We’ve promised put the recipe for Brewmaster Craig’s BBQ Dopple Bock Meatballs on our blog, and we will as soon as we have the photos.  Otherwise we’d be doing an injustice to the recipe and, most importantly, our readers.  In the meantime we’d like to give ourselves a public pat on the back for our efforts to help the fight against breast cancer, which we couldn’t do without the help of so many individuals and businesses.

Our 3rd annual Breast Cancer Awareness Spa raised $5,331, exceeding our goal of $5,000 for Gilda’s Club of Southeastern Wisconsin (www.gildasclubsewi.org).  Seventy-nine women (including 11 breast cancer survivors) enjoyed pampering in our Rathskellar mini-spa, a tour, lunch and gal time throughout the day thanks to our partners at Beauti-Control, Milwaukee School of Massage, Well Spa + Janis Salon, BRAVO!, and Welke’s House of Roses.  Gift Bags were filled with coupons and goodies donated by Elements Massage,  Koss Corporation, Close Up Apparel and many stores at Bayshore Town Center.  Throughout the day a great selection of raffle items from Great Lakes Distillery, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, SPiN and several other partners were available for all tour guests to bid on.  In addition to the money raised at this event, the George Washington Stein Club donated $1,100, which really helped push us past our goal.

This year differed from others in the level of local business participation, which is an ongoing trend.  It’s nice working for a good cause and more so when you’re doing it with the help of others. The Breast Cancer Awareness Spa proved to be not just a win-win, but a win on multiple levels.  Sprecher is proud to be part of a community that values working together and is willing to respond to a call for action. This money will be a big help to Gilda’s Club of Southeastern Wisconsin, which almost closed its doors due to overwhelming damage caused by Milwaukee’s mini-Katrina this past summer.  Thanks to a gift by a private citizen who was moved when he learned of the Club’s plight, the Club is transforming to Gilda’s on Wheels so it can serve the maximum number of families affected by cancer in southeastern Wisconsin.  The $5,331 raised from the Sprecher Breast Cancer Awareness Spa will assist Gilda’s on Wheels as it helps families affected by breast cancer during the holidays.

Though the spa is over until next year, we still have our pink griffin Breast Cancer Awareness Ale taps at participating bars and restaurant throughout southeast Wisconsin (See Pink Griffins for the Cure post, 10/5/10). Call it Ta-Tas Ale, or Taps for Tits as some do, Sprecher is donating $10 from every keg sold now through the month of December to the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition, http://www.standupandspeakout.org/. WBCC is “an alliance of individuals and organizations committed to halting the alarming incidence of breast cancer in Wisconsin. [Their] mission is to bring Wisconsin voices together to Stand Up and Speak Out about breast cancer through Education, Collaboration and Legislation.”

Do thoughts of the upcoming holidays fill you with joy but also make you cringe with anxiety about hoards of shoppers and the whole holiday shopping experience in general?  Well, we have a couple of nice little getaway solutions for you.  Stop by Sunday, November 14th for a brewery tour, samples of delicious beers and gourmet sodas, and an on-site boutique vendor fair.  Most people don’t realize it, but this  is the perfect environment for a relaxing and inspiring shopping experience. More than 15 vendors will offer a wide variety of goodies for friends, family, coworkers and yourself.  Who knows, you may just get all of your holiday shopping done at once!

Visit www.sprecherbrewery.com for more details.

Some people say democracy is messy, and it is.  So many other processes are messy, e.g., love, brewing, art, friendship, but that doesn’t mean we shy away from them.  Rather, we engage wholeheartedly and work toward the best outcome.  As US citizens with a vested interest in this country’s outcomes we should always exercise our right to be part of the process.  VOTE TODAY.  Then pat yourself on the back and grab an American made craft beer or soda.  Cheers to opting in!

Every year Sprecher does something to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer.  A couple of years ago we gave away a free 4-pack of root beer to women who had mammograms during the month of October. For the last two years we’ve had a mini-Spa in our Rathskellar, with the proceeds going to Gilda’s club.  This year we’ll have the mini-spa on November 7th.  All of October we’ve got a new program: Breast Cancer Awareness Ale. You’ll see this unique pink griffin tap handle at participating bars and restaurants.

Sprecher will donate $10 from every 1/2 barrel of the Breast Cancer Awareness Ale sold to the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. But wait, there’s more!  Our friends at the Princeton Club (www.princetonclub.net) donated one (1) 6-month membership to every participating bar and restaurant.  Customers who purchase Sprecher’s Breast Cancer Awareness Ale receive a raffle ticket.  Winning tickets will be drawn in early November after the contest is over.  Drink great beer for a good cause and get a chance at a health club membership; it doesn’t get much better than that.

CHEERS TO A CURE!

“Anyone from Wisconsin will not hesitate to give you myriad reasons why theirs is the greatest state in the US bar none.” I first read a version of this quote on a beer blogger’s site.  It rang true then and it still rings true. Why? Well, we’ve got the Packers, we’ve got brats and frozen custard, Summerfest, some of the best craft beer in the world, the root beer that made WI famous (Sprecher), and most importantly, great people.

On September18th Sprecher hosted #saveteecycle, a fundraiser that came about via twitter and social media to help a family whose home flooded during Milwaukee’s mini-Katrina on July 22nd.  #saveteecycle was literally the house that twitter rebuilt and the social networks twitter reinforced. But enough about the medium because that would be nothing without the operators, the Wisconsinites — individuals and businesses — who came together to help put this family back in their house and on their feet. If you’d like to learn more about the event and all those who contributed, just go to the blog: http://saveteecycle.org/.

During the month of September Sprecher held a food drive for the Hunger Task Force, a wonderful organization that has been overwhelmed since July 22nd because Milwaukee’s mini-Katrina devastated so many families.  Sprecher offered a Buy1 Get1 adult tour coupon to anyone who brought two non-perishable food items.  To date we’ve had two donation pick-ups, the first for 480lbs and the second for 250lbs of food,  a total of 730 lbs donated. Many thanks to all, especially the 30 school children who brought donations. We’ll leave the HTF donation box in our retail store for a few more days.

Sure Wisconsin has its share of problems; however, not so small examples like those above demonstrate that we also have big-hearted people who make our claim to be the greatest state a legitimate one.

Below are some of examples of why living in, and being a microbrewery in Milwaukee is a total Win-Win:

We are all busy-ness in a good way.  Our Hunger Task Food Drive has been a great success, thanks to everyone who has contributed.  The Food Drive lasts until 9/26. If you donate 2 or more non-perishable food items, you will receive a Buy 1 Get 1 adult tour coupon ($4).  You donation will help restock the HTF pantry and help out Milwaukee’s mini-Katrina victims.  Speaking of…

On September 18th, from 7-10pm, we’re hosting the #saveteecycle fundraiser for the Cigelske family whose home was severely damaged from floor to roof.  Join Ted Perry and a host of other open-hearted Milwaukeeans as they help Tim, Jess and Baby Clara restore their house from this:

to something more livable.  Live music performed by Perfectly Average,  yummy food donated by COA, and cool auction items galore.  Gently used t-shirts welcome. Say what? Visit: saveteecycle.org, or teecycle.org to learn more.

Finally, here’s the winning recipe from the Grilling with Beer contest at the Wisconsin State Fair – The  Sprecher Black Ninja Burger.  Thank you for this delectable burger, Dan Kyle of Wauwatosa: http://beeftips.com/sprecherblackninjaburger.aspx.

Help Us Fill This Bin!

Remember Milwaukee’s mini-Katrina, the severe rainstorm that damaged countless homes, several schools and other properties on July 22nd?  For those whose basements remained dry  it might seem like things are aren’t so bad, that every thing’s pretty much back to normal.  But for many, they’re not.  One reason we’re glad to be a part of Milwaukee is that we live and work among a group of people willing to help out whenever they can.

In response to July 22nd’s flooding, we “talked amongst ourselves” and decided  Specher could do the greatest amount of good by hosting a food drive for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force.  So we are!  The food drive began August 26th and runs through September 26th.  Want to know how you  can help?

Here’s the fun part:  We wanted to make this a win all the way around so you get goodies for bringing goodies. The HTF donation box is located in our gift shop, 701 W. Glendale Ave, Glendale.   Bring in 2 non-perishable food items and you’ll receive a BUY 1 GET 1 adult tour coupon, value $4.00.

Psst, Insider’s Tip:  You can use your BUY 1 GET 1 coupon on the day of your tour.  Just make sure to reserve your spot in advance (call: 414.964.2739), and bring 2 non-perishable food items with you.

On August 17th, victims of the Brew City Flood received more bad news from what was the last hope for many: FEMA. FEMA sent a letter rejecting requests for individual aid.  Thousands of people with basements flooded by rain and/or waste water, even those whose foundations gave way, are now left to deal with the wreckage on their own.  Those without insurance or sufficient bank accounts will need to rely on the kindness of friends, family and local service providers while putting theirs lives back in order.  Fortunately for them, Milwaukeeans have a strong ethos of helping those in need.

When the Brew City Flood hit on July 22nd, the view from Sprecher looked like this:

We only had a bit of water seep under the garage door on the west side of the brewery.  Our neighbors and cars driving nearby suffered more damage.

After watching news reports and seeing people’s damaged belongings on the streets to our west, east, north and south, we decided we needed to do something to help.  So we contacted our friends at Hunger Task Force Milwaukee and volunteered to host a food drive.

Sprecher will be collecting food for the Hunger Task Force now through September 26th. Everyone who brings two (2) or more non-perishable items will receive a free adult tour with the purchase of an adult tour (basically, Buy 1 Get 1 Free), a $4 value.  Along with the guided brewery tour, guests receive a souvenir tour glass, 4 generous samples of Sprecher beer (21+ only) and unlimited Sprecher gourmet soda.

Tour reservations are strongly suggested.  Call 414.964.2739 to reserve your spot.  Bring 2 or more non-perishable food items to the check-in and get your free tour pass.

Join us on the Central Mall for fun, games, information, photo ops and prizes during the 3rd annual Sprecher Day at the WI State Fair!

10-5pm:  Scavenger Hunt for 25 items located throughout the fairgrounds. Stop by and pick up your list and instructions. Many prizes. 1st to complete gets 1st pick.  Start and finish early and you have the best chance of getting the best prize.

Photo Ops:

Noon-3pm: Meet and Greet w/ Rooty, the Root Beer Mascot. BTW: Rooty is not a crow, he’s a baby griffin.

Noon-3pm: Meet and Greet w/ Lyle Nowak. Are you a fan of the Mid-America Stock Car Series? Then you know Lyle is 3rd in the standings this year. Check out the car and talk with Lyle.

2:00-4:00pm: Meet and Greet with Alice in Dairyland.

(TBD) Meet and Greet w/ Discover Wisconsin’s Stephanie Klett

(TBD) Meet and Greet w/ Miss Wisconsin

Noon-3:00pm: Grilling with Beef and Sprecher Beer Grill-Off. Why watch a tv show when you can see 10 finalists grill their recipes live, with the hope of winning great prizes for their culinary expertise.

3:00pm: Root Beer Float Drinking Contest! What a great way to celebrate the Official Root Beer of the Wisconsin State Fair. Two age groups: 6-11, and 12+. Contestants will be selected from the audience. Be there or you’ll miss your opportunity for a memorable experience.

4:00pm: Brat Eating Contest — other than great beer, nothing says Wisconsin like a brat eating contest.  12 contestants will be selected from the audience for this speed eating finale to a fun-filled day.

Throughout the Day: Kids games, recipe giveaways, food samplings, Discover Wisconsin destination information, guessing games, opportunities to win tickets to Sprecher’s 25th anniversary bash, and more!

For the 1st time ever, Sprecher is the Official Root Beer of the Wisconsin State Fair! Woo-Hoo!  Until we have a map available, these signs will lead you to The Root Beer That Made Wisconsin Famous.

It’s actually kind of surprising that Sprecher Root Beer was not part of the State Fair until last year when you could get Sprecher Root Beer Floats in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion.  That’s history.  Sprecher Root Beer will be available throughout the fairgrounds every single day of the fair.   In the WI Products Pavilion, you can also get Ravin’ Red and Cherry Cola floats, and Cream Soda. Mugs up for that!

Like the soda but really want to know more about where to find Sprecher Beer?  A wide variety of Sprecher beers will be available throughout the grounds; we’re putting together a Sprecher locator map as I type.  In the meantime, you can find Abbey Triple, IPA2, Witty (Chameleon) at Benno’s, which will also have our Belgian Dubbel on Sprecher Day Monday, August 9th (more about that in the next post).

Benno’s at the WI Products Pavilion will have Special Amber, Hefe Weiss and EPA

Charcoal Grill, Pitch’s/Miss Katie’s and Apollo’s will have Special Amber (and Root Beer);

Sheboygan Brat Haus will have Special Amber and Oktoberfest (and Sprecher mustards);

Adelines will have Sprecher Adelines Ale, and Witty (Chameleon);

Leadfoots will have Sprecher Leadfoot Light (and Root Beer).

Join us at the Central Mall on Monday, August 9th for free family-friendly Sprecher Day activities.

Cheers to lots of sunshine and WI State Fair fun!

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