The Butterfly Club, Beloit, WI May 22, 2015

 Location: The Butterfly Club, Beloit, WI

Website: http://www.butterflyclub.us/

Points: 3
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +.5
Brandy:+1

Overall taste: +1

The Drink: This was a pleasant BOF, though a little too sweet and not enough bitters. A pre-made bar mix was used so no muddling

. 

The Atmosphere: The Butterfly Club is a classic Wisconsin supper club. The lounge is to die for with a long, ovular bar, a pretty view and best of all turquoise seating! I would drink here any time.

The Experience: We had the Friday fish fry. The fish was not anything special (too dry), but the cheesy potatoes are quite good. Best of all was the beautiful grasshopper for dessert complete with whip cream and colorful sprinkles. 

An Old Fashioned Old Fashioned, May 31, 2015

We decided to visit our favorite place for brandy old fashioneds--The Old Fashioned! This time I tried something a little different: The Northern Exposure Old Fashioned.

Location: The Old Fashioned, Madison, WI

Website: http://www.theoldfashioned.com/

Points: 3
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +.5

The Drink: According to the menu the Northern Exposure is made with Kessler's, sugar and bitters served in a pint glass. To me this was a watered-down version of an old fashioned (lots of soda). Maybe the point is that you can drink a lot them? I think I will stick with the southerner's version, which so far is surpassed by none.

Atmosphere: This place is just so much fun! There are two big bars and many tables. It is always crowded and noisy, but everyone is happy. There is lots of fun, kitschy Wisconsin memorabilia decorating the walls.

Experience:  Despite being busy, service is efficient and friendly. We got one of the lazy susans with a variety of Wisconsin cheese spreads and meats which brings back memories of the once ubiquitous salad bar at Wisconsin supper clubs. 

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?