Yeah the Journal did their list earlier this week but I had been working on this post for a couple of weeks. Unlike them I didn’t just make shit up for each of the 12 days, I tried to make the numbers mean something. Any hack can find 12 Wisconsin food items and make a list. It takes a special hack to make the numbers work!. So here goes….
The 12 gifts of Wisconsin…
On the first day of Christmas buy someone one pound of the only cheese to win the American Cheese Society number one cheese award a total of 3 times, Wisconsin’s own Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese. http://www.uplandscheese.com/
On the second day of Christmas let someone be Camille Ford for a day by recreating the Travel Channel’s Food Wars with two gift cards, one for each of the restaurants featured on the show; Sobleman’s and A.J. Bombers.
On the third day of Christmas head to Sendik’s (or any of the other stores they distrubute to) and pick up three packs of Bolzano’s tasty charcuterie — Susslende, Pancetta and Paletilla Húngara. http://www.bolzanomeats.com/
On the fourth day of Christmas pick up a wine carrying case and fill it with four bottles of Wisconsin made wines. My choices would be Von Stiehl Sparkling Muscat, Simon Creek Jackson Port, Wollersheim Prairie Fumé, and Stone’s Throw Big Mouth Red.
On the fifth day of Christmas how about some Five Spice blend, Fox Point Seasoning, Smoked Paprika or any of the countless other spices, herbs, and creative seasoning blends from Wisconsin-based Penzey’s Spices. Just don’t ask for salt because Bill Penzey doesn’t think you can make your own decisions about salt. http://www.penzeys.com/
On the sith day of Christmas give them a gift they’ll share with you; a mixed six pack of some of Wisconsin’s great microbrews. If I had to concoct one with 6 of my favorite it would include one each of the following: Sprecher Abbey Tripel, Lakefront Riverwest Stein, Sand Creek’s Wild Ride IPA, Tyrenena’s Rocky’s Revenge Bourbon Barrel aged Brown Ale, Ale Asylum’s Hopalicious, and Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine (damn that was hard, with over 140 microbrews in Wisconsin its very had to whittle it down to a mere six.
On the seventh day of Christmas surprise someone with the gift of one of the seven food tours offered by Milwaukee Food Tours; Brady Street, Historic Third Ward, Riverwalk and Old World Third Street, Bloody Mary Brunch, Village of Wauwatosa, Holiday Tours, and Primer Milwaukee Restaurant Tours. http://www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/
On the eighth day give them what everyone wants, and usually needs when spending time with extended family, booze Select from any of the eight creations over at Great Lakes Distillery: Roaring Dan’s Rum, Rehorst Vodka and Citrus and Honey Vodka, Rehorst Gin, Amerique 1912 Absinthes, Pumpkin Seasonal (made with Lakefront Pumpkin beer) or one of their artisan series brandies. http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/
On the ninth Day of Christmas, quit thinking about your friends and family and think about one of the best radio stations in the area, 91.7 WMSE. Support them by attending the 9th annual Rockabilly Chili Contest, which feature 50 restaurants serving all kinds of Chili. It’s a hipster event so I am sure there will be vegan and vegetarian Chili too. Advance tickets are only 10 bucks. All proceeds go to support 91.7 WMSE! http://www.wmse.org/
On the tenth day of Christmas give the gift of eating out at Milwaukee’s great independent restaurants with ten dollars off 22 Milwaukee Original restaurants buy purchasing Milwaukee City Tins. This awesome gift idea is a steal at $25 dolalrs. It has 22 coasters, each one with a deal at one of the following Milwaukee area restaurants: AJ Bombers, Beans & Barley, Cafe Centraal, Cafe Hollander, COA, Hinterland, Juniper 61, Kil@wat, Lulu Cafe, Mason Street Grill, Maxie’s Southern Comfort, Meritage, Metro Bar & Cafe, Milwaukee ChopHouse, Motor, Nanakusa, North Star American Bistro, Swig. Tess,Trinity Three Irish Pubs, Trocadero,Water Buffalo. Can’t make up your mind which one to visit? Don’t worry because they have included a dinner spinner to help you select. http://www.citytins.com/
On the eleventh day of christmas head over to Amazon.com and pay only eleven dollars and fifty-three cents for Kevin Revolinski’s Wisconsin’s Best Beer Guide, the ultimate guide to Wisconsin beers, brewing, beer history, and anything else you wanted to know about Wisconsin beer. http://www.themadtraveleronline.com/
On the twelfth day of Christmas how about a couple of bottles of the twelve amazing hot sauces my friend Byron offers at Man’s Best Friend. My favorites are the smoky yet slightly sweet heat of the Dalmatian sauce which features smoked jalapenos and cherries and the Boxer, whose combination of cayenne peppers with a hint of peach is perfect for wings. Save anywhere from 17 percent ($20 order min) to 21 percent ($60 order min) until the end of the year using coupon codes found at http://www.mbfsauces.com/
Merry Christmas and thanks for checking in with EatWisconsin in 2010. Hopefully 2011 will bring more posts and visitors!
Eat Wisconsin 
Great list!
Brilliant post!Very clever. I love it!
Great. I agree.