Greeting fellow Tyranenaeans,
Well... it has been a few years since this weekly newsletter has gone out... likely exceeding a handful of years by several fingers. We’ll see how many of these email addresses are still active and how many subscribers still care about the weekly happenings at the brewery (and if we still know how to use the email newsletter software).
After years of badgering, Stacey has finally convinced me to give it one more try... that there are still a few social media holdouts who refuse to get their updates any other way (like my father and our former corporate counsel).
Tyranena Celebrates 18 years!
This past weekend we marked a milestone... our 18th Anniversary of opening the Tasting Room. It almost went by without notice... I certainly didn’t remember it... but a nice couple at the end of the bar on Saturday night wished me a Happy 18th Anniversary. I returned to my table with a beer and our table clinked mugs at the news. That was the extent of the celebration... pretty exciting, huh?
The passing of such a milestone seems like the perfect time to reflect upon the past... the events and people that have impacted life here at the brewery. Fortunately for you, I have a horrendous memory! From what I do remember, it has been an amazing run! Eighteeen years ago there were probably 1,500 breweries in the United States... I believe there are over 6,000 breweries licensed today... there’s even a brewery just a few miles away in tiny, tiny Hubbleton. Heck, there are even plans for another brewery to open up in little ‘ol Lake Mills next fall!
Back then, you pretty much knew everyone in the Wisconsin brewing industry... and your beer was always free when visiting. Now, I only know the people that were around 18 years ago... and have never heard of so many of the new breweries. (How many breweries opened in Madison this year? There’s a brewery where?). Times change!
Speaking of change... for those of you who have not been to Lake Mills since this newsletter last went out... Lake Mills is one of the larger wineries in the state (Lewis Station Winery) and there is even a distillery in planning! And now is a great time to visit... the downtown retailers are pulling out all the stops this weekend for a shopping extravaganza!
Another big change... it took a few years, but it appears that our frequent battles with the City of Lake Mills are over... I’m not ready to say that things are harmonious quite yet... but we are hopeful. In fact, it was an absolute breeze working with the City this past summer on our Beer Garden expansion! Of course, the City has always been good to work with on our two big charitable events, the Tyranena Oktoberfest Bike Ride and Tyranena Beer Run.
And some things haven’t changed... we continue to battle special interests at the state capitol who work to erode our rights and opportunities as craft brewers. But now that there are more breweries... and our economic and societal impact has found greater recognition... we seem to have found at least a small voice in the corridors of power.
Most Recent Brewers Gone Wild! Release.
Island Booty Imperial Brown Ale Aged In Rum Barrels is back! The castaway Uncle of Rocky’s Revenge... mellowed by his time on the islands. Well-tanned and a bit sweeter from age. Accented by flavors of coconut, vanilla, oak, licorice and molasses imparted from chillin’ in rum barrels. On tap in the Tasting Room and we have 4-packs of bottles for takeaway (sorry, no growler fills).
I really was not prepared to send out a newsletter today... I have been badgering Rob (again just yesterday, in fact) about re-invigorating our newsletter (ah, the good old days).... but never thought he'd actually, well, write something and comply! :)
So i have just a few quick things to mention!
Tyranena Oktoberfest Bike Ride and Tyranena Beer Run are complete! We are "done" with big events for the year and I hope to have everything sorted out next week to be able to announce our charitable donations from each event. Our beneficiaries include: Tomorrow'sHope, Lake Mills Food Pantry, Humane Society of Jefferson County, Rock Lake Activity Center and the Christmas Neighbors Program.
Weatherman Sam & Paws for Love. We're excited to be able to help Weatherman Sam in his quest to help the animals of Jefferson, Dodge and Dane counties! The brewery has agreed to sponsor Sam with "the biggest U-Haul they have" in order to deliver all the pet food and supplies that he is collecting through his Paws for Love supply drive for local animal shelters. He's already collected SO MUCH and the official drive hasn't even started yet!
If you can help out with some pet or cleaning supplies, feel free to drop them off at the brewery and I'll make sure they get to Sam. Also, he's going to need some help with loading (and unloading) all that he collects... if you're willing and able to lend a hand on December 23, let me know or reach out to Sam directly through his Facebook page.
Many-th Annual Brother & Sisterhood of Tyranena Chili Cook-off. I can't remember how many years this thing has been going on... more than a decade, I reckon! The B&SOT's Many-th Annual Chili Cook-off will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at the brewery. More details to follow but mark your calendar now!
Who are these people? Looking at the pictures in the headers as I cobble together this newsletter while thinking... who are these people? They're so young.... and not tired-looking. :)
Brewing: a single batch of Chief BlackHawk Porter.
Bottling: Chief BlackHawk Porter (Monday), Three Beaches Honey Blonde (Tuesday) and Rocky's Revenge (today). There are no mislabels.... I honestly can't remember the last time that we DID have mislabels!
Wednesday is (still) Pitcher Night. (Even though it was last night....) That means we offer $9.00 pitchers and Gardetto's snack mix.
Thursday (tonight) is Thirsty Thursday. Thirsty Thursday is your opportunity to earn a beer on us. Each time you join us in the Tasting Room on a Thursday night you'll receive one stamp for each tap beer you purchase on your Thirsty Thursday card. Buy yourself a well deserved beer, earn a stamp. Buy someone else a beer, earn another stamp. When the card is full, turn it in for a free pint!
Saturday is a Tour with Patricia. Patricia will grace anyone interested with a free brewery tour this Saturday afternoon at 2 and 3:30 pm. Grab a beer and meet her in the lobby. While we now offer tours nearly every Saturday, this week's tour is NOT "technical"... those looking for a longer and more in-depth tour to suffice their inner beer geek should check the website for the next technical tour date (I think it's December 9).
Saturday is Live Music - Madtown Mannish Boys. A Madison-based Blues band who are steeped in Chicago-style Blues, including artists like Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Otis Spann, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter. They play harmonica-driven tunes with gritty fervor and dynamic energy, and perform with raw exuberance and driving rhythms that make you want to boogie!
Madtown Mannish Boys - Chicago-style Blues - 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Sunday is... the Last Day of the Weekend! Coming down to the brewery may be your only chance to avoid all that housework or any other assigned special projects. The Packers/Ravens game will be on (with sound); kickoff is at 12 pm. So plan to join us between 12 and 8! (Sundays are GREAT days for filling growlers for the week!)
Yes, We're Open on Mondays and Tuesdays! Hang out in the Tasting Room or Beer Garden (a great way to try and forget that there are still three or four more days untilFriday...) from 4:30 to 10 pm.
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