Benno's is a sleeper of a beer bar on Greenfield Ave. in West Allis. If you're a beer lover, you may have heard of it or even been there, but I find most people aren't familiar with it, even though it's been around since 1980.
The big draw is the 30 taps, lined up along the wall behind the bar. They focus on craft beer from all around the US, not just Wisconsin. That means you can get beers that aren't available at any other bars around here. There's a lot of keg turnover, and the tap selection changes regularly. Luckily Benno's does a great job keeping their tap list in the restaurant updated, including brewery location, ABV and sometimes tasting notes for all beers. Unfortunately the tap list is not updated online regularly, but they sometimes make announcements on their Facebook page regarding upcoming or notable beers. Your best bet is to just stop in and try something new. The bartenders are casual, friendly and always willing to help you find a new favorite.
With all those tempting beer choices, it's a good thing that they also serve some great bar food. Wings are saucy and cheap at only $5.99 a pound regularly, or $4.49 a pound on Thursdays. Burgers are a solid choice, and are hand pattied and juicy. They come on a hard roll, and always remind me of an old-fashioned, grandma-made burger. Comfort food at its finest. Try one on Wednesday build-a-burger night for $5.99, including delicious homemade fries. You can also get a basket of fries buffalo or garlic Romano style for a great bar snack.
Recently tapped beers run the gamut from favorites like New Belgium Fat Tire and Leinie's Summer Shandy to Ballast Point's Dorado Double IPA with a Beer Advocate score of 92. Expect to see everything from porters to sours on tap when you go, including lots of seasonal varieties.
Upcoming Milwaukee Food Events
June 18: New Belgium Bier Dinner at Cafe Hollander's Downer location with NB's brewer, Ross Koenigs. Includes four courses and pairings including scallops with Transatlantique Kriek and poached pear pound cake with Lips of Faith, a pear ginger beer. Tickets are $45 and reservations can be made at 414.963.6366.
June 20: Wisconsin Beer Lover's Festival at Bayshore. See my BCB post last week for more info.
June 22: Dream Dance Steak is hosting an Ale Asylum beer dinner with Otto Dilba, co-founder of the Madison-based craft brewery. Five courses will be paired with Ale Asylum brews, including scallop ceviche and pork loin. Tickets are $75 and reservations are required.
June 22: Monthly beer and food pairing even Bar Bites at Story Hill BKC will feature Point Brewery beers including its Whole Hog Limited Edition Brewmasters' series. Tickets are $65 and reservations are required.
June 23: Master Dinner with Master Brewers at Motor in the Harley-Davidson Museum. Four courses and appetizers plus pairings. Bill Tressler from Hinterland, Jim McCabe from MKE Brewing and Randy Sprecher from Sprecher will be there. Tickets are $55 and reservations are required.
Around Wisconsin
June 20: Door County Beer Festival in Baileys Harbor with 200+ craft beers.
June 20: Taste of Wisconsin in Beaver Dam with craft beers and local cheeses.
Got the scoop on alcohol-related news or upcoming events? Contact me at lacey@shepex.com or on Twitter @BrewCityBooze.
