Milwaukee, Bay View, Part 2

Needing to return to a place more Milwaukee-like after eating at the Odd Duck, Cindy and I went to drink beer at The Stone, a mere five minute walk off Kinnickinnic Avenue to South Howell Avenue. Opened in 1997, The Stepping Stone, or The Stone for short, is a hidden beer mecca disguised as a local shot and a beer joint. Inside, a patron must decide from 21 draft lines and 120 bottle choices. The Stone also features a crowler machine, which allows you to can up one of their tap beers for the road.

Cindy grabbed a local stout and asked for a Deschutes Black Butte XXVII, but there was an honest mix-up from the cellar and a scotch barrel-aged imperial stout, of which I never knew the name, got mistakenly opened because it was in the Black Butte’s slot. Since there was no special Deschutes left in stock, I simply ordered a Fuller’s, and called it a visit. We had more cocktails to drink, so we moved on.

The main cocktail draw in Bay View at the time we were there was Boone & Cockett. Today, Boone & Crockett has moved a touch north to the Harbor View neighborhood, but the bar’s vibe is still intact. At the Bay View location, there was an Old West atmosphere fueled by a distinct interest in mixology and bartender friendliness. Cindy and I started with a glass of oak-casked bourbon old fashioned sweets, pumped by tap from the ceiling.
We followed with menu cocktails, mine was a fruity tipple called a cherry amelie. Our third and final round featured classic libations with upscale or local spirits. I ordered a Sazerac with Pow Wow whiskey, a botanical rye made by Georgetown Trading Company in Washington, D.C., mixed with Peychaud’s bitters, turbinado simple syrup, and Sirene Absinthe. Cindy settled on a refreshing Milwaukee G&T, Boone & Crockett’s local form of the traditional gin and tonic. If you want one this weekend, here’s how to make one.

Drink: Milwaukee G&T
Establishment: Boone & Crockett
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First Connoisseur: Cindy

1 part Rehorst gin
1 part Top Note Indian Tonic
Splash soda water

Fill a Collins glass with ice. Build starting with the gin, then tonic, then soda. Stir lightly to reserve carbonation. Garnish with lime wheel or wedge.