Chris Drosner
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Chris Drosner
@wibeerbaron.bsky.social
1.3K followers 490 following 620 posts
Executive editor, Milwaukee Magazine; beer writer for Wisconsin State Journal; Badger Beer Hour. Will not always stick to beer. Occasional cursing. He/him
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Chris Drosner @wibeerbaron.bsky.social · May 21
It had been months since my last column for the State Journal, and nearly all the copious WI beer news flew in the face of the prevailing wisdom about craft beer's decline. A roundup of the good news and a clear-eyed look at the headwinds: madison.com/life-enterta...
Beer Baron: The death of craft brewing has been greatly exaggerated
Surprise — there has been a spate of good news so far in 2025.
madison.com
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
The "you" in Ann's lead is 100% me. Can't wait to be stuffing Dairyland burgers into my face again. www.milwaukeemag.com/best-news-in...
Best News in Forever: Dairyland Is Coming Back!
The very-loved burger and chicken sandwich joint will open inside Redbar in St. Francis.
www.milwaukeemag.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Neko Case
Hamilton Leithauser
St Vincent
QOTSA
REZN
rebelpiper.bsky.social Terry McNally @rebelpiper.bsky.social · 4d
Introduce yourself with the last 5 concerts you saw:
Chicago Farmer
Kelsey Waldon
Charlie Parr
Lucinda Williams
Dom Flemons
jacki.bsky.social steven tyler pjs @jacki.bsky.social · 4d
Nine Inch Nails
The Avett Brothers
Langhorne Slim
Watchhouse
The Heavy Heavy
November 19, 2025 at 3:29 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
I just updated the MilMag Black Friday beer guide – a comprehensive guide to what's going on in MKE on the highest of beer holy days (at least around here). What's your itinerary look like? www.milwaukeemag.com/your-2025-bl...
Your 2025 Black Friday Beer Guide
The biggest craft beer holiday of the year is right around the corner. Black Friday is a busy day for beer lovers in the Milwaukee area, and some of the fun starts on the Wednesday before.
www.milwaukeemag.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:53 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
After years of buildup after it began a partnership with Molson Coors, Yuengling appears to be on the cusp of launching in Wisconsin. Photos from a FB post from Beer Capitol, the MC distributor in Milwaukee.
November 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Press release: The New Glarus Brewing expansion is coming along, on time and on budget.
New Glarus Brewing Expansion On Time and On Budget One Year In New Glarus, WI: One year ago, New Glarus Brewing broke ground on its 55 million dollar brewhall, distillery, and hospitality expansion. They are set to welcome guests early summer of 2027. New Glarus Brewing teamed with Keller Construction; another employee owned Wisconsin based company on this project. Keller has kept the project on time and on budget. “It’s a large and complex site,” said lead architect and construction manager, Katherine May. “We change elevation about 60’ as the design marches up the hill in a line, connecting the flat area at the bottom of the hill to our existing facility at the top of the hill.” Construction is set to finish in the fall of 2026, with plans to take the winter and spring of 2027 to move in, hire new team members, start up the new production kettles, and get everything ready to open to visitors early-summer 2027. “We started construction with our retail space, built into the hill side at the lowest level, and simultaneously started our Brewhall Addition at the top. And we recently celebrated the milestone of these two building ends finally connecting.” The new Brewhall addition abuts the existing Brewhall. This is the space that houses New Glarus’ beautiful copper kettles that were imported from Germany. The kettles and tanks are so big that the tanks were craned in first and the building built around them. “I’ve been working on this project for about four years. So, it’s really breathtaking to see it coming to life. We still have a long road to go. In fact, the building is still being designed as it’s constructed. Recently, we were designing the custom Tasting Room Bar which will be a beautiful space with sail vault ceilings, 100 year old stained glass and wood paneling.” New Glarus’ original Riverside Facility has remained open for visitors during construction at Hilltop with self-guided tours, tastings and gift shop; open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm. Aerial view of the New Glarus Brewing expansion site in Wisconsin, showing ongoing construction on the hillside. Several new buildings, including a concrete structure and colorful facades, are visible alongside the existing red and green brewhouses. Construction equipment and materials are spread across the dirt worksite, surrounded by autumn trees and rolling countryside under a dramatic, cloud-filled sky.
November 6, 2025 at 12:15 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Black Friday beer stuff is still definitely a thing in Milwaukee, largely due to @lakefront, which today dropped its Black Friday deets: The always-boss "regular" Black Friday stout aged in @GLDistillery whiskey barrels, a coffee-cacao variant, its OG triple black IPA and a black wheatwine.
“Four cans of Lakefront Brewery’s 2025 Black Friday beers are shown side by side beneath bold black text reading ‘11.28.2025. PREPARE.’ From left to right, the cans are labeled: ‘2025 Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels from Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Bourbon Whiskey’ (black can with red accents) ‘2025 Triple Black IPA’ (gray can with yellow text and accents, featuring an illustrated eye) ‘2025 Black Wheatwine Ale aged in Brandy Barrels’ (navy can with blue text and accents) ‘2025 Imperial Coffee and Cacao Nib Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels from Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Bourbon Whiskey’ (brown can with gold accents). At the bottom is the Lakefront Brewery logo with “LFB,” “MILW,” and “WISC.”” “2025 Black Friday™ Imperial Stout — Aged in Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Whiskey Barrels. Sold for $20 each plus tax. 2025 Black Friday™ Triple Black IPA — Dry-Hopped with Cascade, Citra, Centennial, and Chinook Hops. Sold for $15 each plus tax. 2025 Black Friday™ Wheatwine Ale — Aged in Brandy Barrels. Sold for $20 each plus tax. 2025 Black Friday™ Imperial Coffee & Cacao Nib Stout — Aged in Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Whiskey Barrels. Sold for $25 each plus tax.”
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
I think we're overdue for a new edition of ASK THE BEER BARON! What's your burning question around beer or brewing? Ask and you could become newspaper-famous!
October 28, 2025 at 11:31 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
If you’re in Tosa East Towne trick-or-treating with your kids be sure to come by the Sanderson Witch Museum (2400 block of 70th St) for a beery treat.
October 25, 2025 at 11:54 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Breaking: Solemn Oath Brewery will open a taproom in Milwaukee – the former home of 1840 Brewing in Bay View. This is a homecoming for the brewery's founder – and one a long time in the making. My latest: www.milwaukeemag.com/inside-the-l...
Inside the Long Road to Solemn Oath Brewing’s Milwaukee Taproom
The suburban Chicago brewery is taking over the former 1840 Brewing in Bay View, a homecoming for its Wisconsin-raised founder.
www.milwaukeemag.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
DID YOU KNOW? The Famous Racing Polish Sausage lives in Wauwatosa in the offseason.
October 24, 2025 at 1:24 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
I've been working on a lot of cool stories lately and this one by @teakrulos.bsky.social is right up top: The true historical weirdness that led Whitewater, WI, to become known as "Second Salem," a den of witchcraft – of legend, at least. www.milwaukeemag.com/second-salem...
Second Salem: The Haunted History of Whitewater’s Spiritualist Past
Whitewater’s reputation as filled with legendary figures, curses and communicating with the dead, has real roots that grow even today – in Wauwatosa, of all places.
www.milwaukeemag.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
a cartoon robot with the words `` pain bot '' on it .
ALT: a cartoon robot with the words `` pain bot '' on it .
media.tenor.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
These editors just cannot help but step on their own dicks when they talk about literally anything in the Midwest, can they?
Once a sleepy (albeit hard-partying) college town, only truly busy on a handful of football Saturdays in the fall, Madison, Wisconsin, has undergone a population boom, transforming it into a full-fledged city. Its farmers’ markets and love for beer and cheese are still going strong, but now Madison also offers an impressive lineup of restaurants, bars and venues attracting major acts. https://nyti.ms/4h56eux
October 16, 2025 at 12:23 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Any ideas here?
keithglaser.bsky.social Keith Glaser @keithglaser.bsky.social · Oct 12
@wibeerbaron.bsky.social just knocked out my third "big" BCBS for victories over the Cubs. Need some LA beers quick for this week (obviously available in local bottle shops). Any suggestions?
October 13, 2025 at 3:30 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
What’s the last beer you took a picture of? Let’s see em, any context. Mine, before last night…
October 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
3 Sheeps Safe to Shore DIPA: lovely West Coast profile, giving Pliny/Chillwave vibes. 👍👍
October 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I wanted the Cubs. This will be something both franchises will be talking about for 20 years. The #Brewers players, though? They don't care. Eyes on the prize. #ThisIsMyCrew www.milwaukeemag.com/lets-embrace...
Let’s Embrace the Brewers’ Date With Destiny – And Also the Cubs
The Brewers’ opponent in the divisional series adds some juice for the fans. But for the players, the goal is much larger: Win a World Series.
www.milwaukeemag.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
If you've taken a photo of the iconic "I Closed Wolski's" bumper sticker in some far-flung corner of the globe, you have Mike Bondar to thank. RIP Mike. www.milwaukeemag.com/mike-bondar-...
Mike Bondar, Who Created Iconic ‘I Closed Wolski’s’ Sticker, Has Died
The great-grandson of the founders of the 117-year-old East Side tavern came up with the idea in the ’70s.
www.milwaukeemag.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:47 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
What kind of sports fan am I? The kind that pauses to smell the flowers before gritting my teeth through every postseason game. So as the wild card series begin, let's do just that. Great #Brewers piece by my friend Howie Magner: www.milwaukeemag.com/lets-take-a-...
Let’s Take a Beat to Savor the Brewers’ Historic Regular Season
While we wait to see if baseball’s best team can beat the odds for a World Series, don’t forget how remarkable this 2025 season was.
www.milwaukeemag.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Miller Lite is a beer I don’t particularly like, but its history is fascinating. One could argue, as I do, that Miller might not be a going concern today without it. My latest goes deep on “Tastes Great, Less Filling” on its golden anniversary. madison.com/life-enterta...
Beer Baron: How one brand's breakout changed the industry forever
Miller Brewing threaded the needle, turning a dud into a smash hit and changing the beer industry.
madison.com
September 28, 2025 at 12:44 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
You will never understand dissonance until you have a good hazy ipa from this package
September 27, 2025 at 2:49 AM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Our beer events calendar has 20 - TWENNNNTYYYYY - entries this week, including the debut of Explorium Distilled on Thursday and the @thirdspacebrews and New Barons birthday parties Saturday. www.milwaukeemag.com/20-beer-even...
20 Beer Events Brewing in Milwaukee This Week: Sept. 24-27
Explorium rolls out its Deer District location, Third Space turns 9, New Barons toasts five years and Oktoberfest season reaches a crescendo.
www.milwaukeemag.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:01 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Lots of tried-and-true New Glarus beers returning for fall and one new one in the Thumbprint series: Framboise! (No word on how that is different from Raspberry Tart.)
September 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
wibeerbaron.bsky.social
Folks, this week TWO Milwaukee breweries reopened.
MobCraft beer has been up and running since Monday (though they aren't brewing yet) and today Lombardi Beer is opening in the former City Lights brewery in the Menomonee Valley. #letsgo
September 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM