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The Merriment Madness Burger Competition officially kicks off this week at Merriment Social, 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.
During the March Madness-esque competition, burgers designed by eight local breweries will face off in a series of weekly battles. Burger fans (like you) will vote on their favorites and decide who comes out on top.
But it gets even better. A portion of the proceeds from every burger purchased will accumulate in a “pot” which will be awarded to the nonprofit partner of the winning brewery. You can also raise funds for each brewery’s charitable partner by purchasing one of eight local brews on tap. One dollar ($1) from each beer sold will go directly to the nonprofit chosen by that brewery. [Read all the deets & get the full schedule here]
Feast your eyes on the competition
Week one of the competition will feature delicious burgers from two local breweries: Enlightened Brewing Company and Central Waters Brewing Milwaukee.
Enlightened is raising money for Girls Rock, an organization which aims to empower girls through music. Central Waters is raising funds for Milwaukee Riverkeeper, which works to keep our local waterways clean.
Here are their Merriment Madness burgers:
The Smash 'n’ Brix Burger for Girls Rock: The Enlightened Brewing Company burger features a smashed butter burger style certified Angus beef patty, American cheese, beer battered pickle chips, smoked paprika aioli and shredded iceberg lettuce on a buttered brioche bun.
The Hot in Herre-ger Burger for Milwaukee Riverkeeper: The Central Waters burger features a blackened certified Angus beef patty, hot honey bacon, ranch cream cheese, frizzled shallots and Buffalo drizzle on a brioche bun.
Get yours
Both competing brewery burgers will be available at Merriment Social Wednesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 19 for for $18 (includes fries). Be sure to grab a beer from your brewery of choice. One dollar ($1) from each beer sold will go directly to the nonprofit chosen by that brewery.
Merriment Social is also bringing back their awesome happy hour just for the occasion! So fans can stop by Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for special pre-dinner pricing on featured burgers ($14 with fries).
Guests can also partake in half price slushies, wine or taps for $2 off. Additional happy hour food specials will include BBQ chips and poblano ranch ($4); Merriment's famous brussels sprouts ($10); fries and aioli ($6); cheese curds and ranch ($9) or Fast Cheetah Chicken sandwiches for $13.
Merriment Social is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (brunch) and 5 to 9 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
