Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Getting closer to spring!
Greetings folks!
Well we have a big week coming up here. Did a bit of bottling yesterday followed by more filtering and brewing! Right now it looks like it will be three days of brewing beer coming up. I know for a fact that our fine English Style Special Ale is on the schedule for sure!
This weekend we have several events. Friends will be pouring beer at Manitowoc, Milwaukee (Food and Froth) and at the Milwaukee Ale House for the Midwinter Brewfest. There is PLENTY of opportunity for fun!
Friday - we will be having our usual antics - Doors open at 3:00 - 3:30 tours will commence.
Have a good week everyone!
Well we have a big week coming up here. Did a bit of bottling yesterday followed by more filtering and brewing! Right now it looks like it will be three days of brewing beer coming up. I know for a fact that our fine English Style Special Ale is on the schedule for sure!
This weekend we have several events. Friends will be pouring beer at Manitowoc, Milwaukee (Food and Froth) and at the Milwaukee Ale House for the Midwinter Brewfest. There is PLENTY of opportunity for fun!
Friday - we will be having our usual antics - Doors open at 3:00 - 3:30 tours will commence.
Have a good week everyone!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Oooh That was a fast month! - February is here!
Hey all! I just realized we only had ONE measly post for January. Personally I blame the snow and ice for slowing down progress. Cant say that about the beer production though - first month of the year and we are rocking hard and fast. Lots of good things happened this past month. We got in out TWO new fermenters and we should have beer in them within the next couple of weeks!
It was a crazy month for events too! We hosted several private parties for friends and such, Two weeks ago we had the local Volleyball Tournament celebration and this past weekend we were honored by being able to host a 50th wedding anniversary party! Super - mucho - excellente time was had by one and all. This was complete with an Celtic band from LaCrosse - The Amadans! The main course of BOTH events was catered in by our friends and partners in crime - Kevin and Lizzie from the Tegarosa Cattle Company. Truthfully - I am STILL full. The ribs, brisket and pork loin were the bomb. Even the humble chicken thighs were stellar beyond belief. Thanks to Joyce and Ray (and the rest of the clan) for adopting us into your family! Lori - we are still picking up all those golden bells!
We even had Cora's brother, Brutus, come visit us! Twas a doggie weekend at the brewery!
This week is much like the last week - Filtering beer, brewing beer, and bottling beer! Good thing we slow down during the winter. Theoretically the new tanks should be plumbed by the end of the week. This weekend we will be pouring beer up in Chippewa Falls. We will be open on Friday at 3pm for our usual fun and games. Have a fun and safe week.
It was a crazy month for events too! We hosted several private parties for friends and such, Two weeks ago we had the local Volleyball Tournament celebration and this past weekend we were honored by being able to host a 50th wedding anniversary party! Super - mucho - excellente time was had by one and all. This was complete with an Celtic band from LaCrosse - The Amadans! The main course of BOTH events was catered in by our friends and partners in crime - Kevin and Lizzie from the Tegarosa Cattle Company. Truthfully - I am STILL full. The ribs, brisket and pork loin were the bomb. Even the humble chicken thighs were stellar beyond belief. Thanks to Joyce and Ray (and the rest of the clan) for adopting us into your family! Lori - we are still picking up all those golden bells!
We even had Cora's brother, Brutus, come visit us! Twas a doggie weekend at the brewery!
This week is much like the last week - Filtering beer, brewing beer, and bottling beer! Good thing we slow down during the winter. Theoretically the new tanks should be plumbed by the end of the week. This weekend we will be pouring beer up in Chippewa Falls. We will be open on Friday at 3pm for our usual fun and games. Have a fun and safe week.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Yep its January!
Hope all is well with you my friends! We are on the upswing to spring. Our two new tanks are now sitting nicely in our fermentation room. We had a lot of great help getting them in. Special thanks to Bobby K, Gaier Construction, Dan, Nate, Chris and Steve the driver! I think we are all hoping to have beer in them in the next couple of weeks.
More things on the move - Todd and Roberto have been starting to tinker with our case packer. What this gizmo* does is load the cases for us so we dont burn out our shoulders out trying to load boxes. With a bit of luck we should have this up and running in the next couple of weeks too.
Coming up this week we have our usual Friday fun. Brewfests are being held at Saukville and at Neenah. Mark will be working the Saukville event and Dangerous Dan and Donna will be hanging out in Neenah.
* = official beer terminology
More things on the move - Todd and Roberto have been starting to tinker with our case packer. What this gizmo* does is load the cases for us so we dont burn out our shoulders out trying to load boxes. With a bit of luck we should have this up and running in the next couple of weeks too.
Coming up this week we have our usual Friday fun. Brewfests are being held at Saukville and at Neenah. Mark will be working the Saukville event and Dangerous Dan and Donna will be hanging out in Neenah.
* = official beer terminology
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Year - More beer to move
Greetings all - we are into the New Year! Things don't slow down much here - Todd has been brewing beer like mad all week . Looks like it will be 160 barrels by the end of biz tomorrow.
This weekend we will be represented by H&H at the Minocqua Brewfest which will be held from 1-4pm at The Waters of Minocqua. Stop in have a bit of beer and enjoy your Saturday.
We will be having our usual Friday night fun - Doors open at 3:00pm with tours at 3:30. Stop in for a pint to unwind from the week!
Next week Friday we will be hosting the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce's Business after 5 from 5pm - 7pm. Tours will still be held at 3:30 pm.
This weekend we will be represented by H&H at the Minocqua Brewfest which will be held from 1-4pm at The Waters of Minocqua. Stop in have a bit of beer and enjoy your Saturday.
We will be having our usual Friday night fun - Doors open at 3:00pm with tours at 3:30. Stop in for a pint to unwind from the week!
Next week Friday we will be hosting the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce's Business after 5 from 5pm - 7pm. Tours will still be held at 3:30 pm.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The last week of the year!
Hard to believe! 2009 is almost ready for the history books! We had quite the year this year even with this goofy economy - still waiting on my presidential stimulus plan by the by... Anyway, we did indeed make it through another year! Many thanks to all of you for being fans of this lil' 0l brewery! We would not be here if it wasnt for you!
Coming up during this abbreviated week is a bit of bottling on Monday (Badger Porter and Black River Red). Filtering of beer on Tuesday - Just guessing but im a thinkin we are sending down Oscar and another. Lastly, Wednesday - Todd and Nate will be filling up a tank or two!
Thats it for the official beer business week! However, Thursday - we will be closed for business untill 7pm at which time we will open up for our New Years Eve Bash! WOO! Kevin is whippin up some smoked goodness and of course, Garret and his band will be entertaining all of us as we ring in the New Year!
Thats all for now!
Coming up during this abbreviated week is a bit of bottling on Monday (Badger Porter and Black River Red). Filtering of beer on Tuesday - Just guessing but im a thinkin we are sending down Oscar and another. Lastly, Wednesday - Todd and Nate will be filling up a tank or two!
Thats it for the official beer business week! However, Thursday - we will be closed for business untill 7pm at which time we will open up for our New Years Eve Bash! WOO! Kevin is whippin up some smoked goodness and of course, Garret and his band will be entertaining all of us as we ring in the New Year!
Thats all for now!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Only 7 more days to Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Well we made it through another week. Todd and Nate have been brewing lots o beer this week - I do believe three full batches! Empty tanks in a brewery is baaad karma! We were visited by our friend Tom yesterday who modified our bright tanks for us as well as prep our nifty case packer for installation! I am guessing that project will happen in January when we get a spare moment or two. Oh yeah, our two new tanks will be arriving in BRF sometime in January as well. Hope we have enough "Spare moments". Now we just need to decide if we want a few more...
Other things today - Dont forget to bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food shelves. If you do you too can be the proud owner of your first free pint in the tap room. From 7pm to 9pm - Randy and his cadre of local musicians will be in the brew house spreading some Christmas cheer!
Next week we will be closed from the 24th - 27th
Open the 28th - 30th
Open on the 31st at 6pm for our New Years Eve party!
Have a great weekend!
Well we made it through another week. Todd and Nate have been brewing lots o beer this week - I do believe three full batches! Empty tanks in a brewery is baaad karma! We were visited by our friend Tom yesterday who modified our bright tanks for us as well as prep our nifty case packer for installation! I am guessing that project will happen in January when we get a spare moment or two. Oh yeah, our two new tanks will be arriving in BRF sometime in January as well. Hope we have enough "Spare moments". Now we just need to decide if we want a few more...
Other things today - Dont forget to bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food shelves. If you do you too can be the proud owner of your first free pint in the tap room. From 7pm to 9pm - Randy and his cadre of local musicians will be in the brew house spreading some Christmas cheer!
Next week we will be closed from the 24th - 27th
Open the 28th - 30th
Open on the 31st at 6pm for our New Years Eve party!
Have a great weekend!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday!
TGIF! It has been quite the week - 12 inches of snow, 12o barrels of beer brewed - bout the same bottled, first real cold snap (-12!) and its Friday! We have our usual fun going on this Friday - pints and good friends from 3:30 till 10p (ish) The Bar will tended to by our newest full time employee Chris! Thats right folks - Mr. Peterson has accepted a full time production assistants position here in the house. We are excited to bring him aboard so we can show him the ropes on fillin', filterin' , and in time brewin'!
Welcome aboard Chris! I hope you know what you got yourself into! :)
Ok - lets see what else do we have..a quick reminder about our New Years Eve Party. We have worked out a deal with the local Days Inn for discounted rooms and are making arrangements that you can make it safely to your room (or house in BRF) through the Jackson County Tavern League - Safe Driver Program! If you wish to take advantage of this cool thing - just let Jim or Todd (who will let Jim know...) and I will get you the details when they are fully developed. Garret Gilbertson will be providing the music for that evening!
December 18th - our friend Randy Bjerke and the local community band will be playing in the brewhouse from 7pm - 9pm to kick off our holiday weekend - well the weekend before the holiday weekend and week - oh you know what I mean! So plan on coming down next Friday too!
If you are looking for brew crew gear from Sand Creek for some Christmas ideas - we have a wide selections of T-shirts, sweathirts, hats, eyepatches, mugs, and of course beer to help in your shopping endeavors!
Dont forget to bring in your non-perishable food item! If you do, you will get your first pint on us!
So...If you think about it - You can come to the brewery - drop off a food item for the food shelf, get your Christmas shopping done, have a few pints and have some Holiday Cheer and call it good! Yes, we here at Sand Creek Brewing try to make life easier! :)
See you all later tonight!
Welcome aboard Chris! I hope you know what you got yourself into! :)
Ok - lets see what else do we have..a quick reminder about our New Years Eve Party. We have worked out a deal with the local Days Inn for discounted rooms and are making arrangements that you can make it safely to your room (or house in BRF) through the Jackson County Tavern League - Safe Driver Program! If you wish to take advantage of this cool thing - just let Jim or Todd (who will let Jim know...) and I will get you the details when they are fully developed. Garret Gilbertson will be providing the music for that evening!
December 18th - our friend Randy Bjerke and the local community band will be playing in the brewhouse from 7pm - 9pm to kick off our holiday weekend - well the weekend before the holiday weekend and week - oh you know what I mean! So plan on coming down next Friday too!
If you are looking for brew crew gear from Sand Creek for some Christmas ideas - we have a wide selections of T-shirts, sweathirts, hats, eyepatches, mugs, and of course beer to help in your shopping endeavors!
Dont forget to bring in your non-perishable food item! If you do, you will get your first pint on us!
So...If you think about it - You can come to the brewery - drop off a food item for the food shelf, get your Christmas shopping done, have a few pints and have some Holiday Cheer and call it good! Yes, we here at Sand Creek Brewing try to make life easier! :)
See you all later tonight!
Monday, December 7, 2009
More New Years Ever News!
Great news on our New Years Party! In conjunction with the Days Inn of Black River Falls, we are happy to say that there is a block of rooms reserved at a discount rate! (You all still need to pay for the room but it will be easier on your pocket book!) Please email me if you wish to participate in this deal!
Second cool thing! If you over imbibe on New Years Eve - The brewery will make sure you get back to your home safely. We will have a supply of Safe Ride Vouchers (from your own Jackson County Tavern League) to make sure you get home safely - There are some limitations like - were not driving you back to Milwaukee but back to the Days Inn or BRF it will be on us! Email Jim at sales@sandcreekbrewing.com for more details!Wednesday, December 2, 2009
December!
Sometimes you just have to wonder if the space-time continuum has been altered to make time fly by so darn fast! (Sorry admitted Trekker admission here!) It just seemed like yesterday that we were starting the new year!
Anywho - December is here and there is much going on. This Friday we have our usual fun and games with the doors opening up at 3pm with tours at 3:30pm. Pints and laughs for the entire evening! Come join us an bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food shelves. Yes, if you do we will by the first pint for you! (One per customer!)
Today - Todd is brewing up a batch of our Wild Ride IPA - In fact he just hopped it up and the aroma around the brewery is fantastic. Love that beer! Tomorrow Todd and Nate are brewing up our next Special Reserve.......drum roll please...(thank you) which shall be a kicked up Dopplebock! WOO! Now you may be asking your self "Self, is this going to be like the Oleator that was released in times gone past?" To which I would respond - nay! It shall be mucho bigger and unique! Do I dare say an Imperial?
Time shall tell.
Other news - Expansion at the brewery! We have procured some much needed tank space to handle our growth! By the end of 1st quarter 2010 we should have 2 to 5 additional fermentation vessels, a case packer and a nifty bottle coding gizmo in place and operational! Needless to say we are quite excited about all of that!
Mark your calendars! We shall be having our 2nd Annual New Years Eve party on the 31st of this month! Should be a hoot! Garret Gilbertson and his band will be in the house providing us with our music. More details to follow but plan accordingly!
Thats all for now !
Anywho - December is here and there is much going on. This Friday we have our usual fun and games with the doors opening up at 3pm with tours at 3:30pm. Pints and laughs for the entire evening! Come join us an bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food shelves. Yes, if you do we will by the first pint for you! (One per customer!)
Today - Todd is brewing up a batch of our Wild Ride IPA - In fact he just hopped it up and the aroma around the brewery is fantastic. Love that beer! Tomorrow Todd and Nate are brewing up our next Special Reserve.......drum roll please...(thank you) which shall be a kicked up Dopplebock! WOO! Now you may be asking your self "Self, is this going to be like the Oleator that was released in times gone past?" To which I would respond - nay! It shall be mucho bigger and unique! Do I dare say an Imperial?
Time shall tell.
Other news - Expansion at the brewery! We have procured some much needed tank space to handle our growth! By the end of 1st quarter 2010 we should have 2 to 5 additional fermentation vessels, a case packer and a nifty bottle coding gizmo in place and operational! Needless to say we are quite excited about all of that!
Mark your calendars! We shall be having our 2nd Annual New Years Eve party on the 31st of this month! Should be a hoot! Garret Gilbertson and his band will be in the house providing us with our music. More details to follow but plan accordingly!
Thats all for now !
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Turkey Day is upon us!
Just wanted to wish you and all of our collective family members a Happy Thanksgiving!
See you all next week!
See you all next week!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thankgiving Week!
Well a short week is in store for the brewery! Todd is a brewing machine and is brewing up about 100 barrels of beer over the next two days. Then its back to the deer stand through the weekend.
Friday night was a hoot with all the hunters here! As predicted by 8:30pm everyone was pretty much gone and heading out to deer camp. Thanks to everyone who brought in food for the Christkindl Fest. All event information can be found at this link
Christkindl Fest 2009
Garret Gilberston and his band will start playing in the big tent at 6pm
Opening weekend was a bust for the intrepid hunters from your favorite brewery. I personally saw:
1 buck and two doe - as I was driving to my stand.
7 Turkeys - well it isn't turkey season ya know
1 cat - see above.
Oh well - no worries though the company and the Packers WIN - more than made up for the lack of hunting action.
I hope all of you have a great holiday weekend! Eat lots, Laugh lots and GO PACK!
Just a reminder - the brewery will be closed Thursday and Friday and will reopen on Monday the 30th.
Friday night was a hoot with all the hunters here! As predicted by 8:30pm everyone was pretty much gone and heading out to deer camp. Thanks to everyone who brought in food for the Christkindl Fest. All event information can be found at this link
Christkindl Fest 2009
Garret Gilberston and his band will start playing in the big tent at 6pm
Opening weekend was a bust for the intrepid hunters from your favorite brewery. I personally saw:
1 buck and two doe - as I was driving to my stand.
7 Turkeys - well it isn't turkey season ya know
1 cat - see above.
Oh well - no worries though the company and the Packers WIN - more than made up for the lack of hunting action.
I hope all of you have a great holiday weekend! Eat lots, Laugh lots and GO PACK!
Just a reminder - the brewery will be closed Thursday and Friday and will reopen on Monday the 30th.
Monday, November 16, 2009
How it started - this week - 6 years ago
lets see - It was a cold November Morning on that fateful day 6 years ago in the small hamlet of Downing when I found out that the Pioneer Brewing was for sale. Todd called to let us know that Jim and Dave were selling and were looking for a buyer. We would meet on Thursday.
That Thursday - Todd, myself, Cory, Jim and Dave met and discussed the "plan" - essentially at that point, over few pints of beer it was decided to sell the brewery to us - merging Sand Creek and Pioneer together. Pending spousal approval of course! Cory and I talked about it all the way back to Downing - it all looked good. Scary? indeed - gonna do it? hell yes!
Made an interesting topic around the dinner table that evening. My son is nearly two! Cory and I were getting no-where on building near Downing, Need to either go for it or walk away. Yes I know I was just offered a permanent position teaching computer stuff. I can only imagine what the conversations were around Todd's dinner table!
"if you don't do it - you will be miserable and regret not taking the chance" Trish said.
Gotta love that woman! (I suspect that was the answer from all of our spouses)
4 months later...after bankers, after lawyers, after accountants, after long distance calls, after it all. We closed the deal on March 12 and away we went.
5 YEARS later we have grown from 125 barrels of beer a year to nearly 6,000 (Dont worry Nate - I am buying) I know its going to keep growing too!
Thanks to you all for helping Sand Creek grow for the 5 years on the farm. Thanks to ALL of you for helping us grow the last 5 Years in Black River Falls! It is an honor and a privilege to letting us hang out with you all for 10 years. Sharing in your success, family events, gatherings, festivals, weddings, discussions, football games, community events, times with friends in good times and bad - over a pint (or two) of our beer. That is so huge!
Wow - 10 years.
I'm really glad Trish, Nancy, and Deb and our families said yes - thanks. Without your love and support we wouldn't have made it this far. Thanks for the sacrifices and for having the patience of the Saints.
Thanks to all our friends for your well wishes and support. Thanks Kevin for making our tap room a special place for us all! Thanks to all of our volunteers for making beer festivals and our events a smashing success!
Last but certainly not least , Thanks to all our employees - we never say thank you enough for all of your hard work that you put into this crazy brewery. We really DO appreciate everything you have done.
Thanks Todd for picking up that phone 6 years ago.
Happy 10th Anniversary everyone!
(oh by the way - I am going to keep changing the colors of the blog until someone notices!)
PS - ONE More thing - THIS FRIDAY - Bring non perishable food item for our Christkindl food drive and get your first pint on us!
That Thursday - Todd, myself, Cory, Jim and Dave met and discussed the "plan" - essentially at that point, over few pints of beer it was decided to sell the brewery to us - merging Sand Creek and Pioneer together. Pending spousal approval of course! Cory and I talked about it all the way back to Downing - it all looked good. Scary? indeed - gonna do it? hell yes!
Made an interesting topic around the dinner table that evening. My son is nearly two! Cory and I were getting no-where on building near Downing, Need to either go for it or walk away. Yes I know I was just offered a permanent position teaching computer stuff. I can only imagine what the conversations were around Todd's dinner table!
"if you don't do it - you will be miserable and regret not taking the chance" Trish said.
Gotta love that woman! (I suspect that was the answer from all of our spouses)
4 months later...after bankers, after lawyers, after accountants, after long distance calls, after it all. We closed the deal on March 12 and away we went.
5 YEARS later we have grown from 125 barrels of beer a year to nearly 6,000 (Dont worry Nate - I am buying) I know its going to keep growing too!
Thanks to you all for helping Sand Creek grow for the 5 years on the farm. Thanks to ALL of you for helping us grow the last 5 Years in Black River Falls! It is an honor and a privilege to letting us hang out with you all for 10 years. Sharing in your success, family events, gatherings, festivals, weddings, discussions, football games, community events, times with friends in good times and bad - over a pint (or two) of our beer. That is so huge!
Wow - 10 years.
I'm really glad Trish, Nancy, and Deb and our families said yes - thanks. Without your love and support we wouldn't have made it this far. Thanks for the sacrifices and for having the patience of the Saints.
Thanks to all our friends for your well wishes and support. Thanks Kevin for making our tap room a special place for us all! Thanks to all of our volunteers for making beer festivals and our events a smashing success!
Last but certainly not least , Thanks to all our employees - we never say thank you enough for all of your hard work that you put into this crazy brewery. We really DO appreciate everything you have done.
Thanks Todd for picking up that phone 6 years ago.
Happy 10th Anniversary everyone!
(oh by the way - I am going to keep changing the colors of the blog until someone notices!)
PS - ONE More thing - THIS FRIDAY - Bring non perishable food item for our Christkindl food drive and get your first pint on us!
Trying a few new looks...
Hey All
Trying a few new looks for our blog - post a comment or two or email me with any thoughts, suggestions and that kind of stuff.
GO PACK - shoulda skunked em though!
Trying a few new looks for our blog - post a comment or two or email me with any thoughts, suggestions and that kind of stuff.
GO PACK - shoulda skunked em though!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Must have been the weather...
Oh hell cant even use that to describe what happened to our Packers this last weekend! It was in freakin. FLORIDA! Ok not to beat a dead horse called the OFFENSIVE LINE - but lets get it fixed k?
Ok now for some idle brewery thoughts - first off we here at the brewery have been getting our facebook page and all that jazz set up. Facebook made it easy to get our event pictures posted and the first album up is from our Halloween Party. SO if you are into it all - find our Sand Creek Brewery News - Facebook page and become a fan. Post thoughts, incriminating pictures and join in the discussions. I guess my question to you all is ... should this blog be maintained in conjunction with Facebook?
Today, Todd and Nate are brewing up a bit of contract brew and a batch of Oscar. Tomorrow we are bottling like crazy and then its an easy slide down to the weekend! Looks like Brother Bill will be pouring beer at the Green Bay Fest being held this Friday. Check our web page for further details.
Well thats it for now! Have a good Tuesday.
Ok now for some idle brewery thoughts - first off we here at the brewery have been getting our facebook page and all that jazz set up. Facebook made it easy to get our event pictures posted and the first album up is from our Halloween Party. SO if you are into it all - find our Sand Creek Brewery News - Facebook page and become a fan. Post thoughts, incriminating pictures and join in the discussions. I guess my question to you all is ... should this blog be maintained in conjunction with Facebook?
Today, Todd and Nate are brewing up a bit of contract brew and a batch of Oscar. Tomorrow we are bottling like crazy and then its an easy slide down to the weekend! Looks like Brother Bill will be pouring beer at the Green Bay Fest being held this Friday. Check our web page for further details.
Well thats it for now! Have a good Tuesday.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Oh what a night!
Well we all made it through our first Halloween Party! I do want to take a moment and thank..
Char, Ena, Tom, Nate, Rhonda, Mike, Nancy, Todd, Tom, Bill, Joe, Lyall, Dale and Chris for helping out and getting this event off the ground. Special thanks to the Black River Historical Society, The Boys and Girls Club and Randy at Rosarios for helping with all of the eerie props.
Displays were all around the building which told of the tragic demise of the Oderbolz family. We had Charley in the Mash tun, Frank in a boat, and George and Edward prominently displayed. In our tap room we had reproductions of pictures from the Wisconsin Death Trip! Indeed - an eeeeeerie site all around.
The event kicked off right on time at 7pm and the Alex Wilson Band took the stage at 8pm. Let me tell you folks - it is without any exaggeration but I am sure we had the best damn band in town! Prizes were given out for 1st - 3rd with honorable mentions. I will try to post the pictures as soon as we get them in my hands!
Again a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you for showing up in costume and having a killer time! (Pretty sure we will be having it again)
Let see what else - Oh yeah this is for the Packer Organization - I love you guys but for petes sake get #12 some freakin protection!! SHEESH! Nate said he would sign on as a free agent to teach your boys some of his moves.
Events this week are: St Francis Brewfest which will be held in Milwaukee - This event will be staffed by Nate and Ena. The other event is the Janesville Fall Brewfest - which will be staffed by Todd and Nancy - no wait, Tom, Jim and Dale - NO NO - changing again - Actually Mark will be down there pouring beer from 6-10pm on Saturday! :)
With that I shall get on with my day - Todd is brewing up a TON O' Beer today and tomorrow we are going to bottle our little noogies off. Something like 1300 cases or so.
Be well and dont forget that the doors open this Friday at 3pm for our usual fun and games with tours at 3:30pm.
Chat with you all later!
Char, Ena, Tom, Nate, Rhonda, Mike, Nancy, Todd, Tom, Bill, Joe, Lyall, Dale and Chris for helping out and getting this event off the ground. Special thanks to the Black River Historical Society, The Boys and Girls Club and Randy at Rosarios for helping with all of the eerie props.
Displays were all around the building which told of the tragic demise of the Oderbolz family. We had Charley in the Mash tun, Frank in a boat, and George and Edward prominently displayed. In our tap room we had reproductions of pictures from the Wisconsin Death Trip! Indeed - an eeeeeerie site all around.
The event kicked off right on time at 7pm and the Alex Wilson Band took the stage at 8pm. Let me tell you folks - it is without any exaggeration but I am sure we had the best damn band in town! Prizes were given out for 1st - 3rd with honorable mentions. I will try to post the pictures as soon as we get them in my hands!
Again a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you for showing up in costume and having a killer time! (Pretty sure we will be having it again)
Let see what else - Oh yeah this is for the Packer Organization - I love you guys but for petes sake get #12 some freakin protection!! SHEESH! Nate said he would sign on as a free agent to teach your boys some of his moves.
Events this week are: St Francis Brewfest which will be held in Milwaukee - This event will be staffed by Nate and Ena. The other event is the Janesville Fall Brewfest - which will be staffed by Todd and Nancy - no wait, Tom, Jim and Dale - NO NO - changing again - Actually Mark will be down there pouring beer from 6-10pm on Saturday! :)
With that I shall get on with my day - Todd is brewing up a TON O' Beer today and tomorrow we are going to bottle our little noogies off. Something like 1300 cases or so.
Be well and dont forget that the doors open this Friday at 3pm for our usual fun and games with tours at 3:30pm.
Chat with you all later!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Halloween!
Hey Gang!
Well sorry for the crazed delay in random thoughts from the brewery. First and formost, this Saturday we are having a Halloween/Costume party! The doors of the brewery will be open at 7pm and at 8pm the Alex Wilson Band will take the stage till 11pm.
Admission is FREE! We will just charge for pints!
We will also have a costume contest complete with prizes. First prize will be a dream date with Leif! (just kidding!) We will be giving away a few items from the gift shop for the most creative costume, most elaborate, funniest and scariest. If anyone has any suggestions for other categories - post a comment! (It would be really good to have a comment or three..srsly!)
Ok, over the last several weeks we here at the brewery have been crazy busy with of course - the beer business! One of the things that Todd posted on was about the excise tax increase threat. A couple of Tuesday's ago - I went to Madison and experienced the full effect of a public hearing on the subject. I saw folks that want it and of course those that don't. One of the more impassioned testifying came from my friend Paul Graham who is the owner and President of Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst. It struck a cord with me and I know the panel as well as he described how a tax increase would be detrimental to his business. This excise tax is a 400% increase - thats right - 400%!!
This is a tax which is levied on a small business (ours!) irregardless of profitability - same with the Federal excise tax! The REALLY sad part of the hearings is that small brewers are getting lumped into the same category as all the big ones. Getting blamed for alcohol addiction in TEENS (When was the last time you saw a teenager grabbing a 6pack of wild ride?)
The proponents of the tax will state that the increase is ONLY .03 cents per bottle. What they failed to realize that is the three cents will increase to .09 cents per bottle by the time it hits the consumer! (Wisconsin is a three-tier system state meaning that we the breweries sell the beer to wholesalers who in turn sell it to the retail outlet. Each Tier will mark up the cost of the product accordingly to their profit margin) So that .03 cents per bottle will become $2.16 per case or .54 cents per 6pack. Lemme tell you folks there was a time (before recession) that most thought that the price of CRAFT beer was recession proof and could just keep going up - it just isnt that way. Everyone watches what they spend. If our six pack price would go up an additional .54 cents - we are looking at a decrease in volume, which in turn would mean the loss of jobs, which in turn, since we work on a thin profit margin, may even cost us our business. That is not so good. Find me this weekend on Friday or Saturday night and I will be happy to talk taxes (well for awhile anyway) with you. Oh yeah - impact to our little brewery? An additional $30,000 in taxes.
SO - please contact your state legislators! Tell them you dont support the increase in taxes.
PLEASE
Well sorry for the crazed delay in random thoughts from the brewery. First and formost, this Saturday we are having a Halloween/Costume party! The doors of the brewery will be open at 7pm and at 8pm the Alex Wilson Band will take the stage till 11pm.
Admission is FREE! We will just charge for pints!
We will also have a costume contest complete with prizes. First prize will be a dream date with Leif! (just kidding!) We will be giving away a few items from the gift shop for the most creative costume, most elaborate, funniest and scariest. If anyone has any suggestions for other categories - post a comment! (It would be really good to have a comment or three..srsly!)
Ok, over the last several weeks we here at the brewery have been crazy busy with of course - the beer business! One of the things that Todd posted on was about the excise tax increase threat. A couple of Tuesday's ago - I went to Madison and experienced the full effect of a public hearing on the subject. I saw folks that want it and of course those that don't. One of the more impassioned testifying came from my friend Paul Graham who is the owner and President of Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst. It struck a cord with me and I know the panel as well as he described how a tax increase would be detrimental to his business. This excise tax is a 400% increase - thats right - 400%!!
This is a tax which is levied on a small business (ours!) irregardless of profitability - same with the Federal excise tax! The REALLY sad part of the hearings is that small brewers are getting lumped into the same category as all the big ones. Getting blamed for alcohol addiction in TEENS (When was the last time you saw a teenager grabbing a 6pack of wild ride?)
The proponents of the tax will state that the increase is ONLY .03 cents per bottle. What they failed to realize that is the three cents will increase to .09 cents per bottle by the time it hits the consumer! (Wisconsin is a three-tier system state meaning that we the breweries sell the beer to wholesalers who in turn sell it to the retail outlet. Each Tier will mark up the cost of the product accordingly to their profit margin) So that .03 cents per bottle will become $2.16 per case or .54 cents per 6pack. Lemme tell you folks there was a time (before recession) that most thought that the price of CRAFT beer was recession proof and could just keep going up - it just isnt that way. Everyone watches what they spend. If our six pack price would go up an additional .54 cents - we are looking at a decrease in volume, which in turn would mean the loss of jobs, which in turn, since we work on a thin profit margin, may even cost us our business. That is not so good. Find me this weekend on Friday or Saturday night and I will be happy to talk taxes (well for awhile anyway) with you. Oh yeah - impact to our little brewery? An additional $30,000 in taxes.
SO - please contact your state legislators! Tell them you dont support the increase in taxes.
PLEASE
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Taxes and partys
Hey everyone.
Here it is the middle of the night again and I am still here brewing,
we are pushing 120 bbls. in a row.
That would be about 30+ hours of brewing.
Nate's pulling part of the time but I still have to enjoy my mid-day naps so that I can come back in and work in the dark.
Well, Jim was down in Madison yesterday trying to keep the beer tax from rising.
Sounds like there is very little support from the powers that be but the
Madd Mothers and the "health care" providers were dragging in children and survivors to look for some sympathy.
I hate to say it but..most of the "health care" providers are suckling on the government teet so what they did yesterday was just a money grab,
OUR MONEY.
If they were to pass the tax the .03 per. bottle would be about $3.00 per. case and that would be if everyone involved just passed on the tax at their normal margins.
The problem arises when everyone rounds up the tax to cover other expenses.
It will show up down the line when you pick up your 6-pack.
If the prices increase people will buy "down" to a cheaper beer and that would leave us with a smaller production.
Smaller production would mean that we would not need as many workers, wow!! that .03 sounds pretty good to the guys working here. NOT
Now on to something very different:
http://www.alexwilsonband.com/
The band for our Halloween party is the Alex Wilson band out of Milwaukee.
Alex and his band were the 2007 WAMI (Wisconsin music industry awards) blues group of the year.
In 2008 they were nominated for 3 more awards where Alex won guitarist of the year.
This event is a way to say thanks to all of our help at Oktoberfest and to kick back and let loose!
We are planning a heck of a blowout so don't be late.
later,
Todd
Here it is the middle of the night again and I am still here brewing,
we are pushing 120 bbls. in a row.
That would be about 30+ hours of brewing.
Nate's pulling part of the time but I still have to enjoy my mid-day naps so that I can come back in and work in the dark.
Well, Jim was down in Madison yesterday trying to keep the beer tax from rising.
Sounds like there is very little support from the powers that be but the
Madd Mothers and the "health care" providers were dragging in children and survivors to look for some sympathy.
I hate to say it but..most of the "health care" providers are suckling on the government teet so what they did yesterday was just a money grab,
OUR MONEY.
If they were to pass the tax the .03 per. bottle would be about $3.00 per. case and that would be if everyone involved just passed on the tax at their normal margins.
The problem arises when everyone rounds up the tax to cover other expenses.
It will show up down the line when you pick up your 6-pack.
If the prices increase people will buy "down" to a cheaper beer and that would leave us with a smaller production.
Smaller production would mean that we would not need as many workers, wow!! that .03 sounds pretty good to the guys working here. NOT
Now on to something very different:
http://www.alexwilsonband.com/
The band for our Halloween party is the Alex Wilson band out of Milwaukee.
Alex and his band were the 2007 WAMI (Wisconsin music industry awards) blues group of the year.
In 2008 they were nominated for 3 more awards where Alex won guitarist of the year.
This event is a way to say thanks to all of our help at Oktoberfest and to kick back and let loose!
We are planning a heck of a blowout so don't be late.
later,
Todd
Monday, October 5, 2009
Only 363 Days till Oktoberfest 2010
Wow!
That is all I can say! Our 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Celebration was a great success! It was a bit cold and rainy but as my daughter said - "Its a beautiful day - its just sprinkling!" Gotta love the kids! Anyway, a good time was had by one and all. Great Music, Great food and Outstanding Music!! The Black River Falls High School Band started everything off by 11:00am. By Noon Wally Pikal and Harvey got the crowd going with some fine polka music and a few witty jokes.
Gary Brueggen and the Ridgeland Dutchmen played from 3pm - 6pm - He truly is Wisconsin's Concertina Kid! He had a ton of people tappin their toes and having fun!
At 6pm- Sand Creek's Celtic house band - Atlantic Wave took the stage and the raised the tent roof right off the posts! Barry, Ed, John and Katie were in top form. Folks were a dancing and I am sure there are a few incriminating pictures out there! If you are looking for a CD of Atlantic Wave's latest "The Angels Share" - swing on by the brewery and pick your copy up! We have a limited supply. ($15)
Well I am sure we will have a few more comments about the fest - but before I sign out and help the gang finish getting the brewery back in "brewery mode"- I need to put a big
THANK YOU!
to all the volunteers, workers, bands, vendors and especially to all of you who attended and had fun! Thank you all!
That is all I can say! Our 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Celebration was a great success! It was a bit cold and rainy but as my daughter said - "Its a beautiful day - its just sprinkling!" Gotta love the kids! Anyway, a good time was had by one and all. Great Music, Great food and Outstanding Music!! The Black River Falls High School Band started everything off by 11:00am. By Noon Wally Pikal and Harvey got the crowd going with some fine polka music and a few witty jokes.
Gary Brueggen and the Ridgeland Dutchmen played from 3pm - 6pm - He truly is Wisconsin's Concertina Kid! He had a ton of people tappin their toes and having fun!
At 6pm- Sand Creek's Celtic house band - Atlantic Wave took the stage and the raised the tent roof right off the posts! Barry, Ed, John and Katie were in top form. Folks were a dancing and I am sure there are a few incriminating pictures out there! If you are looking for a CD of Atlantic Wave's latest "The Angels Share" - swing on by the brewery and pick your copy up! We have a limited supply. ($15)
Well I am sure we will have a few more comments about the fest - but before I sign out and help the gang finish getting the brewery back in "brewery mode"- I need to put a big
THANK YOU!
to all the volunteers, workers, bands, vendors and especially to all of you who attended and had fun! Thank you all!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Oktoberfest is soon upon us!
Greetings everyone!
Well - we are getting the old building whipped into place! We have re-organized, shuffled, moved, hid, cleverly decorated all kinds of things to make room for everything that will be going on irreguardless of the weather! Thats right - the show goes on!
Tomorrow night we are having a little event for a former employee who is on leave from serving our country in Iraq! Come on down and hang out and say "hey" to Ken!
Other than that we hope to see you all on Saturday (if not sooner!).
Just in case you are wondering ... Mark will be pouring our beer down at the quivey's grove beer event this weekend!
Well - we are getting the old building whipped into place! We have re-organized, shuffled, moved, hid, cleverly decorated all kinds of things to make room for everything that will be going on irreguardless of the weather! Thats right - the show goes on!
Tomorrow night we are having a little event for a former employee who is on leave from serving our country in Iraq! Come on down and hang out and say "hey" to Ken!
Other than that we hope to see you all on Saturday (if not sooner!).
Just in case you are wondering ... Mark will be pouring our beer down at the quivey's grove beer event this weekend!
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