And they can have a few beers and bike back. Or they can start here and finish off their day with a craft beer or two.” Dringoli has noticed that there is somewhat of a marriage between cycling enthusiasts and the craft beer movement. In fact, Bare Bones goes to great lengths to make sure the marriage works out. They sponsor a team of street-bike racers and offer discounts to those sporting official spon- sored cyclist stickers on their helmets. “I started brewing beer back in the 80s, before I was actually legal age to drink!” At first blush, it seems counterintuitive that the beer drinking public would also be the same ones riding 50 miles a week on muscle-powered pedals and wheels. But there’s that judging a book-by- its-cover thing again. Dringoli points out that it’s more a matter of physiolo- gy. “The true cycling enthusiast burns so many calories that they want the good stuff! They don’t care if they’re drinking a heavier beer because they’re just going to go out and ride 40 more miles.” He adds that craft beer got to where it is today due in large part to post Gen-Xers and Millennials demanding choice in what they consume. Gone are the days of having to settle for a handful of major brands on the shelves of the super- market. Just pull out the ol’ smart phone, search for craft beer in your area, and dozens of destinations will appear, all offering their own twist on the next best brew. The Bare Bones versions of the next best brew include their year-round beers, such as their Amber Ale, Dog Daze American IPA, and the light and accessible Happy Trail Cream Ale. But like so many other craft brewers, the real treat for the beer lover is to dive into the seasonals and one- offs. Bare Bones offers unique blends, such as the Chiquita Limon Cervesa American Lager, the Dirty Snout Summer Stout (say that one after a few!), the Hurricane Dan Rye IPA and the spicy Bitch in Heat. “It’s a strawberry jalapeño beer. When you drink it, you get a strawberry taste in the front and a jalapeño burn in the back!” You can get a taste of the B.I.H. and the rest of the Bare Bones line-up (which is very extensive!) at their on-site tap house. But don’t expect to go there and be anti-social. Aside from the Green Bay Packers and the college Badgers’ games (which crosses into almost a religious rite in Wiscon- sin), the TVs are off! Dringoli wants people to talk to each other! But don’t let that prospect scare you away. He says that people of all ages come for that refreshing environ- Yikes!
Bones provides a quality beer drinking experience off the beaten path,” Dringoli explains that stopping in for a craft beer has found a fit in the recreational cycling world in Wis- consin. “What’s nice about the trail is the brewery is situated about three miles out of town. So people from the Univer- sity and the downtown business district can jump on their bikes and pedal out here in a relatively short period of time.
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