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SUDS CITY HIT LIST
Scroll Right >>>> for
our Suds City Event Hit Lists
WHISPERING
JEFF’S
NEWS, RUMORS & GOSSIP (TM)
NOTE: For more News, Rumors & Gossip, including Archived Goodies,
hit this link: WJ NRG ARCHIVES
WJ'S PUBLIC TRANS
BEER TOUR TO CHICAGO
Getting the stops lined up for the June 2008 1st Ceremonial Whispering
Jeff Milwaukee to Chicago Public Transportation Beer Tour, Saturday,
June 21.
Currently, we're thinking about brewpub stops at Goose Island -
Clybourn, Rockbottom - Chicago & Flossmoor Station; beer bar
stops at Hopleaf & The Map Room, and a "beer bottles to
go" stop at Sam's. On deck, few food stops are planned, like
Mussels & Frits at Hopleaf, Duck Fries at Hot Doug's ("Fridays
& Saturdays only") and Tacos and Burritos at La Placiditas
!
Interested ? Email me !!
MILLER'S BEER SALES
RISE
SABMiller plc, the London-based parent company of Miller Brewing
Co., today reported that its volume of lager sales increased 11
percent over the past 12 months, with organic growth of 7 percent.
The company's revenues grew 16 percent, benefiting from price increases
and mix improvements, which offset the impact of higher input costs.
"The underlying performance of the group has been good and
was at the upper end of management's expectations. The results have
benefited from successful revenue management and enhanced productivity
as well as favourable exchange rates in some of our major countries,"
the company said in statement.
In North America, Miller's full year domestic sales to retailers
(STRs) grew by 3.1 percent after adjusting for the extra trading
day in the current year and were up 0.7 percent on an organic adjusted
basis.
Trading-day adjusted STRs of Miller Lite were up 1.1 percent for
the full year. On a similar basis, annual STRs of the worthmore
brand portfolio, including Sparks, grew 49 percent, driven by the
national launch of Miller Chill and the strong double-digit growth
of Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Leinenkugel's.
Miller's domestic net revenue per barrel increased by 4.0 percent
for the full year.
(c) 2008 Small Business Times
Whispering Jeff's
"Suds Club" @ Zad's Roadhouse
Stop by the old Filter Inn space, (just
North of Zad's 434 S. 2nd Street) in Walkers Point & party with
Whispering Jeff & The Suds Club, every Thursday*, with "Brews,
Booze, Music & Mayhem."
SPECIAL SUDS CLUB EVENTS:
-
MAY 22: Live Surf, Rockabilly & Stuff with The Del Ripleys,
featuring Bobbie Rivera from the Rivieras
-
MAY 29: Under The Black Sails w/ The Type
-
MAY 30: Guido's Racecar
-
JUNE 19: Mark E. Lee & the Riverwest Aces, featuring Mark's
CD Release Party
WORLD BEER CUP WINNERS
Brewers from five continents earned
awards from an elite international panel of judges this week in
the 2008 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. The seventh bi-annual
competition awarded medals to brewers from 21 countries ranging
from Australia and Italy to Bolivia and Japan.
This year, 644 breweries from 58 countries and 45 U.S.
states vied for awards with 2,864 beers entered in 91 beer style
categories. The top three entries in each category won gold, silver
and bronze medals.
In addition, the competition gives “Champion Brewery”
and “Champion Brewer” awards in each of five brewery
categories based on the medals won by each brewery.
Brewers from the United States won 185 of the 268 style
category awards and four of the five Champion Brewery/Brewer awards.
Brewers Association World Beer Cup 2008 Champion Brewery,
Small Brewpub Category: Bend Brewing Company, Tonya Cornett
Brewers Association World Beer Cup 2008 Champion Brewery,
Large Brewpub Category: Pelican Pub & Brewery, Darron R. S.
Welch
Brewers Association World Beer Cup 2008 Champion Brewery,
Small Brewing Company Category: Port Brewing Company and The Lost
Abbey, Tomme Arthur
Brewers Association World Beer Cup 2008 Champion Brewery,
Mid-Size Brewing Company Category: Privatbrauerei Hoepfner GmbH,
Peter Bucher
Brewers Association World Beer Cup 2008 Champion Brewery,
Large Brewing Company Category: Blue Moon Brewing Company, Warren
Quilliam
Zappa's widow sues
festival over use of his image
The future of a festival in honour
of Frank Zappa is under threat following demands by his widow for
money for the right to use his name or his trademark moustache.
Gail Zappa is suing the organisers of the open-air
Zappanale in the east German village of Bad Doberan, claiming they
must pay £200,000 to use her husband's name or change the
title of the annual festival.
Gail Zappa, who founded the Zappa Family Trust in 2002,
wants a say as to which cover-bands should play at the event. She
has also demanded that the logo - his trademark moustache and goatee
- be scrapped, claiming she owns the sole rights to use it, and
that a statue of Zappa in the village be removed.
The Zappanale started in 1990 after Bad Doberan emerged
from the cold war and seized the opportunity to celebrate a musician
whose avant-garde records had been banned under the communist regime.
The festival attracts fans from around the world and has grown to
become the biggest celebration of Zappa's music. The
organisers took out a patent on the name almost 20 years ago. "It's
our opinion that we own the rights to the name," said Thomas
Dippel, the president of the society that runs the festival. He
said the festival, which should celebrate its 19th year in August,
did not aim to make a profit and was £120,000 in debt.
Fans of Zappa, who died in 1993, have posted an internet
petition, in which 2,500 signatories are calling on the Zappa Family
Trust to withdraw its case.
A Düsseldorf court is expected to decide on the case
within the next few months.
(c) 2008 Kate Connolly -
UK Guardian
HAPPY SCHNAPPS COMBO RETURNS
Heard a funny, yet delightful rumor....The
Happy Schnapps Combo is back in town, doing a series of reunion
tours.
Per their website...
"Happy Schnapps Combo Starts Suckin - The Happy Schnapps Combo
is back in business”, exclaimed manager Ron Kalista.
The five-piece recording band has entertained thousands in the Midwest
since 1990 with their original polka music at venues such as Milwaukee’s
Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.
The Combo has regrouped after spending several years relaxing in
local taverns after the retirement of Bill “Horst” Soucy, the band’s
former harmonica player. Horst reports a happy retirement, consisting
mainly of shuffleboard and sheepshead tournaments.
The group features original member Rich “Wenzel” Krueger on drums
and gong. Other returning members are Steve “Field Marshal Guenter”
Klein, and Eric “Klaus” Werner, both on electrically amplified guitar.
New bassist Rob “Fynkylmyr” Maertz (Fink) and Dave “Stosh” Dvorak
on harmonica and diatonic accordion complete the combo’s line up.
The Happy Schnapps Combo achieved success with such songs as “The
Bears Still Suck Polka” and “No, I Don’t Wanna Do Dat.”
New songs under development include, “The Porta Potty Polka” and
“I Was Born Under a Beer Sign.”
The band intends to perform 20 to 30 times a year at festivals and
events across the Midwest.
Booking information can be obtained by calling Ron Kalista at 920-775-4943."
MILWAUKEE BEER BARON'S
5TH ANNUAL WORLD OF BEER FESTIVAL
Milwaukee's premier festival all about ~ beer and
brewing ~
By Beer Nuts - for Beer Nuts!
* Taste distinctive beers from around the world. An opportunity
to taste a huge selection including more than 200 beers from over
80 breweries including many local and regional breweries.
* Presentations on beer, tasting, brewing, and history by professionals
in the beer and brewing industry.
* Homebrewing discussion and samples of homebrewed beer provided
by The Beer Barons of Milwaukee, one of the largest homebrewing
and beer clubs in Wisconsin, and other regional clubs.
* Live homebrewing demos for every level of homebrewer.
* Homebrewing Q&A with member of the Beer Barons including BJCP
certified judges.
* NEW: MEADFEST with mead tasting, competition, speakers, and how-to
clinics on making your own honey wine
Schwabenhof Pavilion (Indoor/Outdoor
Facility)
W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Saturday, June 7, 2008 - 1:00 - 5:00 PM
$30 advance purchase includes a commemorative
glass ($35 at the door)
Food will be available for purchase during
the event
The Schwabenhof is outside with a large sheltered pavilion, has
a shaded seating area, great food service area with seating, and
space to do live brewing demos!
For Tickets, visit
wwww.beerbarons.org
Eating Champ Downs 35 Dozen
Oysters
NEW ORLEANS - Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti looked
down at the litter of empty oyster shells in front of him and savored
the sweet taste of victory. For Crazy Legs Conti, the bitter taste
of defeat could be washed away only by beer.
The Acme World Oyster Eating championship belt — leather,
with a silver dish featuring an oyster on the half-shell —
hung on Bertoletti's skinny hips. The 22-year-old Chicago resident
took the title Saturday by slurping 35 dozen of the big bivalves
in eight minutes.
"I could probably do a couple dozen more, especially
if they were charbroiled," said Bertoletti, who holds the endurance
oyster-eating record, having downed 53 1/2 dozen in 2007 before
calling it quits. "Although they're great raw." Conti,
the defending champion, tied for third, sucking down 24 dozen. "They're
supposed to be an aphrodisiac," said Conti, whose real name
is Crazy Legs. "But I think that's only true for about the
first three dozen. When you get up higher than that, you don't want
much activity for a while." Juliet Lee, 43,
of Germantown, Md., formerly a Ninjing University chemistry professor,
methodically polished off 31 1/2 dozen for second place.
A dozen professional eaters who compete in Major League
Eaters events year-round squared off at the French Quarter Festival
on Saturday. Major League Eating describes itself as a sports franchise
that oversees all professional competitive eating events and competitive
eating television specials. It puts on the annual Nathan's Hot Dog
eating contest, as well as other events, such as the World Deep-Fried
Asparagus Eating Championship and the National Sweet Corn Eating
Championship.
Rules for the oyster tournament forced contestants to use
forks, not lift the shells to their mouth, and to finish all the
oysters from a tray before starting a new one. Officials in striped
shirts stood beside each contestant and flipped a counter as each
dozen was consumed. Many of the competitors wore gloves to handle
the shells; all carried several bottles of water, cold drinks or
beer to help them keep their mouths and throats lubricated. Lee
carried a thermos of hot water but said she didn't feel the need
for it.
"Oysters are pretty liquid," said Lee, who weighs
105 pounds despite being on the pro-eating tour for the past year.
"I didn't need it." Tim "Gravy" Brown —
ranked 13th in the world — was disqualified when he had what
professional eaters call a "reversal of fortune." He vomited
after 14 dozen. Scott "Scozzy Bone" Zukowski, 20, a Tulane
University student from New York's Long Island was in his first
professional event. He ate 20 dozen. "I feel good about that;
my goal was 15 dozen," Zukowski said. "I had only eaten
one raw oyster in my life before this and I thought I'd vomit after
it. I hate them."
(c) 2008 Mary Foster, Associated Press
BOMB SHELTER
Milwaukeean Greg Landig officially
gained possession of the tavern formerly known as The Monkey Bar,
1517 S. 2nd St. But long before he was a bar owner, Landig was a
bar critic. "My motivation came from going to bars and immediately
seeing what's wrong with them," he says. "Then I'd figure
out what I would do instead."
Though previously
pro bono, his amateur tavern reviews are now starting to pay off.
He's transforming years' worth of mental notes -- and the old Monkey
Bar space -- into The Bomb Shelter, a beer-centric bar that pays
tribute to the classic corner varieties that flourished during a
time when locally-brewed beer seeped from the city's pores. "There
are so many bars that are disappearing," he says, "I feel
like we're losing all the fun things."
And by "fun things," he means charming chotchkey-filled
hangouts that highlight Milwaukee's distinctiveness -- polka, bowling,
brats, beer. Landig, 42, says The Bomb Shelter is perfect for people
his age, but fun for those in their late 20s and 30s, too. (Retro
is still in, isn't it?)
But what guests will find here is more than strategic, stylized
nostalgia. Landig is something of a beer historian and savvy shows.
"Did you know that when you drink Old Style today it's not
Old Style anymore?" he asks. "It's a new formula that
Pabst came out with after they brought the brand in the '90s, but
not the recipe. The original recipe is still made by City Brewery
in La Crosse and is called City Lager."
He's full of this kind of information.
Putting his knowledge to good use, Landig is more than doubling
Monkey Bar's tappers to 16, plus a single tap tower for Schlitz,
complete with era-appropriate glowing globe. "I want to have
Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz and High Life on tap," he says. "Where
else are you going to find that?" Fittingly, he's scavenged
a collection of Schlitz and Pabst schooner mugs; their wide mouths,
he claims, allows aroma to escape properly.
Other tap selections include brews from Lakefront, Sprecher and
other Wisconsin-made beers, including Buffalo Water Brewing's Bison
Blonde, which is brewed at the Ale House's facility in Walker's
Point. Be sure to ask about his beer flights, which come with a
big soft pretzel.
The décor also demonstrates a return to Brew City's foundations.
With the exception of the existing cream city brick, the bar's interior
is undergoing a massive makeover with new paint, new carpet, new
bathrooms, re-felted pool table and enough vintage neons, lamps
and signs to light up the 2nd Street corridor of the Walker's Point
neighborhood. There might be an accordion or two. There will definitely
be a shot ski.
(c) 2008 OnMilwaukee.com
SUGAR MAPLE OPENS
Bruno Johnson didn't compromise anything when he opened
the Palm Tavern five years ago. He built the kind of bar that he
would want to sit in and drink every day. Now, as he officially
opens his next venture, Sugar Maple, don't expect the new craft-beer
bar to serve even a single Miller product. When it swings open its
door on Wednesday, the bar will look like no other tavern in Milwaukee.
"You can do almost anything, and you're going to find
someone who will tell you that it's ridiculous to do it that way,"
says Johnson, who didn't even have a sign outside the Palm Tavern
for the first few years.
The Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave., has a sign, and a
big one at that. The smoke-free bar also has plenty of room, as
well as 60 American microbrew tap beers -- but still no Miller.
"Because it's owned by the same people, my wife and
I think it was built with the aesthetics that we like. Obviously,
this new place is a little different, it's a little more user-friendly."
Johnson says he has nothing against Milwaukee beers, but
that he's trying to offer customers something different. Lakefront
and Sprecher will represent Brew City, and "more than half
of the beers will come from the Midwest," he says.
Johnson says he wasn't looking to open a second bar, but
the space -- formerly the Sikh Temple -- presented itself, and he
couldn't turn down the opportunity. Situated on Bay View's most
lively corner, which already hosts Lulu, Highbury Pub, Riviera Maya
and eventually Café Centraal, Sugar Maple is poised to become
a new neighborhood anchor.
"My wife calls it 'Downtown Bay View,'" says
Johnson.
Johnson will bring over some of his well-known bartenders
from the Palm, a group that's respected by patrons for displaying
more knowledge than your typical drink-slinger.
The look of the new place is far more spacious than the
Palm. With a back room, Johnson will bring in live jazz a couple
times a month. That room can be closed off and used as a lounge
when a band isn't playing.
Johnson again used desinger Mike Sherwood, who also created
the Palm Tavern, and the bar will be a beer-drinker's oasis. Vast
selection aside, Johnson has installed two beer engines -- gravity-fed
beer lines that involve a pump hooked to the bar. He's even looking
to do a "firkn" night, which involves tapping a keg directly
on the bar.
If this all sounds a little grandiose, it is, and Johnson
has had to push the opening back a few times. He hoped to be open
by St. Patrick's Day, but it wasn't in the cards.
And that's mostly because the space required a ton of work.
The building once held a bank, and the safe was immovable. Instead,
Johnson literally cut through the concrete to carve out the bathrooms.
"When the hurricane hits, you'll be safe," he jokes.
Johnson keeps himself on an even keel, but he shows a bit
of excitement when describing his new creation. "It has much
bolder colors (than the Palm Tavern). It's beautiful, it's unique,
and it doesn't look like a regular bar."
(c) 2008 Andy Tarnoff, Publisher, Onilwaukee.com
GREAT MAY BEER EVENTS
MAY 17
World Expo of Beer - $5 per day, plus drink tickets
Heritage Park, 601 Weiss St., Frankenmuth, MI -
(800) FUN-FEST - www.frankenmuthfestivals.com
MAY 17
3rd Annual Micro Brew, Import & Specialty Beer Tasting - 7-10
PM - $20.00 - Limit 100
Meyer Park Barn, 26900 Meyer Dr., Wind Lake, WI
- (262) 895-2921
Tickets: B&B Beverage, 26220 W. Loomis Road, Wind Lake,
WI 53185
SOLD-OUT: MAY 18
Wisconsin Micro-Brewers Beer Festival - 1-6 PM - $30
Calumet County Fair Grounds, Chilton, WI - Tickets:
Rowland's Calumet Brewery - (920) 849-2534
MAY 22
6th Annual The Onion's Brewing For A Cause - 7 PM - $20
Sweeney's Saloon, 96 Dale St. N., St. Paul, MN
MAY 29
Merchant du Vin Beer School Beer School, hosted by MdV's Brian Van
Zandbergen - 6-7 PM
Sam's Wine & Spirits South Loop, 50 E. Roosevelt,
Chicago, IL - (800) 777-9137
MAY 29 - JUNE 1
May Fest - Thurs 5-9:30 PM, Fri 5-11 PM, Sat Noon-11 PM
& Sun Noon-10 PM
Lincoln Square, corner of Lincoln and Leland
Aves., Chicago, IL - www.mayfestchicago.com
MAY 31
16th Annual City Pages Beer Festival, benefit for the the St. Paul
Jaycees - 5-9 PM - $28 ($25 Advance)
Hennepin Avenue Ave. between W. Lake St. & 31st St.,
next to Calhoun Square, Uptown, Minneapolis, MN
* For details on these Beer Events & a lot more, visit our Beer
Events Calendar - the complete Beer Event Calendar in the Midwest.
BREWERS
AIMING SMALLER IN US CRAFT BEER DRIVE
Seemingly small beer brands are becoming increasingly big
business in the US, as a growing number of major brewers move to
enter or consolidate their positions in the craft brewing category.
However, with growing profitability expected for brewers operating
in the segment, a number of challenges are also expected concerning
increasing manufacturing costs and maintaining brand reputation.
These emerging "real ale brands", labelled as
craft beers within the US market, are often all-malt beers designed
to more specific taste requirements than a more mainstream brand.
HIGH GROWTH Between 2004 and 2006, the market for these
emerging brands in the US, often seen as higher quality independent
beer alternatives, grew by 31.5 per cent, according to the US-based
Brewers Association (BA).
The trade group added that it expected further double-digit
increases for the full year 2007 and beyond.
Julia Herz, a BA spokesperson, told BeverageDaily.com that
the current growth in popularity of the segment was tied not just
to the American consumer trading up for more expensive "fuller
flavour" beer, but also to a change in the US brewing culture.
"We have seen tastes advancing over the last twenty
years or so," she stated. "We have a situation where the
big brewers are now paying attention and learning from their smaller
counterparts."
As well as the supposed taste benefits from consuming craft
beers, Herz claimed that consumers also enjoy a feel good sensation
linked to taking pride in drinking a local brew.
"What feels good to a consumer, tastes better to them
as well," she stated. "The average American lives within
10 miles of a brewery, and they can support local business through
the product."
Under the BA's definition on which its statistics are based,
craft brewers are manufacturers that produce no more than 200m barrels
of their products a year, and must have no more than 25 per cent
ownership from larger non-craft manufacturers.
Despite this definition, a number of leading brewers are
already involved in the segment through both acquisitions and partnerships,
which in 2006 accounted for about five per cent of total beer sales
in the US, the BA said.
ADAPTING TO THE MARKET While Herz stressed that retaining
authenticity was vitally important to craft brewing, she added that
there had been mutual benefits to both main stream and craft beers
from expansion of the segment.
She pointed to the aftermath of a previous explosion in
craft brewing during the mid 1990s. Herz said that a number of players
survived a crash, by emulating to an extent the financial practices
and expansion strategies of larger players.
ANHEUSER BUSCH
Keith Levy, vice president
of brand management for Budweiser maker Anheuser Busch, said that
while the brewer was looking to capitalise on recent growth in craft
beers, the segment was not a new market for the company.
"Anheuser Busch's brew masters have been crafting
specialty lagers and ales in the world's most intricate beer styles
for more than 130 years such as our all-malt Michelob, Michelob
Light and Michelob AmberBock craft brands," he stated. "In
addition to brewing our own specialty beers, our alliances with
the regional breweries help us reach a wide range of craft beer
drinkers."
Levy claimed that rather than damaging the smaller craft
beer labels, the presence of groups like Anheuser Busch had long
been aiding smaller brewers.
"There is room for many beers and brewers in this
category," he stated. "In fact, competitors have acknowledged
our involvement in the craft beer segment is helping build awareness
for craft beers overall."
SABMILLER
Isabel Unsworth, business media
relations manager with multinational SABMiller, told BeverageDaily.com
that the international brewer had also been in the market for some
time.
She added that, with the brewer increasingly focused on
expanding its beer portfolio for a number of tastes and markets
round the world, the craft segment was one focus of this growth.
"It is true that craft beers are gaining market share
in the US now, and Miller is playing an increasing role in this
segment, with strong double-digit growth," Unsworth stated.
She said that the company had therefore begun to expand
the presence of its own craft labels through the geographic roll
out of its Leinenkugel's brand across the US, as well as the extension
of its Henry Weinhard's range
While the group aims to continue enacting this strategy,
Unsworth said that the company was being more selective with how
it promotes its craft beers to not jeopardise the independent nature
of the segment.
"The challenge is to ensure careful brand-building
and marketing to target consumers as well as tailored selling, merchandising
and events that are more finely targeted than the biggest brands
in the market, such as Miller Lite," she stated.
FUTURE CHALLENGES
Despite the optimism of both large and small-scale brewers
in the country regarding craft beer, growing popularity of the segment
is not expected to be without its problems for beer makers, according
to consumer analyst Euromonitor.
"Hops shortages could damage craft brewers more than their industrial
rivals as they simply do not have the means to hedge against rising
prices," stated Euromonitor analyst Catherine Mars. "Additionally,
as the category becomes more popular craft brewers face capacity
problems: the costs and risks associated with adding extra capacity
are high for small players."
Euromonitor added that besides increasing competition in
the market, there was also a danger that the popular view of craft
beer as an independent alternative to larger brands was under threat
from major brewers, both in terms of authenticity and shelf space.
"Despite the fact that global brewers are at pains
to hide their association with these craft-style brands, thus retaining
their independent image, the competitive landscape is changing and
as a result craft brewers are under threat," Mars stated.
(c) 2008 NEIL MERRETT - Beverage Daily
MILWAUKEE
HOMEBREW COMPETITION
Alcoholmanac magazine is co-hosting,
along with Rock Bottom, SWS & The Bomb Shelter, the "Brew
City Brew - off," a homebrew competition, with judging held
on July 19 at the Bomb Shelter (1517 S. 2nd St. in Walker’s
Point). That Saturday morning, we’ll have a merry band of
certified beer judges, celebrity imbibers, brewery owners &
brewmasters, dissecting your brews.
You can submit your homebrew (beer) samples between July
12th & 19th at the Bomb Shelter. For each beer entry, we'll
want six (6) 12 ounce bottles, with NO label, but a hand-written
beer style entry recipe sheet attached, plus a $5 competition fee.
There will be prizes galore, but the one that really matters
is that the Grand Champion Homebrew Winner will have their beer
brewed at a participating brewpub. Now, a bit of a disclaimer: if
you brew a truly wacky beer and the majority of the judges feel
that you, the grand prize winner, have truly the #1 best beer, but,
sadly, it is something that the agreed brewpub says, “hey,
no way can we sell that stuff,” we’ll invite you to
join us to create a nice size homebrew batch in one of Milwaukee
Beer Barons Homebrew Club members brewing setups. We’ll be
brewing, and then packaging your beer, allowing you to celebrate
with a case or 2 of your award winning homebrew
Now, let’s think positive. Let’s say that what
you brew, Ms. or Mr. GPAH Winner,. is what our brewpub wants to
ramp up to a production version. Here’s where the fun starts.
#1, providing your “dayjob” doesn’t interfere,
you will be invited to join in the "ramp-up" brew, actually
doing a commercial version of your beer, and not only be invited
to private pre-release party (you and, say, a dozen of your closest
friends), plus you’ll be invited to the public brew kickoff,
and be rewarded with a ½ barrel of your brew for your own
personal consumption.
What, you've never homebrewed, but you think, “why
not give it a try ?” I recommend that you visit you local
homebrew shop (see list below) and hit BJCP.org for the proper forms*
and beer style descriptions.
Wanna join in the judging ? We can squeeze about 20 of
you in to add your vote that Saturday, but you’ve got to register
early.
Happy Homebrewing !!!!
(c) 2008 Whispering Jeff - The Bomb Shelter - Rock Bottom - Suds,
Wine & Spirits - Alcoholmanac (magazine)
LIVE MUSIC
Exzene,
Billy, John Doe & crew are doing an" X - 13-31" Tour
in March, with a bunch of Midwest stops ?
Currently braving the Midwestern weather, (a certain sign
that Spring is near), are Etta James, Larry Carlton, They Might
Be Giants, Adrian Belew, David Grisman, Steve Earle, John Prine,
Dale Watson and Big Sandy ,...
Hit our Music Calendar for details,
and learn about all these Milwaukee & Midwest music events,
and more.
THE
GRAPE VINE EVENTS
MAY 15; MACC Fund Wine & Beer Tasting, co-sponsored
by Vino 100 - 6-9 PM - $20
Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden (Milwaukee) - Reservations:
Brian DeLorenzo (414) 918-0626
* Need More Wine ?, visit our The
Grape Vine Wine Events calendar, re-ignited and getting bigger
daily !!
Look for over a dozen new Wine Events listed every week.
AMERICAN DISTILLER
www.distilling.com
CONTACT : BILL OWENS, AMERICAN DISTILLER, BOX 577, HAYWARD, CA 94543
(510) 886-7418 - Bill @ Distilling.com
GREAT DISTILLATIONS
& SPIRITS EVENTS
Congratulations to Master of Whiskey for Johnnie Walker
& the Classic Malts, Martin Duffy, newly appointed Diageo
Spirits Ambassador for the Republic of Ireland. Martin's off to
Ireland in April, post-Whiskey Fest
Wanna learn more about Craft Distillers & Distilling,
Visit our Craft Distilling Page
CARS & STUFF
Tune in to WMSE (91.7 FM) for Mark Dietrich’s
Gearhead Show every Saturday from 6-9 AM.
Won’t be long before Mark’s in the tower, calling the
action at Great Lakes Drag-Away.
Inspired ? Visit both our "Car Stuff"
homepage and our Car Show
Calendar.
GREAT FOOD
Coming back strong will be our Food coverage, including Cooking
Classes, Demonstrations, Specialty Food Samplings and Dinners, plus
Press Coverage on Cooking, Growing & Dining.
Want to see several Food Events ? Hit our Chowtime
Food Events Calendar
How about our Food Blog, as we wax ...poetic about Foods
we like ?
Visit our Food Times Page
NEW DIRECTIONS FOR SWS.COM
Look
for this website to get "livened up."
While
we've been updating our Beer & Music calendars (almost) daily,
much of the rest of our website will become "re-actived,"
as well. There's a lot of homepages here, folks.
We'll be adding a mini-blog on this homepage several days a week;
Offer you increased coverage on Wine & Spirits, Food, Music,
and soon: Cars (& Alternative Fuels), and a few other things,
... besides offer our strong, and soon stronger, Beer & Music
coverage.
"Wine & Spirits ?" We've always liked Spirits
& have recently rekindled our Wine appreciation. We'll be talking
about wines, growers, importers, retailers and wine events.
"Food ?" We plan to add a lot more articles
on Growing, Eating, Cooking & Dining.
"Music ?" We plan to talk about bands and musicians
before they perform, to help lure you out more often.
We plan to talk about musicians and their instruments, as well.
Another reason for "Food & Music" is that both are
served at venues that sell and serve Beer, Wine & Spirits.
"Cars ,...?"
With the price of oil rising to $100 a barrel, horsepower ratings
and "fun cars" will soon be a thing of the past. The key
now is how to keep mobile, have a nice ride & not spend a fortune.
The glory days were, of course, the 50s & 60s ... The days of
the Custom Car, Hot Rod and Restoration.
How do we combine the two (car culture & economy ? )
Several groups are trying, from the 100 MPG prize to Biodiesel conversions,...
E ven musician Neal Young in transforming his 70s Lincoln to electric
power.
We'll try, on this website, to let you know more !
Since car design (& restoration) is a form of art, we'll most
likely be adding art gallery information in the near future, too.
Fear not: Beer still continues to be a favorite of ours.
We just plan to offer more diversity.
We promise to keep you entertained !!
WJ
BELT
BUCKLES
Since 1971, my alternate career has been in
metal castings, mostly Belt Buckles.
The 70s were a really hot time for buckles. I was in design &
sales. The companies I worked for created & sold over 100 new
designs every year.
I've got some I'd like to market.
Some are one-of-a-kind, and with other styles, I have a some depth
in inventory.
Visit Belt Buckles on the left for
a partial list.
I also do Custom Belt Buckle Design & Production, with runs
as short as 100.
Interested ? Contact me.
MILWAUKEE BEER HISTORY
Visit our Milwaukee
Beer History tour page.
We've got lots of photos, including the 2005 & 2006 Museum of
Beer & Brewing Miller Caves Dinner and the original Miller Caves
dinner photo from 1954, which was our inspiration; the Obermann
Brewery today; Pabst Sternewirt; Schlitz photo from 1972; Blatz
Brewkettles & Tasting Room bar; Pabst Mansion; Gettelman Brewery;
Forest Home & Calvary Cemetery Beer Barons Monuments; "Ghost
Signs;"Wisconsin DOT sign, commemorating Wisconsin's brewing
heritage, ...
Visit
our Suds
City (Beer), Spirited Event,
Food, Music &
Wine Calendars, as we've got a lot
of events listed
Tune in at least once-a-week (or
even daily) for our “Whispering Jeff”
updates !!
Visit "Whispering Jeff's"
New, Rumors & Gossip for archived babbles !!
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SUDS CITY
UPCOMING
BEER EVENTS:
SATURDAYS
Free Beer Tastings from 1-6 PM
Three Cellars, 6955 S. 27th, Franklin, WI
TUESDAYS
Stein Club Night with Brewhaus Polka Kings
Weissgerber's German Beer Hall, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 17
World Expo of Beer - $5 per day, plus drink tickets
Heritage Park, 601 Weiss St., Frankenmuth, MI - (800)
FUN-FEST - www.frankenmuthfestivals.com
NOW TO MAY 18
Mainstrasse Village Maifest
Mainstrasse Village, Covington, KY
MAY 17
3rd Annual Micro Brew, Import & Specialty Beer Tasting
- 7-10 PM - $20.00 - Limit 100
Meyer Park Barn, 26900 Meyer Dr., Wind Lake, WI -
(262) 895-2921
Tickets: B&B Beverage, 26220 W. Loomis Road,
Wind Lake, WI 53185
MAY 17
Metro Milwaukee Kiwanis Club Riverwest Pub Crawl
Starts Club 99, 2579 N. Pierce, Noon-2 PM
Tickets: Club 99 & Stone Fly
MAY 17
Black River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Great Tastes Festival
– 1-5 PM - $30 ($25 Advance)
Jackson County Fairgrounds, Hwy 54, Black River Falls,
WI - (715) 284-8106 - todd@antlerking.com
MAY 17
AleFest Lexington
Lexington, KY
SOLD-OUT: MAY 18
Wisconsin Micro-Brewers Beer Festival - 1-6 PM -
$30
Calumet County Fair Grounds, Chilton, WI
MAY 28
15th Anual Mondial de la Bière
Windsor Station & Courtyard, Montréal,
Quebec, Canada - (514) 722-9640
MAY 29
Merchant du Vin Beer School Beer School, hosted by MdV's Brian
Van Zandbergen - 6-7 PM
Sam's Wine & Spirits South Loop, 50
E. Roosevelt, Chicago, IL - (800) 777-9137
MAY 29
Meet the legendary Jim Koch, brewmaster and owner of Samuel
Adams Brewery, and sample some of his favorite Sam Adams styles
- 5-7 PM
Binny's, South Loop, Chicago, IL - (312)768-4400
- southloop@binnys.com
MAY 29 - JUNE 1
May Fest - Thurs 5-9:30 PM, Fri 5-11 PM, Sat Noon-11
PM & Sun Noon-10 PM
Lincoln Square, corner of Lincoln and Leland Aves.,
Chicago, IL - www.mayfestchicago.com
MAY 30
Goose Island Beer Dinner featuring 312, Honkers Ale, IPA,
Oatmeal Stout, Nut Brown, Matilda and Pere Jacques, paired
by Executive Chef, Matt Maroni – 6 PM
Mid America Club, 200 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
– Reservations: (312) 861-1100
MAY 31
16th Annual City Pages Beer Festival, benefit for the the
St. Paul Jaycees - 5-9 PM - $28 ($25 Advance)
Hennepin Avenue Ave. between W. Lake St. & 31st St., next
to Calhoun Square, Uptown, Minneapolis, MN
JUNE 3 - 9
Global Beer’s Santa Barbara to Boston Belgian Beer Tour
Global beer founders Johnny and Claudine will embark on a
cross-country road trip starting at Global Beer’s headquarters
in Santa Barbara, CA and ending at our new east coast facility
in to Boston, MA to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the
company’s founding and our East Coast expansion. They
will be holding beer tastings and dinners along the way continuing
their crusade to educate folks on Global’s many award
winning, great Belgian beers.
JUNE 3: Minneapolis MN
JUNE 5: Chicago IL
JUNE 9: Detroit MI
JUNE 6
World of Beer Tasting – 6-8:30 PM - $15
Sample over 40 beers from around the world. From
large producers to hand-made craft beers. Proceeds to benefit
the Naperville Humane Society. Food provided by Braconi’s
of Naperville.
Binny’s, Naperville, IL – Reservations:
(630) 717-0100 - naperville@binnys.com
JUNE 6 - 7
13th Annual St. Louis Microfest – FRI: 6-10 PM –
Import Beers; SAT: Noon-6 PM – Craft & Micro Brews
Upper Muny, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO – (314)
588-0007 - www.liftforlife.com
JUNE 7
4th Annual Milwaukee Beer Barons' World
of Beer Festival
1 - 5 PM - $30
advance purchase includes a commemorative glass ($35 at the
door)
Schwabenhof Pavilion (Indoor/Outdoor
Facility), W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls,
WI - www.beerbarons.org
THURSDAYS
Whispering Jeff's Suds Club, with Beer Specials & Beer
Samplings Every Week - 6-10 PM
Zads Roadhouse, 424 S. 2nd St.,
For More Details & Many
More Events, Visit our SUDS
CITY BEER CALENDAR, updated DAILY
!
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JUST
ADD MUSIC
UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS:
MONDAYS
Funky Mondays with Clyde Stubblefield & Friends
Madison's Downtown, Madison, WI
TUESDAYS
Stein Club Night with Brewhaus Polka Kings
Weissgerber's German Beer Hall, Milwaukee, WI
FRIDAYS
Brewhaus Polka Kings
Lakefront Palm Garden, Milwaukee, WI
SATURDAYS
Blue in the Face
Hector's, Wauwatosa, WI
THURSDAYS
Whispering Jeff's Suds Club, with Music & Mayhem, featuring
bluegrass & polka
Zads Roadhouse, 424 S. 2nd St., Milwaukee, WI
MAY 17
Midwest Blues All-Stars
Donges Bay Clubhouse, Mequon, WI
MAY 17
The Cure
Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
MAY 17
Dread Zepplin
Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
MAY 17
Detroit Cobras
House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
MAY 22
The Del Ripleys, featuring Rob Rivera from the Rivieras
Zad's Roadhouse, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 22
Candye Kane
Whiskey Bones, Rochester, MN
MAY 22
Bel-Airs
Murphy's Lounge, Omaha, NE
MAY 23
Mighty Lumberhorn with the HillClimbers
Zad's Roadhouse, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 23
Midwest Blues All-Stars
Milwaukee Ale House, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 23
Reilly
House of Guinness, Waukesha, WI
MAY 23
North Mississippi All-Stars
House of Blues, Chicago, IL
MAY 23
The Bel-Airs
Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
MAY 24
The Squeezettes
Old German Beer Hall, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 24
Waterfest, with Tommy James & The Shondells and the Ides
of March
Leach Auditorium, Riverside Park, Oshkosh, WI
Milwaukee Ale House, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 25
5 Card Studs
LuLu, Milwaukee, WI
MAY 25
Southern Culture on Skids
Headliners, Louisville, KY
MAY 25 - 26
Gaelic Park Irish Festival, with Black 47,...
Gaelic Park, Orland Park, IL
MAY 27
Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater
Murphy's Lounge, Omaha, NE
MAY 29
Waterfest with Marcia Ball and Copperbox
Leach Auditorium, Riverside Park, Oshkosh, WI
MAY 31
The Happy Schnapps Combo Shoreline Cruise on The Badger
- 2-4 PM
The Badger, somewhere on Lake Michigan, Manitowoc,
WI - Tickets: (800)421- 4243
MAY 31
Webb Wilder
Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO
For more details about these
& over a hundred more Milwaukee & Midwest
Music Events, visit our
MUSIC CALENDAR, ..Updated Updated
Daily !
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CHOWTIME
MAY 23 - 26 Chocolate Fest
Burlington, WI - (262) 763-3300
JUNE 28 - 29
Strawberry Fest
Cedarburg, WI
SEPTEMBER 26 - 27
44th Annual Beef-A-Rama
Torfy Park, Minocqua, WI
OCTOBER 24 - 26
Kohler Food & Wine Experience
Village of Kohler, WI
To learn about all the Food Events in
Milwaukee and throughout the Midwest, visit Chowtime,
our Food & Dining Calendar...Updated
DAILY!
GREAT DISTILLATIONS
(www.greatdistillations.com)
JULY 15 - 16
Ministry of Rum Tasting Competition
New Orleans, LA
SEPTEMBER 16 - 21
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Bardstown, KY
To learn about all the Spirits Events in
Kentucky, Chicagoland, Madison, Milwaukee and throughout
the Midwest, visit our SPIRITED
EVENTS CALENDAR...Updated DAILY!
THE-GRAPE-VINE
(www.the-grape-vine.com)
AUGUST 22 - 23
The Milwaukee Wine Festival – 4-10 PM - Cost:
$30 ($20 Advance,
Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N Art Museum Dr.,
Milwaukee, WI 53202 – Reservations: ( 888) 210-0074
OCTOBER 24 - 26
Kohler Food & Wine Experience
Village of Kohler, WI
LAST MONDAYS
Wine Tasting - 6 PM - $25
Swig, 1227 N. Water St., Milwaukee WI - Reservations:
(414) 431-7944
THIRD TUESDAYS
Third Tuesday Tastings
Randolph Wine Cellars, 1415 W. Randolph St., Chicago
IL – (312) 942-1212
SECOND WEDNESDAY
Bin 36 Tastings - $25
Bin 36, 339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago IL –
(312) 755-9463
EVERY THURSDAY
Mas “Wine University” Dinner –
7:30 PM - $50
Mas Restaurant, 1670 W. Division St., Chicago
IL - Reservations (773) 276-8700
THIRD THURSDAY
Schaefer's Third Thursday Wine Classes - 6:30 PM
Schaefer's Fine Wines, 9965 Gross Point Rd.,
Skokie IL - Reservations: (847) 673-5711
FRIDAYS
Wine Down Fridays Wine Tasting & Appetizers - 5-7
PM
The Social, 170 S. 1st St., Milwaukee, WI
- Reservations: (414) 270-0438
EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Wine Tastings – 5-8 PM Friday – Noon–5
PM Saturday
Wine Merchant Ltd., 20 S. Hanley, St. Louis,
MO - (314) 863-6282
SATURDAYS
Famous Liquors Wine Tastings - 1-4 PM - Free
Famous Liquors & Market, 105 E. Roosevelt,
Lombard, IL - (630) 629-3330
To learn more about Wine Tastings & Wine Dinners
in Milwaukee, Chicago and throughout the
Midwest, visit our WINE
EVENTS CALENDAR
We update Daily !
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