Sprecher is 25 this year!  We’re celebrating in a number of ways, one of which is gathering stories “from the old days and through the years.”  We invite everyone who visited Sprecher in the beginning (1985), who knew Randy back then, and who remembers what their first sip of Sprecher beer to write in and share their stories.  Since Sprecher Root Beer didn’t make it to market until 1988, we’re looking for stories about brewery visits, Randy, bar life i Milwaukee and Sprecher beer.

THANKS and CHEERS!

On Saturday the Green Bay Packers held Football 101 “for the ladies.”  Or, technically, “An NFL Workcamp for Women.” This annual ritual takes place on the first day of deer hunting season in Wisconsin.  From what I understand, the training camp has taken place for a few years with variations on the theme: introduce women to life in pro football so they gain a greater appreciation for the game.  The largest attendance ever, more than 400 women showed up to get some inside tips.  In terms of fashion, it was a sea of Packer gear. Ka-ching — royalties galore.

The afternoon started with host Jesse Garcia (WTMJ 4) warming up the crowd before linebacker Brady Poppinga conducted Q & A with wives of some of the players and coaches.  Qs included: What is the most romantic thing your husband’s ever done? Does your husband help around the house?  How did you meet your husband?  Standard girl chat, really, but interesting not only because of the public forum, but also because Poppinga’s wife was one of the respondents.  We learned that these big guys are pretty much like guys.  Mason Crosby said “I love you” in Chinese at the end of his wedding vows, which blew his wife away because she had no idea how he learned it and she majored in Chinese in college.  We also learned that there are a few things these guys won’t do around the house, like take the laundry upstairs, because they “can’t risk injury,” wink, wink.

Harry Sydney, who played with San Fran and GB and has 3 Super Bowl rings, came and gave a very sophisticated Xs and Os talk.  But he did so in response to audience questions, e.g., What’s the difference between a skinny post and a rail post?

Finally, all 400+ attendees marched off to the Don Hutson Center for indoor drills — running through obstacles, throwing, kicking, causing and recovering a fumble — much like the NFL combine, wink, wink.  Several Packers were on hand to coach the gals: Brett Swain #16,  Jeremy Kampinos #7, Jeremy Thompson #99,  Korey Hall #35, Josh Sitton #71, and LB Coach Kevin Greene.  Big thumbs up to all for their patience and their  encouraging words such as, “Pretty Good,” and “Alright.”

In between all my huffing and puffing (yeah, right),  I took a few photos of the guys but they’re a bit large so I need to work on scaling them down.  Stay tuned.  They’ll either appear here or on Sprecher’s facebook page.

The holidays are coming and so is Santa.  That’s right!  Santa will be at Sprecher on Sunday, November 29th, December 6th, and December 13th.  Bring the kids, have a photo, take a tour and enjoy our annual “Soda with Santa” event.

For reservations and more information, contact the Sprecher Gift Shop at: 414.964.2739.

p.s. Santa’s beard is real, so don’t pull it too hard!

While reading M magazine the other day we discovered Shawn Kolo’s recipe for Stout Ginger Bread and thought we’d try making it with Sprecher Imperial Stout.  Kolo is Head Chef at Andrew’s Restaurant in the Delafield hotel, Delafield, WI.  Ginger bread is one of those great seasonal foods that evokes sensual memories of childhood, holidays, family  and warmth despite the cold.  We also enjoyed this recipe because it is easy to make and it isn’t overly prescriptive, e.g., it calls for stout.  Instead of any old stout, we used Sprecher Imperial Stout because this beer has so much character.  The recipe also calls for molasses, but not any particular type of molasses.   We opted for Dark molasses, which really brought out the licorice flavor and balanced well with the ginger and other spices.  Next week we’ll try Mild molasses and see how the tastes differ.   The dark molasses created a ginger bread that paired very, very well with Sprecher Imperial Stout and Sprecher Generation Porter.  Here’s our take on Chef Kolo’s Stout Ginger Bread:

Ingredients:

1 cp Sprecher Imperial Stout

1 cp Dark Molasses

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

2 cps All-Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

2 Tbs ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinammon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

3 large eggs

1 cp Packed Dark Brown Sugar

1 cp Granulated Sugar

3/4 cp Vegetable Oil

* A note about spices — use the freshest spices available; freshness really does make a difference.   Spices from the grocery store work fine, but if you have a local spice purveyor that will provide small amounts try going there.  That way, you won’t have to purchase more than you need and you won’t have excess spice aging in your kitchen.  (Here in Milwaukee we have the Spice House on Old World Third St., Outpost, and Penzy’s Spices).

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Generously butter a 10″ cake pan and dust with flour,  knocking out excess flour.

2. Bring stout and molasses to a boil in a large saucepan and remove from heat.  Whisk in baking soda and then cool to room temperature.

3. Sift together flour, baking powder and spices in a large bowl.  Whisk together eggs and sugars.  Whisk in oil, then molasses mixture.  Add to flour mixture and whisk until just combined.

4. Pour batter into cake pan.  Bake in the middle of the oven until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs adhering, about 40 minutes.  Cool cake in pan on rack for 5 minutes.  Turn out onto a rack and cool completely.  Serve w/ ice cream or fresh whipped cream and Sprecher Imperial Stout or Sprecher Generation Porter.

The weekend is fast approaching, so we must cheer: High School playoffs; the Badgers (On Wisconsin!); and the Packers (dunh, dunh, da…Go Pack Go!).   Our friends at ESPN 540 are covering all the Homestead Highlanders Division 1 playoff games (with a little support from Sprecher) since Homestead won’t be able to play any games on their home field (paperwork snafu).  For those of you not near a radio during game time, here’s a hint:  you can get the playoff Sprecher tour special (buy 1 get 1 free) by calling 414.964.2739 and saying the magic words: “Division 1 Playoffs!” when you make your tour reservations.

Indeed, it’s Halloween weekend.  Ghosts and goblins of all ages are welcome to take the extra scary tours, full of treats; no tricks.  Sprecher is a Halloween Safe Spot again this year. P.S. It’s officially trick or treat in Glendale 1-4pm on Saturday so you can score some extra candy from the neighbors when you visit the brewery.

Football, Halloween, Fall…its time for some great beers that compliment the sports, weather, foods and smells of the season.  Recently bottled: Sprecher Dopple Bock.  If you like a smooth lager with suggestions of caramel and dark roasted malts, try this divine beverage in a snifter or wine glass.  At 8.0% ABV, this is a great beer for lingering over.  Serve it at 50-60 degrees for maximum aromatics and flavor.  Great match for steaks and stews, or after dinner dark chocolates.  Also available: Bourbon Barrel Aged Dopple Bock…total treat.

Not seen since the 90s, but back in the bottle now: Sprecher Dunkle Weizen.  Note the intriguing spelling.  That’s the only thing that’s a wee bit different.  That and the fact it’s available in a 12oz bottle in the Sprecher Gift Shop.  This is the same classic dark roasted malt ale that is the ultimate session beer for this time of year.  4.65% ABV, serve at 45-50 degrees.  Drink with good friends and great food.

Big day in Madison yesterday, at least for proponents and opponents of WI Bill 287 which proposes to raise the state beer tax on the producers from $2/barrel to $10/barrel.  Yowza!  A 400% increase before the product reaches the consumer.  Imagine with the distributors and retailers taking their necessary mark-ups how much that will end up costing the responsible consumer.  Why raise the tax?  Well, it hasn’t been raised in 40 years and the income will be a good revenue source for increased law enforcement and substance abuse programs.  Or so the proponents’ logic goes.  Those in the industry arguing against this hike don’t disagree that substance abuse and drunk driving are bad things.  However, many Wisconsin breweries and retailers, especially smaller businesses, realize the multiplier effect of this tax on the consumer and the cost of beer shipped out of state – which will now be doubly taxed, first in Wisconsin then in the state where it’s going – and remain concerned that such a drastic increase in the tax will put Wisconsin produced beers at a competitive disadvantage.  As proposed, WI Assembly Bill 287 will result in numerous negative impacts including more Wisconsin-based job losses.    To learn more, check out this article in the Isthmus: http://www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=27156, and www.jsonline.com.

Tax the Abusers, Not the Producers or Responsible Consumers!

On Tuesday, October 13^th at 10am, there will be a hearing at the State Capitol regarding Wisconsin Assembly Bill 287.  This bill increases the tax on a barrel of beer from $2 to $10!  The bill states that the 400% increase in taxes will fund drunk driving law enforcement and alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs.  It does not address negative ramifications from the increase, including a multiplier effect that reaches the end consumer, loss of jobs (at breweries, suppliers, taverns, stores), nor does it justify why punishing the majority is good for the minority.

We at Sprecher steadfastly advocate responsible consumption of any alcoholic beverage.  We do not feel that any Wisconsin brewery, retailer or  responsible consumer should be subject to increased taxation simply because some consumers act irresponsibly.  Increasing the tax on the product will not decrease irresponsible behavior by abusers.  Instead, increase the penalties on abusers who drive under the influence.  Make them pay for their mistakes and use that money to pay for increased law enforcement and treatment programs.

Contact your representative and express your point of view.  Join the rally against WI Assembly Bill 287 outside the capitol, 9:00am, October 13^th.  Contact your friends and encourage them to express their opinion.

Happy, happy, happy!  Sprecher now has a facebook page.  Become a fan, it’s easy.  Just sign up on our website:  www.sprecherbrewery.com.

No doubt about it, fall is here.   I think the weatherman’s having a hard time admitting it.  Today’s predicted high: 64F.  Not even close.  Glad it’s sunny out.  Another consolation, the trees are turning.

Have you ever noticed when the weather turns cold people get very interested in gastronomy?  For all your gourmets and gourmands, there are plenty of delicious events on the immediate horizon in Milwaukee.

This Saturday, October 10, stop by the Beer Appreciation Panel at Wisconsin Wine and Dine (Midwest Express Center) featuring Lucy Saunders, author, Grilling with Beer; Adrienne Pierluissi, Sugar Maple; and Anne Sprecher.  Sample and stimulating discussion, 12:45pm-1:30pm, at the Libations stage.  The whole event should be really fun.  Great chefs, demos, beer and wine samples all day Saturday and Sunday.  Visit http://www.jsonline.com/general/47060672.html to learn more and purchase tickets.

Monday night is not usually date night, but you might want to make an exception this Monday, October 12th, and head over to Dream Dance Steak restaurant at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino.  Chef Jason Gorman is pulling out all the stops — a 5-course Sprecher Beer Dinner featuring his signature award-winning New Wisconsin Cuisine paired with 5 special Sprecher beers. (See menu at: www.sprecherbrewery.com) Randy Sprecher will be on hand to discuss the beers and pairings.  Only $60 plus gratuity.   Contact Dream Dance Steak to make your reservation, 414.847.7883.

Cheers!

Glendale’s own Mayor Tepper judged the costume contest.  Tough choice.  Though the Hot Dog won, he had some stiff competition:

Newer Posts »