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WHISPERING JEFF’S
NEWS, RUMORS & GOSSIP (TM)
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BEER CAPITOL ACQUIRES MILLER BRANDS
As a fallout from the MillerCoors LLC merger, the beer distribution industry in southeastern Wisconsin is consolidating, with Pewaukee-based Beer Capitol Distributing Inc. acquiring Miller Brands-Milwaukee LLC of Wauwatosa.
Beer Capitol, which sells Pabst and other brands in Milwaukee County, has agreed to buy Miller Brands, which has sold Miller Brewing Co. products throughout Milwaukee County for many years, for an undisclosed amount.
The sale is set close by October 31.
The consolidation will create one distributor for all Miller, Coors, Pabst and the newly relaunched Schlitz products throughout southeastern Wisconsin, with 250 employees and 2,000 sales accounts.
Beer Capitol is owned by Aldo Madrigrano and his family, which also operates W.O.W. Distributing Co. of Sussex and CJW Inc. of Racine.
W.O.W. Distributing sells MillerCoors products in Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. CJW Inc. sells MillerCoors products in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.
The acquisition of Miller Brands will bring MillerCoors' Milwaukee County accounts, including Summerfest, downtown Milwaukee and Miller Park, under the Madrigrano corporate umbrella.
"The joining of these two great companies represents a strategic move that better aligns both organizations with the newly formed Miller-Coors joint venture, building upon each companies' recognized strengths in delivering exemplary customer service and developing long-standing relationships within local operating communities," said Aldo Madrigrano, who will serve as chairman of the Beer Capitol after the sale.
Mike Merriman, president of Beer Capitol, will continue in that role, and Dave Neville, currently the vice president of sales for Miller Brands, will lead sales efforts.
"This is a joining of two great organizations and we fully intend to build on the strong consumer loyalty to the Miller brands in Milwaukee County," Madrigrano said. "This deal gives us long-term continuity and combines the forces of a bigger, better and stronger service organization to serve our customers and offer consumers an expanded array of top-flight brands."
Miller Brands president Steve Johnson and vice president Mike Gallagher will not be part of the leadership team of the merged company, a Beer Capitol spokeswoman said.
Miller Brands has about 150 employees in Wauwatosa. When asked about the status of those jobs, Beer Capitol spokeswoman Mary Brophy said, "There are no other changes planned at this time."
Madrigrano, who is the chairman of the board of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), was the winner of the Small Business Times Bravo! Entrepreneur Regional Spirit Award in 2006.
In its most recent issue, Small Business Times published a report that predicted the pending consolidation of the beer distribution industry in southeastern Wisconsin.
(c) 2008 Small Business Times

BELLS BRANDS RETURN TO CHICAGO
Popular Bell's beer brands return to ChicagoAfter a two year absence from Chicagoland, the brands of Bell's Brewery — including favorites such as Oberon Ale, Bell's Amber Ale, Kalamazoo Stout and Bell's Porter — are back.

The recent announcement of distribution agreements with Central Beverage Company, Schamberger Brothers, and Skokie Valley Beverage Company means that Chicagoans can enjoy these renowned craft beers once again, starting on August 1st.

"For many craft beer enthusiasts in this city, these brands were their first introduction to full-flavor, thoughtful brewing,” remarked Donna Spagnola, president and owner of Central Beverage Company. “We're extremely excited to be a part of bringing them back to Illinois."

“I love Chicago and there's no big city I spend more time in,” added Larry Bell, owner and founder of Bell’s Brewery. “I'm thrilled that our beer will be available again in this market and I'm very pleased to be working with such first-rate distributors. It's a true partnership — they know their markets and they know our beers."

The company hopes to widen its distribution throughout Illinois in the near future.

While they may not have been a presence in Chicago over the past two years, the Bell's Brewery brands have been earning accolades around the country. Most recently, at the 2008 Brewers Association World Beer
Cup in San Diego, where 2,864 beers from 644 breweries and 58 countries were judged by an esteemed panel, Bell's Porter captured a gold medal in the Brown Porter category. At the 2008 Brewers Cup in
Indiana, Bell's Double Brown, Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock and Bell's Porter all won gold in their respective categories.

"We've always believed that if we stay focused on brewing good beer, good things will happen," noted Bell. "The return of these brands to Chicago — where I was born and raised — proves that."

Bell’s Brewery distributes beer in fifteen states. The company produces a variety of unfiltered, bottle-conditioned beers, ales, porters and stouts. In 2007, sales volume exceeded 90,000 barrels, an increase of more than 22% from the previous year. Similar growth is expected this year.
For more information about Bell’s Brewery, Inc., visit www.bellsbeer.com.


THE BOMB SHELTER IS NOW OPEN ...
WEDNESDAYS ...
Whispering Jeff's Suds Club Wednesdays - 7 - 10 PM - $5 to join, $5 weekly (includes featured one bottle & draft and 4 or more samples)
September 3: Colorado Beer Tasting
September 10: Lakefront Brewery Tasting
September 17: Oktoberfest Kickoff, feauring Spaten
September 24: Central Waters Tasting

The Bomb Shelter, 1517 S. 2nd St., Milwaukee, WI - (414) 384-2662

ORIGINAL SCHLITZ RETURNS TO MILWAUKEE
The original formula for Schlitz beer, which was last widely used over 30 years ago, will soon be available in Milwaukee as part of the effort to revive that once-popular brand. The beer, which is being
marketed as the Schlitz "Classic 1960's Formula," launched June 24 in Milwaukee, it was announced today. Pabst Brewing Co., which owns the Schlitz brand, will stage an event at noon at the former
Brown Bottle restaurant, now Libiamo Restaurant, 221 W. Galena St. The restaurant is in the heart of Schlitz Park, the office park created out of the former Schlitz brewery.

The Classic Schlitz is sold in six-pack and 12-pack bottles, and carries a more "full-bodied taste," with a bit more flavoring from hops than Schlitz in cans, which remains unchanged, according to Pabst executives. Schlitz had been available only in cans for several years until Pabst began selling it in bottles last year in Minneapolis and Tampa, Florida

In April, Pabst began selling bottled Schlitz in Chicago.

"We are proud to bring the beer that made Milwaukee famous back home to the generations of Schlitz lovers who have enjoyed it for years," said Brad Hittle, chief marketing officer at Schlitz, in a statement. Following the launch event, the ceremonial first delivery will be made to Libiamo Restaurant. The beer will also be distributed to over 50 other locations in the Milwaukee area. Stops on the delivery tour include: Libiamo, Sobelman's, Comet Cafe, Wolski's, Nomad, Y Not II and Ragano's.
(c) Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 2008

DUH BOMB SHELTER ...

MONDAYS
Bomb Shelter’s Retro Night, featuring the classic beers of Dad & Grandpa, all freshly brewed. Look for videos of old beer commercials, periodic Breweriana shows and the occasional visits by the legends of Milwaukee & Wisconsin’s beer, like Tim John & Tice Nichols from Miller, Fred & Nancy Gettelman, …. If you’re in the mood, make that a “shot & a beer,” or as the Happy Schnapps Combo says, “a beer & a bump,” as we’ll offer rotating shot specials, too.

WEDNESDAYS
Whispering Jeff’s Suds Club from 7 PM - ???
Shades of old Gasthaus Zur Krone’s Bier Schmecker Verein, with Craft & Import Beer Specials & Beer Samplings. We’ll be doing beers by style, by brewery, by wholesaler & by importer. Before the Summer’s over, we’ll all be doing a Bombshelter homebrew, too.

The Bomb Shelter is launching with 8 Milwaukee taps, split between “Retro” and Micro.
The goal is to rapidly grow to 20+, featuring some classic, and rare Wisconsin brews.

"Our beer draft & bottles selections will be rotated often, so please wander back often and boldly ask your barkeep, 'What’s New !!'”
Greg Landig, Proprietor

BUFFALO BREWS
Buffalo Water's Bison Blond got itself bottled Tuesday, May 20. It was the 2nd day the Milwaukee Ale House's production brewery, Milwaukee Brewing Company, ran their bottling line. Almost this first run of bottled Bison Blond will be delivered to Woodman's.
Per Buffalo Waters' Sales Manager Mike Chaltry, the next bottled batched will be available in about 3 weeks.


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."

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

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

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