Merry Christmas

Who needs wassail when there's beer. I haven't gotten the Lakefront 30th anniversary beer yet. Surprise (to me) limited release. Um, Santa. Are you listening?

I did enjoy a foursome of spectacular beers this week. Yeah, if you can find the one in the picture above, buy a case. 

I have two sours (thanks Like Minds Brewing) and a Density packed for Christmas Day at my sister's house.

Tonight, I have an array to choose from but I'm mostly looking forward to safe travels for my daughter and the warmth of family. 

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas. And cheers to 2018 while I'm at it.

"Beer Lover's Wisconsin" is expected back in stock on Jan. 26. Message me at katflanigan@gmail.com.

Beer bonding and book signings

Come visit me today at Draft & Vessel, 4417 N. Oakland Ave., in Shorewood. It's small business Saturday and while I'm not a business, I will have "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" available. Think Christmas gift. Here's the Facebook post.

Then on Wednesday, I'm piggybacking on a visit to Ray's Growler Gallery, 8930 W. North Ave.,  by MKE Brewing. Details on the beer are on this Facebook post. It's from 5 to 10 p.m. but come early. Please.

Black Friday was a bonding day for beer lovers. Here's my story on yesterday's beer scene.

Four timely beer posts to read now

News from my real job, which is writing about Milwaukee's craft beer culture.

Beer is the new Black Friday. Here's where to find special Black Friday releases.  Lakefront Brewery took the picture above.

Come buy a book and for sure a beer at Draft & Vessel from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" would make a great Christmas gift, she said blushing at her own less-than-humble brag.

Lakefront Brewery celebrates 30 years of blood, sweat and beers. And they're having a party on Sunday.

Sunday is also last call for Brenner Brewing. 

Brewery date

Sorry for the late warning. It's been, um, busy at work. There was this Beer is the new Black Friday story.  And there's always this list of Wisconsin breweries to update.

I'll be at  Urban Harvest Brewing Co. at 2 p.m. And I have a bunch of stuff coming up including The Brass Tap on Wednesday (Nov. 22). More on that and dates for Draft & Vessel; Ray's Growler Gallery; a special event with Boswell Books at Cafe Hollander and more tomorrow.

Meanwhile, consider "Beer Lover's" a good Christmas gift. Everyone needs to think vacation thoughts this time of year. 

Order here.

Sprecher visit

Come see me from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Sprecher Brewery, 701 W. Glendale Ave., in Glendale. I'll have tons of "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" books with me to sell. Bring a coat for the coat drive they're having.

Here's link to the Sprecher event page on Facebook. 

The brewery is releasing its Blueberry Lambic next month. Timely, yes. I tried a Blueberry Lambic from the fermenter when I toured the brewery for the book. I'm psyched. 

Stay tuned. There are more fun ideas coming up.

Giant beer and book signings

I found this beer in the back of the refrigerator. 

But I digress.

I'll be at Everett's Wine, Spirits & Beer at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Everett's is in South Beloit,  just over the Wisconsin border in Illinois. It's my hometown liquor store where my friend Brad worked when I was in high school and where my Dad shopped for Jim Beam and Old Style. In more recent years, say, the last five or so, It's where Matt would sometimes have specialty beers packed for Grynder that I would pick up during an occasional visit home. Here's the Facebook link to the event. 

On Saturday, join me and 11 other authors including my colleague Jim Higgins at a Friends of Brookfield Library Meet the Author event. When they asked if I wanted to be part of this I checked to be sure they knew I wrote a beer guide. They knew. And still I'm in there with actual literary authors. I'm happy to support such a group and the $10 admission fee goes to the library. I love libraries.

It's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room of the Brookfield Public Library in Wisconsin.

Two days. Two states. I feel cosmopolitan.

Beer + me + you

Everyone thinks research was the best part of the book. And it was but I think talking to people about what I did on my summer vacation 2016 is a great pairing. Like cheese curds and beer. The photo above is from the Cider and Nano Beer Fest last week in Milwaukee. More women attended than I'm used to seeing at festivals. That made me smile.

Coming up:

I'm at Dells on Tap on Saturday, skipping the water parks in favor of a ton of good beer and the chance to sell "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" to people who like beer.

The next day I'll be talking and selling at one of my favorite beer bars, Sugar Maple, at 5 p.m. on Sunday.  I've seen the beer list. You won't go thirsty.

Find me at Everetts Wine, Spirits and Beer in South Beloit on Oct. 27. If you want to see where I grew up -- the city, not the liquor store -- come visit from 5:30 to 7 p.m. I'm pretty excited about this one and the chance to hopefully see some familiar faces.

Friends of the Brookfield Library have invited me to join a few authors (including my colleague Jim Higgins, author of "Wisconsin Literary Luminaries") from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.on Oct. 28 at the Brookfield Library. I checked to make sure they wanted a beer book author at their event. They said yes, with enthusiasm.

Lift Bridge

This giant bottle of beer brought to you by Lift Bridge, a 20,000 barrel brewery just across the bridge from Hudson, Wisconsin.

The 9-year-old brewery now distributes to Milwaukee and Madison and I'll have more on that in the Journal Sentinel. Could this be a prelude to a Minnesota beer book? 

That depends on how well "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" sells. This site takes you to the eBay page. 

Bye week

Taking the weekend off from beer events this weekend but back at it for the Cider and Nano Beer Fest Oct. 7 at Schlitz Park in Milwaukee. 

Also, follow my beer coverage at tapmilwaukee.com for a peek at Lift Bridge Brewing. The Stillwater, Minn.,  brewery is spreading into Wisconsin.

I'm going to take a tour.

Meanwhile, here's what you missed last weekend. Beautiful day. Gorgeous lake view. And damn fine beer. 

Upcoming book events

Thanks for the reminder @wisconsuds. If you want to talk beer or get a signed copy of "Beer Lover's Wisconsin," here's how:

I'll be at New Glarus Brewing on Friday, Sept. 22 to A. buy the new release; B. sell copies of "Beer Lover's Wisconsin;" and C. enjoy Oktoberfest. 

On Saturday, Sept. 23 I'll be at the Blue Harbor Craft Beer Festival in Sheboygan on Saturday.

I can't be at 1840 Brewing this Saturday when the brewery hosts a Hurricane Relief Pop-Up but my book is among the raffle items.

I'm at Dells on Tap on Oct. 14.

I'm at one of my favorite beer bars, Sugar Maple, at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15.

Find me at Everetts Wine, Spirits and Beer in South Beloit on Oct. 27. If you want to see where I grew up, come visit from 5:30 to 7 p.m..

Friends of the Brookfield Library have invited me to join a few authors (including my colleague Jim Higgins, author of "Wisconsin Literary Luminaries") from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.on Oct. 27 at the Brookfield Library.

One beertastic event down, more to go

Thank you, Driftless Brewing (this is their picture of the event) for letting me talk about and sell "Beer Lover's Wisconsin" at the Driftless Art Festival After Party. You know some fun people. And now I know some more fun people. 

Bonus: 26 of those fun people walked away with a copy of the book.

Next up: I'll be at New Glarus Brewing on Sept. 22. The brewery has an R&D release and the New Glarus community celebrates Oktoberfest. Grab a book right after I buy a couple of the specialty beers. Because: New Glarus.

I wish I had a dirndl. 

On Saturday, I'll be at the Blue Harbor Craft Beer Festival in Sheboygan on Sept. 23 selling "Beer Lover's Wisconsin." Tons of good beer. Also, I heart Sheboygan.

The books are in

You can order now if you like. 

The radio interview

You might want to listen to Brian Noonan's whole show. I like his style. But if you want to hear what I have to say, scroll to 1:43 into the show. 

Or:

http://wgnradio.com/2017/09/05/brian-noonan-in-for-roe-conn-full-show-9417/

Radio and more

I will be on WGN radio at 6:05 today (Labor Day) talking with Brian Noonan about Wisconsin breweries, beer in Wisconsin and "Beer Lover's Wisconsin." That's 720 on the AM dial.

I've talked with Brian about beer before and he's fluent in the language. Or fluid? Nope, fluent.  He makes the conversation easy. Listen for yourself. Please.

I've been holding off on re-scheduling a parcel of events at great places until the book was in hand. It seemed prudent after so many delays.

Guys, the  book is in three-dimensional form! And in a warehouse! Bravely, I have scheduled two book events.

Sept. 16: I'll have books and stuff to say about the book at the after party for the Driftless Art Festival. The after party is at Driftless Brewing in Soldiers Grove beginning around 4:30 p.m.  If you've read anything I've written previously, you know I have a soft spot for this brewery and the owners. Plus the beer is delicious. 

Sept. 22: Im bringing my books to the next R & D release at New Glarus Brewing. Don't come to see me. Come to glimpse the beautiful view of rolling green hills from the beer garden and, of course, drink the beer because, man, it's New Glarus Brewing. Do come to see me, too. And buy my book Or heckle me. 

Radio radio

Listen up. I'm going to be on the radio on Labor Day (Sept. 4) talking about my book that I don't yet have in hand but understand is now three-dimensional. Brian Noonan at WGN-AM 720 is my hero. Time to be determined.  Check back. Please and thank you.

Keg Killer

While we wait a crazy long time for my book to be published, enjoy this photo of the Keg Killer shirt I won at the Wisconsin State Fair last night. I ordered the last of the  Lake Louie Warped Speed.

Hang on

I'm bringing my sunny disposition to Boswell Booksellers on August 17. Come see me. I'll have beer.

Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference, IPA Fest and the book

"Beer Lover's Wisconsin" is available for pre-sale on eBay. 

Order it here.  Thank you.

Tonight I'm talking to Barley's Angels alongside Matt Janzen. His book "State of Craft Beer" is beautiful. Details here on Facebook.

The Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference comes to Milwaukee this weekend. I'm moderating a panel on Friday.

1:30 – 2:20 PM The Beer Industry in Milwaukee and Wisconsin (Best Place Great Hall): Hear how the beer industry in Milwaukee and Wisconsin has evolved and changed, from its early days as the “capital of beer” to the thriving beer hub it is now. Our panelists include moderator Kathy Flanigan from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Anne Sprecher of Sprecher Brewing Company, Executive Director Mark Garthwaite of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild, and Russ Klisch of Lakefront Brewing.

On Saturday, I'm one of a bunch of judges for IPA Fest. This link will take you to the Facebook event page

Plus, I'm always available at jsonline.com.

Deschutes brought its Street Pub Party to Milwaukee

And all I got was a T-shirt. OK, that's not all I got. I got to make people happy by pouring glasses of Deschutes reserve beers: The Dissident. The Abyss. Black Butte XXIX.

The line for The Abyss was pretty long. But well behaved.

The Oregon brewery brought 400-foot pub to Pere Marquette Park across the street from the Journal Sentinel building. Bands set up in the parking lot. The bar set up in the middle of Old World Third Street. I'd tell you more about the layout but I was working in the middle of it all.

At 3:30 we poured The Dissident. At 5:30 we poured The Abyss (kicked that keg in 30 minutes which I guess is a record but this is Milwaukee). At 7:30 we poured Black Butte. It's a curious perspective from which to watch people.

Some were kinder than kind, happily slipping in tips which, like the profits, went to the Hunger Task Force or the Westown Association. There were a couple guys who grumbled. One who left clutching his $5 token because I wouldn't give him two for one. Dude, it's for charity.

I met great people behind the bar. I met some fun people on the receiving side of the bar. And when it was over, I walked around in my giant Street Pub volunteer T-shirt (why did I get a large?) and sipped a glass of Black Butte XXIX in all its cocoa and cayenne goodness. Because I was off duty. And I could. 

Hope these were tasty

I feel like my book has been delayed for a long time. Not quite as long as these beer cans have been sitting around empty.

They were included in a recent estate sale in Brookfield, Wis.

I didn't buy them.

While I anticipate the release of "Beer Lover's Wisconsin," I soothe my frustrated soul with beer dinners like the one pictured. Merriment Social created a full, rich (think Thanksgiving on a Tuesday) menu to go with the fine, flavorful beers from Black Husky.

The plate of kielbasa pictured? That was only the second course. It was followed by honey fried chicken. Then pork belly. I mentioned the beer was from Black Husky, right?

Eating and drinking her feelings,

Kathy