Brewer Feature: Goerdts’ Brewhaus, Formerly Galena Brewing Company
When you’re a fan of craft beer, you eventually understand that the variety of beer you see on the shelves of a liquor store is actually a very small fraction of all the craft beer produced in America. There are countless small batch releases that are never commercially canned or bottled. Instead, they are taproom only. Goerdts’ Brewhaus is one of many craft breweries that are not currently canning or distributing their beers. Which means that it’s time to cross the Mississippi and drive to Galena to experience what they have to offer.
After finally finding a parking spot – it always takes five minutes longer than you think it will in Galena – I made my way to Goerdts’ Brewhaus around 1 PM on a Saturday afternoon. Upon walking into the brewery, you’re greeted with a view of polished wood tables and an open, industrial-style ceiling. The stainless-steel brewing vats are exposed and visible from almost anywhere in the bar. Immediately to your left upon entry, you’ll see a cooler filled with bombers (large, 22 oz bottles). This is the only way you can currently take beer home from Goerdts’ Brewhaus. Moving towards the bar, I decided to start things off by sampling a flight of beer. Flights at the Goerdts’ Brewhaus contain 6 different pours of beers. Here’s a quick breakdown of each beer I tasted. If you’re referring to the photo of the beer flight while reading, we’ll be going from left to right.
The Galena Fraulein (5.3% ABV), or Galena Unmarried German Women if you think back to high school German, is a simple, yet pleasant tasting Helles lager. It’s close to a domestic style beer – think Coors or Miller light, but much fresher. If your mental image of beer is a traditional domestic, this staple beer is a great way to try something similar yet new.
Red Stag (5.1% ABV) is a beer that has a surprising and enticing sweetness to the body. Now, sweet in this case is relative to beer – I don’t want anyone thinking they’ll be swallowing a mouthful of sugar cookies when you take your first sip. Look for a sweet, smoky flavor that has hints of cherry on the aftertaste while still providing the firm taste of a red lager. A highly unique beer that was a personal favorite of mine, and something you must taste to understand.
All Day Reveille (5.7% ABV) is a seasonal black lager that tastes like a light stout from the first sip. There are unmistakable notes of espresso (locally sourced from Galena Roasters) once the beer first touches your tongue, but it lacks the heaviness and full-bodied creaminess of a traditional stout. It’s also important to note the ABV on this one – 5.7% is staggeringly low for a beer that is compared to a stout. Like the previous Red Stag, this is another beer that won’t have an easy substitute at your average liquor store.
The Thirsty Squirrel (5.5% ABV) has a charming name and an old-fashioned taste. If you have fond memories of pecan pie at Thanksgiving or nurse a sweet tooth, this is a must-try beer. With notes of chocolate, caramel, and the aforementioned pecans, this is a simple and sweet brown ale. I’d recommend it as an after-dinner drink if you want a no-fuss option.
Farmer’s (5.0% ABV) is a light, crisp, and unabashedly straightforward blonde ale. This is another beer that plays in the same ballpark as the traditional domestics, but it is a bit farther removed from them than the Galena Fraulein. There is a slight yet unmistakable note of citrusy hops on the swallow and aftertaste, and this is what sets it apart from the domestics.
The final beer I tried was Uly’s Dark (5.5% ABV), a chocolate oatmeal stout named after the Civil War general and 18th president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. You’ll find your traditional stout profile of chocolate, roasted malts, and a lingering aftertaste of coffee within a sip of this beer. What stood out to me most about this beer was the low ABV. Most craft stouts find themselves with a 6% ABV as a floor, and it’s a regular occurrence to see stouts in the 7-9% range.
This emphasis on low ABV beers isn’t a coincidence. It’s an intentional part of Goerdts’ Brewhaus beer menu. Every beer I tried was below 6% ABV, and no beer in their taproom goes over 6.5% ABV. This was a pleasant surprise, and I think that choosing to brew unique, low ABV beers like Red Stag and All Day Reveille is a nice way for Goerdts’ Brewhaus to set themselves apart from the double IPAs and imperial stouts that many craft breweries produce. So next time you’re in Galena, stop by Goerdts’ Brewhaus, formerly the Galena Brewing Company. They have a great selection of lighter beers that can’t be found in stores. And if you’ve been dragged to Galena against your will for a shopping excursion – this is a great place to kill an hour.
If you enjoy trying new beers with a unique, but not over the top taste, visiting Goerdts’ Brewhaus is worth the short drive to Galena. They have a great selection of lighter beers that can’t be found in stores and an excellent restaurant as well. It’s the perfect place to try if you’d like to grab some lunch or dinner and try a new craft beer. And if you’ve been dragged to Galena against your will for a shopping excursion – this is a great place to kill an hour.
To learn more about their beers and restaurant visit GalenaBrewery.com.
Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.
To learn more about their beers and restaurant visit GalenaBrewery.com.
Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.
Read Julien’s Journal, CHOICES For Fifty Plus and Tri-State Home TRENDS from the Comfort of Your Home!
Click Here or call 563.557.7571 to subscribe for convenient delivery to your home or business by mail of all three magazines for one low subscription price.
Comment here