A suitcase of pint cans, a head full of Oshkosh history, and a guest who knows his bourbon—this tasting tour of Fifth Ward Brewing turned into a masterclass in balance and variety. We invited our friend John to the studio after his trip to Oshkosh, and he delivered a lineup that stretched from clean blondes and approachable pales to a silky oatmeal stout, a coconut-kissed porter, a rye-forward outlier, and a big, bourbon-leaning barleywine that closed the show with swagger.

We start with accessible crowd-pleasers—the 1869 Blonde Ale and Hopscotch Midwest Pale Ale—before stepping into deeper character with Nordheim Red Ale, a malty nod to Oshkosh’s German roots. From there, the experiments get bolder. OJ Hive Mind offers honey and orange zest with a restrained hand, while Sweet Heat Junior fuses pineapple and jalapeño for a sweet-then-tingle finish that actually works. The oatmeal stout proves dark beer can be smooth and beginner-friendly, and Coconut Foolin lands the rare coconut balance that so many porters miss: present, toasty, and not cloying.

Then we pour Buffalo Mike Rides Again, a rye beer honoring the Society of Oshkosh Brewers, with a distinct grain character that keeps the palate curious. Finally, Chocolate Willy arrives: a single-barrel-aged American barleywine conditioned on cacao nibs, silky and bourbon-forward with cocoa and fudge riding beneath. It’s the kind of beer that reminds you why patience and oak matter.

Along the way, we trade Wisconsin beer trivia, talk Prohibition pivots, and sketch the taproom vibe John found at Fifth Ward—ample variety, clear flavors, and a menu that gives everyone a lane. If you’re near Oshkosh, this stop belongs on your beer map. Listen, pick your favorites, and tell us what you’d order first.

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