4 minute read
Beer + Barbeque
story + photos by Loren Shaum
for your favorite dude
story + photos by Loren Shaum
Barbeque combos are popular shareables at Legeview Brewing Co.
LAKElife Country offers some interesting choices, and they are growing. In Warsaw, Mad Anthony Brewing Company opened a brewpub several years ago to offer their beers made in Fort Wayne. Featuring ales and lagers, they also offer pub grub for the masses. In April, they launched their “Summer Daze,” specifically for summer drinking.
Hoplore Brewing Company opened in 2017 in the old mill in Leesburg, and last year expanded to Market Street in Warsaw. They feature New England-style IPAs and pale ales. Their Outskirts cream ale is an excellent palate pleaser.
Beer flight from Hoplore Brewing Co.
In the former Ortho City Brewing building on Warren Street in Warsaw, Ledgeview Brewing opened in the middle of the 2020 COVID pandemic and has been going strong since. The Sim’Plicity American pale ale is a top seller and pairs well with their many barbeque dishes.
In Syracuse, Man Cave Brewing started on a whim in 2007 when Robert Vandal and two friends decided to turn a local pole barn into a ‘man cave’ to brew their own beers. Some of these concoctions proved to be exceptional, so they shared with friends. With that encouragement, they started making more and soon local restaurants and bars picked-up their brews. Then in 2018, Man Cave Brewing brewpub opened. They not only brew all their beers, but chef Matt Fry serves some excellent grub. Their Sandbar Blonde Opening sometime this year is Tap Root Brewhouse & CO. in Pierceton. Although they’re not doing their own brewing, they plan to offer many of the local craft beers. And some barbeques items can be expected on the new menu.
Whatever your needs for barbeque and beer, LAKElife communities have it. Cheers and good eats to all area dads!
has become one of the more popular craft beers in the area.
BARBEQUES
Smoked meat has become a very popular item in these parts.
In North Webster, Roll ‘N Smoke BBQ opens for weekends at their store on East Washington. It’s a grab-and-go operation for pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and brisket. They also cater and have a food truck for special events.
Outside of Silver Lake on the Sand’s family pig farm is the home of Big Boss BBQ where Steve Sands reigns supreme as the “Pork Commander.” Their pen-toplate philosophy is truly unique—they know where their pork comes from! On Saturdays they load a food truck and set-up shop in Warsaw in the old Marsh supermarket parking lot. They also sell their signature line of barbeque sauces at various outlets and online.
Aside from pork, they also offer chicken, brisket, ribeye steaks, and several homemade sides. Their smoked baked beans are stellar! A favorite sandwich from the truck is their breaded pork tenderloin.
In Warsaw, there’s also Hogs R Wild BBQ. They offer St. Louis-style ribs, chicken, sides (think cowboy beans), breaded tenderloins, and even a smoked bologna and cheese sandwich, if you are so inclined.
Outside of Pierceton is the Shooting Star Farm BBQ. Their wood-smoked fare includes chicken, ribs, pulled pork and brisket. They only do carry-out.
Who Has Both?
Beer and barbeque go so well together— some have mastered both. Hoplore smokes brisket and pork at the old mill in Leesburg, and some of their offerings,
Loren Shaum is LAKElife’s foodie extraordinaire—who also happens to be an automation consultant, entrepreneur, former pilot, home gardener, sometimes chef, author of three cookbooks (Seasons in Lake Country, Holidays in Lake Country, and Farmers in Lake Country), and author of a history book about his brother in WWII (In Search of a Soldier – The unknown Brother). We’re thrilled to have him onboard to ‘dish’ up the ‘scoop’ on foodie faves in LAKElife Country. Man Cave beer flights
like the smoked BBQ platter with housemade chips, are wonderful while quaffing a cold one.
The most extensive smoked menu is at Ledgeview. Their “smokehouse” items include brisket, pulled pork, turkey, pulled chicken, and you can order combos. After 4 p.m., cherrywood smoked St. Louis-style ribs are available.
BBQ Platter with House Made Chips at HopLore
