Creator of the World’s Largest Old Fashioned; a Former Wisconsinite Who Treks Home for Her Favorite Cocktail & a 90-Year-Old Grandpa, Who Died Before Today’s Announcement, Among the 2022 Honorees

Today we unveil the inductees into the first-ever Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame. In all, we received 90-plus nominations from all corners of Wisconsin and from as far away as Colorado and Missouri.

Nominating stories included cocktail recipes passed down over multiple generations, fathers famed for home-muddled cherries, and even former residents who now travel back to the Badger state to enjoy a true bourbon-less Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Cocktail.

“We were floored by the sheer number of nominations and the quality of their stories,” McQuillan said. “Reviewing the submissions reminded all of us of the passion and love that everyday Wisconsinites and folks from across the country have for our state’s favorite cocktail.”

The 2022 Slate of Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame inductees includes:

Tony Berg (from Milwaukee) who received 12 nominations. In one, his brother Nick noted “While ice fishing on Round Lake, Tony created possibly the world’s largest Brandy Old Fashioned.”

Charlotte Berndt (from Raymore, Mo.) was nominated by her daughter Lisa Macy, who said “The bane of her existence is that she can’t get a Brandy Old Fashioned sweet worth anything outside of Wisconsin. She now lives in Missouri and comes back often to Wisconsin to get a decent cocktail.”

Karl Klatt (from Madison) was nominated by his wife, who wrote “To say my husband is passionate about Old Fashioneds is an understatement. He muddles his $20 cherries and puts his heart into it. For Karl, the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned is a lifestyle.”

Tim Vertz (from Milwaukee) was nominated by seven including his wife, Joy, who wrote “Tim won as the top amateur for his Brandy Old-Fashioned at the 2016 State Fair and turned this talent into fundraising for Wisconsin nonprofits, raising over $75,000 in the past 10 years.”

David Lardinois (from Pewaukee, Wisc.) received 11 nominations, including one from his daughter, Linda Reis, who wrote “Since the 1970’s, my dad has been known for his Old Fashioneds. They were a must on ski trips, while boating and during holidays. He even created his own labels for his mix.”

And, finally 90-year-old Eugene Kasprzak (from Sussex, Wisc.). Nicknamed “Old Fashioned,” Eugene was nominated by his granddaughter Jessica Kasprzak. In her nomination, she wrote “My biggest memory of my grandfather will always be his love of Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioneds.” Sadly, Eugene passed away after he was nominated and two weeks before today’s announcement.

Fame, Free Brandy & So Much More
Each inductee will receive a year’s supply of Central Standard’s North Wisconsin brandy; a custom bottle of North Wisconsin brandy with their photo on it; lifetime VIP status at the Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen at 320 E. Clybourn St. in downtown Milwaukee; and their name displayed in the Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame, which is housed at the Crafthouse & Kitchen.

The Road to the Hall of Fame
Starting September 1 as part of Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned month, Hughes and McQuillan began asking folks from across the state and country to nominate individuals deserving of Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame status. Anyone could nominate a potential hall of famer by going online and explaining why he or she was worthy in 50 words or less. Nominations were accepted through Sept. 30, and a panel of judges selected the inaugural class of Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame inductees based on the strength of their nominations and their Brandy Old Fashioned stories.

“Brandy Old Fashioned month and the new hall of fame were both designed to connect Wisconsinites with the great local distilleries we have here in the state,” said Hughes, who is also a board member of the Wisconsin Distillers Guild. “The spirits industry in Wisconsin supports more than 39,000 jobs from family farmers and truck drivers to glass-bottle makers and those in the hospitality industries. In all, Wisconsin distilleries impact billions of dollars in economic activity every year in our state and beyond.”

Central Standard Unveils 1st Global Collab in it Brewmasters Brandy Series

Distillery Co-Founders Team with German Brewing Icon Hofbräu München to Release Special Limited-Availability Bottling of North Brandy Combined with Hofbräu Winter Spezial Delicator.

Central Standard Craft Distillery is going global with the unveiling of the next release in the distillery’s Brewmasters Brandy Series: a collaboration with Hofbräu München, the renowned 400+ year-old brewery known for Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival in Munich.

“For our latest Brewmasters-series release, we wanted to make it a truly global collaboration,” Hughes said. “And no better brewery to partner with than Hofbräu München, the top name in German brewing and owner of the most famous beer hall in the world.”

The new beer brandy, which hits retail shelves across the Midwest in a limited supply starting October 1, combines Central Standard’s North Brandy with Hofbräu’s Doppelbock seasonal special Hofbräu Delicator, which is bottled as Hofbräu Winter Spezial and available in six packs in the United States.

The result is a flavorful beer brandy with notes of dark chocolate, cherry and dried fruit. “When I had my very first taste of it, I knew I wanted to bring it to Oktoberfest in Munich and share it with the world,” said Hans Weissgerber, Managing Director of Old German Beer Hall in Milwaukee. “It’s just that good. Combining the heritage of the Hofbräu München Brewery and the hand-crafted spirit of the Central Standard Distillery creates a truly must-try collaboration.”

“The new Hofbräu North Brandy collaboration has something for beer and brandy fans alike,” said Jim Kanter, Chief Commercial Officer of Central Standard Distillery. “Beer lovers will appreciate the roasted caramel malt flavor and subtle beer sweetness,” he said. “Brandy fans will love the bold, rich flavor. It tastes like a cozy Bavarian night.”

The collaboration offered Hughes and Kanter an opportunity to celebrate their hometown and state. “This new beer brandy really embraces the Germanic roots of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Midwest,” said Hughes. “Teaming with Hofbräu München and specifically their Winter Spezial Delicator made the ideal match for our North Brandy.”

The new Beer Brandy sells in 750ml bottles and is priced between $24.99 – $29.99. Only a limited number of bottles are being released. “And, when we’re sold out, we’re sold out,” Kanter added.

About Hofbräu München

Hofbräu München began with a culinary challenge more than 400 years ago: Since he found the beer brewed in his court in Munich to be of poor taste and quality, William V, the Duke of Bavaria, founded the Hofbräuhaus in 1589 – the birthplace of the brewery and gastronomy. The brewing demand outgrew the location in the heart of the city in no time but what’s left is a “must-visit” when in Munich: the “Hofbräuhaus am Platzl”.

Around 1.3 million visitors enjoy the “most famous tavern in the world” every year and 17,000 hectoliters of beer are served in the “Schwemme” (beer hall) and “Bräustüberl” (brewpub) annually.

Today, Hofbräu München is the only Bavarian-State-owned traditional Munich brewery and one of the only 6 Munich breweries that are eligible to pour beer at the famous Oktoberfest. HB beers are known and enjoyed all over the world and especially in the United States.

“Hofbräu München stands for the passionate commitment to the city, its people and the Bavarian lifestyle”, says brewery director Dr. Michael Möller. “Forward thinking, but with feet firmly rooted in Bavarian tradition and brewing craftsmanship: With this recipe we succeed to maintain the Hofbräu brand with its fine beers and further develop it carefully.”

Current Retail Locations: (alphabetical by city)

Famed Wisc. Comedian Charlie Berens to Serve as 1^st “Cocktails for a Cause” Guest Mixologist to Benefit the Near West Side Partners at the Crafthouse & Kitchen from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 13

Central Standard Co-Founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan are unveiling an all-new monthly guest bartending-for-charity happy hour and the inaugural guest mixologist will be comedian Charlie Berens.

Berens, a New York Times best selling author and the creator of the Manitowoc Minute, will mix up cocktails to benefit one of his favorite nonprofits from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, 320 E. Clybourn St. in downtown Milwaukee.

To celebrate September as Brandy Old Fashion Month, Berens is teaming with Central Standard mixologists to create his personal twist on Wisconsin’s famed cocktail. All tips during the happy hour and $5 from every one of Charlie’s signature Brandy Old Fashioneds will support the Near West Side Partners (NWSP), a non-profit working with public and private partners to revitalize and sustain thriving business and residential corridors on Milwaukee’s near west side. For non-cocktail drinkers, Charlie will also be pouring his favorite beer, Leinenkugel’s, during the charity happy hour Sept. 13.

“Charlie is Wisconsin through and through and giving back to the community is in his, as well as our DNA,” Hughes said. “We couldn’t think of a better guest bartender or charity to kick off this new community-build initiative. For us, it’s all about ‘Local Helping Local.’ That and ‘Crafted Together’ are the guiding principles that we founded Central Standard on.”

Curling Gold Medalist Matt Hamilton has also agreed to make an appearance behind the Crafthouse & Kitchen bar as a “Cocktail-for-a-Cause” guest bartender in the coming weeks.

“We are honored to have Charlie and Matt among our first guest bartenders for charity,” McQuillan said. “We’re also looking for others to get behind the bar to spotlight and support their favorite nonprofits.”

To inquire about serving as a future guest bartender to benefit a local charitable cause, please email your contact information and favorite charity to info@thecentralstandard.com.

Returning to work after a long weekend can be rough. But Central Standard co-founders Even Hughes and Pat McQuillan are helping folks to take the edge off with a very special happy hour that celebrates Wisconsin’s favorite cocktail: the brandy old fashioned.

Having worked with the Wisconsin governor’s office to proclaim September Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Month and the first day of fall (Sept. 22 in 2022) as Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Day, the partners are kicking off the month-long festivities by inviting Wisconsinites to join them at the Crafthouse & Kitchen on Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. for a complementary old fashioned.

“There’s no better way to commemorate Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Month than raising a free glass of our famed Old Fashioned featuring our North Wisconsin brandy,” notes McQuillan.

But that’s not all.

“For us, there is so much to celebrate this September,” says Hughes. “There’s Brandy Old Fashioned Month, the return of football session, the unveiling of our new fall menu and so much more,” Hughes said.

Along with the new fall menu, which is expected to drop soon, Central Standard is also rolling out a number of September specials which help to celebrate Brandy Old Fashioned Month.

Guests who visit the Downtown bar and restaurant will find a new specialty old fashioned cocktail menu, commemorative t-shirts and posters and the opportunity to revisit Freese’s Candy Shoppe’s Wisconsin State Fair-famous old fashioned s’mores on a stick.

The dessert, which received high praise at this year’s Fair, will be available on the menu at Central Standard throughout the month of September.

“If you haven’t tried an Old-Fashioned S’Mores on a Stick yet, you’re truly missing out on one of the highlights from this year’s state fair,” McQuillan said. “We’re excited to bring a limited-run of them to the Crafthouse for Brandy Old Fashioned Month and support another local, family-run Milwaukee company.”

Soliciting Nominations for Inaugural Hall of Fame Class, Billboards Statewide & Surprise Rounds of Free Craft Cocktails – All Part of Distillery’s Plans to Celebrate Wisc. Brandy Old Fashioned Month

Starting Thursday, Central Standard Craft Distillery Co-Founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan are launching a month-long campaign encouraging Wisconsinites to request hand-crafted brandy from local, family-owned distilleries in their Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned cocktails.

“We’d love for everyone to ask for our North Wisconsin brandy when ordering their Old-Fashioned cocktails,” McQuillan said. “But more importantly, we want to encourage people to drink locally, support hard-working Wisconsin families and taste brandy from local distillers.”

To build awareness for their drink-local crusade, Hughes and McQuillan worked with the Wisconsin governor’s office to proclaim September Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned month and the first day of fall (Sept. 22 in 2022) as Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Day.“

Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned month is all about showcasing and connecting Wisconsinites with great local distilleries,“ said Hughes, who is also a board member of the Wisconsin Distillers Guild. “Here in Wisconsin, the spirits industry supports more than 39,000 jobs from family farmers and truck drivers to glass-bottle makers and those in the hospitality industries. In all, Wisconsin distilleries impact billions of dollars in economic activity each and every year in our state.”

An All-New Hall of Fame Worthy of Wisconsin
Starting Thursday, Hughes and McQuillan will ask folks from across the state and country to nominate individuals deserving of Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame status. Anyone can nominate a potential hall of famer by going online to thecentralstandard.com/brandy-old-fashioned-hall-of-fame and explaining why he or she is worthy in 50 words or less.

“We continually hear almost unbelievable Brandy Old Fashioned stories — 88-year-old grandmothers who enjoy one every week; bartenders who’ve perfected their recipe over decades; and folks who’ve moved away but return home every month as they just can’t find a quality Old Fashioned outside Wisconsin,” Hughes said. “This new hall of fame will commemorate those stories and honor everyday folks who love and celebrate the Brandy Old Fashioned.”

Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 30, the last day of Brandy Old Fashioned month. A panel of judges will select the inaugural class of Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame inductees based on the strength of their nomination and their Brandy Old Fashioned story. The honorees will be announced in mid-October.

Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame inductees will receive a year’s supply of North Wisconsin brandy; a custom bottle of North Wisconsin brandy with their photo on it; lifetime VIP status at the Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, the Midwest’s first urban distillery and restaurant, which opened last August at 320 E. Clybourn St. in downtown Milwaukee; and their photo displayed in the Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame in the Founders’ Room at the Crafthouse & Kitchen.

A Wisconsin-Wide Grassroot Effort
Starting Thursday, Hughes and McQuillan will also begin advertising their drink-local campaign on billboards statewide. In addition, Central Standard will offer a specialty Old Fashioned cocktail menu and sell commemorative t-shirts, as well as posters at their Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen.

“When we ask, people share that they often order the same old brandy because that’s just what they’ve always done,” McQuillan added. “When they taste ours and others made here in Wisconsin, they’re floored by the flavor. That’s our ask: Next time you order an Old Fashioned, and especially during Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned month, give one from a local Wisconsin distillery a try as we’ll put the taste of our North Wisconsin brandy up against any competitors across the country or around the world.”

Along with the billboards and hall of fame, Hughes and McQuillan are:

• Offering a free Brandy Old Fashioned toast at a special Crafthouse & Kitchen happy hour on Sept. 6.
• Surprising Wisconsinites by buying folks Old Fashioned cocktails made with North Wisconsin brandy at establishments around the state on Sept. 22, which is Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Day.
• Unveiling Central Standard’s next Brewmasters Series collaboration and a few additional surprises.