Last Sunday, MobCraft teamed with Hunger Task Force to brew a hoppy wheat beer that will raise funds to help feed Milwaukeeans in need.
Free & Local American Wheat, which will has an expected ABV around 5-5.5 percent, uses Citra hops Pilsner malt and German Lager yeast, and was brewed in a 30-barrel batch.
“It was a no-brainer for Hunger Task Force to select a wheat beer recipe for this beer," says HTF Development Director Jonathan Hansen. "The image of the wheat is such a strong connection to our mission of feeding people today and ending future hunger.
"But we also wanted the beer to be unique and fresh, so we decided to add Citra hops. At the end of the day, it was important for us to create a beer that was really enjoyable for a wide variety of craft beer fans, one that everyone knows is helping their local neighbors with each pint poured.”
The beer is the result of a crowdsourced beer competition for nonprofits that was held late in 2022, drawing 26 entries. In November, the Walkers’ Point brewery invited local nonprofits to submit beer ideas and the winner would be brewed and used to raise funds for the submitting nonprofit.
A two-week public vote on the 10 finalists was held in December – in honor of National Giving Month – and Hunger Task Force came out on top.
The competition was not the first for MobCraft.
“In December of 2021, Community Conservation Inc won the public vote for their beer submission, Tipsy Tiger, a refreshing rice lager that evokes the essence of the Himalayas with flavors of citrusy lemongrass, zesty ginger, and earthy turmeric,” says the brewery’s Ryan Doolan.
“Proceeds from that lager went to support Wisconsin-based nonprofit Community Conservation, Inc.’s efforts to conserve critical tiger, elephant and pangolin habitat in the foothills of Nepal.”
On Sunday, Hunger Task Force team members were on hand in the brewhouse to learn about the process and to lend a hand pouring and mixing grant.
The beer is expected to be ready and available in cans and on draught by late spring at MobCraft and other are outlets. Proceeds from beer sold in MobCraft's taproom and via wholesale sales will directly benefit Hunger Task Force.
Can art has not yet been completed, but local bars and restaurants can begin to order the beer by emailing beer@mobcraftbeer.com.
Customers can also pre-order here.
In case you’re wondering what else was in the running, here are the other nine finalists and their ideas from the competition:
- Puppy Chow Porter: An ode to our canine companions, inspired by the quintessential Midwest holiday “dessert snack,” puppy chow. This dark, well-hopped, full-bodied brew will have a nutty maltiness with key tasting notes of chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter (a pup’s favorite) and powdered sugar. Submitted by Wisconsin Humane Society.
- Sunshine On My Shoulder: Belgian Golden Strong Ale brewed with cranberries and orange peel. Submitted by AfterHours Denver.
- Bronze Fonz Saison: A spicy, earthy and a bit fruity Saison with ginger, orange peel and grains of paradise along with Rye, Pilsner, and Vienna malt paired with Saaz hops, and Wyeast Belgian Saison yeast. Submitted by Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center.
- Cherrity Stout: Smokey, milky, chocolatey, cherry Stout. Submitted by Lions Club of Waterford Wisconsin.
- George on the Fringe: George, orange, fringe, singe … say that 5 times fast. This beer is a once in a blue moon spicy, orange margarita wheat-style beer. With a tinge of jalapeño and a punch of citrus, your taste buds will be dancing. Submitted by Milwaukee Fringe Festival.
- Wildflower Witbier: Wheat Ale inspired by the prairies at Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee’s Urban Oasis. Floral notes of wild bergamot, Bee Balm and Virginia Mountain Mint lend aromatic flavor along with added citrusy notes to provide a refreshing, satisfying beer. Submitted by Friends of Lakeshore State Park.
- Heartworm Treatment: Pastry Stout with fig, blueberry and spicy cinnamon flavors. The flavors of this beer are sweet with a little spice to warm your heart, and incorporate the fig and blueberry fruits that are popular in the homeland of many of our dogs. Submitted by Fetch Wisconsin Rescue.
- Graduation Day IPA: Bright, citrusy hops and hints of winter melon in this jubilant IPA. Submitted by Literacy Services of Wisconsin.
- Prairie Buzz IPA: Rye IPA with Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot). Submitted by Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
