippy Toboggan is a distant cousin to our Weissbier. It features a similarly fresh and somewhat fruity character, coupled with a complex nutty/ spicy malt character. Our old-world Roggenbier is chock full of flavor, yet remains relatively light and easy-drinking.
1.055 OG 20 IBU's 5.0% abv
Alpentraum - Smoked Weizenbock
A strong dark wheat ale, which draws from the traditions of both north and south Bavaria. Inspired by the south German bock-strength wheat beers, Alpentraum was brewed with plenty of crystal, Munich and dark malts for a hearty and rich flavor. In the northern part of Bavaria, the city of Bamberg is famous for its smoked malt, and especially its smoked beers. We included a hefty portion beechwood-smoked malt to give this Weizenbock a complex and unmistakable character. Our brewmaster once experienced a beer like this while on vacation in Bamberg, Germany and loves to relive his experience with this brew! 7.3% alcohol by volume
Maximilian (Max) - Stout
Originally brewed by English brewers in the late 1800's for export to the royal court of the Russian Empire, imperial stouts were once the private beverage of the czars. Very dark, with big roast and dark malt flavors, significantly hopped for balance against a massively chewy full body, and with a warming strength that can melt away the chills of a harsh northern winter...these are the trademarks of an imperial stout. 1.091 OG 65 IBUs 9.8% abv
Why the name? Yes, it's a play on words- so much malt was used in brewing this beer that our mash tun (where crushed grains and brewing water come together in the brewing process) was literally full to the brim...maxed out! Incidentally, there wasn't an actual "Emperor Maximilian" in the lineage of Russian royalty, but there was a famous satirical work in 19th century Russian folk theater called "Emperor Maximilian". Likewise, no real czars will be enjoying "Max Stout", but we'd be honored if actors, playwrights and fans of the theater might draw inspiration from a few sips.
McLovin - Irish Red Ale
Ruby red and medium-bodied, with a smooth, satisfying malt-forward flavor and just a touch of roast in the finish, McLovin is never bitter and always ready for a good time. Slainte!
1.051 OG 21 IBUs 5.2% abv
Check out the in depth review by in his article Beer Here: McLovin Irish Red from Vintage Brewing in the Isthmus/The Daily Page.
Received the bronze medal in the 2012 World Beer Cup® - Irish-style Red Ale category! World Beer Cup® 2012 Winners List
Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Dedication - Abbey-style Dubbel
We aged our delicious abbey-style dubbel in a Heaven Hill rye whiskey barrel for 6 months, resulting in a strong ale of sublime depth and complexity. Barrel notes of vanilla, oak and char mingle with ale flavors of stone fruit, toffee and spice. Approximately 10%abv
Hop, Skip & a Jump - Belgian-style Pale Ale
Our refreshing Belgian pale ale is a delight to the senses, with soft fruity notes of pears, currants and citrus in harmony wih biscuit malt and refined hop flavors.
1.053 OG 32 IBU's 5.8% abv
Why the Name? Made using 100% local Chinook hops from Gorst Valley, just a 'hop, skip & a jump' from here.
Trepidation... - Abbey Strong Ale
"Trepidation..." is the big brother in our family of Trappist-style abbey ales- a complex and potent golden elixir with undulating waves of fruit and spice aromatics, a sweet and substantial body that somehow refrains from feeling too heavy, and a gently warming alcohol embrace to melt away the chills in even the coldest of hearts. Sinfully smooth for its towering strength. 1.092 OG 21 IBU's 10.4% abv
Why the name? In these trying times, it's natural to greet the New Year with some "Trepidation..."
Joulupukki - Holiday Sahti
Brewed in the style of the Finnish "sahti" juniper/ rye beer, our full-bodied holiday strong ale boasts a big evergreen aroma and subtle spice and fruit nuances that hint at delicious holiday baking. Cozy up with one of the most unique winter warmers of the season!
1.073 OG 15 IBUs 7.5% abv
Daytripper - English-style Summer Ale
Our zesty and refreshing English Summer Ale lives in a place between pilsner and English pale ale in the spectrum of world beers. Lightbodied, crisp, and pleasantly hoppy like a Bohemian Pils, but made with the best English hops and barley- it's a lovely day for a day trip.
1.050 OG 34 IBU's 5.5% abv
Snowflake 2012 - Robust Porter
To start each new year, our brewer celebrates VBC's anniversary by crafting a new and unique "snowflake" beer- always a fresh new recipe and never the same brew twice. "Snowflake 2012" is a nitrogen-conditioned robust porter, with a delicious bittersweet cocoa flavor and a luscious creamy texture. 6.6% abv
The Contender - Bock
In a town of masterful strong lagers, we're sending our own traditional German-style bock bier into the ring. Rich, toasty malt flavors dominate, with hints of caramel and alcohol in the finish. 1.066 OG 27 IBUs 6.8% abv
Hickory Chicory Bock - Bock
Our brewer's latest pet project blends the earthy, coffee-like flavor of roasted chicory with the nutty, "amaretto" sweetness of toasted hickory nuts (hand-picked on our family farm) and a woodsy dash of hickory chips, for a bock beer unlike any you've tried. Liquid artistry at it's finest! 1.068 OG 25 IBU's 7.0% abv
Palindrome - American Pale Ale
Our well-rounded American pale ale features locally-grown "C" hops from Gorst Valley, for a bright and lively hop flavor and aroma. A classic style "drawn onward".
1.055 OG 43 IBUs 6.0% abv
Why the Name? Simply put "APA" is APA forwards and backwards.
Loose Thread - KellerBier
Carrying on the legacy of 'Common Thread', this classic German-style pilsner was made with authentic lager yeast from the collaborative Common Thread brew. Crisp and refreshing, we brewed with Czech & German hops and used a very loose filtration for a more flavorful experience than your average light lager. 1.050 OG 32 IBUs 5.4% abv
Butternut Road - Brown Ale
Flavorful American-style brown ale with malty notes of toffee, chocolate and hazelnut. Named for a beautiful stretch of meandering country road, which some of us think of as home.
1.063 OG 23 IBUs 6.4% abv
Oude DeVille - Barrel-aged Sour
DeVille is our hefty Belgian barleywine, brewed in the Summer of 2011. This version has been allowed to mature and to gracefully sour via 'wild' secondary fermentation and extensive aging, spending 9 months in an apple brandy barrel. Tart, wine-like, amazingly complex. Approx. 11% abv
Grätzer Ale - Oak-Smoked Polish-style Wheat Ale
Our latest venture into world brewing history is an oak-smoked wheat ale, named for the town of Grodzisk (aka "Grätz") in western Poland. Brewed since the Middle Ages, but nearly forgotten today, these smoky, hoppy, light bodied ales reached height popularity in the 1800's. We brewed with 100% German oak-smoked wheat and called on the hop experts at Gorst Valley to help re-create the character of archaeic Polish hops. Na zdrowie!
1.041 OG 38 IBUs 4.5% abv
Our Grätzer recieved a nice review by Robin Shepard in the Isthmus Daily Page.
Velouria - Peachy Belgian Wheat Ale
Our deliciously peachy Belgian wheat ale is the perfect antidote to the summer doldrums, with a tempting fresh fruit aroma and juicy sweet flavor, tempered by a mild peppery spice character via fermentation with authentic abbey ale yeast. Cheers to summer!
1.058 OG 19 IBUs 5.8% abv
Rhine Hieghts - Kölsch
Modelled after the famous namesake beer of Cologne, Germany, our light-bodied and refreshing Kölsch features a mild malty flavor and low bitterness. Often mistaken for a light lager, a pleasantly soft fruity aroma gives this golden ale away.
1.045 OG 20 IBUs 4.8% abv
Hoppity Jones - India Pale Lager
Our über-hoppy India Pale Lager is an exercise in West Coast imbalance, with an assertive bitterness and a resiny, citrusy hop flavor that awakens the taste buds and lingers long on the palate. A clean lager finish and nonchalant malt profile stand back and let the hops do all the talking.
1.067 OG 90 IBUs 7.3% abv
Oktoberfest - Munich-style Amber Festival Beer
A Munich-style amber festival lager with a smooth classic malt character and just a kiss of German noble hops, our Oktoberfest was chosen "National Grand Champion" in the 2010 United States Beer Tasting Championships! 1.055 OG 26 IBU's 5.6% abv
Miroir Noir - Belgo-American Black IPA
In the shadowy forest of Black IPA's, we meander down a different path. Our Belgo-American Black IPA is a sticky bramble of resiny American hops in a twilight morass of dark roasted malts. Fermented with Belgian abbey yeast for beguiling undertones of fruit and spice. No moon, no pale reflection...
1.07 OG 85 IBU's 8.2% abv
Toil & Trouble - Gruit
What would medieval ale have tasted like? The off-kilter brewmasters from Sweet Mullets and Vintage pondered this very question while conjuring this strange, wild and ancient Gruit. Spiced with heather tips and mugwort (no hops), brewed with a portion peat-smoked malt, and wildfermented for a pleasing tartness... unless your name's Beowulf, you've not tasted an ale like this!
Elder Skelter - Brown Ale/Fruit Beer
This slightly-skewed fruit beer begins as a brown ale with smooth malt flavors of chocolate and hazelnut.The addition of blackberry puree and muddled elderberries during fermentation provides the sweet-tart fruity center of this delicious beery bonbon. 1.066 OG 30 IBUs 6.7% abv
Rochambeau - Belgian-style Pale Ale
Brewed with highest quality imported malts and an authentic Trappist yeast, our Belgian pale is pure old-world class in a glass. But the special twist is in the hops- our brewmaster is secretly enamored with Sorachi Ace hops, a relatively recent Czech/ English hybrid developed in Japan. These are featured throughout Rochambeau, from bittering to flavor hopping additions during the brew, and even as a post-fermentation dry hop. Their uniquely lemony, powdery nuances accent this beer in all stages of the tasting experience, but work particular magic alongside the fruity esters of the Belgian yeast aromas. Like a beautiful, yet challenging piece of music, it may take more than one listen (sip) to realize an indispensable new favorite!
1.052 OG 30 IBUs 5.8% abv
Why the name? Rock, paper, scissors...
Curious Gourd - Bourbon Barrel-aged Pumpkin Abbey Sour Ale
Our infamous Fall seasonal "Pumpkin Disorderly" takes a wild side trip in a bourbon barrel from Madison's own Yahara Bay Distillers, along with friendly wild yeast and lacto- souring cultures, for a highly complex, pleasingly tart, and thoroughly enjoyable limited-release sipping beer. Oak-tinged, whiskey-laced, splendidly soured, pie-spiced...this is some serious monkey business! Estimated 9.3% abv
Reckoning - Double White IPA
The "White IPA" style melds the fruity/hazy Belgian Witbier with the assertive hoppiness of an American IPA, and with the "end of days" looming, naturally we made ours a double! Soft and fruity on the approach, legions of resiny citrustinged hop flavors soon join in a wild crescendo. Bitterness for some, paradise for others. 1.080 OG 90 IBUs 8.6% abv
High Horse Mild - English-style Mild Brown Ale
Brewed with choice British malts and hopped exclusively with the UK "Pilgrim" hop variety, here's an even-keeled English-style Mild Brown Ale with plenty of character, big-time drinkability, and a moderate session-beer strength. As The Duke might have said, "Whoa, take 'er easy there, Pilgrim!” 1.035 OG 22 IBUs 3.8% abv
Rye Bock - Bock
Our 2013 'Snowflake' project is a full-bodied German style bock lager with rich malty sweetness, low bitterness and just a touch of spicy rye distinction.
1.074 OG 18 IBUs 6.3% abv
Drunkin Punkin - Bourbon Barrel-aged Pumkin Abbey Ale
Just for kicks, we aged a small volume of our infamous Pumpkin Disorderly in bourbon barrels from our friends at Yahara Bay Distillery. The result is a festive and spirited brew with notes of oak, whiskey and vanilla intermingled with the sweet spicy richness of pumpkin pie. Est. 8.5% abv
Full Steem Ahead - California Common (aka
Looking forward to another Madison Craft Beer Week, we brewed a fresh reprise batch of the popular "Common Thread" amber lager collaboration brew of 2012. This medium-bodied, copper-tone beer features a distinctive woody/minty bouquet of Northern Brewer hops, and utilizes a unique warm-temperature lager fermentation for mild fruity aromas and a crisp finish. Look for a new "Common Thread" collaboration from the Madison-area's best brewers this Spring!
1.055 OG 38 IBUs 5.6% abv
Bocks O-Chocolates - Chocolate Bockbier
Our decadent chocolate bockbier is brewed with organic cocoa powder and chocolate malts, and then aged on freshly-roasted organic cocoa nibs for a delightfully rich and authentic chocolate flavor. Heavenly dessert in a glass!
1.074 OG 24 IBUs 7.3% abv
Derby Girl - English-style ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
Friendly and inviting as a cozy English pub, our ESB has a wonderful balance of hops and malt. Imported Maris Otter and caramel malts lend a biscuity, toasty sweetness, while classic East Kent Goldings hops provide a distinctive fresh fruity aroma and just a touch of bitterness. Despite its "bitter" title, our ESB is a readily enjoyable and even-tempered brew with a modest hoppy bite. Try Derby Girl ESB with our Fish and Chips or Shepherd's Pie for a tasty and authentic English pub experience! 1.052 OG 35 IBUs 5.4% abv
Why the Name? "Derby Girl ESB" was originally named in honor of the hard-skating women of roller derby. Roller derby athletes are regular women with (often) normal lives, families, jobs...but they choose the fast-paced, brawling world of derby for sport and recreation. It's all about balance- like a great ESB!
