06.23.2023

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Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

🍺 Run, don’t hop, to Herbiery Taproom

Herbiery paves the way for hop-free brews in Madison

You can find the Herbiery Taproom at 2015 Winnebago St. downtown. | Photo by 608today

Stop by 2015 Winnebago St. tomorrow from 3-11 p.m. for the grand opening of the Herbiery Taproom.

A quick Google search will tell you that beer is comprised of four main ingredients — grain, hops, yeast, and water. However, Herbiery takes a unique approach to brewing by bringing hop-free beer to Madisonians.

🌾 Hops vs hop-free

Influenced by the German Protestant Church, the recipe for the majority of beer you drink today has its roots in some of the first drug laws passed in old Bohemia. See: Reinheitsgebot Law passed in 1516.

608 hops — Hops are often used to balance the sweetness of malt in beer. | Photo via Canva Pro by George Dolgikh

Hops — the flowers of the hop plant Humulus lupulus used primarily as a bittering + stability agent — are no longer a required ingredient in beer. Enter Herbiery.

Herbiery ditches the hops and instead experiments with over 200 different herbs that favorably flavor beer while adding variety and locality to the craft beer industry.

🎤 About Herbiery

We connected with founder Nick Ryan — who has three herbalism certifications from the Herbal Academy of New England — about what to expect from Herbiery + some of their favorite 608 spots.

Q: What vibe are you going for at the Herbiery Taproom?
A: The vibe we’re hoping to create is a welcoming, comfortable space with ample n/a options alongside a wide selection of our hop-free beer.

Q: What beers of yours do you recommend to first-timers?
A: Folks who prefer lighter beers love our Zingibeer Ginger Lager or the Misty morning coffee Kolsch. Our Under Tree Beer has rich earthy tones and a bitterness reminiscent of an IPA but with an array of roots like licorice, dandelion, and burdock to name a few.

Q: What are your favorite 608 spots to hit up when you have a moment away from the taproom?
A: I like walking over to Forward Craft and Coffee for drinks in the morning or evening, Ahan is a favorite lunch spot, Lao Laan Xang for dinner, and both Bar Corallini and Players sports bar for drinks depending on the vibe I’m looking for.

Events

Friday, June 23

Live on Queen Street | Friday, June 23 | 7 p.m. | 100 block of MLK Blvd. | Free | This drag + dance block party will feature performances by India Ferrah, Kat and the Hurricanes, DJ Sarah Akawa, and more.
Madison Mallards vs. Green Bay | Friday, June 23 | 6:35 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | $6.08 | Watch as rainbows light up the sky on Pride Night.*

Saturday, June 24

Free Bikes 4 Kidz fundraiser | Saturday, June 24 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison, 354 Coyier Ln., Madison | Free | Proceeds garage sale fundraiser will go toward helping give away bikes to those in need in 2024.
Movies with Madison Parks - “Everything Everywhere All at Once” | Saturday, June 24 | 8:45-11:15 p.m. | Peace Park, 452 State St., Madison | Free | Catch a free outdoor screening of the award-winning 2022 film.

Sunday, June 25

Corn Hole + Beer Pong Tournament | Sunday, June 25 | 12 p.m. | Oakstone Recreational, 304 Commerce Pkwy., Cottage Grove | $15-$20 | Tap into your college days for some friendly community competition.
SIN on Sunday | Sunday, June 25 | 10 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | No cover | Service workers are invited to enjoy drink specials and beats by DJ EMC.

Monday, June 26

Milky Chance | Monday, June 26 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $41-$175 | Catch this German rock band on its national tour.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Holiday

Culture

Festival Foods’ “Lights The Isthmus” returns to Breese Stevens next week

Presented by a 608today Partner

People sitting in lawn chairs and on blankets at a field

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs + blankets to sit in the field while enjoying the entertainment. | Photo by Tristan Straub

Hear that sound, Madison? It’s Festival Foods’ one-of-a-kind Independence Day celebration returning to Breese Stevens on Saturday, July 1. Read: Spend Saturday night living it up with live music, bites and sips, and, of course, fireworks.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes:

2022 headliner Uncommon Denominator
Dumate
LINE
Jean Le Duke on the 1’s and 2’s.

The cherry on top of the festival? A fireworks show for the books that will launch directly from inside the stadium. Fun fact: You can see fireworks anywhere in Madison, but the best views are actually from inside the stadium.

General admission tickets are $12 for adults (kids 12 and under get in free).

If you want to go all-out, all-inclusive “Millipore Sigma Rooftop” tickets are available for $55, and include three adult beverages, unlimited Pepsi products, and all-you-can-eat stadium classics (including the infamous Festival Foods’ Oktoberfest Brats). Gates open at 6 p.m.

Grab tickets

News Notes

Weather

The Wisconsin DNR has issued yet another Air Quality Advisory for Dane County, which will be in effect through 11 p.m. this evening. To learn more about air quality alerts and how it affects us, check out WPR’s recent broadcast on the topic. (WPR)

Development

Madison City Council rejected the rezoning for a 12-story student housing redevelopment due to a lack of affordable units. This could interfere with Core Spaces’ goal to replace 10 residential buildings with a project featuring 232 market-rate housing units. (Madison.com)

Community

Madison Parks is seeking volunteers to assist with daily goat checks. Goat checkers will be responsible for ensuring the well-being of grazing goats stationed at eight local parks. Those interested must fill out a volunteer registration before emailing your availability.

Open

State Line Distillery is now open six days a week. Locals can now visit the distillery from 3-10 p.m. every Sunday with the option to book private events during the new weekend hours as well.

Drink

Lake Louie Brewing has forged a partnership with Concerts on the Square (COS) for their 40th Anniversary Season. An exclusive Vienna Style Lager “Blanket Bier” will be served on draft during COS, paying homage to the tradition of attendees bringing blankets for the occasion.

Wellness

This line of natural adaptogen supplements is formulated to help you achieve specific outcomes, like: Clarity (entering flow state), Energy (powering through busy days), Motivation (to stop procrastinating), and Logic (for deep, analytical thinking). Take their quiz to find your perfect blend and get 15% off with code 6amcity.*

Giveaway

Independence Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to stock up on Smirnoff Red, White & Berry to make the most festive drinks around. Bonus: In honor of the holiday, Smirnoff is also giving away a themed cooler bag with a built-in speaker. Enter to win.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Eat

🗓️ Plan ahead for Restaurant Week

Summer Restaurant Week in the 608

Name a drink, any drink. Surely the Amara bar can handle bespoke requests. | Photo by @beckinasec

Mark your calendars and make your reservations: Summer Restaurant Week dates have been announced, and today marks one month to kickoff.

Here are our top picks from the 22 participating eateries. Stop by Sunday, July 23-Friday, July 28 for prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus starting at $20 per person. Pro tip: Restaurants that take reservations will fill up fast, make yours ASAP.

Amara | Coastal Italian, new to 608
What we’d order:
Appetizer | Fried Baby Mozzarella
Main | Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe
Dessert | Brown Butter & Cocoa Torta

Merchant | Farm-to-table gastropub
What we’d order:
Appetizer | Roasted Broccoli
Main | Crispy Duck Leg Lyonnaise
Dessert | Carrot Cake

Osteria Papavero | Classic Italian eats
What we’d order:
Appetizer | Gazpacho
Main | Peposo
Dessert | Panna Cotta

Prost! | German beer hall
What we’d order:
Appetizer | Chicken schnitzel strips
Main | Sauerbraten
Dessert | German chocolate brownie

See the full list

Shoutout

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Stay tuned to our Instagram this weekend to get a first look at the Herbiery Taproom as we’ll be attending the grand opening. I have my eyes on the Zingibeer Ginger Lager but am planning to try out multiple — for research purposes, of course.

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