Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club

We attended a reception for the new movie Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club. The movie showing was a sneak peak of the film which is playing in the Wisconsin Film Festival this week. This was a delightful film which captured the essence of Wisconsin supper clubs. Restaurant owners, quirky patrons and historians were tapped to provide the history of supper clubs and to talk about their reason for being. Of course the brandy old fashioned was prominently featured throughout the movie. The history presented in the move is readily available elsewhere, but it is the characters that provide the story and it is fun. There was plenty of laughter from the audience and clapping when favorite supper clubs were featured.This movie is a must see for anyone who loves brandy old fashioneds or supper clubs or Wisconsin.


Of course brandy old fashioneds were available at the bar. 

The reception was held at Union South and was sponsored by the UW Alumni Foundation. Tasty and creative supper-club themed appetizers were passed around. These included crackers with cheese spread, cheese curds, relish trays, and steak and blue cheese. 

The Old Fashioned, 8th Annual $1 Old Fashioned Party, September 18, 2014

How do you make 1588 Korbel Brandy Old Fashioneds in 2 hours?  On September 18, 2014 the Old Fashioned had its 8th Annual $1 Old Fashioned Party.  Here is how they did it.

Step 1: Pre-prep the muddle

Step 2: Muddle

Step 3: Add ice

Step 4: Add brandy and 7-Up at the same time

Step 5: Garnish

Step 6: Serve 20 at once

Step 7: Enjoy yours. It is perfect.

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Madison, WI August 22, 2014

Location: Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Madison, WI

Website: http://www.dottydumplingsdowry.com/

Points: 4
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: +.5
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1






The Drink: This was a nice BOF. There was muddled fruit and a nice orange twist garnish, plus it had a nice red color. We didn't get to see them make it, but the balance of brandy and bitters was good and it was not too sweet. And of course it was made with Korbel.



Tips for Improvement: Can't really think of any.



Atmosphere: Dottie's is a Madison staple (since 1974). It is an adorable hamburger joint with lots of vintage Wisconsinalia. Only trouble is, it was Friday, it was crowded and there were 7 of us in a booth!

Experience: Dottie's is always fun. On this day, we had the fish fry which was good. But really, Dottie's is all about the burgers. The coolest thing is that they have an "Old Fashioned Martini" on the menu. Of course we had to try one. It didn't taste much like a brandy old fashioned but it was delicious and they get kudos for making a variation of our favorite drink.

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.