*This is the eighty-ninth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
MoonRidge Brew Pub
501 Bridge St
Cornell, WI 54732
(715) 239-1341
Visit date: 01/13/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
7 on tap.
2) How long operational?
Brewing for 10 years, opened in November 2015.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Local couple vacationing in Maui was inspired by small island brewing company’s output.
4) Distribution?
In house only.
5) What sets you apart?
“The pizza.”
6) How did you get your name?
Local nearby area (and party spot).
MoonRidge Brew Pub in Cornell. All photos by Joe Powell.
Walking into MoonRidge, it’s immediately clear this brewpub is the local watering hole. Around the bar sat a group laughing and conversing and “how ya’ doin’?”.
There’s plenty of other seating too in this cabin-like restaurant and brewery, though the dinner rush had gone for the evening by the time we arrived.
Unfortunately, we rolled in right after the kitchen had closed. Co-owner Roger explained they’re quite proud of their pizza:
“I’d put (our pizza) up against anything in the state. We have spent (beer) grain pizza crust and use beer in the sauce.”
We were still happy to satiate ourselves with beer.
Haymeadow Irish Blonde Ale
Satisfying & refreshing. Quenches the thirst.
Fisher Honey Weizen
Standard wheat start weighed down with honey on the backside.
Stacker Cream Ale
Slightly nutty. Coats the tongue in maltiness.
Wayside American Amber
Leans both Pale Ale in hoppiness and Brown in taste.
Moonridge Brown Ale
So smooth, so heavy in taste but light in body.
Shaw’s Road Irish Draft
Lightly-toasted caramel in an all-day brew.
Below the Dam Oatmeal Stout
Flows like a smooth coffee river.
Roger described his brewing styles,
“I think beer should usually follow the German Purity Law, but I also like honey. If you want a fruit beer, though, eat fruit with your beer.”
Owners Roger & Cindy.
Each beer is named after a local hangout, where Roger and his wife Cindy say they “used to party” at. Not only are the beer and pizza a direct result of their hard work, it’s obvious that they’re as much a draw as the food and drink. MoonRidge is a homey local brew pub and these two are the welcome party.
Their Pizza truly is amazing. It is so hard to find decent pizza out in the middle of nowhere that is Cornell, WI. They have different specials every month, I believe. I can’t wait to go there again.