Leinenkugel's DC Tasting Party

I want all you Leinenkugel's fans to be jealous of Kevin and I. We got to drink some of Leinenkugel's new Classic Amber, nosh on sliders, shrimp, bratwurst, and cheese, and hang out with Jake Leinenkugel himself. Jake was in the DC-area to promote the new beer. After having a pint or two (or three) I must say they've got a hit. It's a well-rounded beer that can be quaffed during a football game or while having a good steak. The best part is Leinenkugel's is smart enough to have gotten DC-area bars to have it on tap.

Beer Tasting with Jake Leinenkugel

Kevin also took some pictures, but notice none were of him and Jake.

Re: The bright side of free trade

Stella Artois was the beer of the year one year I was overseas (the cheap one) I bought it, I drank it, I did not much care for it. The other beers I am not familiar with.

The Belgians in general have very different tastes in beer. Often times they sour the beer and put a lot of fruit juices into their brews. I had a belgian red last summer and it was poured into a wine glass and tasted a fair amount like one of those "Jolly Good" sodas.

When I brew I tightly control the yeast, but belgian brewers often times makes beer like people make sourdough bread, that is they let the wild yeast settle in and do the fermenting.

Stores specializing in micro-brews & imports will carry those lambic and exotic Belgian beers but they are very nichey.

Stella Artois, despite my distaste for it, should not do too badly in the general US market.

State Fair Get Together

Saturday is the day. I plan to be at the microbrew tent at about noon.

We'd still like to have the BBQ, but we don't know how many people to expect. My plan is to go to the fair and find out who's coming, then we'll meet at our place later on. I think 4 or 5pm is a reasonable time.

State Fair Get Together

It's getting close! State Fair starts on Thursday.

Judging by the comments on my blog, the second weekend looks best for a BBA/Cheddarsphere get-together. I say we pick the 11th, because Saturdays are cool. Last year, we met in the microbrew tent at about noonish? Someone refresh my memory.

Ask me about parking. We can hook a few people up.

Don't forget to save energy the after party at our place (actual start time TBD)!

Note: I believe that I've just stolen the title of "Cheddarsphere Social Director" from Dave Casper in a bloodless coup.

This then...Explains Much

One question that many a reporter was having last week (not to mention WisPolitics) was why the State Senate Democrats threw in a provision about wine distributors.

Ya see, what this amendment (See Pg. 4) would do is still protect the three-tier distribution system for alcohol (Producers to Wholesalers to Retailers). It stops wineries from selling directly to retail stores and restaurants, thus bypassing tier two.

It would force individual vineyards in and outside the state, to get a permit, on an annual basis no less, to distribute on their own; which could end up costing them thousands in profit.

Basically, the amendment only benefits one group -- Distributors of wine who have a statewide network. There are roughly only a handful in Wisconsin.

Critics said this amendment, which barely was debated before it was voted upon, was a payback for campaign contributions.

The critics may have just been proven right.

MADISON, Wis. -- Employees of a beverage wholesaler made campaign donations to members of the Democratic-controlled Senate before that chamber approved a budget amendment that will help its business in Wisconsin.

Two employees of Madison-based General Beverage Sales Co. gave at least $12,495 to the campaigns of eight Senate Democrats and the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, campaign finance records show.

That includes $350 to Sen. Russ Decker, D-Weston, who backed the amendment to stop wineries from selling products directly to retailers and require them to hire distributors such as General Beverage instead.

The company officials -- Frances Weinstein and Joel Minkoff -- also donated to Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson and four freshmen whose victories flipped Senate control back to Democrats last year, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracks campaign donations.

The amendment approved last week would protect General Beverage's market in Wisconsin. The company is one of the few wine distributors with statewide reach with operations in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Little Chute, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Barron.

Critics have argued the amendment, which was introduced just hours before Senate Democrats approved it in the $66 billion two-year state budget, was a favor for politically connected distributors.

"I don't see that there's a public policy reason for this other than rewarding your friends," said Bill Nelson, president of WineAmerica, a trade association representing U.S. wineries opposed to the plan.

In a "it's a small world" moment for Wisconsin bloggers, Decker's press flack is none other than Carrie Lynch, who was once the writer of "What's Left?" at WisPolitics.

Pardon me if I don't buy the spin she's cycling.

A Vocabulary Lesson

Fred Risser must have been very much asleep the day his teacher told them what the word increase means.

v.intr.

1. To become greater or larger.
2. To multiply; reproduce.

v.tr.

To make greater or larger.
n. (ĭn'krēs')

1. The act of increasing: a steady increase in temperature.
2. The amount or rate by which something is increased: a tax increase of 15 percent.
3. Obsolete. Reproduction and spread; propagation.

Source: Answers.com – Dictionary Definition of INCREASE

Risser defended the $8-a-barrel increase, noting it would do little but index the beer tax for inflation since its last increase 38 years ago.

Source: JSOnline &150; Legislators want to raise beer tax (But they know idea won't be popular)By STEVEN WALTERS



I love the part about how the money raised will go into a segregated fund to help fund alcohol treatment and alcohol related law enforcement. Sure, it will just like the funds from the tobacco lawsuit (which was also another bad idea). Heaven forbid Wisconsin have the lowest taxes in the nation in one area, why we must be #1!

What really shocks me is we have yet to hear how this is for the children!