GWBT #8: Saint Francis Brewing Company

*This is the eighth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*

All photos by Joe Powell.

Saint Francis Brewing Company
3825 S Kinnickinnic Ave
St Francis, WI 53235
(414) 744-4448
Visit date: 02/18/15

I normally ask the same 5 questions at every brewery to compare and contrast each place. At Saint Francis, I asked our waitress who tried her best to answer what she could and then gave me their brew-master’s email. I haven’t heard back from him yet. If I do I’ll update the article.

Quick Hits:

1) How many different beers?
12 on tap, “so many” total, ~ dozen in bottles

2) How long open?
almost 6 years

3) Why? (here, this, etc)
no answer

4) Distribution?
no answer

5) What sets you apart?
no answer

Saint Francis Brewing Company is no small outfit. This brewery/restaurant has been a near-south-side staple for years now, and their Seven Deadly Sins beer series can be found in bottles at nearly every store in the area. I first stopped in on a Friday night and left because it was so dang packed. Returning on a Wednesday, 6 of us were able to get a table in their dining area. There’s also a large bar near the brewing room and a separate party area. Overall, it’s  quite large.

Saint Francis Brewing Company has more than beer; they feature a fully-stocked bar and a full menu. Their fish fry that night was pretty good, but I was there for the beer. $8 got me a sample of the 8 of their own brews on draught that night (they also featured other breweries’ and had a cilantro cask beer).

Greed Golden Ale
Tasty; easy but good. Not watery.

Lust Weissbier
Banana-y wheat.

Wrath Amber Ale
Light, not enough malt for me.

Sloth Brown Ale
Watery, needed more strength.

Envy IPA
Sweet hop-iness.

Kitzinger Kolsch
Light. Kind of nutty and nosy.

Chocolate Ale
Very chocolaty, with a roasted quality.

Double Red Ale
Nutty, dry, strong.

Saint Francis also hosts plenty of events to keep patrons coming in and drinking. From trivia nights to live music to a rewards program, SFBC is doing a great job of being a central hub in this small community. It’s a comfortable space with good beer and better food options. Who needs church when you can spend a Sunday at Saint Francis Brewing Company? That counts, right?