Golden Mast Inn, Okauchee, WI, August 8, 2014

Location: Golden Mast Inn, Okauchee, WI

Website: http://www.weissgerbergroup.com/goldenmastinn/

Points: 3.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: +.5
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+.5
Overall taste: +1






The Drink:  Ingredients: Ice, Bitters, Korbel, Sprite, Cherry, Orange. These were pretty drinks with a nice orange slice garnish. However, mine was on the weak side in terms of brandy. I would say the drink was adequate.

Tips for Improvement: More brandy for better flavor.

Atmosphere: This place is a glamorous Wisconsin supper club--they even have live music. It is right on one of the beautiful Oconomowoc area lakes. Everywhere you look there are cozy, nautical touches--note the swordfish over the fireplace mantle. 

Experience: What could be better than a Friday fish fry on the lake in late summer? I grew up in Oconomowoc, but I had never been here before. I didn't know what I was missing. I loved it! The dinner was served family style and included coleslaw, potato salad, rye bread, and potato pancakes with apple sauce. We had a combination of cod and walleye which was nicely breaded and fried. 


Needless to say, everyone loved it, even the kids. We topped off our meal with grasshopper and bananas foster.

Todd's Bar & Grill, Oconomowoc, WI August 7, 2014

Location: Todd's Bar & Grill, Oconomowoc, WI

Website: http://www.foodspot.com/Clients/WI/Oconomowoc/ToddsGrillSteakhouse/

Points: 4
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: +.5
Muddling: +1
Bitters: +.5
Brandy:+.5
Overall taste: +1







The Drink: The drink was carefully crafted and technically nearly perfect. It consisted of muddled orange, cherries and a sugar cube; a splash of cherry juice, bitters, Korbel brandy and a spot of sprite. The drink tasted good, but the brandy was a little on the strong side and therefore overpowered the bitters a bit. But, a strong drink is better than a weak drink.

Tips for Improvement: Use a little less brandy (I can't believe I'm saying that!)

Atmosphere: This is a traditional small-town Wisconsin bar / grill.  It is long and narrow and friendly.

The Experience: Oconomowoc is my hometown and I was there with friends. We ran into other people we know, so we definitely had the cozy, neighborhood bar thing going on. My friend Tim the bartender made us our drinks--he was waiting for us with muddle in hand.   To top it off, "The Wizard of Oz" was being shown on the street outside with an audience of thousands.  The event was being held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the premiere which was held in Oconomowoc.  It even made the CBS morning news.  People were dressed in costume and we drank our BOFs with wicked witches. How cool is that?

The Dorf Haus Supper Club, Roxbury, WI June 6, 2014

Location: Dorf Haus, Roxbury, WI

Website: foodspot.com/dorfhaus
Points: 3.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: o
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1







The Drink: Made with sugar and bitters, well mixed. Then more than two shots of brandy poured over ice, finished with 7-Up. Very smooth and a very nice taste. Good blend of brandy and bitters. Again, we discovered that you have to ask for Korbel, which is $1 more! Patrons at this bar had the drill down; ordering their favorite version of the brandy old fashioned: Korbel, sweet with fruit; Korbel, sour with olives, etc. They all named the brandy!

Tips for Improvement: Use Korbel; muddle fruit.

Atmosphere: This is definitely a place where the locals gather. People know each other here. The atmosphere is old world German. The bar tenders where dress shirts and ties--very nice. The Dorf Haus is very popular on a Friday night, and it is a happy, bustling place. The bar is cozy, and it faces a mirror.

Experience: We had the fried haddock which was lightly battered with a hint of pepper--very good. But, the salad bar and fritters were the big hit. The salad bar had cheese spread and pickled beets. Steve ate the pickled gizzards (no way for me). The Dorf Haus is known for their fritters, lightly fried dough, served warm with honey.  Finally, wonderful German potato salad was served with fish. This was a delicious fish fry. And they have Spaaten on tap!

The best part about the experience here is that people know their brandy old fashioned sweets. There was even a discussion at the next table about how it is a Wisconsin drink.

Nite Cap Inn, Palmyra, WI May 23, 2014

Location: Nite Cap Inn, Palmyra, WI

Web site: None
Points: 4
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: +.5
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1











The Drink: This was a very tasty drink. The brandy was fine (though not Korbel). The bitters were good--Steve tasted "cinnamon."  The overall taste was very nice. There was no muddled fruit.  However, we noticed that they were pouring something that looked homemade into the drinks and asked about it. They are so busy on a Friday night that they make a mix ahead of time that is "potent" according to the bartender. It includes muddled fruit and bitters. So, they get points for muddling and creativity. Later we learned you have to ask for Korbel. 

Tips for Improvement: Always use Korbel.

Atmosphere: This was a big, old circular bar which is my favorite kind. We sat at the back side and watched the comings and goings of the fish fry crowd. The dining room had tables tucked cozily together, so you were next to other diners. 

Experience: I really loved this place. You order when you walk in the door, so your meal is ready and served family style when you are seated. They are so busy, that there is time for a drink at the bar, yet we got bar seats right away. The fish fry is good. Again, the homemade sides make the meal--coleslaw, dill tartar sauce and wonderful crispy potato pancakes. My favorite was the tartar sauce. While at the bar, I had a revelation. My son ordered a kiddy cocktail and I realized that loving kiddy cocktails as a kid, probably helped me develop a love for Brandy Old Fashioned Sweets as an adult.

Maple Tree Supper Club, McFarland WI May 16, 2014

Location: The Maple Tree Supper Club, McFarland, WI

Web site: http://mapletreesupperclub.com
Points: 3.5
Fruit garnish: .5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1 











The Drink: This was a good, solid brandy old fashioned. There was no muddling, but the garnish was an orange and a cherry. It was heavier on the brandy (Korbel) and lighter on the bitters, but it was very smooth.  It tasted good.

Tips for Improvement: Muddle some fruit.

Atmosphere: This is a pretty basic restaurant (supper club?). Nothing fancy but just fine. We were seated right away so we did not get to experience the bar.


Experience: We had the fish fry which was the standard fried cod. They have a salad bar. A real, Wisconsin supper club salad bar! It even had bread sticks and cheese spread. We will be back. The Korbel Old Fashion sign is pretty cool too.

Buckhorn Supper Club, Milton, WI May 9, 2014

Location: The Buckhorn Supper Club, WI
Web site:http://www.thebuckhorn.net/
Points: 2.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0 
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +.5
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +.5 










The Drink: The drink was OK, but not special. Korbel brandy was used, bitters were used. The garnish was nice.  Our assessment is that something was missing; it just didn't have the right combination of brandy, bitters and sweet.

Tips for Improvement: As usual, when it is not done, the primary suggestion is to muddle.  

Atmosphere: This is a classic Wisconsin supper club. The bar is big and comfy. The restaurant is nice. We were told we really need to come back when it is nice enough to eat outside where you can enjoy Lake Koshkonong. 

Experience: We had the fish fry. The meal started with wonderful homemade rolls and coleslaw. The fish was deep fried cod which was good, but the sides were the best part of the meal.

Nashota Clubhouse, Nashota, WI April 18, 2014

Location: Nashota Clubhouse, Nashota, WI
Web site: http://www.nashotahclubhouse.com/
Points: 3.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: +.5
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +1
Brandy: +1
Overall taste: +.5








The Drink: This was a good drink. They used a prepared simple syrup in the first one.  It was a little sweet, but overall the taste was good. In the second one, they used sugar and grenadine instead of the simple syrup.  Not sure if that is what made it better, but the second one was better.

Tips for Improvement:  Less sweet, add an orange to garnish. Muddle some fruit.

Atmosphere: This is your usual Wisconsin bar / restaurant. Nothing fancy.

Experience: Fish fry.  This place was packed which means a wait, which means two BOFS before dinner.  Of course we ordered the fish fry. The fish was not too greasy and good, but the real reason to eat here are the sides. Wonderful homemade coleslaw, potato salad, German potato salad and rye bread.