FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Matt Van Wyk

Brewmaster

Flossmoor Station Brewing Company

1035 Sterling Ave

Flossmoor, IL 60422

(708)957-BEER

brewinit@yahoo.com

www.flossmoorstation.com

THREE CRAFT BREWERS SPREAD COLLABORATION

IN THE BREWING COMMUNITY

For a number of years, Todd Ashman had the idea to formulate an interesting and unusual beer, share that recipe, and conduct tastings of the various interpretations. This collaboration would serve to demonstrate that just as each brewer has a distinctive brewing style, each brewery also has attributes that make it unique; the local water supply, brewing equipment and ingredient sources all contribute to the distinctive character of a beer. Todd found that special beer in Concentrated Evil: a strong, dark, Belgian-style ale that was originally brewed at Todd's home base, FiftyFifty Brewing Company in Truckee, California. Concentrated Evil is made with a variety of unusual ingredients including raisins, exotic sugars and aromatic spices. The complex array of flavors and moderately high level of alcohol make this an outstandingly unique beer. Todd chose fellow brewers Zac Triemert and Matt Van Wyk to participate as he has worked with both gentlemen in various capacities.

Zac Triemert, Co-President and Co-Founder of the newly established Lucky Bucket Brewing Company, holds a bachelors degree in microbiology and a masters degree in brewing & distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Zac is the winner of numerous national and international brewing awards. Zac is also a member of various committees for the Brewers Association and a member of their Board of Directors. Zac’s newest venture is opening Nebraska’s first craft distillery. Operations for The Sòlas Distillery begin next spring. When asked about this brewing project, Zac stated: “Concocting this collaboration beer with two brewing friends continues to be a terrific amount of fun. We all plan to put our own unique spin on what is already a great beer. After these beers have sufficient time maturing in wood, the tasting events will be a kick.”

Matt Van Wyk is Brewmaster for Flossmoor Station Brewing Company in Flossmoor, Illinois (Todd Ashman's alma mater). He attended the renowned Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois in 2001. Matt was formerly a science teacher and previously worked at three other Chicago area breweries. Matt is the recipient of several regional, national, and international brewing awards. In 2006 he was awarded the Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year and Flossmoor Station was named Small Brewpub of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado. “It is an honor to be asked to participate with these two great brewers in this collaboration project. It just shows what a great industry we work in where cooperation is often more valued than competition. Crafting a beer with Todd and Zac has been a great experience,” said Matt.

Todd Ashman began his long brewing career in 1987 as a homebrewer. After completing a craft brewer’s apprenticeship program, Todd brewed professionally in New Mexico, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 2004 Todd joined the Brewers Supply Group division of Rahr Malting as Staff Brewmaster. In 2007 Todd returned to brewing and his native California as Brewmaster for FiftyFifty Brewing Company. He has received numerous regional, national and international brewing awards. Many of those awards have been for beers that utilized unusual and unique ingredients and/or processes. Todd's thoughts: "I’ve been thinking about working on a Collaboration for sometime now. I really wanted to work with a couple of brewers that knew each other and I’m really glad that Matt and Zac signed on to try this out. These guys have amazing brewing talent and the end result of our Collaboration will not only be fun for our customers at our respective breweries but especially fun for folks at the 2008 GABF. The chance to try our respective beers under one roof will be great!”

CHEESE!

The 2nd Curds and Ale was nothing short of amazing. Great cheeses and great beers.

Brewmaster's Dinner Moved to August

Same Food, Same Beers, Same Time, Same Guests, just a new date.

August 26th. 6 p.m. Welcome, 6:30 First Course

Appetizer.

Grilled Beef & Mint Summer Rolls

With sides of Wasabi Teriyaki Sauce and Mango Chili Sauce

paired with Replicale Belgian Pale ale

Soup
Thai Chicken Coconut

paired with Milky Way Stout

Salad

Skewer of Shrimp over Cellophane Noodles with Mango, Papaya, Daikon, Grilled Pineapple, and Green Onions with Chili ginger Vinaigrette

Paired with Goose Island Noire

Intermezzo

Passion Fruit Sorbet

Entrée

Kalua Pork

Pork Wrapped and Cooked in Banana Leaves with side of Hawaiian Cajun Honey Glaze and Mango Salsa

paired with Lady Columbia IPA

Dessert

Grilled Pineapple Upside-down Cake topped with Macadamia Vanilla Ice Cream

Paired with Raspberried Leftorium.

$49.95 / Person + tax & tip

Sign Up Today

MY little princess on our 1st "Non-Beer Blog of the Day"

Ok folks, not about beer tonight, but I certainly couldn't pass up the opportunity to brag about my princess. This would be my first installment of "Non-beer Blog of the Day".
My friend Todd who I mentioned in a previous post who is an outstanding child photographer (well any kind of photographs, really) used my daughter, Ella in a photo shoot. This time two little girls are all "princessed up" and dreaming of becoming a real princess as they stare into a window with beautiful dresses. The surprise comes when a real life princess appears.
Here is the video with music (Ella has the straight hair):


and here is some other pictures on his blog:


If you sign up for Todd's newsletter, you can get great photo tips to help you do tons of things like clean up all those fuzzy pictures that your wife yells at you for taking (or is that just me?)
Anyhow, thanks Todd. The rest of you check out his stuff-it is awesome.

Curds and Ale fest photos coming soon I think? And we've postponed our brewmasters dinner until late August. Formal announcement coming.
Cheers!
Matt

Gapers Block wants you to come too!

There is still time to sign up for the Brewmaster's Dinner.

• Get your reservations in early for the Brewmaster's Summer Luau at Flossmoor Station next Tuesday; the special guest is Wil Turner of Goose Island Brewery.

Job Offer

I got a call yesterday from MillerCoors. I'm not joking. They claimed that they got my phone number from "networking" but it was loud in the pub when I picked up the phone and I had a hard time hearing her. I was also in the middle of a transfer and filling a keg so I wasn't very patient. The woman on the phone asked, "Are you or anyone you know interested in job opportunities with MillerCoors?" I very nearly laughed and I certainly didn't take her seriously, but now I regret that I didn't hear her out. I don't want a job with MillerCoors in any aspect of their business but I wonder if they were offering brewing gigs or sales or what. Maybe they'll call back. Until then, watch out fellow brewers, they're coming for you!

Tap List 7/22/08

Replicale Belgian Pale Ale (5.7% a.b.v.)
13 Lucky Brewers- One Similar Recipe - 13 Different Beers
American Belgian Pale Ale. A moderate-strength golden ale with a fruity American hop nose, a spicy and fruity "Belgian" complexity with a slightly sweet character and a dry finish. Ingredients graciously donated by The Mid Country Malt Group and White Labs Pure Brewers Yeast.

Lady Columbia IPA (7.5% a.b.v.)
Chock full of Columbus hops, Lady Columbia delivers the IPA goods. Celebrate America's independence with this special lady.

12 (9.0% a.b.v.)
This Belgian Golden Strong ale is a recipe developed by Brian Richards of MI who won the B.O.S.S. homebrew competition and was able to brew his beer here. His beer was named Biere Bella after his daughter, and we are using it for our anniversary beer. It begins with a fruity aroma from the unique Belgian yeast. The medium-bodied maltiness is balanced with a slight spicy flavor and a hint of ripe fruits or honey in the background. The finish is clean and dry. There is a bit of alcohol warmth at the end, but please use caution as it is pretty smooth and drinkable. $4.50/snifter

Vishnu's Vice IPA (7.7% a.b.v.)
Nobody can pass up a good IPA, even the great Preserver.This orange/gold ale gives off a pungent floral, grassy, citrus-like, aroma that invites you to take a sip.The blast of four American hops (Amarillo, Summit, Centennial, and Simcoe) is balanced by the full-bodied sweetness of the malt and the higher than normal alcohol.

Leftorium (5.1% a.b.v.)
A brown ale with shades of red and auburn, Leftorium has been brewed in the style of a Flemish sour brown. Notes of sour fruit should dance around on the pallet as you enjoy the slightly malty body, offset by a unique sour and tart finish.

Milky Way Stout (4.1% a.b.v.)
A sweet stout made with lactose that stays behind in the beer because yeast can't ferment it. Creamy with lots of caramel and stouty flavors. And at only 4.1% it's an easy drinker.

Guest Tap: Great Lakes Holy Moses Wit

Even other websites are telling you to come to our Brewmaster's Dinner!

http://chicagoist.com/2008/07/21/flossmoor_station_brewmaster_dinner.php

Goose Island Guest Spices Up Flossmoor Station Brewmaster Dinner

Flossmoor Station Brewpub and Restaurant has this nice little luau-themed brewmaster dinner planned for next Tuesday at 6 p.m. The guest of honor for the event will be Wil Turner, the extraordinarily talented brewmaster for Goose Island's Clybourn brewpub. Andrew Mason, Flossmoor Station's head brewer, said in an e-mail that Turner will be bringing along Goose Island's 20th Anniversary Celebration ale and a Belgian black ale called "Noire."

Having attended a couple of Goose Island Clybourn's brewmaster dinners we can tell you that it's fun to twist Turner's ear for a while. He's very generous with his time and knowledge during those dinners. To have both Turner and Flossmoor Station brewmaster Matt Van Wyk in the same room should be a spoil of riches for attendees.

Better sign up today!

TimeOut Chicago Blog says we have Hoppy Beer

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=5661

We were at the Green City Market Chef's Summer BBQ on Thursday. It was totally awesome just like last year.

It was time for a drink. Death’s Door Spirits mixed up a refreshing Ramos Gin Fizz—based on the recipe from Sepia’s Peter Vestinos—but the ladies huddling around the station were looking for something a little lighter. “Gin makes me crazy,” they said in unison. Drinking light was not, however, the general mood. When I walked up to see what North Shore Distillery was pouring, the woman behind the table was shooing away a pair of older men, commenting “It’s a tasting, sir. You’ve already been up here multiple times.” I veered for the sparkling rosé from August Hill Winery—located in Utica, IL. “It goes great with pizza,” the server told us. After a delicious smoky porter from Piece and one seriously hoppy IPA from Flossmoor Brewery, I had to pull myself away from booze central.

International Brewer's Day

Friday is the first observance of Jay Brooks' brain-child holiday, International Brewer's Day.

Welcome to the official HQ webpage for International Brewers Day, a worldwide effort to create a holiday celebrating the contributions to society of the men and women who brew beer. The holiday is set to take place on July 18. On that day, there are several ways that you can participate. But to learn the idea behind this new holiday, why July 18 was chosen, along with the plan to observe it, tips on how to spread the word and even a number of banners, badges and buttons to use in promoting it on the web and/or for your brewer’s post, use the menu either at the left or above here on the buttons directly below the header.

I hope you’ll be convinced to join us in honoring brewers, the men and women who make the beer you love, with a holiday of their own, this and hopefully every July 18th.

So on this Friday, bow down in abject worship to US. Or just tip one back in our honor. Or just say "hi" or "thanks" to a brewer near you.

Here is a "profile" of Matt that I wrote a while back. His birthday is Aug 2nd 1972. (Mine is March 30,1983 if you're reading Jay Brooks)

Tap List 7/15/08

Lady Columbia IPA (7.5% a.b.v.)
Chock full of Columbus hops, Lady Columbia delivers the IPA goods. Celebrate America's independence with this special lady.

12 (9.0% a.b.v.)
This Belgian Golden Strong ale is a recipe developed by Brian Richards of MI who won the B.O.S.S. homebrew competition and was able to brew his beer here. His beer was named Biere Bella after his daughter, and we are using it for our anniversary beer. It begins with a fruity aroma from the unique Belgian yeast. The medium-bodied maltiness is balanced with a slight spicy flavor and a hint of ripe fruits or honey in the background. The finish is clean and dry. There is a bit of alcohol warmth at the end, but please use caution as it is pretty smooth and drinkable. $4.50/snifter

Vishnu's Vice IPA (7.7% a.b.v.) [almost gone]
Nobody can pass up a good IPA, even the great Preserver.This orange/gold ale gives off a pungent floral, grassy, citrus-like, aroma that invites you to take a sip.The blast of four American hops (Amarillo, Summit, Centennial, and Simcoe) is balanced by the full-bodied sweetness of the malt and the higher than normal alcohol.

Leftorium (5.1% a.b.v.)
A brown ale with shades of red and auburn, Leftorium has been brewed in the style of a Flemish sour brown. Notes of sour fruit should dance around on the pallet as you enjoy the slightly malty body, offset by a unique sour and tart finish.

Hattentot Hefeweizen (5.1% a.b.v.)
Hattentot is a pale and hazy yellowish beer with a large fluffy head.The fruity aroma begins with a whiff of banana and citrus fruits. The body is medium with a fruity middle and a slightly spicy character reminiscent of cloves. It finishes clean and is very thirst quenching.

Milky Way Stout (4.1% a.b.v.)
A sweet stout made with lactose that stays behind in the beer because yeast can't ferment it. Creamy with lots of caramel and stouty flavors. And at only 4.1% it's an easy drinker.

Chicago Magazine online Mention for us.

07/11/08

Beer Homework

Three things to do this weekend:

1. Stage your own taste test of Bud versus Beck’s, and see if the possible InBev takeover of Anheuser-Busch is worth getting worked up about.

2. Nurse your way through Ale Fest, the traveling ode to craft beer that’s camping out in Soldier Field from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday the 12th. Admission is $40 and gets you 20 samples, plus a take-home glass and a bottle opener. GTTP recommends cozying up to Abita, Allagash, Great Lakes, and Lagunitas—and show some love for locals Piece, Three Floyds, Flossmoor Station, and Two Brothers.

3. Or avoid the crowds and drink a Flossmoor Station IPA in the comfort of your own home. The much-lauded microbrewery (2006 Small Brewpub of the Year, Great American Beer Festival; 2002 Best Brewery in Chicago, Chicago mag) just started bottling its beers this past April. In addition to the Station Master Wheat and Pullman Brown, look for a rotating IPA from the never-the-same-twice “Brewer’s Whim” series; the color of the wax dip crowning the cap indicates which IPA is inside. I found the Pretty Big IPA (gold wax) last night at Provenance ($10.50 for 22 ounces). Brewer Andrew Mason says the next in the series, the Lady Columbia IPA (blue wax), a slightly belated toast to the Fourth of July with American-grown Columbus hops, will start popping up around town next Tuesday, the 15th.

Extra credit: Keep tabs on what Mason and brewmaster Matt Van Wyk are up to in their own blog.

Where can you find our bottles at?

-----***Updated 10/3/08***-----

Just like before, this list is tentative. Please call any of these locations before you drive over to them and ask if they have our beer for your own sake. This isn't dynamic information and it doesn't update itself but it's still pretty good. All locations are in Chicago IL unless otherwise noted.

Bars

Sheffield's - 3258 N. Sheffield Avenue (773) 281-4989
Map Room - 1949 N. Hoyne 773.252.7636
Twisted Spoke - 501 N. Ogden Ave 312-666-1500
The Firkin - 515 N Milwaukee Ave Libertyville, IL (847) 367-6168
Wee Gee's Lounge - 3659 W Armitage Ave (773) 384-0707
Risque Cafe - 3419 N Clark 773-525-7711

Beer Stores/Liquor Stores/Wine Stores

Binny's Grand Ave. 213 W. Grand Ave. 312-332-0012
Binny's Lakeview 3000 N. Clark 773-935-9400
Binny's Orland Park 103 Orland Park Place Orland Park, IL 708-226-9902
Binny's South Loop 1132 S. Jefferson Ave. 312-768-4400
Butch's Family Liquors 18707 Dixie Highway Homewood, IL 708-798-2168
Evanston First Liquor 1019 Davis St. Evanston, IL 847-328-9651
Famous Liquors Lombard 105 E. Roosevelt Road Lombard, IL 630-629-3330
Rogers Park Fine Wines 6733 N. Clark 773-761-1906
The Cork 2720 S. Harlem Riverside, IL 708-443-9463
Kenwood Liquors 10750 S. Cicero Oak Lawn, IL 708-424-3580
Taste Food and Wine 1506 W. Jarvis 773-761-3663
Warehouse Liquors 634 S. Wabash 312-663-1850
Lush Wine and Spirits - University Village 1306 S. Halsted - 312-738-1900
Lush Wine and Spirits - Roscoe Village 2232 W. Roscoe - 773-281-8888
Archer Liquors - 5996 South Archer Avenue 773-582-4767
Randolph Wine Cellars - 1415 west Randolph 312-942-1212
Dobby's World Wide - 15 S. Brockway Palatine, IL 847-359-0400
Whole Foods Northbrook - 840 Willow Road, Suite M Northbrook, IL 847.205.5353
Whole Foods Lincoln Park - 1000 West North Ave 312.587.0648
Whole Foods Willowbrook - 201 63rd St Willowbrook, IL 630.655.5000
Whole Foods Sauganash - 6020 N Cicero Ave 773.205.1100
Whole Foods Lakeview - 3300 N. Ashland Ave 773.244.4200
Whole Foods Riverforest - 7245 Lake St River Forest, IL 708.366.1045
Whole Foods Evanston - 1640 Chicago Ave Evanston, IL 847.733.1600
Kimbark Liquors - 1214 E 53rd St (773) 493-3355
Armanetti's Lakeview - 3530 N. Lincoln Ave 773-529-0288
Wine Knows - 1130 Washington St. Grayslake, Il 847-223-8402
Cellar Rat - 1811 W. North Ave. (773) 489-2728
Sal's Beverage World - 695 W. St. Charles Rd. Elmhurst, IL 630-833-9800
Provenance Food and Wine -Logan Square 2528 N. California Ave. 773.384.0699
Provenance Food and Wine -Lincoln Square 2312 W. Leland Avenue 773.784.2314
Pastoral - 2945 N Broadway (773) 472-4781
Pastoral (Loop) - 53 E Lake St. 312-658-1250
DiCarlo's Fine Wines and Spirits - 425 Townline Rd. Mundeline IL 847-566-4600
Vive le Vine 118A N. Milwaukee Libertyville, IL 847-247-0004
Benz Liquors 15 East Ohio 312-222-2505
Lincoln Park Market 2500 N. Clark 773-477-9372
Webster's Wine Bar 1480 W. Webster 773-868-0608

Restaurants

Jerry's Sandwiches 1938 W. Division 773-235-1006
Marion Street Cheese Market 101 N. Marion Oak Park, IL 708-725-7200
Gioco 1312 S. Wabash 312-939-3870
Prairie Moon - 1502 Sherman Ave Evanston IL 847-864-8328
Uncommon Ground - 3800 n. Clark street 773-929-3680
Brasserie Jo - 59 W. Hubbard Street 312.595.0800
Poitin Stil - 1502 W Jarvis Ave 773-338-3285
Crust - 2056 W. Division 773-235-5514
Cru - 25 E Delaware 312-337-4001
Bluebird - 1749 N Damen Ave (773) 486-2473

Tap List 7/9/08

12 (9.0% a.b.v.)
This Belgian Golden Strong ale is a recipe developed by Brian Richards of MI who won the B.O.S.S. homebrew competition and was able to brew his beer here. His beer was named Biere Bella after his daughter, and we are using it for our anniversary beer. It begins with a fruity aroma from the unique Belgian yeast. The medium-bodied maltiness is balanced with a slight spicy flavor and a hint of ripe fruits or honey in the background. The finish is clean and dry. There is a bit of alcohol warmth at the end, but please use caution as it is pretty smooth and drinkable. $4.50/snifter

Vishnu's Vice IPA (7.7% a.b.v.) [almost gone]
Nobody can pass up a good IPA, even the great Preserver.This orange/gold ale gives off a pungent floral, grassy, citrus-like, aroma that invites you to take a sip.The blast of four American hops (Amarillo, Summit, Centennial, and Simcoe) is balanced by the full-bodied sweetness of the malt and the higher than normal alcohol.

Leftorium (5.1% a.b.v.)
A brown ale with shades of red and auburn, Leftorium has been brewed in the style of a Flemish sour brown. Notes of sour fruit should dance around on the pallet as you enjoy the slightly malty body, offset by a unique sour and tart finish.

Hattentot Hefeweizen (5.1% a.b.v.) [almost gone]
Hattentot is a pale and hazy yellowish beer with a large fluffy head.The fruity aroma begins with a whiff of banana and citrus fruits. The body is medium with a fruity middle and a slightly spicy character reminiscent of cloves. It finishes clean and is very thirst quenching.

Milky Way Stout (4.1% a.b.v.)
A sweet stout made with lactose that stays behind in the beer because yeast can't ferment it. Creamy with lots of caramel and stouty flavors. And at only 4.1% it's an easy drinker.

Killer Kowalski Baltic Porter (8.0% a.b.v.)
The reigning best Baltic Porter in the country. Our deep, dark, full-bodied lager. A slightly bittersweet chocolate aroma with a malty body that hints at dark fruits. It's complex and very enjoyable with a touch of roast finish.

Guest tap: Surly Furious Two Brother's Bare Tree Weisswein

Summer Brewmasters Luau

We're back in the Session!

Andrew and I have done a poor job of keeping up with the first Friday blogging carnival known as The Session, Stan's gathering of beer bloggers to chat about a single theme. I can blame it on being busy, which is part true, or I can just blame it on Andrew, he's the young and energetic "tech-savy" guy who moves much faster through these crazy technology gizmos than me. But I really should just blame laziness and then you would have the truth!

This month the theme is brought to us by Rob DeNunzio of PFIFF and he has picked Drinking anti-seasonally.

He writes: “Think of this as the unorthodox cousin of such topics as ‘beer and food’ and ‘beer and music.’ Beer and weather, perhaps? More like beer despite the weather, I guess. Cracking open a Guinness on the beach, finishing a day of yardwork with a Speedway Stout, or whatever else you do that raises an eyebrow (again, beer-related, please), do us all a favor an take a few moments to share your non-conformist tale.”

So when thinking what to share with y'all I pondered the dark beer at the pool idea or hefeweizen at Christmas time, but instead of weather related, I thought I'd share with you two social situations where I choose to NOT drink beer. Yes, I am often called a snob, but I feel like I only have so many beers to drink in this life, why waste them on beer that I don't care for just for the sake of drinking beer.

The first situation is at Wrigley Field to watch my beloved Cubs. No beer at the Ballpark? You must not be American! It's the fourth of July today, you know??!! Well, it just so happens that Old Style is not my favorite beer. And at 7 bucks, it REALLY is not my favorite beer. Do not get me wrong, I have quaffed the suds and still will, especially when someone is running for the beer. But I'd say one or two over the three plus hour game is more than I want. Gimme a soda and a kosher dog and I'm set. When I first started going to games you could get Goose Island in the outdoor food deck, but now you get the AWESOME selection of import beers like Corona, Corona light, Heineken, Heineken Light, St. Pauli Girl, Tecate, Sol, Amstel Light, yada yada yada. I know, I'm a beer snob. However, my friends at Goose Island are just a block away for pre and post game festivities and Murphy's Bleachers behind the stadium has a great selection of craft beers. No American light lagers at the game please. (On an ironic note, I was fortunate enough to judge American Light Lagers at the GABF lsst year-Go Old Milwaukee Light!)

The second social situation is the wedding, of which I just returned from. Ah, the keg of light beer. The bottle of Ultra. It's free man! Yeah, well I'll pass. Now, are there a couple of wines over on the bar? You have Tanqueray or Stoli? Now we're talking. The wedding I just returned from was at a winery. No light beer to be had. That was livin' man.

So, this is starting to fringe on location and situation affecting not only drinking decisions but the enjoyability of said adult beverage. Something that I think has been touched on in The Session(the idea of environment playing a part in the experience). Sure, the ball park does make Old Style Light taste just a bit better, even if you have peanut shards floating on top. And celebrating the marriage of two young people can be enjoyed over a cold light lager. But why should it be? I'll choose another fermented beverage if I have the chance. Otherwise, get me to the town that serves craft beer at the ballpark, and for gosh sakes, if I'm on the wedding list, get a little beer with flavor...please.

The answer is yes, I do drink wine.

Today has no real connection to beer or a brewery, but I have referenced the wedding I went to on my latest trip east (the actual purpose of the trip). The wedding was at Valhalla Winery located up on a hill overlooking Roanoke VA. Breathtaking really. All I could think about while there was, "wouldn't this be a great place to own a brewery!."






The wedding was great, the couple lovely, the wine superb, but the best part was the band that played at this small wedding. The bride is from a little more, shall we say, the backwoods country. As her mom, the lead singer put it, "We're not professionals, we just like to sit on the porch and have a pick." The band was made up of Mom on guitar, brother on upright bass, uncle on banjo, neighbor on mandolin, and neighbor's wife doing a little backup singing. What a great little bluegrass band! But the best part was little Carson. He is the reigning fiddle champion for 17 and under in Mt Aiyre North Carolina (I think)........
















Oh yeah, he's four!!

Alefest Tickets available here @ Flossmoor

We have them on sale here at the host desk. $40 cash.

Details Here: Ale Fest Chicago.

Choose Responsibility

Choose Responsibility talked to the Illinois State Liquor Control officials today. They are doing their best to change our arcane drinking laws. Here is a blurb from Fox News.