New Year's Eve Party at the Brewhaus

Everybody has a favorite holiday classic song, and one of mine is Ella Fitzgerald singing, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." She makes just the right blend of hopefulness and nostalgia, and her lush, gorgeous voice… well, there hasn’t been anything like it since.

In case you haven’t already made plans for New Year’s Eve, we’d like to invite you to join us at the Delafield Brewhaus. We like to ring in the New Year with the people who make our work meaningful, and that means you! Join us before the party for a special menu of sumptuous and savory dinners, including tender prime rib. After dinner, it’s just a short walk to the bar for an array of New Year’s Eve drink specials.

At 10 p.m., we shift gears into party mode when the DJ kicks things off a classic mix of high-energy dance music. This is the time of night when pints of our year-round brews are just $3 each. To help you commemorate the night, we’ve arranged a photo booth with props to help you capture the mood of celebration.

Just before midnight, we’ll be winding through the crowd with party hats, noisemakers and champagne to make a joyful noise for 2017. Be there with your friends and loved ones as hundreds of balloons float down over the dance floor, and dance until you can’t anymore!

When the party’s over, pile into your designated driver’s car (or call an Uber!) to take you up the street the the La Quinta Inn on Hillside Dr., where you will receive a 20% discount on your room. After a good night’s sleep, you can join us for Sunday Brunch, complete with restorative bloody marys and mimosas.

We can’t wait to see you and to celebrate the holiday together!

Take a deep breath… and exhale…. We can help!

Take a deep breath… and exhale…. We are in the heart of the holiday season and coming down the home stretch to the One Big Day when children’s dreams come true and adults breathe a collective sigh of relief -- but we’re not there yet! You’ve still got a few weeks to remember those you forgot to put on your Nice List, and to find the perfect gift for everybody on it.

If your List (or holiday parties) have beer lovers, we’ve got you covered. An easy way to delight your craft beer aficionados is our branded gift box, which includes a growler (a half-gallon glass jug for transporting beer), a certificate for a free fill of our year-round -- or comparably-priced -- brew, a beer bread mix and our Haus-brand sauce. With the first fill, your recipient will be given a punch card to start earning free beer.

If you’ve ever carried a growler, they can be slightly unwieldy if you’ve got more to haul. For hands-free convenience, pick up a neoprene growler koozie, which features an adjustable strap so one size will finally fit all!

We have a wide variety of wearables, from tank tops and t-shirts to hoodies and hats. We are also proud of our 16-oz. ceramic tankards which are really lovely, and perfect for home use or a summer outing to any of Milwaukee County’s Beer Gardens.

Some like it hot, and if you’ve got a spicy food-lover on your list, give the gift of internal combustion with our 4-pack of hot sauces.

A full inventory of our giftware can be found here. Give Santa a helping hand by doing some shopping from your desktop or mobile device, or accomplish two tasks with one stop by coming in for a meal and a pint while you do your shopping. We are here to help you in this magical season. Happy Holidays, and Ein Prosit!

Host the Best Company Holiday Party of the Season

For a fun and stress-free holiday party, choosing the right venue can make all the difference. While house or in-office parties are cozy and personal, it may not be suited (or insured) to hold the festivities you are picturing in your mind. Plus, this leaves all of the work on your shoulders. By choosing the Delafield Brewhaus, you choose industry professionals who are experienced in all types of parties.

1. Tasty Food

Everyone gets excited about a delicious meal. When you call to book your party, we will talk about the needs of your group. Are you planning a sit-down dinner, a buffet, or a cocktail party with passed appetizers? This is a good time to start thinking about dietary restrictions and allergies.

2. Alcohol

We are known for quality craft beers, boasting our own brewery in-house, but we also have a wide selection of wines and an even wider selection of spirits. We also have a large number of non-alcoholic offerings to keep the party going..

3. Accurate Headcount

It is important to know how many people you are expecting in order to plan for enough space, seating and food. Be sure to clarify details about a plus one in the invitation and remember to ask guests to RSVP. You may also want to send a friendly reminder a week or two before the event.

4. Lively Music

Music will lighten the atmosphere and put everyone in a cheerful mood. Create a playlist ahead of time with more songs than you think you will need. At the venue, take the time to work with any equipment and learn how to operate it. Or hire a band or DJ to take the entertainment to another level.

5. Decorations

Ask the venue if the space is decorated. If they do not, ask if you can bring your own. If you will be hosting the party after Christmas had passed, remember that snowflakes, greenery, and other winter themed decorations will be appropriate into 2017.

Since the holidays are so busy, consider hosting a winter-themed get together after most festivities have passed. Many holiday parties take place in January, which is advantageous for the feeling of relaxation that settles in after the hectic holiday season..

We’re scheduling company holidays now through well into 2017. If you’d like to start planning the festivities, call Tricia Knutson at 262.646.7821. No matter when you decide to host your holiday party, remember to treasure the magic of the season.

It’s that time of year again...

It’s that time of year again: we get out the Naughty List, brush it off, review it and then throw it in the trash. Around here, we’ve got plenty of Christmas Spirit, and I’m not just talking about that warm, glowing feeling. We’ve also got a special, limited-release Christmas Spirit just for you (even if you didn’t make the Nice List this year).

If you were with us last Holiday Season, you may recall our Sleigh Ride Ale. It was an exceptional beer which earned our highest ranking ever on the popular beer-lovers ranking app, Untapp’d (click to download). John and Bill are definitely on the Nice List for all their hard work this year, and they are putting in some overtime to put the finishing touches on this year’s holiday beer: a complex and very satisfying blend of three popular beers.

The Sleighwreck Ale promises to be just as wondrous as last year’s limited release. Our talented team has been busy aging Barleywine and Maibock in wood, then blending the result with Scotch Ale for an unforgettable flavor you’ll be proud to bring to your get-togethers (unless you drink it yourself first!).

The first 100 bottles will be released on the 15th of December, and additional bottles will be added in the days and weeks until Christmas. The release dates will be updated on Facebook and Twitter, so join us in cyberspace if you haven’t already -- it’s an easy way to stay knowledgeable about our events and brews (and also see some behind-the-scenes magic). See you soon!

What Does Every Wedding Venue Need? 10 Questions to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue

What Does Every Wedding Venue Need?

10 Questions to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue

What an exciting, happy time! Planning a wedding can be both fun and overwhelming, and the venue of your wedding is one of the most important decisions you will make. The options are almost endless, but once you have narrowed them to a few favorites, you have to consider if the venue has everything that you need. Here are some of the essentials.

1. Sound system

Ask what features the sound system has. If you want to show a video, make sure this is possible with their technology.

2. Logistics

It may not be fun to think about, but the logistics of the venue must be considered for the comfort of your guests and your own peace of mind. Is there a private, separate entrance? Is it wheelchair accessible? Where are the restrooms? Are they easy to access? Are they wheelchair accessible? If the date of the wedding is during a cold weather season, is there a coat closet?

3. Full service bar

Even if you choose not to have an open bar, it should still be stocked with beer, wine, and call liquor as options for guests.

4. Dance Floor

Is there enough room for dancing? Make sure that it will not be too crowded, but also not so large that it will look empty. You want it to look like everyone is having a good time! Consider the size of your guest list and the number of people who might be on the dance floor at a given time.

5. Capacity

Capacity does not mean how many people the room can hold. It refers to the actual number of seats that will be offered to you by the venue.

6. Deposit information

Most venues will require a deposit when you make the reservation. Ask if there is a refund policy, as there may not be one. Some venues do not allow for cancellations.

7. Catering

In-house catering takes away the task of finding an outside caterer and the complications that come along with it. In-house catering might be the best budget-friendly option for your wedding. Depending on the venue, the menu will still be customizable to suit your personal taste and aesthetic.

8. Fees

How much is charged for the use of the space? What is included? Linens, tables, and chairs are sometimes not included.

9. Lodging

If you know you have guests coming from out of town, is there a nearby hotel or inn for them to stay at? You may want to ask for a special rate if you have a large number of guests traveling to your wedding from several hours away.

10. Privacy

You most likely do not want strangers gawking at your wedding and your guests. If the venue is a public place, ask if there is a separate entrance for that particular place and if other people will have access to it.

Delafield Brewhaus can answer all your wedding venue questions. We’re equipped with ALL of the amenities mentioned here, and more besides! From a full bar to sound system to a private entrance, we’ve got it all covered. Come see for yourself: call to book a tour of our space today! 262-646-7821.

Change is Good

Photo Credit: Kim Pizzala

In Wisconsin, the seasons change, and that can be a really beautiful thing. One of the ways we change with the seasons is, we update our cocktail menu. At this time of year, we shift from the juicy, berry-flavored drinks of summer for the more savory flavors of fall. Warm, brown spirits, baking spices and fall fruit are ushered onto the menu, just in time for the coziness of sweaters and the smell of leaves as they fall like multicolored confetti from the trees.

This fall’s menu features two favorites from last year, the Autumn Fire and the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned. Our bartender Jerod designed the Autumn Fire to be a silky, creamy cocktail that is as sophisticated as it is delicious. With its hint of cinnamon, it satisfies the palate and the spirit. Our bartender, Ally, asked us to bring back the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, because it speaks to the timeless pleasures of fall without being overly sweet.

We’re expanding our portfolio of beer cocktails. You may recall the Beer Margarita; and who can forget the Keg Nog? This summer we branched out with a Ginger Shandy, which was complex and quaffable. This fall, we’re featuring the Autumn Shandy, which makes the most of our best-selling Delafield Amber, adding Drambuie, ginger beer and a touch of lemon to brighten it up.

Last but certainly not least is my own favorite, the Oh, Pear! Bulleit bourbon, with a pear reduction and the warm, savory spices of Milwaukee’s own Bittercube Bitters’ Trinity bitters.

We welcome these drinks, and this change of seasons, as we pack away our bathing suits and bring out the sweaters and jackets we haven’t seen for months. The menu comes to life October 1, and we look forward to seeing you at the Delafield Brewhaus bar!

Partnership Opportunity

In life, people come and go. This is an unfortunate but well-known truth. The people we work with are no exception to this rule. Though we have labored together side-by side and grown to care for one another, sometimes our dreams pull us apart. As true friends, we have no choice but to stand aside and wish our loved ones well as they launch themselves bravely into the future.

At the Delafield Brewhaus, we are very fortunate to have known some very fine people. I, personally, can say in all seriousness that I have met more truly good people in the nearly four years I have worked here, than I met in the previous decades combined. Though we are sorry to see dear friends leaving, we are eager to meet new and hardworking people who will help our team continue to pursue excellence in all departments.

Now we are hiring and we would open the process up to you, for you to recommend the good people in your life to our endeavors. Yes, we work hard, but we work hard together. Yes, the work can be challenging, but we draw on our combined strength to achieve our objectives. We have the training, tools and teamwork needed to continue our success into the future, but we are asking for your help to fill our roster with smart, hardworking, kind people -- the sort of people you’d like working for you and your family.

If you know anyone whom you think would thrive in our environment, please recommend us to them. Let us know whom you’re sending, and ask them to put your name down as a reference. If your recommendation is hired and remains with us for 90 days, we will thank you with a $25 gift certificate to use as you wish.

Thank you for the compliment of your continued patronage, and for your partnership in these exciting times!