Bits & Bites: Brews Bring Awareness, Drömhus Expands Service

Submitted.

Brews Bring Awareness to Invasive Species

The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) is launching a pilot project using local breweries as disseminators of invasive-species information. 

Starboard Brewing Company is the first brewery to help in this effort, and the information campaign’s first species of focus is the spotted lanternfly. To raise awareness of this species, Starboard has created the Planthopper Pale Ale, which will be available starting April 24.

The spotted lanternfly – a native of China – is currently found as far west as Indiana and Michigan, but it is not yet present in Wisconsin. Contrary to its moth-like appearance, it is a planthopper: a group of homopterous insects that are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs. 

Spotted lanternflies were selected for the first phase of the information campaign because of the negative impacts they can have on the beer industry: They like to feed on hops, along with several other agricultural plants.

Amanda and Patrick Surfus own and operate Starboard Brewing Company, and they’re enthusiastic partners because Amanda previously worked for the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, helping to grow the DCIST program. Starboard is located at 151 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. 

Drömhus Expands Brunch Service

Drömhus will be open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am – 2 pm, starting May 1, and it’s currently open for brunch Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am – 2 pm.

Bob Cozby plays his hammered dulcimer Fridays, 12-2 pm, and open-mic nights are held Thursdays, 6-9 pm, at Drömhus, 611 Jefferson St. in Sturgeon Bay.