Photo by Jim Lundstrom

I had a very rare weekend out of the county, starting the day off in Manitowoc for a conference, then hitting Three Sheeps Brewery in Sheboygan to meet up with a pal who moved to that interesting shore community last December. It was a hot and humid day, so I especially enjoyed the Lemongrass Pils they had on tap. Very refreshing. I liked the others, too.

From there I headed west on one of the most beautiful stretches of road in this state, Highway 23 from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac. I especially enjoyed the high overlook just as you enter Fondy. My plan was to shoot up 45 along Lake Winnebongo, hit some Fox Valley record and thrift shops, quick stop at Club Liquor for supplies, and then home in time for a dinner invite from friends in Baileys Harbor.

But as I walked out of Club Liquor with arms full, there stands my smiling pal Mahoney and his wife Marni, who I haven’t seen in a couple years, so it looks like I won’t be going back to Door County tonight.
We tipped a couple then headed to Mahoneys for a couple more, then walked to dinner at a Mexican joint down the street, then back to the Mahoney garage for vinyl and a bit more tippling.
Marni had the garage fridge stocked with Blu Bobber, a blueberry ale from Fox River Brewing (I know it was hers because Mahoney only drinks Coors Light – some people, geez!). 
I crack one open to a huge blueberry aroma. Big blueberry taste, too, but not overwhelming of the golden base ale. However, I was not thinking about that stuff. I was hanging out, spinning discs and enjoying the company of old friends. So, that is all I have to say about Blu Bobber at the moment.
However, when I got home I recalled that colleague Kait had given me a bottle of Blueberry Blonde from Big Muddy Brewing of Murphysboro, Ill.
Again, things begin with a big blueberry aroma. It pours a lovely, inviting copper color. And the taste is a nice ale with a distinct blueberry imprint. All the brewery will divulge on its website is that it is a “light-bodied ale infused with natural blueberries.”
Which makes me wonder why the bottle label reads “natural blueberry flavors.” Seems to me there is a difference between “natural blueberries” and “natural blueberry flavors,” but perhaps it’s just me being too prickly about word usage.

Either way, it’s a very drinkable 6 percent beer.