The Milwaukee Post

June 27, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 15 By Kirsten Klahn Special to The Post A mobile beer garden may soon be head- ing to a park near you. Milwaukee County has launched its mobile beer garden, which is stopping for two-week stints at several parks through- out the county. The parks department has a partnership with Glendale-based Sprecher Brewing, in which Milwaukee County employees run the mobile beer garden and sell Sprecher products exclusively. There are about 10 on-tap beers served, in addition to other Sprecher beverages, including hard root beer, hard ginger ales, sodas and root beer floats. The proceeds will help support the coun- ty parks, said John Dargle Jr., the county parks director. The county earned nearly $125,000 from beer and food commissions from the Estabrook Park beer garden last year. Milwaukee County staff came up with the idea for the traveling garden as a way to test whether a permanent beer garden may eventually be a good fit for a particular park. Milwaukee County has two up-and- running beer gardens, one at Estabrook Park and the other at Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa. If a particular park is successful, it could eventually become a permanent beer garden, Dargle said. Similar to the other beer gardens, the on-wheels version emphasizes a family- friendly atmosphere. It pays homage to a German tradition, which includes having large outdoor pavilions to drink and social- ize in. Beer gardens in Milwaukee have been a long-standing tradition, bringing friends, families and neighbors together in a relaxed setting, Dargle said. Beer gardens began to pop up in the mid-1800s with the arrival of German immigrants. Soon after, beer gardens became the cen- ter of the city's summer social life. "In the mid-19th century, Milwaukee's German immigrants brought us bier- gartens. The mobile beer garden revives this tradition with a 21st-century twist," Dargle said. "This mobile operation will give families throughout the county the opportunity to experience a beer garden and explore parks they may not have visit- ed previously." Root River Parkway South was the first park to have the mobile beer garden, which ran from June 4 to 15. Dargle deemed it a success. "At our first stop on the tour, we served over 5,000 people in the first week alone. That's a successful start to the tour," he said. "We see this service as a way to attract people to the parks." The beer garden will run in McKinley Park from June 18 to June 29; Doctors Park follows from July 2 to 13; Red Arrow Park runs from July 16 to 27; Greene Park from July 30 to Aug. 10; and then Falk Park from Aug. 13 to 24. The beer garden is open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays, with the last beer served at 9 p.m. Families are welcome to pack their own lunches and bring nonalcoholic beverages, Dargle said. Grilling and alcoholic carry- ins, however, are not allowed. Each of the facilities offers shared-table seating, and each of the stops is wheelchair accessible and has restrooms and parking facilities nearby. The mobile beer garden is meant to be a fun, family-friendly summer outing, Dargle said. "We're providing an opportunity for people to come out, visit the parks, and enjoy a social atmosphere," he said. Mobile beer garden cruises through county parks Submitted photo The Sprecher mobile beer garden will be stopping at several Milwaukee County parks this summer. 235874007 To see if you, or your loved one qualifies, contact them at (414) 476-3900 The Lamplight Inn of West Allis 7400 West Greenfield Ave. West Allis. WI 53214 The Lamplight Inn of West Allis, lighting the way to affordable assisted living. Lamplight Communities strive for outstanding living at affordable prices. They even accept senior residents who are receiving county assis- tance. All of the studios are private with private baths, activities, meals, weekly housekeeping and linen services. Lighting the way to affordable assisted living. 46 Years 6204 S. HOWELL AVE., MILWAUKEE • 768-0126 facebook.com/PlantLandInc (At the Greenhouse, 1/2 mile S. of Mitchell International) owned since 1968 F amil Y 239067030 HUGE SELECTION of Perennials 50% OFF Annuals, Vegetables & Heirlooms ALL ALL 30% OFF GRACE KNOW CHRIST MAKE HIM KNOWN GATHER GROW&SOW Summer Schedule Begins 9AM Worship with Communion Welcome To Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 3030 W. Oklahoma Ave. 414-384-3520 238736073

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