Tacos, burgers, beer: 2015 delicious delights

Daniel Higgins | USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

As a journalist I'm required by law to do a "year in review" article at this time. OK, it's not really a law, but it wouldn't be the holiday season without a glut of these articles.

Hopefully, recounting a few memorable bites and sips from 2015 will bring a little extra cheer to palates in 2016.

Danish at Olde World Pastries Plus: I stand by my lead about this Suamico pastry shop: "The best advice when tasting an Olde World Pastries Plus kringle is to slow down; allow the buttery crust to mix with the sweet filling that gets just a little kick of extra sweet from the thin glaze."

Big Mother Funnel Burger at Wisconsin Timber Rattlers games: The Timber Rattlers' culinary team created a 1-pound hamburger patty topped with eight pieces of bacon and a half a pound of mozzarella cheese sandwiched between two full-sized funnel cakes for the 2015 season. I figured it was a gimmick, but the sweet-savory combination works. WARNING: At roughly 3,500 calories it's not a burger built for one — or even two.

Coffee at Seth's Coffee and Bake Shop: Coffee's usually a "give it to me stat" drink. Seth's reminded me of the virtues of patience, namely the robust flavors I never knew existed in coffee.

Tacos al pastor: Pork is now my preferred filling for tacos thanks to Taqueria Tres Hermanos in Wausau, 1919 Kitchen & Tap at Lambeau Field, and Mr. Taco in Appleton.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream: Any company that names a flavor "This $&@! Just Got Serious" (salted caramel ice cream with sea salt fudge and salted cashews) is worth its weight in calories.

The joys of nitro: After sampling Whole Hog Espresso on nitro tap at Stevens Point Brewery I didn't want to leave. Until I can get back for another tour, I'm thankful for 3 Sheeps bottling Cashmere Hammer Nitro Rye Stout.

The joys of barrel aging: I was going to say that I'm late to the party when it comes to enjoying the smooth bourbon flavors mingled with beer, but then I saw Central Waters Brewing sold out tickets for the right to buy bottles of its anniversary bourbon barrel aged beer in mere minutes.

Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese at Lambeau Field: It possesses the trinity of everything yummy — salt, sugar, fat.

Oktoberfest brews: Staghorn Octoberfest reaffirmed that New Glarus Brewing is more than just Spotted Cow.

L'automne from Door County Brewing: As much as I like marzen-style beers, this farmhouse ale was a refreshing change of taste for the season. I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or excited that next year's recipe will be different.

Topperstix from Toppers Pizza: Piles of gooey cheese on a pizza crust, minus having to worry about pizza sauce burning the roof of your mouth. What's not to love?

Pho at Star Anise: The restaurant owner's mother won't let him cut corners while preparing her pho recipe at this Menasha restaurant.

Chocolate Chai Snickerdoodle: It tastes like a cup of chocolate chai baked in cookie form. If you don't like chai, we have 14 other cookie recipes.

Pan fried walleye at Otter Creek: I stopped in to talk ribs — which were tender with just enough sweet from the barbecue sauce — but the buttery, crunchy coating on the walleye was every bit as good.

Social eater: I'm one of those take-pictures-of-his-food-and-share-it-on-social-media people. #SorryNotSorry Some favorites exclusively making my Twitter and Instagram feeds were a croissant at Timshel Cafe (Neenah) that was somehow both light and substantial; tater tots at Red Eye Brewing Company (Wausau) that were crunchy outside but fluffy inside; bacon gelato at S.A.L.T. (De Pere); Chicken Artichoke Coulis served during Taste of the Town (Green Bay); Shrimp tacos at Ale Asylum (Madison); and BBQ duck soup and roast beef sandwich from Waseda Farms Market (De Pere).

I also had a chance to sample "Killer Bees" in the Stillmank Brewing (Green Bay) taproom, that was a honey rye beer infused with jalapenos. At home, recipes I made and felt were share-worthy included a Chicken Tortilla Soup from chef Jeff Igel; Jalapeno cornbread muffin I found online and a mushroom chowder soup from a cookbook. There are plenty more to come this year.

Daniel Higgins writes about food and drink for Gannett Wisconsin Media. Email: daniel.higgins@gannettwisconsin.com , Twitter and Instagram @HigginsEats, facebook.com/gwmdanhiggins.