Dear rest of America that's not Wisconsin,
We know what you're thinking, and we know what you're thinking of us. We know. And you're wrong — because we're full of fantastic, forward-thinking foodies, trendsetters, and creative-types. We're pretty great bunch here in America's Dairyland. That said, it doesn't mean we can't celebrate many of those northwoods clichés that we hold so near and dear to our born and bred hearts.
So that's what we did, at Yelp's Flannel Fling!
We polked in flannel. We ate amazing food. We drank stellar suds. We celebrated those northwoods clichés with reckless abandon all while grinning ear-to-ear. Our party was just that great.
INdustri Cafe's bites — duck sausage sliders with beer-cheese sauce, lumberjack meatballs in cranberry-kraut sauce, maple-chili rubbed pulled pork, micro potato pancakes with Door County cherry chutney — were an absolutely delightful, upscale-twist on old WI favorites. (The best part? Their ingredients are all locally sourced. BOO-YAH!) And speaking of boo-yah, INdustri also went above and beyond by crafting their version of this traditional, northwoods chicken pot-dinner for Yelpers as well.
Continuing on in the Wisconsin-tastic tradition, local beer-crafters Milwaukee Brewing Company unveiled their version of Boo-Yah (a farmhouse saison-style ale) at the event. (Perennial favorite Louie's Demise was in the house, too!) And INdustri's "Very Bear-y Cocktail" — featuring house-made infused raspberry Rehorst vodka — was a hit with elites and their guests too, don'tchanknow!
Milwaukee polka legends Vern + the Originials kept us dancing in our blaze orange all night long. Fake ducks circulated throughout room (don't ask!), and cribbage-boards and Milwaukee, Minnesota made for fab entertainment. While the costume contest was a hard fought one, our winners exemplified a true understanding of the nuances of northern-WI fashion. And at the end of the night, everyone left with a WI-themed door prize: ice scrapers, beef jerky, hand-warmers, Black Bear soda, pickles, or sausage.
I have to tell you, rest of Amercia… I loved this party. I loved the theme, working with our fabulous sponsors, and how the whole thing turned out. So Yelp-nation, remember this: Next time you're traveling through good old Wisco, stop by and say hi. We'll teach you how to polka, we'll school you in cribbage, and we'll show you a dang good time.
Until then, SYOY!
Rachel F — Yelp Milwaukee Community Manager
