Whether you love it, you hate it, or you have trained your brain to feel mostly indifferent to it after initially hating it, Jeppson’s Malört holds a special place in the hearts of Midwestern drinkers. The polarizing and altogether incomparable Chicago spirit/rite of passage has really caught on in here in Milwaukee in recent years, inspiring a Purple Door ice cream flavor, Malört parties at Ray’s and Busby’s, and—beginning this weekend—two new Malört-tinged beers from Broken Bat Brewing Co.
Starting on Friday, May 2, the brewery (located at 135 E. Pittsburgh Ave.) will celebrate this weekend’s Brewers-Cubs series in Milwaukee with a pair of…uh, unique collaborative brews. “The Chicago Handshake” features Broken Bat’s flagship lager that has been aged for a few months in a Malört barrel sourced from Jeppson’s Distillery to evoke the flavor of the iconic Windy City beer and shot combo. Meanwhile, “Game 163” is a barrel-aged blend of Broken Bat’s lager that has been combined with notes of grapefruit, lime, pineapple, and honey to offer a “bittersweet” riff on a Malört cocktail.
Both beers will be available at Broken Bat’s taproom beginning at noon this Friday. If you’re feeling bold or you want to treat a visiting Chicago friend to a somewhat familiar taste of home with a Milwaukee twist, make your way to Broken Bat this weekend to enjoy two new beers made in honor of the I-94 Rivalry.
