Tap Handle #150: Milwaukee Brewing - Louie's Demise Ale

I love the artwork on this label, and the chain link handle is a great feature. There's also a story behind the image on the label: "True story...1886 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, great uncle Louie was cracked over the head with a beer glass and killed. Louie's story is one of many Wisconsin tavern legends that gives life and color to our heritage. Drink one for uncle Louie and remember: today's barroom story might just be tomorrow's legend."

Milwaukee Brewing Company was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1997 by Jim McCabe. In 1996, McCabe and a friend were homebrewing in the basement of a farmhouse in Cedarburg. The next year they were able to move into the first few floors of the historic Saddlery building on the Milwaukee River, which at one time had been home to a saddle maker, then a sail maker, and the maker of the Hula Hoop. McCabe dubbed the brewpub the Milwaukee Ale House, which offered food and live music. Business grew slowly, as the Milwaukee beer market was very competitive, but in 2006 Milwaukee Brewing moved to a larger facility, and in 2008 began bottling their beers. They make 12 varieties, of which Louie's Demise is their signature beer.. In 2011 demand grew rapidly and production was increased; they even struck a deal to have Louie's Demise sold at Milwaukee Brewers baseball games, and began selling out of state. However, McCabe sold the brewpub to Mike Stoner and Duffy O'Neal, who intended to overhaul the menu; the brewpub had previously suffered poor ratings due to the use of canned and frozen food.

Louie's Demise is an amber ale balanced with a blend of specialty malts and a choice blend of hops, with toffee and caramel notes. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.21 out of 5.

When I first went to the Milwaukee Brewing website it said it had been hacked. Now it doesn't come up at all and I presume it's been taken down.