On Premise March/April 2015

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN

March/April 2015 tlw.org

TLW 80th Annual

Spring Conference

Come and Stay

Where the Bunnies Played

Also in this issue: The Craft Beer Craze Industry Economic Impact Unveiled The TLW-CORE Connection

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The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin March/APril 2015 Volume 33, No. 2

features

CRAFT BEER BOOM!. . . . . . . 12 Craft Beer Is Profitable And It’s Here To Stay

CORE CARES FOR TLW CHILDREN. . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Charity Gives Back To The Core Of The Hospitality Industry Family – Its Children

AN ECONOMIC ENGINE. . . 20 ABL’s Biannual Survey Shows the Far-reaching Benefits Our Industry Offers

League Spotlights

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League Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Washburn County Tavern League

Business Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Spider Lake Saloon

Charity Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Spooner Special Olympics

Spring Conference

80th Annual Spring Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Grand Geneva Resort & Spa March 30-April 2, 2015 • Schedule of Events • Keynote Speaker & Seminars • Hotel Information & Registration Form • Entertainment & Host League • Tradeshow Exhibitor List • Auction Form

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Departments President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Corporate Sponsors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Front Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ABL Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Affiliate Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accounting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Local League Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39 40 42 44 45 46

Socialize with us:

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President’s Perspective A QUARTER OF A CENTURY IN BUSINESS!

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wner-operator! You see it and hear it all the time. People trust and like working directly with a business owner; it provides a sense of security. If there’s a problem they know who to contact and most likely the issue is resolved.

Traveling throughout the state, I see several of our members working long hours and taking little time off. For some it makes good business sense and for others it’s the only way to survive. An average customer doesn’t understand the hours it takes to run a successful business, not to mention the time spent away from family. All of us should be proud business owners and consider ourselves “owner- operators.”

In 1989 when I first got into the business, banks weren’t giving loans to those in the tavern industry so many establishments were purchased on land contracts. In my case, I put little money down and agreed to pay 12 percent interest on a 25-year loan – which was the norm back then. Young and eager to make some money, and with my sister as my business partner, we got to work.

I remember that first day clearly. We got to work at 5 a.m. to clean the bar and to make sure everything was ready for the 11 a.m. opening. My first thoughts were: “When will the first customer come through the door?” “How many would come or would anyone come?” I knew greeting the first customers like they were royalty and thanking them for their business was a way to ensure they would come back. Butterflies went away after that first week and I realized we would survive, even though a can of beer was a buck, mugs were 55 cents and an 8 oz. tapper was 45 cents. Plus our mortgage was $2,200 a month so we knew we would work as many hours as possible.

Between the two of us, we were easily working 75 hours a week. We took turns each week cleaning the bar, with one cooking and the other bartending. Friday night was the only time we had help due to a very popular fish fry. Soon we knew every customer who walked through the door and customers always knew one of us would be working. People loved that we greeted them by name and would have their favorite drink ready for them. We knew we couldn’t work forever without a day off, so when the time came, we hired a cleaning person and a couple of part-time employees.

Some local Tavern League members stopped by and asked if we were interested in joining the TLW and invited us to attend an upcoming meeting. We met and talked with several owners who had been in the industry for years. A few of the members told us they were primarily responsible for doing their bar’s books, the banking and other behind the scenes work, and they no longer bartended. I asked, “How can you afford not to work a majority of the hours?” They replied, “You’re young yet, you need more years in!”

Well they were right! It took me about 18 years. The credit union bought out my land contract at 6 percent interest and the majority of the place was paid off. I did take a lot of time off, bartending last minute when someone couldn’t make it and cooking on Fridays. I was still doing books, banking, making soups, chili and lunch specials, yet customers started complaining to my employees that I wasn’t working anymore and I was coming in less frequently. I knew I was still working every day, but when the customer doesn’t see you, it’s another story. I was content with what I was making and didn’t mind.

Recently, I lost some employees and found myself working a lot of hours to fill in for them. I hated it at first because I had to reacquaint myself with everything, but then I noticed something. I enjoyed bartending, just as I did on the very first day in business! I was greeting customers by name again and getting their drinks without them asking! The regulars were coming in more frequently and something even better happened. At the end of the day, I had more money in the register and my payroll was down.

My suggestion to you is this: Don’t be afraid to go back to the basics. Reacquaint yourself with your customers and be proud to be “an owner-operator!”

Terry J. Harvath TLW President

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Corporate Sponsors SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THOSE WHO

Support Those Who Support Our Association

SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION

Platinum PLATINUMSponsors SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSORS

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Gold Sponsors

GOLD SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS

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TA V E R N L E A G U E O F W I S C O N S I N

Silver Sponsors SILVER SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS

Bronze Sponsors BRONZE SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS

Wisconsin Amusement & Music Operators, Inc.

Wisconsin Amusement & Wisconsin Amusement & Inc. Music Operators, Music Operators, Make sure to thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not onInc. the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call the (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists benefits ofothers the different Remember “Support those interested who support MakeTLW sureoffice and thank these groups for their support, andthe encourage not on categories. the list to participate.

Any business in us.” joining should call

Make sure and thank these groups forfor their others not ondifferent the list tocategories. participate.

Any business interested in joining should the TLW office (608-270-8591) oursupport, brochureand thatencourage lists the benefits of the Remember “Support those who support us.” call www.tlw.org March/April 2015us.”On Premise 5 the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support n

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Make no mistake, President Terry Harvath

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Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano

Secretary Sue Bonte Lee

Treasurer Tom Dahlen

Southern Zone Vice Presidents Jim Pickett, Dan Taivalkoski

Eastern Zone Vice President Gene Loose

Central Zone Vice Presidents Lori Frommgen, Robert “Bubba” Sprenger

Northern Zone Vice Presidents Nancy Lorbetske, Rob Summerfield

Editor Pete Madland, Executive Director, Tavern League of Wisconsin

Associate editor Barb Howell, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

a little + a little + a little = a lot!

Art Director Kayla Collins, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

Graphic Design Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

As little as 1/4 ounce overpour per cocktail can add up to four lost drinks per liter bottle! That’s a lot of lost profit and a lot of inconsistency in the flavor of the drinks you serve. Now, you can rein in this profit drain and serve your customers delicious drinks everytime with the Precision Pour™ 3-ball liquor pour.

Remember, pouring the old style way is nothing more than a shot in the dark.

Advertising Sales Louise Andraski, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. louisea@merr.com

Advertising coordinator Julie Schiller, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. ads@ntmediagroup.com

Contributing Writers John Bodnovich, Jen Bradley, Michelle Eno, Terry Harvath, Barb Howell, Pete Madland, Scott Stenger, Amanda Wegner

Printed By RR Donnelley Long Prairie, Minnesota On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bi-monthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc., 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713, phone: 800-445-9221.

On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc., 93. W. Geneva St., P.O. Box 1080, Williams Bay, WI 53191. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.

The only pour featuring patented 3-ball technology. Available in a wide variety of shot sizes and configurations.

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MADE IN USA

Printing is by RR Donnelley, Long Prairie, MN. For advertising information, contact Louise Andraski, 262-245-1000, louisea@merr.com.

Subscriptions included in TLW membership dues; non-member subscriptions: $15 per year.

Postmaster: send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other additional offices. ©2015 Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and On Premise.

www.tlw.org

Partners in Progress Major suPPorter of state and LocaL tavern Leagues Tavern League of Wisconsin • Co-sponsor of TLW Legislative Day • Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment • Provider of Coin-Operated Games at TLW Conferences & Shows to Benefit TIPAC • Sponsor of the TLW Trip Give-away at TLW Fall Convention & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Spring Conference & Show

LocaL Tavern League Programs (saferide, goLf, oThers)

• Contributions and support from individual WAMO members • Matching Funds from WAMO to Tavern League Locals • Contributions to SafeRide Program, Golf and Others • Active Participation and Attendance

WISCOnSIn AMUSEMEnT & MUSIC OPERATORS PO Box 250, Poynette, WI 53955 | T: 608.635.4316 | F: 608.635.4327 | E: wamomax@aol.com A complete list of WAMO members can be found on the web site. Visit us at www.WAMO.net Hosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the nation’s Largest Pool Tournament

Front Rail SAFERIDE FUNDING SOLUTIONS PROPOSED

By Pete Madland, TLW Executive Director

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ur SafeRide Program is working!

Recent statistics show a decrease in OWI fatalities of 43 percent since 2004, while SafeRide usage increased 144 percent! Both of these statistics are great news and congratulations to all of our members that participate in our SafeRide Program. While this is a good news story, there is bad news between the lines.

We all knew this day would come — the day when our SafeRide reached a point where the impact on the rate of OWI convictions would begin to decrease resulting in a decline of our OWI funding.

Remember, a portion of each OWI surcharge goes to SafeRide. This decline, along with the dramatic increase in SafeRide participation has resulted in a shortage of funds. For example, in fiscal year 2014, $350,000 was budgeted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) for SafeRide; $270,000 was spent in the first six months. The Tavern League of Wisconsin is determined not to let the largest SafeRide program in the country fail, so it is up to us to create solutions.

1. Federal Help

5. Self-funding

We will travel to Washington, D.C. and ask our congressmen to support a request for funding in the upcoming transportation bill. We expect the transportation bill to be voted on this year and it will not be acted on for another six years. We can make a strong case for the SafeRide program and its effectiveness and how hard you, our members, work to ensure its success.

Some leagues do a tremendous job of fundraising while controlling costs; as a result, their SafeRide accounts are flush.

We ask that leagues that are financially sound to step up and self-fund without any state aid. While some may argue this is unfair, it is completely voluntary, and if it proves too costly, those leagues doing so may reapply for funding at any time. Oneida and Walworth counties have already agreed to do so and we hope more will join in the effort.

2. State Help While we already get funding from the state due to OWI surcharges, it is not enough. Our hope is to get legislation introduced and passed to create a surcharge specifically for SafeRide. The current surcharge is divided among several entities within the DOT. Our Wisconsin state legislators know firsthand about our success. This is not a tax, it is an added charge placed on OWI offenders. Who could argue against it?

I guess we will find out.

3. Change in Matching Funds Our current matching funds formula is a split, with each TLW SafeRide program being required to raise 40 percent of its grant before becoming eligible for a new grant. This was brought about to lessen the financial and fundraising burden placed on our local leagues. We recommend going back to the original 100 percent match, dollar for dollar.

While it places a greater burden on the local league, it creates an extra 60 percent in funding immediately.

4. Administrative Costs All league presidents and SafeRide coordinators were invited to attend a meeting held February 4. We had a great response with over 60 attendees.

Issues were discussed thoroughly and following is a list of recommendations:

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Along with the 100 percent match, we propose elimination of any credit given for administrative costs and promotional spending. These expenses, if adopted, will be paid directly by the local leagues with no reimbursement from the state.

6. Other Ideas Other ideas proposed, included changing our annual Foundation Raffle into a SafeRide Raffle with the thinking it may get more support from the general public; also asking programs to renegotiate the rates paid to cab companies and other ride providers. Statewide, individual rides vary from a few dollars to $30 per ride! We also discussed ideas regarding ways to raise more money at the local level.

As you can see, we have a problem. The good news is it is not fatal. Your TLW Board has committed $200,000 from the general fund to see us through the remaining fiscal year. Can we get federal help? Who knows? Can we get state legislation introduced and passed? I hope so. If not, it is my hope that by putting these other ideas in motion we can continue to have a strong SafeRide program throughout Wisconsin. Your Board of Directors will discuss these and other options and decide which proposals to put in motion. I believe if we can get some financial help, fine tune our programs and generate more local funding we will continue to have a successful SafeRide program for a long time. Let’s get to work! TLW

www.tlw.org

2004-2013 • TLW SafeRides increased by 144% • OWI-Related Fatalities decreased by 43% • DUI convictions down 28%

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ABL Dispatch – The Latest Industry News From Washington

By ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich

ABL expresses concern about NHTSA nominee’s view on BAC laws

ABL announces 2015 Annual Conference – June 7-9 in Washington, D.C. For the third consecutive year, ABL will return to Washington, D.C. for the 2015 ABL Conference, June 7-9, 2015.

Program and speaker announcements for the conference will be made in the coming months, but sessions will focus on the most pressing issues facing independent beverage alcohol licensees.

These include the evolving regulatory landscape for beverage alcohol; emerging policy initiatives on drunk driving, including proposals to lower the BAC to 0.05 percent or lower; small business policy; and an update on the movement for legalized recreational marijuana.

The 2015 conference will mark ABL’s 13th anniversary by bringing together beer, wine and spirits retailers from across the country as well as representatives from all three tiers of the beverage alcohol industry. The conference is open to ABL members and non-members who are interested in learning more about issues facing beverage alcohol licensees. It will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registration is $250 per person, and will include access to general sessions, industry experts, and social events. ABL has secured a discounted hotel rate of $229 per night for conference attendees at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Rooms are limited and must be booked by May 15 to receive the ABL rate. Visit www.ablusa.org for more information.

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In December, ABL and seven other beverage alcohol industry associations sent a letter to Senate Commerce Committee leaders asking that they take impaired driving and the record of the nominee for Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into consideration upon voting on the nomination. The nominee, Dr. Mark Rosekind, was a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and had expressed support for a 2013 NTSB recommendation that all states adopt a BAC limit to 0.05 percent or lower.

The letter made it clear that the entire beverage alcohol industry supports the enforcement of 0.08 percent, while at the same time uniformly opposing 0.05 percent. Alcohol industry trade associations joining ABL on the letter included: Beer Institute; Distilled Spirits Council; National Association of Beverage Importers; National Beer Wholesalers Association; Presidents’ Forum; Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; and Wine Institute. While Dr. Rosekind’s nomination was eventually confirmed by the Senate, the letter alerted lawmakers to the beverage alcohol industry’s position on this issue moving forward.

What’s “EMV” and are you ready for it?

In the wake of large-scale data breaches and consumer fears about fraud, banks and payment card issuers are updating their technology from commonplace magnetic strip cards to more secure EMV chip cards. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa, the three companies who created the technology.

EMV is now considered the global standard for integrated chip cards and point of sale terminals, with embedded microprocessor chips deterring theft and reducing the risk of personal information falling into the wrong hands.

While U.S. merchants are not required to upgrade their systems, they are strongly encouraged to do so by October 2015 due to a pending shift in liability from the party that has the most secure form of EMV for certain types of fraudulent transactions. Simply put, starting in October 2015, retailers who accept cards but don’t have EMV processing capabilities will assume more liability for fraudulent transactions. Upgrading a tavern’s capabilities can include purchasing or leasing new in-business technology and processing systems, as well as complying with new liability rules. Consumers will need to adjust to the new process which, for some, means getting used to “dipping” their cards instead of the familiar “swipe.”

ABL applauds passage of Save American Workers Act On January 8, the House of Representatives voted to change the Affordable Care Act’s definition of full-time employees from 30 hours to 40 hours per week. In a 252-172 vote, the House passed the Save American Workers Act (H.R. 30) with the support of all Republicans voting and 12 Democrats. Last year, similar legislation passed the House but failed to advance in the then Democratically-controlled Senate. This year’s Senate companion bill, the Forty Hours Is Full Time Act (S. 30) is expected to receive consideration even though President Obama has threatened to veto any legislation that changes the full time definition. ABL continues to urge members of Congress to support commonsense, bipartisan legislation that www.tlw.org

will restore the full-time definition to 40 hours per week.

Supreme Court won’t hear case on inflated swipe fees On January 20, the Supreme Court decided that it will not hear an appeal challenging controversial debit card “swipe fee” rules. Following the passage of swipe fee legislation in 2010, rules set by the Fed capped fees at 21 cents per transaction – much higher than intended

by Congress according to a group of merchants who filed suit. After a U.S. District Court found in favor of the plaintiffs, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the decision, leading the now rejected appeal to the Supreme Court. The result is a blow for merchants and consumers as the Supreme Court outcome marks the end of the line for this case.

Attorney General Nominee does not support legalization of marijuana During her Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, Attorney General

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Nominee Loretta Lynch said she opposes legalizing marijuana and disagreed with President Barack Obama about how harmful the drug is. “I can tell you that not only do I not support the legalization of marijuana, it is not the position of the Department of Justice currently to support the legalization. Nor would it be the position should I become confirmed as attorney general,” said Lynch.

Dueling beer tax bills introduced In the wake of advertising during the Super Bowl pitting macro-beer versus micro-beer, the debate has shifted to Washington, D.C. with the introduction of dueling beer tax bills. Craft brewers are throwing their support behind the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act (Small BREW Act) (H.R. 232; S. 375). The bill would reduce the small brewer tax rate on the first 60,000 barrels by 50 percent (from $7.00 to $3.50/barrel) and institute a new rate ($16.00 per barrel) on beer production above 60,000 barrels up to two million barrels. Breweries with an annual production of six million barrels or less would qualify for these tax rates.

Larger brewers and beer wholesalers are supporting the Fair Brewers Excise and Economic Relief Act (Fair BEER Act) (H.R. 767). The legislation would set up a tiered system with a graduated tax scale, including no taxes on the first 7,143 barrels of beer produced. (More than 90 percent of U.S. brewers fall under the 7,143-barrel production threshold.) Brewers producing between 7,144 and 60,000 barrels would see their rates cut in half, to $3.50 per barrel. Those making more than 60,000 and up to two million would pay $16 per barrel. Brewers producing more than two million barrels of beer each year would pay $18 per barrel — the current rate. A barrel equals about 31 gallons or 248 pint servings.

The American Beverage Licensees is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. The ABL represents the Tavern League of Wisconsin and its many members as well as thousands of other on- and off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.

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Craft Brew BOOM! Craft brews are good for your bottom line

By Amanda Wegner Annette Slocum and her husband, Jack own the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mount Horeb, where they offer up to 12 handcrafted beers on tap.

Photos by Holly Leitner

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There’s no doubt about it: Craft beer is profitable, and it’s here to stay.

“The trend right now shows craft beers continuing to grow, as domestic drinkers tend to shrink,” says Anello Mollica, owner of Central Waters Brewing Company in Amherst. “The national goal for craft beer is 20-percent market share by 2020; I think we are well on our way to that. I would expect more people to be asking for, and drinking, locally made craft beer.”

While you can take Mollica’s word for it, the proof’s in the numbers as well. According to the Brewers Association, craft brewers sold 17.2 percent more volume in 2013 than in 2012, compared with a 1.9 percent drop in overall beer sales. And craft beer now accounts for 14.3 percent of the $100 billion United States beer market.

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isconsin has a strong brewing heritage that spanned decades; from the 1960s through early ‘80s, with the Badger State producing more beer than any state in the union. While that pride and legacy might have thwarted the growth of the craft beer market here for a while, the state is now home to more than 50 small breweries and brewpubs employing over 1,000 people, says the Wisconsin Brewers Guild.

Even the big players like MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch InBev have added craft brews to their portfolios.

there in 2007. Since then, Central Waters has grown exponentially; brews are now available throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Philadelphia and New York City.

“Craft brews and their brands bring authenticity,” Jim Wright, MillerCoors Wisconsin general manager, says of the company’s Blue Moon and Leinenkugel’s craft beer lines. “Not only are they authentic, but they bring great styles, styles that people are demanding.”

Brent Weycker of Green Bay’s Titletown Brewing Company was drawn to the industry due, in part, to his family’s long history in the hospitality business in the Green Bay area, including a corner tavern in De Pere, theaters in Green Bay and Shawano, and four root beer drive-ins, with carhops, in town. Weycker still makes his grandma’s recipe root beer, Sno-Cap, at Titletown, a restaurant and microbrewery that opened in 1996 and is housed in a renovated Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot.

All this evidence indicates that if you don’t have craft beers in your establishment, it’s high time you did.

BUILDING THE BASE A loose definition of a craft brew is small (annual production of six million or fewer barrels of beer annually), independent ownership and traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. By this definition, Wisconsin’s base of craft brewers is as varied as the brews themselves, and they’ve certainly evolved as the big beer market has made room for crafts.

Mollica, for instance, started Central Waters in a small building in Junction City in 1998. At the time, he only sold to a handful of on- and off-premise accounts in central Wisconsin and Madison, but the brewery quickly maxed out production and moved to Amherst in 2006 with its first full production year www.tlw.org

One of the largest barrel-aging brewers in the nation, Central Waters has won many awards for its barrel-aging program. In Wisconsin, Central Waters works with Johnson Distributing; Beechwood Sales and Service/ Specialty Beverage; Frank Beer; La Crosse Beverage; General Beer; Leamon Mercantile; Range Beverage and Triangle Distributing.

“It was sort of in my DNA to be involved in the hospitality business,” says Weycker, also a Tavern League member.

“The beer is a big draw for most of our guests,” says Weycker. “They know they can expect fresh, handcrafted, uniquely flavorful beers when they visit Titletown.

They can select beers to complement their menu selection and/or those to suit individual palates and preferences. It’s fun for them to drink a beer that was brewed right on the premises and meet the person or people who brewed it.”

Titletown Brewing is part of the Wisconsin Beverage Network, comprised of MillerCoors distributors, which covers

all 72 counties. Weycker says the new brew house has just started production, so they’re slowly getting draft kegs and bottles to distributors. He hopes to supply distributors with Titletown beer by summer.

It was a passion for homebrewing that got Rob Larsen, Owner of Lake Mills’ Tyranena Brewing Company, into the business, which opened in 1999. A production brewery only, Tyranena offers five year-round beers, 11 seasonal releases and the occasional specialty beer as well.

“At Tyranena, we have a definite focus on quality,” says Stacey Schraufnagel, front operations manager. “Beer leaving our warehouse is fresh, often shipping on the same day it’s produced, and true-tostyle. I think that’s evident by our beer ratings and reviews on consumer sites like March/April 2015

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Photo by Chris Rand

“It was sort of in my DNA to be involved in the hospitality business.”

Brent Weycker Titletown Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate.com and RateBeer.com.”

Tyranena beer is currently available throughout Wisconsin (and beyond), and the brewery works with approximately a dozen wholesalers in Wisconsin and a handful more out of state.

Over in Mount Horeb, Annette and Jack Slocum are a bit newer to the craft brew business, having taken over The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in 2012. But The Grumpy Troll (previously the Mt. Horeb Pub & Brewery) itself dates back to 2001. Since then, owners have been making their own brews and root beer to the delight of customers. At any time, The Grumpy Troll offers up 12 brews made from scratch on tap.

“The onsite brewery works for The Grumpy Troll for several reasons. It provides a stage from the artisanal production of beer that cannot be reproduced by anyone else,” says Annette Slocum.

“The actual impressiveness of the brewery where customers can see, smell and become enthralled by the process is unique. It has an educational component. …. Lastly, food and beer have a long history of providing flavor sensations that are very complementary.”

tion and are also inventing new styles that no major brewer would tackle.

Consumers enjoy locally produced products with a variety of different styles and flavors, instead of one-size-fits-all.”

ers are a solid clientele. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of craft beer drinkers over my years with the brewery, and we simply have an amazing clientele! They are as passionate as brewers and in genuine pursuit of great beer,” says Schraufnagel.

In that same vein, says Wright, craft beers bring people to the bar to sample and try new things.

“Craft brews create excitement around beer, and excitement helps everyone, from bar owners to brewers, distributors and suppliers,” he adds.

WHERE TO START Local is also a big factor. “A common question from people traveling is ‘What’s local?’” says Mollica. “And locals tend to also support their breweries. After all, Wisconsin breweries make Wisconsin jobs.”

Getting started with craft beer is pretty simple. For starters, stop by and visit your local producer, says Slocum. “With so many craft breweries in our state, the opportunity to get firsthand exposure is truly just around the corner.”

It’s also, says Slocum and Schraufnagel, a great return on investment. “If it could be summed up into one word: Profitable,” says Slocum. “Craft beer is growing by double-digits annually nationwide, while domestics languish. When combined with the attributes, it becomes an opportunity to attract the new consumer paradigm that is quite prevalent in this industry.”

As previously noted, think local, says Slocum. “It is an established marketing trend and is part of the new paradigm of patrons to restaurants and taverns.”

Schraufnagel goes so far as to cite numbers from the Brewers Association that show for on-premise sales, a half-keg of typical premium beer costing $85 delivers a per-pint profit of $2.32 versus a half-keg of craft beer selling at $135 delivering $3.91. “Craft,” she says, “delivers $1.59 more per pint, or $197, more per half-keg.”

“If you don’t have a craft brewer nearby, ask your wholesalers for a selection of locally made craft beer and ask for some samples, says Mollica. “Also, poll your customers and listen to your bartenders who can tell you what people have been asking for. Most, if not all wholesalers will have a craft beer specialist to assist

REASONS APLENTY The draw of craft beer, says Mollica, “is manyfold.” For starters, he says, flavor profile is a big deal as people are looking for more flavorful beers, from porters and stouts, to the nation’s best-selling craft beer, an IPA. “Craft brews offer customers more flavorful experiences and can bring in new customers that might not otherwise patronize an establishment that only offers several similar domestic lagers,” adds Weycker. “We’ve brought back many styles that disappeared during Prohibi-

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Similarly, says Mollica, national IRI sales data has shown that in the grocery channel, when a customer buys six packs of craft beer, the other items in the cart are also higher cost and higher profit, while for a customer buying domestic beer, the shopping cart items are lower cost and lower profit. “The extrapolation here is that in general, a craft beer-drinking customer will spend more money on other things, like food and spirits,” says Mollica.

It’s worth pointing out that craft beer drinkwww.tlw.org

Another resource, adds Slocum, is the Wisconsin Brewers Guild, which represents nearly 98 percent of craft beer FOR produced in the state. The Guild offers ADVERTISING great resources for topics like beer styles, draught quality, and distribution.

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Similarly, ask what marketing materials, events and education a supplier can offer, says Wright.

MillerCoors offers a new tool, Building with Beer, which analyzes a tavern’s tap heidi@slackattack.com handle business to maximize profitability.

“Still over half the beer sold is premium lite, so it’s important to keep a balance,” says Wright. “Those are the brands that are high velocity, high turn for a retailer.

To maximize your profitability, you need to balance those with your crafts, imports and other malt beverages.” TLW

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Core Cares

By Jennifer Bradley

for TLW Children

“E

very time I drive past the spot where I was parked I can’t help but smile,” says Brad Schinke, owner of Kamps Bar and Grill in Combined Locks.

He had pulled over to speak on the phone with TLW Executive Director Pete Madland about a new charitable organization, Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE). “Pete said this group would be presenting a gift to one of the TLW member’s families at the upcoming convention,” says Schinke. “I had pulled over to take notes and when I realized WHAT Pete was saying, I remember thinking this kind of stuff never happens to us.”

SCHINKE’S STORY It did, though. Schinke’s family was gifted with a seven-day, all-expenses-paid Disney cruise to the Caribbean, but the Outagamie County TLW president says he can’t tell his family’s CORE story without telling his son’s first. Arthur was born in early 2005 and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, among other health conditions. Today he is tube fed, unable to walk or talk, and suffers from seizures. He takes nine medications several times a day to manage his health, and his proud father says Arthur is a very special child.

“As parents, we at times felt overwhelmed,” he adds. “There were so many questions going through our minds. By the time we were approached by CORE, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that ‘it is what it is’ and had become a pretty strong family.”

Schinke says he also didn’t want to rely on others’ generosity, and admits his first reaction was that the gift should go to someone else, someone who deserved it more. “It took some coaxing from others to accept finally, and I’m so glad we did,” he says today. “I Brad Schinke and family

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www.tlw.org

THE GIVING CONTINUES TO ANOTHER TLW FAMILY IN NEED In March 2014, Mike Moore, co-owner of SAM’s Corner Bar and Grill in New Richmond, was diagnosed with blastomycosis, a rare fungal pneumonia. His wife was pregnant with their second child, Scarlett, and caring for the couple’s 7-year-old son, Ryan. She was also left wondering what to do with the business while her husband was hospitalized.

CORE stepped in after Scarlett was born, sending diapers for her and fun Packers items for Ryan. Once Mike was able to walk, CORE sent the entire family to Green Bay for a game, explains CORE Executive Director Lauren LaViola.

She says with the help of CORE member Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, the family was given a full locker room tour, met fullback John Kuhn and then took in the game.

“Since the family ended up having to close their business, Christmas was tough,” LaViola explains. “We sent gifts for the kids. Ryan wanted Dr. Seuss books, and a signed football by Aaron Rodgers. We sent Scarlett a wardrobe of clothes to get her through winter and beginning of spring.”

A neighboring bar owner helped out for a while, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to keep the business alive. Today Mike stays home with the children while his wife pursues a degree in the medical field, and he also blogs at www. theviewsofcheek.blogspot.com. He wrote this note a couple days after SAM’s closed its doors: “We met many exceptionally great people and grew friendships with several other people we hardly knew. As we greatly missed our staff from my pre-sickness, the staff we grew to know post-sickness were tremendous people as well, and we sincerely hope to continue a relationship with all of them.” could go on and on about how great the vacation was, but I think more than anything it showed us it was okay to depend on others and opened our hearts to help others as well.”

CORE is overseen by its Executive Director Lauren LaViola and serves as the TLW’s official charity. LaViola knows Schinke well, as his was the first family she worked with, and says he’s a wonderful ambassador of the organization. “We’re all a family,” she explains.

“We’ve noticed when we do help someone that normally their organization gets behind us and wants to fundraise for them too. That comes with helping a family, and we consider all our members a giant CORE family.”

group and CORE is an extension of that.”

THE CORE MISSION LaViola says CORE dates back to 2004 when she gathered a handful of operators and suppliers at a National Restaurant Association meeting, and noted there wasn’t a charity giving back to their own.

“It was developed to give back to the core of what this hospitality family really is, the children,” she explains.

She says many times it’s harder for this industry’s business leaders to get health insur-

Schinke agrees wholeheartedly. He says working in this industry takes a unique type of person, and is not easy.

He doesn’t count work hours, but days without a break. Still, he takes great pride in his work and knows his dedicated employees are also holding down other jobs to make ends meet. “We are a family of sorts and look out for each other,” Schinke says. “It’s a tight-knit

ance, they have limited family hours during the week and with a sick child, it’s even more difficult to care for them, especially when there is no backup for sick days.

Madland says Schinke’s story is a great way to personalize CORE for all TLW members, and localize the organization’s efforts here in Wisconsin. “We really want people to participate in the program,” he adds. “Our overall charity work is a very important facet of the TLW and its members.”

LaViola says CORE’s mission is to con-

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“It [Core] was developed to give back to the core of what this hospitality family really is, the children.”

— Lauren LaViola, Executive Director, Core

tinue to grow in service and support of children of hospitality employees afflicted with life-threatening or life-altering circumstances. This is accomplished through the involvement of communities and businesses which surround and support these operations.

While like the Schinke’s experience, CORE has donated family vacations, a much-needed respite, LaViola says CORE also has met a variety of needs for member families. Providing a family Christmas is one way, but also helping with infant cares, such as diapers, formula, wipes, bottles, etc. LaViola says school supplies, donating to college funds, even helping a little girl get leg braces have all been ways CORE has reached out to others.

A touching story is one of a twin that survived at birth, but had many health problems. The father had multiple sclerosis, so couldn’t drive her to doctors’ appointments. “We paid for a nanny who could drive for an entire year,” she says. “The mom worked at Marriott, so that was a massive help for them.”

From gas and food cards to hotel stays while a child is hospitalized, she says CORE is available for families that need the extra support, and encourages TLW members who have a need to apply.

Madland echoes her sentiments. “We think this charity is really special because it directly supports people in our industry,” he says. “Things happen and this offers a bit of relief. We really want

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people to participate, and if you think you qualify, apply. The worst thing that could happen is they say no.”

LaViola says the industry is interconnected, and suppliers and operators know they wouldn’t have a business without employees. Families who don’t have a need are finding joy in giving, and those that do benefit are so grateful.

Schinke attests to that. “The relationship between the TLW and CORE is a perfect match,” he says. “If you look through history, the TLW has always supported the communities that support them. CORE takes that same mission and gives back to the TLW members and their employees.” TLW

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An Economic Engine ABL’s Biannual Industry Survey Shows our Industry’s Far-Reaching Benefits

By Amanda Wegner

W

hile it’s certainly not an easy industry to be a part of, the tavern /restaurant industry does a lot of good not only for their communities, but their local economies. And once again, American Beverage Licensees (ABL) has provided the numbers to prove this, and in Wisconsin there are far-reaching benefits.

Released in November, ABL’s 2014 Economic Impact Study of America’s Beer, Wine and Spirits Retailers shows Wisconsin retailers’ total economic impact in this industry is more than $14.61 billion.

“Most tavern owners recognize that they contribute a great deal to their local economy. They see it when they hire employees, process payroll and pay taxes,” says John Bodnovich, ABL’s executive director. “While that’s a fact of life for small business owners, it is sometimes taken for granted by people who see bars, taverns and restaurants for the food, drinks and service they provide, but not the lives they affect by just being in business.”

BEYOND THE BAR SALE To get the fullest picture of the industry’s economic impact, ABL’s study

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looks at sales and wages from both on- and off-premise establishments and accounts for the effects to suppliers and related industries. The industry’s broader economic impact flows throughout the economy, generating business for firms seemingly unrelated to the alcohol beverage retail industry. Local residents with jobs working in industries as varied as banking, retail, accounting, vending, even printing, all depend on the industry for their livelihood.

In addition, the 2014 study has been enhanced to include the sale of non-alcohol items by on-premise, full-service restaurants and drinking places. This, says Bodnovich, provides a clearer picture of the true impact of licensed establishments because it captures food sales at bars, taverns and pubs. “We know that alcohol sales often lead to other sales that many businesses depend on and are a substantial portion of their revenues and profits,” he says.

In addition to sales, this industry provides much-needed jobs. The study found that establishments that sell al-

cohol in Wisconsin employ as many as 105,840 people and generate an additional 47,149 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. These include jobs in companies supplying goods and services to the alcohol retailing industry. These are good jobs paying an average of $29,384 in wages and benefits.

“It’s important to keep in mind that the hospitality industry remains the second largest employer in the country (behind only the health care industry) and that the employment opportunities it provides are destination jobs often paying more than minimum wage and offering substantial benefits,” says Bodnovich.

Finally, the study shows the sizeable local, state and federal tax revenues the industry generates. In Wisconsin, the industry and its employees pay over $4.05 billion in taxes, including property, income and sales taxes.

ABL completes this study on a biannual basis, and the 2014 edition reflects increased productivity in the beverage alcohol retail industry with sales growth www.tlw.org

and job growth increasing overall since 2012. Underlying these gains is a vibrant American alcohol marketplace that provides consumers with more beer, wine and spirits products than ever before.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Much of Wisconsin’s economic success in this industry is thanks, in part, to the strength of the Tavern League and its members. “Wisconsin plays an important role in our industry and the beverage licensee culture of the Badger State is second-to-none. That flows from a culture steeped in hospitality and a firstclass association, the Tavern League of Wisconsin,” says Bodnovich.

Thanks to the state’s culture and the strong advocacy work of the Tavern League, Wisconsin is well-positioned to take the lead on initiatives that the rest of the industry can adopt and learn from, he adds.

try in Wisconsin and beyond. With ongoing conversation about making ignition interlock devices standard equipment on vehicles and failed attempts in other states to reduce the BAC limit, the survey’s data provides important points to counter any future or potential changes to impaired driving policies.

“We all oppose drunk driving without exception - period,” says Bodnovich, “but when we talk about how to fight drunk driving, we must remember that there is no silver bullet. Some policy options can unintentionally affect law-abiding businesses and adults who responsibly consume beverage alcohol.

Adopting a .05 BAC or lower policy would make many of your customers afraid of having an Old Fashioned at their favorite supper club, put their neighbor the cocktail server out of a job and do very little to address the issue of drunk driving.”

Tavern League’s support for the SafeRide program is the most obvious example of the industry addressing an important issue — drunk driving — with a solution that works.

With that said, making individual connections with your local representatives to educate them about the issues that affect your business is critical, and ABL’s survey provides information to do just that.

Another example Bodnovich points out is the state’s adoption of the Brown Jug law, which incentivizes licensees to thwart attempted underage purchases and places responsibility on the underage persons who are attempting to break the law. “Most importantly, paying dues and being a member of the Tavern League of Wisconsin is a boost for the industry. A strong association speaks with a unified voice. Much more can be accomplished together than individually.”

“Tavern owners are a huge part of the economy in their communities and across the state of Wisconsin and shouldn’t be taken for granted,” says Bodnovich. “They provide jobs to their friends and neighbors who support families, pay mortgages and save for college.

Despite being a significant part of the economic engine of Wisconsin, Tavern League members should always remind legislators and other elected officials about their impact on local communities. … It is much harder to say no to someone whose name you know than to someone with whom you have no connection.” TLW

Included in the study is an analysis of how any changes to the current blood alcohol content (BAC) limit could affect the indus-

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Grand Geneva Resort & Spa:

Once Home to the Lake Geneva Playboy Club

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n August 1966, Playboy Enterprises Founder and President Hugh Hefner arrived at the site of the future Playboy Club resort in Lake Geneva by helicopter for the grand groundbreaking of a new resort. Wearing a hardhat featuring the Playboy logo and surrounded by a bevy of Bunnies in evening gowns, Hefner set off a dynamite charge to signal the official groundbreaking.

meeting rooms, three bar/restaurants (including one that could be converted to a nightclub theater), a dance club, a barbershop/salon and several shops.

Other amenities included two golf courses, a fitness and racquet center and ski hill.

After a 13 year run, Playboy closed the Lake Geneva club along with all of its other resorts, citing changing tastes and poor financial performance to refocus the company’s efforts on its primary market: media.

The resort would be like nothing the area had ever seen, with picturesque grounds, progressive architecture and nationally-recognized music and entertainment, including top-name performers like Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli and Sonny and Cher.

Construction on the resort’s seven interconnected buildings took a little over a year. The Lake Geneva Playboy Club opened in May 1968, and included the main lodge with 350 guest rooms, ten

From the day it opened, the Lake Geneva Playboy Club was immediately popular with tourists and locals alike. The success of the venture depended partly on the top-of-the-line resort offerings and partly on the gimmick of the costumed Playboy Bunnies themselves.

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TLW 80th Annual

Spring Conference

March 30 - April 2, 2015 Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva

Come and Stay Where the Bunnies Played Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Keynote Speaker & Seminars. . . . . . . . . 25 Hotel Information & Registration Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Entertainment & Host league . . . . . . . 27 Tradeshow Exhibitor List . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Auction Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

2015 Spring Conference Schedule of Events MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. TLW Board of Directors Meeting – Maplelawn C 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Food Service Sanitation Courses & Exam – Galewood CD (Class Registration is open to members and non-members) 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. Board Lunch – Linwood Ballroom 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Registration – Ballroom Coat-check 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Walworth County League Welcome Party Location: Lake Lawn Resort Band: Bella Cain Buses will be picking up in front of Grand Geneva starting at 7:00 pm

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Ballroom Coat-check 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Nomination Committee – Buttons Bay 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Rules Committee – Fontana Bay 9:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Session – Grand Ballroom Attendance Drawing Host League Intro – Dan Taivalkoski, Southern Zone VP Opening Ceremony – Walworth County Tavern League President, Dave Hills Color Guard Present Colors Vice President’s Report – Chris Marsicano President’s Report – Terry Harvath Secretary’s Report– Sue Bonte Lee Treasurer’s Report– Tom Dahlen Keynote Speaker – Frederick Booker Noe III – Jim Beam Brands Executive Director’s Report – Pete Madland President’s Award Attendance Drawing First Timers Orientation 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Trade Show – Forum Bean Bag Toss Contest for TIPAC 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Silent Auction– Forum Lobby

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1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Seminar: Tax & Income Audit: Be Prepared Presented by: Pete Oettinger and Tina Cruse Maplelawn AB

3:15 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 3rd District – Maplelawn B 4th District – Maplelawn C 5th District – Maplelawn A 7th District – Linwood Ballroom

3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Seminar: -Bourbon Tasting Presented by: Fred Noe Maplelawn C

4:15 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 1st & 9th District – Maplelawn C 2nd District – Maplelawn B 6th District – Maplelawn A 8th District – Linwood Ballroom

8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Cocktail Party & Costume Contest – Maplelawn Ballroom THEME: “Come and Stay Where the Bunnies Played” Costume: Playboy Club Attire, Smoking Jackets, Ball Gowns, Bunnies, etc.

BAND: The Retro Specz Band sponsored by: ASCAP 9:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Live Auction for Direct Givers – Maplelawn Ballroom

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Ballroom Coat-Check 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. General Business Meeting – Grand Ballroom Attendance Drawing ABL Report– Bob Sprenger Legislative Report-Scott Stenger Parade of Candidates Good and Welfare Attendance Drawing 9:00 A.M. to 2:15 P.M. Silent Auction – Forum Lobby 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Trade Show – Forum Bean Bag Toss Contest for TIPAC 11:15 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. Membership Chair Meeting (Open to all attendees) – Grand Ballroom 12:15 P.M. to 12:45 P.M. League Leaders Meeting - (Open to all attendees) – Grand Ballroom

5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. President’s TIPAC Reception – Evergreen Ballroom

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Voting – Room Location TBD 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Business Session – Grand Ballroom Attendance Drawing CORE Report– Brad Schinke Rules Committee Report Swearing in of Officers Nomination Committee Report Parade of Candidates Host League Drawing Raffle Ticket Drawing Trade Show Buyers Raffle Good & Welfare DVD Presentation President’s Closing Remarks Attendance Drawing Retiring of Colors 12:00 P.M. Foundation Meeting – Room Location TBD 12:00 P.M. Walworth County President’s Reception Dave Hills Hawk’s View Golf Club 7377 Krueger Rd. Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Note: Times and events are subject to change without notice.

2:00 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. Vendors Drawings – Trade Show Area (Attendees must be present to win) 2:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Exhibitor Booth Drawing – Trade Show Area (Exhibitors’ booths must still be set-up)

www.tlw.org

2015 Spring Conference Keynote Speaker TUESDAY, 9:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. GENERAL SESSION FREDERICK BOOKER NOE III When Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of whiskey in 1795 he began a family legacy that continues today with Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III, seventh-generation Beam and son of the late Frederick “Booker” Noe Jr., master distiller emeritus of Jim Beam Brands Co. Noe is an associate distiller at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Ky., and Bourbon Ambassador for Jim Beam Brands, sharing the art and history behind his family’s legacy, and their love of bourbon with enthusiasts worldwide.

For nearly two decades, Noe has worked at the Jim Beam Distillery, which was built by his great-grandfather, Jim Beam, after the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Noe has served in many capacities at the distillery throughout his career, including aiding in the development of his father’s signature bourbon, “Booker’s® Bourbon.”

Today, Noe introduces consumers around the world to The Small Batch Bourbon Collection®, his family’s award-winning collection of ultra-premium, handcrafted bourbons featuring Booker’s, Baker’s®, Knob Creek® and Basil Hayden’s®.

Frederick Booker Noe III, Jim Beam Brands

Born and raised in Bardstown, Ky., the Bourbon Capital of the World, Noe’s childhood was immersed in the family’s whiskey culture. His childhood home is the same home Jim Beam lived in. In fact, the street he grew up on was once called Distillers Row because a master distiller resided in almost every house.

Noe is instrumental in the Beam business, dedicating himself to perfecting the family’s closely guarded bourbon-making process and continuing his family’s legacy.

2015 Spring Conference Seminars TUESDAY, 1:00 P.M. – 2 P.M. - MAPLELAWN AB TAX & INCOME AUDIT: BE PREPARED

TUESDAY, 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. - MAPLELAWN C BOURBON TASTING

Presented by: Pete Oettinger, partner with Wegner CPAs and Tina Cruse, field auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Presented by: Fred Noe III, an associate distiller at the Jim Beam Distillery and Bourbon Ambassador for Jim Beam Brands

How does a business get chosen for an audit? What kind of records do you need and how long should you keep them? How are sales tax and income calculated? Do you know about use tax? These are only a few of the many questions that will be answered at this important seminar.

The bourbon craze has not subsided and, in fact, it’s getting stronger! Americans consumed 24 million cases of domestically produced whiskey last year according to Spirits Business magazine. That’s up nearly 30 percent from ten years ago!

Pete Oettinger and Tina Cruse will provide you an educational seminar and answer all of your questions regarding the Department of Revenue’s policies and the laws related to a sales/use tax/ income audit.

Tina Cruse is a field auditor for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). She is responsible for auditing individuals and corporations for income, franchise, sales and use tax purposes. Pete Oettinger is a partner with Wegner CPAs. He specializes in assisting non-compliant taxpayers to come into compliance with IRS and state tax authorities. www.tlw.org

The TLW is proud to have Fred Noe III, great-grandson of Jim Beam and master distiller emeritus of Jim Beam Brands Co. to conduct this tasting. You will sample a variety of bourbons as Noe discusses the various subtleties of each. This will provide you a unique perspective and a chance to learn about bourbon from one of the true masters.

This is a rare opportunity and one that shouldn’t be missed. Seating will be limited so make sure you arrive early. Come and learn things about bourbon you never knew, then go back home and dazzle your customers with your expertise!

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Rice Lake

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Spring Prairie

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To Janesville 15 miles

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Silver Lake

TLW 8oth Spring Conference & Trade Show

120

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Lake Wandawega

“Come and Stay Where the Bunnies Played” Richmond

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N Rates

Grand Geneva Resort

• Rates per night, all rates are subject K to tax and occupancy tax • DeluxeC Guest Room $109 per night Walworth County •B Ask for TLW Room block

7036 Grand Geneva Way Lake Geneva, WI 53147 J (800) 558-3417

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Big Foot Beach State Park

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Fontana 67

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Sharon

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WISCONSIN ILLINOIS

People with scooters or wheelchairs must inform the hotel when registering.

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Grand Geneva Resort

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Spouse/Guest Name

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Business Name Mailing Address City/State/Zip Business Phone

Home Phone

Email Address: __________________________________________________

Local League This is my first convention

I am a new Member

I would like to contribute $5.00 of this registration fee to: (please check one only)

Check #

Wisconsin Tavern League Foundation

Mastercard

CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) REGISTRATION FEE PER PERSON

Member

METHOD OF PAYMENT Total amount Due $

Tavern Industry Political Action Committee

Visa

American Express

Card # Non-Member

Expiration Date

Full Registration……………………………

$50

$70

Signature

Postmarked after March 20, 2015

$60

$80

Cardholder Address

One Day Only………………………………

(Circle one Tuesday/Wednesday)

$30

$35

City/State/Zip

Cardholder Name

Please complete and mail this form with payment to: TLW, 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005 26

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2015 Spring Conference Entertainment Monday Night Playing top 40 country tunes, the group has a “big” guitar sound, with five-part harmonies, and a fiddle, piano, banjo, mandolin, and a rock-solid rhythm section producing a full and dramatic sound.

Bella Cain has recently performed alongside such national acts as: Brad Paisley; Bucky Covington; Lee Brice; Justin Moore; Dierks Bentley; Blake Shelton; Miranda Lambert; Luke Bryan; Colt Ford; Chris Cagle; Billy Currington; The Nelsons; Phil Vassar; Chris Young; and Jason Aldean.

BELLA CAIN Make sure you plan to attend the Monday night party where you’ll be treated to a non-stop, high-energy performance by Bella Cain, winner of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s “Country Group of the Year” award.

Bella Cain delivers a state-of-the-art laser light show with great stage presence and a sound all their own, making them a leader in the regional country music scene. While based in Wisconsin and Illinois, the band performs some of the hottest new country music on radio today, plus some age-old favorites to win the hearts of fans all over the Midwest.

Tuesday Night THE RETRO SPECZ Retro Specz is a six member band that plays fun, danceable classic/ retro rock you’re sure to enjoy. They play music everyone knows, and they love to delve into songs with big vocal harmonies that other bands won’t even try. They perform music from the last four decades — selections from AC/DC and ZZ Top to Journey and REO Speedwagon to Cheap Trick and The Eagles, and many more.

Their all-star lineup includes guitar, bass, keyboard, saxophone and drums, plus high-powered vocals by lead singers Nicole Rivers and Thomas Morgan.

A professional PA and light show featuring a new state of the art digital mixing board only adds to this fun, entertaining show.

Your Host League The WCTL 2015 TLW Spring Conference Committee

Walworth County Tavern League The Walworth County Tavern League welcomes members to Grand Geneva Resort for the 80th annual TLW Spring Conference. www.tlw.org

2015 TLW Spring Conference Committee members are: Front row, left to right: Sharon Yanz, Walworth-Lakeland Elks Lodge, Delavan; LaVonne Horgan, Delavan Lanes, Delavan; Salvo and Mary Salverson, Salvo’s Coyote Grill, Whitewater. Back row, left to right: Dave Hills, Hawks View Golf Club, Lake Geneva; Will Baldwin, Walworth-Lakeland Elks Lodge, Delavan; Trevor Wheeler, Wheelers Bowling Center, Delavan; Mike Czerwinski, Delavan Lanes, Delavan; Patti Marsicano and Chris Marsicano, Village Supper Club, Delavan. Missing from photo: Renee Peterson, representing JK Sweeny’s Pub, Walworth; and Brent Kendall, Pirate’s Cove, Delavan.

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2015 Spring Conference Exhibitor List Affiliated Investment Group Booth # 40 James J. Ropel 234 N. Clark St. Mayville, WI 53050 P: (920) 387-5952 & (800) 362-1002 jimropel@charter.net Investment Services & Retirement Plan Anheuser-Busch Inc. Booth # 45, 58 Kevin P. Roth 433 Pine Lawn Pkwy.

Verona, WI 53593 P: (630) 913-2395 & (773) 203-7751 www.anheuserbusch.com kevin.roth@anheuserbusch.com Assorted Malt Beverages B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies Booth # 92, 91 Donald Falk 7100 W. Greenfield Ave. West Allis, WI 53214 P: (414) 259-9161 F: (414) 259-9197 www.bandkbar supplies.com dfalk50@yahoo.com Bar Stools, Pub Tables, Popcorn Machines, Glassware, Chemicals and All Your Bar Supply Needs Bi-State Point Of Sale Solutions Booth # 70 Mel Welch 4317 Maray Dr. Rockford, IL 61107 P: (815) 395-1234 F: (815) 395-0038 www.bi-statepos.com mel.welch@bistatepos.com Systems Integrator of POS, Sales, Service, Supplies, POS Systems, Camera Surveillance Systems Brakebush Brothers Booth # 68 Al Neumann N4993 6th Dr. Westfield, WI 53964 P: (800) 933-2121, Ext. 1368 F: (920) 787-1603 www.brakebush.com aneumann@ brakebush.com Frozen Value-added Chicken Products Capitol-Husting Booth # 3 Tom Zacharias 12001 W. Carmen Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53225 P: (414) 353-1000 www.capitol-husting. com tom.zacharias@ capitol-husting.com Wines & Spirits

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Cash Depot Booth # 29 David R. Charles 1740 Cofrin Dr., Ste. 2 Green Bay, WI 54302 P: (920) 432-5777 F: (920) 432-1918 www.cashdepotplus. com dcharles@srlcd.com ATMs, Service, Processing, Providing Wireless Communications, Air/ Vac Equipment Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. Booth # 13 Brad Palubiak 1600 S. Main St. Oshkosh, WI 54902 P: (920) 651-8888 F: (920) 651-8889 www.cornerstoneps. net brad@cornerstoneps. net ATM, POS, ECRS, Credit Card Processing and Equipment Creative Beverage Systems LLC Booth # 15 Michael O’Neil 609 Herda Ave. Twin Lakes, WI 53181 P: (847) 404-7416 moneil6887@gmail. com Beverage Equipment Service/Sales/Install Dean’s Satellite & Security Booth # 25, 38 Sonya Pennel 2350 Commercial Dr., Ste. 1 Sparta, WI 54656 P: (608) 269-2897 F: (608) 268-5241 www.deansdish.com sonya@deansdish. com Satellite TV & Security DeVere Company Inc. Booth # 57 Cynthia S. Shackelford 1923 Beloit Ave. Janesville, WI 53546 P: (608) 752-0576 F: (608) 752-6625 www.deverechemical. com customerservice@ deverechemical.com Commercial Dishwashers Lease, Sales & Service, Cleaners and Disinfectants, Janitorial Supplies

March/April 2015

Diageo Booth # 85 Mallory Krueger 926 W. Commercial St. Appleton, WI 54914 P: (414) 335-4568 www.mktg.com mkrueger@mktg. com Diageo Products Edge One Inc. Booth # 32 Kris Zahn 161 Business Park Circle Stoughton, WI 53589 P: (608) 873-3311 F: (608) 873-3506 www.edgeone.com kzahn@edgeone.com ATM Sales & Service Edward Jones Financial Advisor Booth # 81 Debra Cross 1034C Ann St. Delavan, WI 53115 P: (262) 728-4224 www.edwardjones. com debra.cross@ edwardjones.com Financial Advisor El Cortez Hotel & Casino Booth # 80 Tim Wojciechowski 600 E. Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 P: (702) 385-5200 & (800) 634-6703 www.elcortezhotel casino.com TWojciechowski@ elcortez.net Hotel & Gaming Emil’s Pizza Inc. Booth # 69 Sue Kraemer P. O. Box 168 Watertown, WI 53094 P: (920) 262-9756 F: (920) 262-2920 www.emilspizza.com skraemer@ emilspizza.com Manufacture & Sale of Frozen Pizza Engineered Security Solutions Booth # 16 Troy Salchow 16805 W. Observatory Rd. New Berlin, WI 53151 P: (262) 995-5351 www.engineered security.net tsalchow@engineered security.net Security Cameras, Access Controls, Burglar Alarms

Forest Floor Foods Booth # 27 Greg Floyd N5014 Northview Rd. Eden, WI 53019 P: (262) 707-4127 F: (866) 234-1739 www.pickledveggies. com olives@ pickledveggies.com Pickled Products, Olives, Cocktail Garnishes & Mixers Fruit Fly Bar Pro Booth # 51 Ryan Diettrich 7 Connor Ln., Unit 7-G Deer Park, NY 11729 P: (631) 237-1414 F: (631) 392-1974 www.fruitflybarpro. com info@fruitflybarpro. com Product that Eliminates Fruit Flies Funacho/ Pretzelhaus Bakery Booth # 79 Ken St. Clair 2000 Conner Rd. Hebron, KY 41048 P: (262) 308-9902 ken@funacho.com Cheese Sauces & Shelf Stable Pretzels Gourmet Parlor Pizza Booth # 97 Steve Sauer 17000 U.S. Hwy. 10 N.W. Royalton, MN 56373 P: (320) 584-5930 steve.sauer@ gourmetparlorpizza. com Frozen Pizza Great Lakes Distillery Booth # 83 Guy Rehorst 616 W. Virginia St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 P: (414) 431-8683 www.greatlakes distillery.com info@greatlakes distillery.com Small Batch Distillery in Milwaukee. We Handcraft Awardwinning Spirits.

Health Markets Insurance Agency Booth # 5 Steve Boyer W337 S9379 Valley View Dr. Mukwonago, WI 53149 P: (262) 363-0738 F: (262) 363-0659 www.insphereis.com/ sboyer sboyer@insphereis. com Affordable Health & Life Insurance, Medicare Supplements, Long-term Care, Disability Insurance

as of 2/26/15

Holiday Wholesale Inc. Booth # 65, 66, 67 Dixie Marquardt P.O. Box 177 Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 P: (608) 254-8321 & (800) 333-8321, Ext. 102 F: (608) 254-8003 www.holidaywhole sale.com dmarquardt@ holidaywholesale.com Candy, Snacks, Foodservice, Disposables, Cleaning Supplies, Novelties, Tobacco Products HSC Business Brokers Booth # 41 Jerry Vlaminck P. O. Box 739 Delano, MN 55328 P: (763) 972-9077 & (800) 735-3512 F: (763) 972-9080 www.hscbrokers.com info@hscbrokers.com Commercial Real Estate Brokerage in the Hospitality Field Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co. Booth # 46 Joe Moyle 141 Norfolk St. Walpole, MA 02081 P: (414) 699-3193 F: (508) 553-7989 www.islandoasis.com jmoyle@islandoasis. com Smoothies and Frozen Cocktails Kessenich’s Ltd. Booth # 71 Cheri Martin 131 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Madison, WI 53704 P: (608) 249-5391 & (800) 248-0555 F: (608) 249-1628 www.kessenichs.com cmartin@kessenichs. com Restaurant & Bar Equipment and Supplies Kobussen Trailways Booth # 56 Larry Brinks W914 Cty. Rd. CE Kaukauna, WI 54130 P: (920) 766-0606 F: (920) 766-0797 www.kobussen.com larry.brincks@ kobussen.com Transportation Shuttles

Lamers Bus Lines Booth # 6 Erica Dakins 2407 South Point Rd. Green Bay, WI 54313 P: (800) 236-1240, Ext. 10139 & (800) 236-1240 F: (920) 496-3611 www.golamers.com ericadakins@ golamers.com Charter Group Transportation and Tour Services Lebby’s Frozen Pizza Booth # 30 Nickolas & Doris Demetropoulos P. O. Box 147 Lebanon, WI 53047 P: (920) 925-3216 F: (920) 925-3216 www.lebbyspizza.com info@lebbyspizza.com Wholesale Frozen Pizzas & Pernot Meats Beef Stixs Luiges Frozen Pizza Booth # 14 Carl Schwibinger W3830 Cty. Hwy. K Belgium, WI 53004 P: (920) 994-4884 F: (920) 994-4624 luiges@live.com Quality Frozen Pizza Magnuson Industries Inc. Booth # 28 Jason Gough 3005 Kishwaukee St. Rockford, IL 61109 P: (800) 435-2816 & (800) 435-2816 F: (815) 229-2978 www.posi-pour.com b.gough@posi-pour. com Posi-Pour Portion Control Pourers and Full Line of Bar Supplies Mass Appeal Specialties Inc. Booth # 11, 12 Thomas G. Wilkinson 2247 Shawano Ave. Green Bay, WI 54303 P: (920) 469-2000 & (800) 345-5432 F: (920) 469-1111 www.massappealinc. com sales@ massappealinc.com Custom Screen Printing on Shirts, Jackets, Hats and Advertising Specialties Meyer Brothers LLC Booth # 82 Rick Meyer P. O. Box 196 St. Nazianz, WI 54232 P: (920) 639-4488 www.themeyer brothers.com robert.meyer@ themeyerbrothers.com Old Fashioned Cocktail Mix www.tlw.org

2015 Spring Conference Exhibitor List MillerCoors Booth # 39, 52 Samantha Knitter 3939 W. Highland Blvd.

Milwaukee, WI 53208 P: (920) 376-3678 & (262) 203-4018 (cell) www.millercoors.com samantha.knitter@ millercoors.com MillerCoors Products Minhas Micro Distillery Booth # 23 Brenda O’Rourke 1404 13th St., Unit A-D Monroe, WI 53566 P: (608) 328-5550 F: (608) 325-3198 www.minhasdistillery. com rbcsales3@rhinelander brewery.com Rail Liquor, Rum Horchata, Cream Liqueur of Different Types and Beer Modern Cash Register Systems Booth # 99 Tom Jones P. O. Box 574 Neenah, WI 54957 P: (920) 749-8007 F: (920) 749-8011 www.moderncash register.com tom@modern cashregister.com Stand-alone Cash Registers and Point of Sale Systems, Sales, Service, Supplies & Peripherals Motion Technology Inc. (Autofry) Booth # 98 Kathy K. Smith 10 Forbes Rd. Northborough, MA 01532 P: (612) 850-4533 & (612) 964-4923 cell F: (612) 345-6937 www.autofry.com ksmith@mtiproducts. com Cooking Equipment, Ventless Deep Fryer Music on the Move Plus Booth # 94 Taj Jordan 6600 Industrial Loop Greendale, WI 53129 P: (414) 282-3866 F: (414) 282-1111 www.motmplus.com taj@motmplus.com Interactive Entertainment, Inflatables, Casino, Stunt Jump, Zipline, Rock Climb

www.tlw.org

Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. Booth # 33 Barbara Howell P.O. Box 1080 Williams Bay, WI 53191 P: (262) 245-1000 F: (262) 245-2000 bhowell@ ntmediagroup.com Specialize in Publishing High Quality Print Materials, Visitor Guides, Magazines, Custom Publications Ney’s Big Sky LLC Booth # 17 Doug Ney 510 Bayberry Ln. Slinger, WI 53086 P: (414) 254-2664 www.neysbigsky.com neysbibsky@yahoo. com Official Burger of WI: Prime Rib Burger, Swizel Sticks, Brats and other Meat Items Numbskul Beverage Co. LLC. Booth # 55 Ron Webber 113 Bergen Pkwy., Ste. 416 Evergreen, CO 80439 P: (847) 612-9601 www.numbskul nation.com rwebber@numbskul beverage.com Numbskul 30 Proof Spirits Payroll Data Booth # 86 Chris Hansen 5202 Eastpark Blvd., #106 Madison, WI 53718 P: (608) 245-8232 F: (608) 249-5967 www.payrolldata.com chrish@payrolldata. com Time Labor Management, Payroll, Payroll for Mgt., HR Tracking, Recruitment & Applicant Tracking Pepsi Beverages Co. Booth # 43 Tim Michels 2541 W. 20th Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54904 P: (920) 234-4454 F: (920) 236-3759 tim.michels@ pepsiamericas.com Pepsi Products

Precision Pours Inc. Booth # 31 Richard Sandvik 12837 Industrial Park Blvd.

Minneapolis, MN 55441 P: (800) 549-4491 & (800) 549-4491 F: (763) 694-9343 www.precisionpours. com tomhighum@ precisionpours.com We Manufacture the 3-Ball Liquor Pour that Over 2500 TLW Members Use R & S Marketing Booth # 84 Bob Hayden P. O. Box 620271 Middleton, WI 53562 P: (608) 516-1418 & 608-345-5681 (cell) birdmanhayden@ yahoo.com Packer/Badger Prints, Tables, Birdfeeders Reinhart Foodservice Booth # 19 Kathy Bohlman 9950 S, Reinhart Dr. Oak Creek, WI 53154 P: (414) 236-1234 F: (414) 761-4781 www.rfsdelivers.com kmbohlman@ rfsdelivers.com Broadline Food Distributor, NonAlcoholic Beverages Retail Control Solutions Booth # 34 Bob Schellenbach 806 Thurndale Ave. Bensenville, IL 60106 P: (800) 767-2212 F: (630) 521-1994 www.rcs-usa.com bobs@rcs-usa.com Point of Sale (POS), Video Security Riverside Foods Inc. Booth # 54 Mike Coenen 2520 Wilson St. Two Rivers, WI 54241 P: (800) 678-4511 & (920) 323-3351 (cell) F: (920) 794-7332 www.riversidefoods. com musky@ riversidefoods.com Innovative Appetizers, Legendary Seafood, Breaded and Battered Appetizers, Fish and Seafood

Sanimax USA LLC Booth # 18 Randy Fischer 605 Bassett St. De Forest, WI 53532 P: (608) 846-5466, Ext. 1402 & (800) 765-6453 X1 F: (608) 846-5370 www.sanimax.com randy.fischer@ sanimax.com Collection & Recycling of Used Cooking Oil, Grease Trap Servicing SKG Entertainment LLC & The Party Company Booth #7 Scott Gumz N7304 Cty Rd. HD Holmen, WI 54636 P: (262) 939-2358 www.djtrivia.com info@partypro.com DJ Trivia Society/Disher Insurance Booth # 26 Mike Disher P. O. Box 179 Stevens Point, WI 54481 P: (715) 344-8383 & (800) 675-5137 F: (715) 344-4427 www.disherinsurance. com mike@ disherinsurance.com Property & Casualty & Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Swanel Beverage Inc./Banzai Booth # 64 Michelle Prestamer P. O. Box 1186 Hammond, IN 46325 P: (800) 279-2635, Ext. 321 & (800) 932-7607 F: (219) 932-7724 www.banzaienergy. com banzaiorderdesk@ yahoo.com Energy Drink (Banzai), Juices, Fountain Syrups Tavern League of Wisconsin Booth # 8, 9, 10 Bean Bag Toss for TIPAC 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd. Fitchburg, WI 54728 P: (608) 220-7788 (cell) www.tlw.org petem@tlw.org

as of 2/26/15

Taylor Ent. of WI Inc. Booth # 96 John Mlsna N8108 Maple St. Ixonia, WI 53036 P: (262) 567-7286 or (800) 242-9510 F: (262) 567-7201 www.taylorwi.net info@taylorwi.net Restaurant Equipment, Cocktail/ Slush Equipment to Hoodless Fryers Tim-Todd Services Inc. Booth # 68 Richard Hoyne 713 Saddlewood Dr. Wauconda, IL 60084 P: (847) 668-2090 F: (847) 469-8164 timtodd2913@gmail. com ATMs, Arcade Game, Juke Boxes & Gaming Equipment Tito’s Handmade Vodka Booth # 4 Courtney Nuss 222 S. Carroll St., #205 Madison, WI 53703 P: (920) 265-7845 www.titosvodka.com courtneynuss@ titosvodka.com Tito’s Handmade Vodka - Spirits Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty Booth # 1, 2 Dick Van Den Heuvel 1315 Doty St. Green Bay, WI 54301 P: (920) 435-8217 Novelties, New Year’s & Pull Tabs Tri-Mart Corporation Booth # 59 Steve Sundby P.O. Box 308 Menomonie, WI 54751 P: (715) 235-2151 or (800) 874-6278 x 151 F: (715) 235-1643 www.trimart.com ssundby@trimart.com Wholesale Distributor TRL Int’l/Global Vending/Game Management Booth # 93 Thomas R. Laugen 2731 Ironwood Dr. Sun Prairie, WI 53590 P: (608) 332-5447 & (800) 659-5447 F: (608) 825-8862 www.trlimg.com thomaslaugen@ trlimg.com Air Purification Systems, Video Gaming, Bottle Crushers, Furnace Filters

TSYS Merchant Solutions Booth # 44 Lisa Meekma 1601 Dodge St., Floor 25E Omaha, NE 68102 P: (402) 574-7723 F: (402) 938-5514 www.tsysmerchant solutions.com lmeekma@tsys.com Payment Processing US Bank Payment Solutions/Elavon Booth # 42 Alicia Purpur 425 Pine St. Green Bay, WI 54301 P: (920) 664-2476 F: (866) 882-7872 alicia.purpur@ usbank.com Merchant Services & Banking Vern’s Cheese Inc. Booth #: 20, 21 Kurt Knoespel 312 W. Main St. Chilton, WI 53014 P: (920) 849-7717 F: (920) 849-7883 www.vernscheese.com kknoespel@ vernscheese.com Bar Items, Cheese, Meats, Snacks, Appetizers Viking Party Store Booth # 89, 90 Bob Viking 533 W. Conant St. Portage, WI 53901 P: (608) 742-3009, Ext. 2 viking@palacenet.net Novelties, Beads, Hats, Glow Items Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps Booth # 103 Walter Bohrer 1860 Executive Dr., Ste. E Oconomowoc, WI 53066 P: (414) 217-1731 F: (262) 968-1849 wbohrer@wi.rr.com Promotional MilkCap Pulltabs & New & Used Vending Machines for Pulltabs

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2015 Spring Conference Auction Each year at the Spring Conference, members gather Tuesday evening for the TLW Live Auction.

The TLW Live Auction is one of the larger parties held during the four-day festivities and members have fun bidding, toasting and dancing! In addition to the Tuesday night function, members also have the opportunity to participate in the silent auction that runs Tuesday, Noon to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Silent Auction room will be open from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday if you would like to drop off items.)

In the past, auction items have included travel packages, sports memorabilia, fine clothing, electronics, art and more! Auction Chairperson Judy Vandenhouten helps coordinate the auctions that benefit the Direct Givers Fund and TIPAC. Donating an item is simple.

1. Please fill out the form below and mail it to: Judy Vandenhouten E2904 County Road J, Kewaunee, WI 54216 Email: houtrvle@gmail.com Cell: 920-493-4329 2. B ring your item to the registration booth upon arrival to the spring conference. •The auction committee decides if the item will go into the live or silent auction. •All items purchased at the auctions must be paid for by personal check, credit card or cash.

Thank you for your contributions!

Auction Item Form

TLW 2015 Spring Conference If your league or members will be bringing auction items to the Spring Conference, please complete the form below and send it to the Auction Chairperson Judy Vandenhouten.

Donor (Individual name and League) Contact Person Phone (business)

(home)

Please describe the item(s) your members will be donating to the TLW auctions.

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Thank you for your participation!

Return this form by March 20, 2015 to Judy Vandenhouten, E2904 County Rd. J, Kewaunee WI 54216 30

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BI-STATE POINT OF SALE SOLUTIONS Mel Welch • Dan Nelson • (800) 222-3015

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Celebrating 35 years in business!

www.bi-statepos.com We provide Hardware, Software and Security Camera solutions for your Bar, Restaurant and Retail Liquor Store.

Special Tavern League Member pricing!

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LEAGUE PROFILE Washburn county tavern league

Washburn COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

Washburn County’s economy is largely driven by tourism. During the winter, Tavern League member-establishments like Spider Lake Saloon are popular destinations.

W

ith just 37 members, the Washburn County Tavern League is one of the smaller leagues in the state.

“We’re a very rural area,” says Mike Cook, Washburn County Tavern League president and owner of Uncle Mike’s Bar & Grille.

“We have three small towns, and everything else is in the outskirts.” The largest towns are Shell Lake, Spooner and Minong.

“In Trego where I am, it’s so small it’s hardly on the map.”

Largely driven by tourism, the county’s prime months are July and August, “but the winter is good if we have snow,” he says.

For being a smaller group, the Washburn County Tavern League has a lot of interesting events going on throughout the year. The year starts with a Fun Run, which begins in January and goes through March. Members sell books to patrons, who get them stamped at participating establishments; the Fun Run ends with a party, and all proceeds go toward the county’s SafeRide program.

The first Monday of May, the league has its annual May Ball.

Featuring live music, food and raffles, all the proceeds go toward the league’s general fund. “Last year, we donated the proceeds mostly to small local charities, like daycares, the food pantry, humane society, all organizations that need a little help,” says Cook.

has worked hard in the last two years to step up its program.

Without a cab service in the county, Washburn County runs an all-volunteer service with one driver based in Trego and one in Spooner. Further out, bar owners provide volunteers or act as drivers to get their patrons home safe.

“We’ve always had [a SafeRide program],” says Cook, “but we struggled at first.”Now, the league has a dedicated SafeRide coordinator, Lee Ellerbruch, and “that works out real well.”

The league holds its meetings the first Monday of each month, rotating among member establishments. The league gets a strong showing at meetings, with 18 to 28 people in attendance.

Cook himself has been a Tavern League member since 1998, serveing as the league’s vice president for 10 years, and he has been president for the last two. “With so many changes affecting our industry, that’s my biggest purpose in being involved,” says Cook. “You can’t run a strong business if you don’t know what’s going on.” TLW

The league’s largest annual event is its golf outing; Cook adds that “we don’t make it a tournament, but call it an outing. We think that makes it more fun.”

Usually held in August and rotated between the league’s two member golf courses, the outing typically attracts 28 to 32 teams. The event raises between $6,500 and $7,500, which all goes toward the SafeRide program.

Speaking of SafeRide, the Washburn County Tavern League

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www.tlw.org

Business Spotlight Spider Lake Saloon

Left: Lee and Bob Ellerbruch are celebrating 10 years as owners of Spider Lake Saloon. Right: Three generations ring in 2015 at the bar. In the middle is Phyllis Stowe, 98, along with her daughter Teri Moran, right, and her granddaughter, Jennifer Moran, left. Phyllis cleaned the cabins at Spider Lake Campground in the 1930s.

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his year marks a milestone year for the Ellerbruchs and Spider Lake Saloon: They’re celebrating 10 years in business. Not to mention 10 years in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

“We’d been looking for a place to buy down in Illinois for five or six years,” says Lee Ellerbruch, who owns the saloon with her husband, Bob. “Then some friends brought us up to Northern Wisconsin, and I said ‘Get me up here!’ We found Spider Lake Saloon, packed up the house and moved.”

A bit off the beaten trail, Spider Lake Saloon was not exactly the location they had in mind when looking for a business. (The saloon’s website cautions visitors not to use GPS lest you end up heading toward a boat landing via an ATV trail.) “We were told about [the property] by a realtor,” Ellerbruch says. “We were not looking for something out that far, but said we’d go take a look. We pretty quickly made the decision, and within six months, there we were.”

The building itself has been around since the early to mid-1920s, says Ellerbruch, who also serves as the SafeRide coordinator for the Washburn County Tavern League. The couple is working to locate additional information on the building’s history, which she describes as “log cabin-esque; like a walk back in time with all the old logs. It’s just beautiful.”

As for atmosphere, Ellerbruch explains there’s always a friendly crowd and it feels comfortable. “We try to get everyone involved in conversation … it’s kind of like Cheers in a way.”

a Tavern League convention when she’s ready to launch.

“We call them the Northwoods’ best Bloody Marys. We have a group of gals that come from Upper Michigan every year just for the bloodys. It started with two, now it’s up to 20!” As for burgers, they’re hand-pressed and fresh: “Nothing is pre-frozen, and no two burgers look alike. And they all taste wonderful.” The saloon offers a full bar and food menu.

And the birds? The property attracts many interesting birds, such as Pileated woodpeckers and a wide array of hummingbirds each season.

There are also snowmobile and ATV trails that go over the saloon’s driveway and to the door; Birchwood Bobcat club named Spider Lake Saloon the No. 1 stop on the trails.

While no 10th anniversary plans have been set in stone yet, the Ellerbruchs will certainly host its annual Wood Tick Races on May 16. This is a bring-your-own wood tick event, where the winning wood tick moves to the next round, and those that lose the race, lose their lives.

In addition, they also have their popular July Fourth party, with fireworks, music and food specials. The Ellerbruchs pay for the fireworks themselves.

During the week, Spider Lake Saloon is a mainstay for regulars; on the weekends, it’s a haven for tourists. In addition to the atmosphere, what keeps people coming back are the three Bs: bloodys, burgers and birds.

A member of the Tavern League since June 2006, Ellerbruch appreciates how the organization keeps businesses informed and connected, even in the middle of the Northwoods. “Up here, we don’t always hear what’s going on in Madison. The Tavern League is my lifeline to know what the state is doing.” She adds that the charity work the league does is “phenomenal.” TLW

Ellerbruch, who has been in the restaurant and tavern business for 35 years, has been working to perfect her Bloody Mary mix for 19 years and has finally found the “perfect spice” to complete it. She’s in the initial stages of trying to bottle it and plans to have a booth at

Spider Lake Saloon Lee & Bob Ellerbruch 715-642-0202 spiderlakesaloon.com

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Charity Spotlight Spooner Special Olympics

I

f it wasn’t for the Washburn County Tavern League and its members, says Carolee Lundsten, “we wouldn’t be doing anything for Special Olympics here.”

Lundsten is a manager and coach for Spooner Special Olympics, which serves about 40 athletes in the county, ranging in age from 12 to 45. The athletes participate in bowling in the fall and track and field in the spring; indoor track and field practice just started in March.

Washburn County started its Special Olympics Team about 25 years ago and Lundsten has been involved the whole time. “I started because of my daughter.

Some teachers got it started in Spooner, so I’d go there while my daughter was practicing, and I would help when they needed volunteers. Little by little, I got more involved,” says Lundsten.

tennis shoes, or a family has an athlete that makes it to the regional competition in Stevens Point and travel costs are a concern, “we make sure we help them out as best as we can. Many of our families and athletes already have difficulty making ends meet.”

quire special modifications. “Uniforms really support their sense of pride and community. While some we can buy off the shelf, others we can’t, but it’s not right for them to not have a uniform because of their needs. Uniforms are a big deal for us.”

Lundsten is particularly thankful for Washburn County Tavern League Member Julie Predni, owner of Prime Bar Family Dining and Silver Lake Lodge in Trego. “If it wasn’t for Julie and the Tavern League, we wouldn’t be in existence.

When we started 25 years ago, the initial organizers went to the Tavern League and asked if they could help support Spooner Special Olympics. Julie has kept it up, and along with the Tavern League, has a heart for Special Olympics.”

Volunteers and coaches are another important need for the team. “If we don’t have a coach, the athletes can’t be there.”

Coaches must take training courses with Special Olympics at their own expense and on their own time. She adds: “It’s kind of hard to get someone who wants to donate that much time. The people I have, I am very thankful for. Without the support of our volunteers, coaches and groups like Tavern League, none of this would be possible.” TLW

At present, the Spooner Special Olympics team is in need of new uniforms. While the team has 35 to 40 athletes, some re-

Spooner Special Olympics Carolee Lundsten 715-634-7888

All donations the Spooner Special Olympics receives goes to providing uniforms for the athletes, transporting them to events and providing them with food at events. “Everything else, my coaches and volunteers pay for out of pocket. None of them are paid,” she explains.

Donations are also used, when available, to provide support to individual athletes and their families. For instance, if a family or athlete can’t afford something like

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Spooner Special Olympics athletes shown in their new uniforms which were made possible through donations by Washburn County Tavern League members. Prime Bar Family Dining/ Silver Lake Saloon’s third annual ice fishing contest on January 31 raised $2,200 for new uniforms. www.tlw.org

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Featured Affiliates

Dierks Waukesha Broadline distributor Dierks Waukesha has come a long way since the early 1920s when it was a corner grocery store known as Muehl Bros.

Market. In 1999 the company purchased Dierks Wholesale Foods of Rockford, Illinois, and incorporated the business. Today Dierks is in its third generation of family ownership with 250 employees and is a partner with distributor Unipro.

Dierks offers a competitive price point on grocery, produce, frozen, refrigerated and canned foods, and center-of-the-plate offerings, plus it supplies paper and disposable equipment and a complete chemical line 14,000 different products for taverns and restaurants in the upper Midwest.

“In addition to carrying quality equipment, national brands, local and organic foods, our three-pronged approach to customer profitability really sets us apart,” says Dan Martens, senior vice-president, sales.

“The Dierks Waukesha sales team performs business consultations that help identify menu items that are moving well, which are then used as inspiration to add more complementary items.” Martens says Dierks Waukesha representatives help identify an individual restaurant’s trend and then build a menu upon that.

Today the trends he sees garnering high public interest are natural, organic and locally produced food. Martens says Dierks Waukesha offers hundreds of fresh, processed frozen and pre-packaged Wisconsin-made foods in every category.

He explains consumers are becoming “foodies” and they’re seeking out higher quality food and improved dining experiences. The Dierks Waukesha sales teams focus on these trends to make their customers the restaurant of choice.

Dierks Waukesha supports Wisconsin businesses, including TLW customers and local manufacturers as well. “If it’s manufactured in this state, it’s more than likely in our warehouse,” he says. “We’re here to support Wisconsin businesses.”

One thing Martens wants TLW members to know is that the company is exclusive with its rebate program, meaning every customer participates in nationally branded rebates. This can add up to $1,500 to $2,000 per year on average of actual rebate dollars.

“We’re the only distributor that tracks rebates, so that’s a huge support when we talk about enhancing our customer’s profitability,” he explains. “That rebate program sets us apart.”

Dierks Waukesha

Dan Martins, Senior Vice President, Sales 900 Gale St., Waukesha, WI 53186 Phone: (800) 283-7788 • martensd@waukeshafoods.com

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B&K Bar Supplies Don Falk spent 18 years running three taverns before assuming ownership of B&K Bar Supplies in 1991. At the time, the city of Milwaukee had just purchased the two-block area where his business was located to build senior housing and widen the road. The previous owner of B&K was a friend of Falk’s father, and asked if the younger Falk was interested in buying the business.

“At that time my children were very young and I was never home,” he remembers. “He said the magic words to me: “You’re done every day at 5:30 p.m. That was a bit of a lie, but the hours were better than I had in the tavern.”

B&K is located in West Allis, and offers a complete line of bar supplies: glassware, paper/plastic products, cups, chemicals, snack products, stools, tables and booths, etc.

Freight is included on stool purchases, and they are shipped direct to the customer. Some have a 10-year warranty on the base and swivel plate, Falk says.

Falk explains he can truly relate to TLW members, as he knows the industry from both sides as an operator and a supplier. When people visit his store and are operating a tavern for the first time, he says he knows what they need. “I can guide them on what to expect,” Falk explains. “The motto of our business is ‘good old-fashioned friendly service’ and that’s really what we offer.”

When he says “we,” he says it’s important to mention the role his 71-year-old, only sister Joanne plays at B&K. “This woman has more energy than 35-year-olds,” Falk says with a laugh. “She’s a great asset to our business, so outgoing and friendly.”

B&K has a storefront, and also accepts phone orders, with same-day delivery. “You can either come in and buy right off the shelves, or hand us a list,” Falk explains. “Or we’ll pull your order and deliver it that afternoon.”

As far as new items, Falk says he is starting to think of enhancing his line with more equipment, such as coolers, ovens, etc. “We’re always looking at new products that come out, thinking that this is something that we might want to try,” he concludes.

B&K Bar Supplies

Donald Falk 7100 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214 Phone: (414) 259-9161 dfalk50@yahoo.com • www.bandkbarsupplies.com

www.tlw.org

Wisconsin Environmental Services Wisconsin Environmental Services (WES) was established in 2010 and today services approximately 50 kitchens around Wisconsin. “If they deep fry, we can service them,” says owner Greg Quasius. “We support the TLW by offering a much-desired service that busy bar and restaurant owners don’t have time to dedicate to.”

He says it’s a very unique business and WES brings knowledge to each kitchen by servicing deep fryers. “It’s a money-saving service, as we reduce the amount of cooking oil people purchase,” Quasius explains.

WES joined the TLW a little less than a year ago, and recently sold half of the operation which involves cooking oil collection and grease trap servicing, shifting 100 percent of their focus into servicing deep fryers.

“Fryers are one of the most dangerous parts of the kitchen. You have six hot gallons of oil at 350 degrees. They need to be cleaned and the oil needs to be taken care of properly,” explains Quasius.

If the deep fryers are not maintained, this professional says oil can become old, or even dumped prematurely, which is throwing money away. He says WES typically cleans a business’ deep fryer once or twice per week, and it’s a dangerous job.

“Our service eliminates the need for other staff to attempt to clean the fryers, and use costly chemicals to do so,” he adds. “We don’t use any chemicals. It’s a quick process and the owner has piece of mind knowing we’re there at the same time every week. They come into work and the fryers are clean.”

The vegetable oil is filtered on site with a machine that brings it to a level of a mere 1 micron, unlike some built-in filtration devices that reduce it to 200 microns, this kitchen professional explains.

An established cleaning schedule also offers food consistency to a TLW establishment, Quasius adds, stressing that’s an important part of any successful business plan.

WES offers TLW members free demonstrations so that both the owner and head chef can see how the oil appears and works after their deep fryer is serviced. “We’re reducing the impact on the environment by saving more oil too,” he concludes. “If we were able to do this in every restaurant across the state, we’d cut cooking oil usage in half, and that’s huge in so many ways.”

Wisconsin Environmental services

Greg Quasius 2858 Shorehaven Ct., Oshkosh, WI 54904 Phone: (920) 216-4471 greg@wienviro.com • www.wienviro.com www.tlw.org

Mike Disher - Matt Disher - Andrew Disher - Michael Disher II March/April 2015

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Corporate Spotlight Greater Insurance Service Corp. companies and usually have a fit for everybody.”

G

Picking a policy can be a challenge, so Heidtke explains GIS’ expansive knowledge is useful to TLW members. While other organizations and businesses have faded, Heidtke says GIS’ stability and flexibility help it thrive.

GIS is headquartered in Madison, with 23 locations through Wisconsin and Minnesota. Heidtke says the business was launched in 1974 with a focus toward agricultural policies, but has grown exponentially since then. “GIS offers any type of product you’re looking for regarding insurance,” she says.

She says when it comes to hot topics, health insurance is “it” right now. GIS used to provide specialized programs for TLW members and their employees. The Affordable Health Care Act changed that, and those types of plans had to be discontinued. That said, Heidtke explains GIS staff still guides these customers through their health care insurance needs and helps them find the right fit for their situation.

reater Insurance Service Corp.

(GIS) has been a corporate sponsor of the TLW for nearly a decade, says Heather Heidtke, GIS national director of Sales and Marketing.

It is a multi-tiered company, with insurance opportunities ranging from business and commercial to auto, workmen’s compensation, life, annuities, farm, recreational and more. Heidtke says GIS also has a large individual and commercial basis, but has expanded with a specialty that serves associations. “We specialize in association and ancillary products, finding niche products to help round out our clients’ insurance needs,” she adds.

“With health care reform, the laws are constantly changing,” she says. “There’s no way any one person can constantly stay on top of that and make sure they are meeting all the regulations.” This is where GIS steps in, Heidtke adds. She says representatives are available to attend meetings, answer questions, and above all, help TLW members avoid large penalties for not meeting specific government requirements.

is, we can definitely get an agent over there for them,” she says, referring to local chapter events as well as state-wide conventions and conferences.

She says the biggest issue facing TLW members right now is, again, health insurance. Open enrollment ended on Feb. 15, but until Oct. 1, she says intermediate types of plans are available if a client needs one. They help fill the gap until the next open enrollment. “A lot of the ancillary short-term plans, the hospital indemnity type plans, accident plans; we can still build a program for them so their risk is not so great that they can’t have any insurance,” she explains.

Heidtke says GIS is a TLW partner, helping members should they become concerned if a lapse in coverage occurs between open enrollment periods.

GIS is a family-owned business, and Heidtke explains customer service still ranks as its number one priority. Its customized programs are a reason it has been a TLW partner for this many years, and will continue to be.

The company website, www.gisconline. com/tlw, offers the ability to browse through insurance products, request a quote online, or access contact information for a local representative.

TLW SUPPORT PICKING A POLICY A benefit of GIS’, Heidtke explains, is that it represents many insurance policy carriers. This offers customers a strong diversity of policies to choose from, and the ability to shop around and develop a portfolio which best suits their needs, both from a benefits and price standpoint. “With business there are a lot of different risks and different types of risks,” says Heidtke. “Whether small or big, possible current losses, even the type of building they’re in can determine policy availability. We represent many

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GIS’ founding philosophy is to respond rapidly to clients, while providing new and innovative products to meet their ever-changing needs. The tavern industry surely fits into that realm of “ever-changing needs.” Heidtke says GIS assists members with health insurance, business insurance, even personal insurance needs they may have.

Greater Insurance Service Corp.

414 Atlas Ave. Madison, WI 53714 608-221-3996 www.gisconline.com/tlw

GIS attends each TLW convention, and feels the TLW is a natural partner. “The nice thing is we have agents throughout the state, so no matter where a meeting www.tlw.org

Affiliate Members TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS as of February 13, 2015 Ackley Novelty Inc.

D & D Amusement Games LLC

HSC Business Brokers

Pigeon River Brewing Co.

Affiliated Investment Group

Dean’s Satellite

Hyer Standards

Plunkett’s Pest Control

Airgas National Carbonation

Delafield Brew Haus

Ideal Ad & Sportswear

Portesi Italian Foods Inc.

Allied Games Inc.

DeVere Company Inc.

POS Partners

Allied Insurance Centers Inc.

Dierks Waukesha

Indianhead Foodservice Dist. Inc.

America’s Pub Quiz

Dining Publications LLC

American Entertainment Services Inc.

DISCUS

American Income Life American Welding & Gas

Disher Insurance Services DJ D-Train DUDSapparel

J T Graphics & Advertising Inc. JBM Amusements

Precision Pours Inc. QponDog On Mobile Advisors Racine Amusement Inc.

Johnson Brothers Beverage

Ransom’s Satellite & AV

Johnson Distributing Inc. Just in Time Refrigeration LLC

Red’s Novelty LTD. Reinhart Food Service LLC

Ecolab

Kavanaughs Restaurant Supplies

Edge One Inc.

Keg-Stands, LLC

RocketDSD.com

B-M Music & Games

El Cortez Hotel & Casino

Kessenich’s Ltd

S & S Distributing Inc.

Badger Hood Cleaning

Emil’s Pizza Inc.

KevCorp International

Sam’s Amusement Co.

Baraboo Sysco Food Services

Energy Distributing

BarsGuru Enterprises LLC

KLB Insurance ServicesIllinois Casualty

Sam’s Club

Engels Commercial Appliance Inc.

Kobussen Trailways

F.T.S. & Co.

Saratoga Liquor Co. Inc.

Lamers Bus Lines

Fabiano Brothers

Schmidt Novelty

Lebby’s Frozen Pizza

First Data Corporation

Service Specialists

Flanigan Distributing

Lee Beverage Of Wisconsin LLC

Skill Pong LLC

The Benefit Companies Inc.

Fleming’s Fire 1 Inc.

Legacy Advisor Network

Special Olympics Wisconsin Inc.

Best Bargains

Flipside Coin Machines Inc.

LJP Insurance Agency/ Rural Mutual

Stansfield Vending Inc.

Bevinco

Focus on Energy Small Business Program

M & R Amusements & Vending LLC

Stevens Point Brewery

Amusement Devices Inc. B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies

Bay Towel/Linen Rental Bayland Insurance Beechwood Distributors Inc. Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc.

Bi-State Point Of Sale Solutions Big Game Sports Cards/ Sterling Graphics Bill’s Distributing LTD. Blondie Enterprises Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Inc. Bluegrass LED Lighting BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) Bob Schuchardt Insurance Boelter Companies Brat Stop Products LLC Bromak Sales Inc. Capital Brewery Cardtronics USA Cash Depot Central Ceiling Systems Inc. Chambers Travel Coffee Express Inc. Complete Office of Wisconsin Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. Corporate Casuals & Promotional Products County Wide Extinguisher Inc. www.tlw.org

Food Concepts Inc.

Riverside Foods Inc.

Sanimax USA LLC

Star Connection/LodgeVision

Magnuson Industries Inc.

Superior Beverages LLC

Mass Appeal Specialties Inc.

Superior Vending

Meyer Brothers LLC

Tamarak Design’s

Friebert, Finerty & St. John, S.C.

Micro Matic

Think Ink & Design

Midstate Amusement Games

Ticket King Inc.

Game Management Corp.

Midwest Amusements

Tim-Todd Services Inc.

Games Are Us Inc.

Midwest Coin Concepts Of WI

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

General Beer - Northeast Inc.

Milwaukee Brewers

Tri-Mart Corporation

General Beverage Sales Co.

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern LLC

Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty

Glavinsured Agency Inc.

Mitchell Novelty Co.

Unifirst

Great Lakes Amusements Great Lakes Beverage

Modern Cash Register Systems

U.S. Bank Payment Solutions/Elavon

Great Lakes Distillery

Murphy Desmond S.C.

Vern’s Cheese Inc.

Great Northern Amusements

National Chemicals Inc.

Vital Tokens

Guardian Pest Solutions Inc.

Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

Wausau Coin Machines Inc.

Gunderson Linen

New Glarus Brewing Co.

WI Hospitality Insured

Happy Tap

Northern Lakes Amusement

Wil-Kil Pest Control

Health Markets Insurance Agency

Northwest Coin Machine Co.

Wine Institute

Omega Processing Solutions

Heartland Payment Systems

Paradise Printing Company

Wisconsin Environmental Services

Hiawatha Chef, Bar and Janitorial Supply

Park Ridge Distributing Inc.

Foremost Business Systems Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band

Holiday Wholesale Inc. The Hot Dog Daddy

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps

Patron Spirits Company Pehler Distributing Inc. March/April 2015

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New Members TLW New Members October 26, 2014 to February 12, 2015 District 1 Kenosha City 8 Bit GNC Hook LLC Kenosha Mikes Kenosha Downtown Tavern LLC Michael Cholak Kenosha Joey’s on Lathrop Joey Legath Racine Kenosha County J. Croz Bar Joseph D. Donile Twin Lakes Racine City Greg’s Pub on Wisconsin Greg Musack Racine Wilber’s on Old Sheridan Karen Wilbershide Racine Racine County Garys Wind Lake Boathouse Gary Bebler Wind Lake Rock County Grand Avenue Pub Jarred Davis Beloit The Local LLC Michael Dutter Beloit Time Out Pub & Eatery Brian Cherry Janesville Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill Janesville Arben Useni Janesville Buckhorn Supper Club Chico Pope Milton Gophers At The Caddy Shack Mike Burmania Milton Walworth County Frank’s Liquor Frank Lueptow Elkhorn

District 2 Columbia County Northstar Tavern Debra Kuhl Pardeeville

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Pine Trail Golf Course LLC Robert L. Johnson Portage Tolly’s Alley’s Brian R. Tollison Portage Trail’s Lounge Supper Club Manoucher Nadani Portage Dodge County The Hill Kyle Frake Beaver Dam Danny Boy’s Irish Pub LLC Jerry Fleisner Horicon Jefferson County Cornerstone/ Palmyra Bowl Lori Hale Palmyra Iron Horse Saloon Cheryl & Dan St. John Watertown Madison/Dane County Elm Restaurant Group LLC Lucas Henning Madison The East Side Club Jen O’Branovich Monona Waukesha County Bob O’s Shaun Mareska & Robert Sullivan New Berlin

District 3 Crawford County J & J On Main LLC Justina LaLande Gays Mills Dells/Delton Area Dells Distillery Jeff Morris Wisconsin Dells Grant/Iowa County VFW Post 7896 Benton VFW- Benton Benton Cassville BP Joe Kremer Cassville

March/April 2015

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Karen Bast & Jeff Dombeck Fennimore Willow Creek Apiaries LLC Karen Buch Potosi Juneau County The Beer Hunter Holly Pearson & James Pankow Hustler Kozy’s Pizza Cynthia Olson Mauston Country Pines Bar & Grill LLC Shawn & Emily Stelzer Nekoosa La Crosse City/ County Genzie’s Gameday Pub Duane Genz La Crosse Monroe County Peacock’s Hideout Jesse Peacock Cashton Hangout Lalya Noble Sparta Burnstad’s European Cafe Kent Burnstad Tomah Lonestar Bar & Grill LLC Lucas Bender Wilton Sauk County Reedsburg Country Club James G. Naquin Reedsburg The Gym Bar and Grill Travis Zeman Sauk City

District 4 Fond du Lac City/ County Auburn Bluffs Golf Course Boyd A. Stoffel Campbellsport LaClare Farms Gregory Hedrich Malone

Manitowoc County Ashley’s Squirrel Cage Ashley M. Groelle Kellnersville Wisconsin Maritime Museum Rolf Johnson Manitowoc Rock the Mic Bar & Grill Earl Smith Two Rivers Wildcats Longbranch Saloon Lisa Mueller Whitelaw Oshkosh City Revs/Oshkosh Lanes Erik Gialdella Oshkosh Uncle Don’s Tavern Darcy Schraven Oshkosh Trail Inn Ron Fink Waukau Ozaukee County Sir James Pub Jason Rabus Port Washington Sheboygan County Anglers Avenue Paul & Lisa Roberts Sheboygan Game Room Pub Dane Schaefer Sheboygan Vibez Bar Tommy Lloyd Sheboygan Washington County Hank & Hannah’s Thomas Wenzel Hartford Padway’s Restaurant Joe Weinshel & Scott Robbe Hartford The Kountry Klub LLC Keith Breuer, Sr. West Bend

District 5 Adams County Inn of the Pines Kalpesh Patel Friendship Langlade County North Star Lanes Antigo Entertainment Antigo

Marathon County Polack Inn Ryan Shultz Wausau Rib Mountain Bowmen Inc. Tom Bartz Wausau The Speakeasy Brandon Jesse James Weston Marquette County J & J Rivers Bend Resort John L. Ellism Montello Generations Bar & Grill Stacy A. Monfries Oxford Portage County Mr. Brew’s Taphouse Dan Johnson Plover Shawano County Gehm’s Club 117 LLC Jessica Gehm Bonduel Waupaca County Pigeon River Brewing Co Nathan Knaack Marion Waushara County Good Ol Boys Steven Harris Hancock Wood County Lumberyard Bar & Grill Adam Jacobson Marshfield

District 6 Brown County East Town Pub Troy Langer Green Bay Grazies Italian Grill Thomas Valenta Green Bay RJ’s Garage Randy R. DeGreef Green Bay Round Up Heath Hermans Green Bay The Settlement Charles Bouche Green Bay www.tlw.org

New Members Village Green Golf Course Heidi Schuette Green Bay Door County Cornerstone Pub Paul Salm Baileys Harbor Hitching Post Christina Klemm Sturgeon Bay Florence County Saloon No. 2 Mark Kerznar Florence Marinette County Lakeside Bar, Grill & Lodging James & Karen Plosczynski Athelstane Corky’s Susan Peterson Marinette Danno’s Vip Lounge Dan Gokey Marinette Oconto County Sandy Corners Bar & Grill Amanda & Jay Boucher Gillett Steve and Laura’s Little River Inn Laura VanLanen Lena Eagles Nest Bar & Grill Mark Maertz Suring Outagamie County Ambassador Jordan Hereford Appleton Appleton Beer Factory Leah Fogle Appleton Colt’s Timeless Tavern Derek Brown Appleton Emmett’s Bar & Grill Sharon Reader Appleton Fat Sammy’s Samuel Gaines Appleton McGuinness Irish Pub Matt Miller Appleton Osorio’s Latin Fusion LLC Kimberly Finnell Appleton www.tlw.org

Reid Golf Course City of Appleton Jeff Plasschaert Appleton Mill Town Still & Grill Angie & Corey Olson Combined Locks Kaukauna Athletic Club Inc. Mark Nussbaum Kaukauna

District 7 Barron County Almena Vets Club Post 8512 Almena Vets Club Almena Gosnell’s Packer Inn Ann Gosnell Prairie Farm Chippewa County Badger Hole Chuck Bowe Bloomer Clark County Buck’s Dollar Bar Irv Schutte Neillsville Eau Claire City/ County Playmakers Bar & Grill Inna Roth Eau Claire Jackson County Max’s Club 95 Jason & Cathy TePaske Hixton Happy Hollow Roy and Traci Malin Melrose Pierce County Broz Sports Bar & Grill Jason Marks River Falls Maverick’s Corner Saloon Mike Kappers River Falls Polk County Woodhill Bar & Grill Paula Blum Osceola St. Croix County Cottor Green Petro Plus Kathy Cottor & Dave Green Osceola

Float Rite Inc. John Montpetit Somerset Trempealeau/Buffalo County Tater’s Dam View Bar Gregory Stevens Alma Hideout Mary L. Bautch Arcadia The Neighbors Lounge & Lanes Steve Zastrow Cochrane Krazy K’s Saloon & Grill Don & Kelly Kryzer Ettrick Dregney’s Double DZ-2 LLC Missy Dregney Mondovi Local Inn LLC Omar O’Connell Mondovi Nelson Hotel Bar & Grill Betty Schmitt Nelson Hillbilly Fun Grill & Saloon Michael J. Price Pigeon Falls

District 8 Ashland/Bayfield County Little Nikki’s Nicole HudachekKavajecz Cornucopia Burnett County Lumberjack Saloon and Eatery Wayne Swanson Webb Lake Crow Bar Sean Holwell Webster The Shop Bar & Grill Kari Budge Webster Greater Northwoods Carly’s Beer Barrel Carly Lanctoe Hurley Days Inn of Hurley Wisconsin Susan Wolfe Hurley

Harmel’s Bear Den Dennis B. Harmel Hurley Timbers Food & Spirits Shana Duffy Hurley Craig’s Fisher Lake Inn Andrew Craig Mercer Eunica’s Beaver Lodge Terry Maerz Mercer Lakeland Area T. J.’s Butcher Block Tim Krolczyk Minocqua Woodruff Lanes Lyle & Dawnzy Kuhlmann Woodruff Oneida County The Brick Food & Spirits Tracy Harmon Rhinelander Hext Theatre Ion Abrams Rhinelander Pine Harbor Bar & Grill Nancy Lorbetske & Steve Lurvey Rhinelander Twin Pines Cheryl & Jerry Hirman Rhinelander Big Stone Golf Course/Mai Tiki Bar & Grill Justin Millis Three Lakes Price County Timber Breeze Resort Patty Baker Butternut Donnie’s Roadside Bar & Grill Don Carlson Phillips Goebel’s South Fork Pam Goebel Phillips Sawyer County Dow’s Corner Bar Barbara Timme Hayward Franie’s Pizza Jesse Welty Hayward

Superior/Douglas County Smithy’s Supper Club Toni Charboneau Solon Springs Taylor County Medford VFW Post 5729 Bill Vach Medford Bellinger Sportsman’s Bar Brian & Beckie Blecker Thorp Tomahawk/Merrill Area Boss Hog’s Dan Helding Irma Bill’s Bar Bill Naef Merrill Vilas County The Tiny Tap Mark Vanden Boom Eagle River Washburn County Pogo’s Harbor Inn Shellie Ricci & Richie Podgorak Gordon

District 9 Milwaukee County Hospitality Edgewood Golf Course John Big Bend Buck Shots Bar Dave Nunez Milwaukee Wolski’s Tavern Bernard Bondar Milwaukee Knights of Columbus Dan Castle South Milwaukee Wild Card Greg Grabowski South Milwaukee Binary: Games, Food & Spirits Kelly Hansburg West Allis Broken Starr Saloon John Starr West Allis

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Legislative Notes Your 2015-16 State Legislature

By Scott Stenger, Stenger Government Relations

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he 2015-16 Wisconsin Legislative Session has begun, with inaugural ceremonies held on January 5. Gov. Scott Walker and the State’s Constitutional Officers were sworn into office first in a ceremony held in the Capitol rotunda, followed by ceremonies for both the state Senate and state Assembly later in the day in their respective chambers.

Republicans control both houses of the Legislature, with an 18-14 majority in the state Senate (likely to be 19-14 after a pending special election) and a 63-36 majority in the state Assembly.

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) was re-elected as the Senate majority leader, while Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) was re-elected as Assembly speaker.

The legislative Committee structure is now in place, with the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations and the Senate Committee on Education Reform and Government Operations being the primary Committees for legislation related to the hospitality industry. Former TLW President and State Rep. Rob Swearingen has been named the Chairman of the Assembly Committee, while Sen. Paul Farrow is the Chairman of the Senate Committee.

Members of the Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations include: Rep. Swearingen (Chair) – Republican from Rhindelander Rep. Craig (Vice-Chair) – Republican from Big Bend Rep. Jagler – Republican from Watertown Rep. Brandtjen – Republican from Menomonee Falls Rep. Kleefisch – Republican from Oconomowoc Rep. Gannon – Republican from Slinger Rep. Ripp – Republican from Lodi Rep. Kulp – Republican from Stratford Rep. Tauchen – Republican from Bonduel Rep. Vorpagel – Republican from Plymouth Rep. Zamarripa – Democrat from Milwaukee Rep. Sinicki – Democrat from Milwaukee Rep. Kahl – Democrat from Monona Rep. Ohnstad – Democrat from Kenosha Rep. Brostoff – Democrat from Milwaukee

Members of the Senate Committee on Education Reform and Government Operations include: Sen.Farrow (Chair) – Republican from Pewaukee Sen. Harsdorf (Vice-Chair) – Republican from River Falls Sen. Nass – Republican from Whitewater Sen. Harris Dodd – Democrat from Milwaukee Sen. Vinehout – Democrat from Alma

New Members of the 2015-16 Legislature There is a large freshman class for the 2015-16 session with 32 new representatives and senators.

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New members of the 2015-16 legislature: Senate Republicans • Roger Roth (19th SD, Appleton) Owner of a construction business.

• Howard Marklein (17th SD, Spring Green) Certified public accountant.

• Devin LeMahieu (9th SD, Oostburg) Owns the Lakeshore Weekly, Sheboygan County Board Supervisor.

• Van Wanggaard (21st SD, Racine) State Sen. from 20112012, previously Racine Police Department investigator.

• Steve Nass (11th SD, Whitewater) Served in the Assembly since 1990, veteran.

Senate Democrats • Janis Ringhand (15th SD, Evansville) Served in the Assembly since 2010, former Mayor of Evansville.

• Janet Bewley (25th SD, Ashland) Served in the Assembly since 2010, former WHEDA senior community development officer.

Assembly Republicans • Joel Kitchens (1st AD, Sturgeon Bay) President of Sturgeon Bay School Board, large-animal veterinarian.

• David Steffen (4th AD, Howard) Brown County Board Supervisor; director of operations, Taxpayers Network Inc. • Janel Brandtjen (22nd AD, Menonomee Falls) Owns an advertising agency.

• Terry Katsma (26th AD, Oostburg) 34 years in the financial industry, village trustee in Oostburg.

• Tyler Vorpagel (27th SD, Plymouth) Worked in Congressman Tom Petri’s office for 7 years. www.tlw.org

• Adam Jarchow (28th AD, St. Croix Falls) Attorney, member of Apple River Fire Department.

• Cody Horlacher (33rd AD, Mukwonago) Former chairman of Walworth County Republican Party.

• Todd Novak (51st AD, Dodgeville) Mayor of Dodgeville, government and associate editor of The Dodgeville Chronicle.

• Mike Rohrkaste (55th AD, Neenah) Recently retired as the chief human resources officer for Oshkosh Corporation.

• Bob Gannon (58th AD, West Bend) Co-owner, AmericInn Hotel in West Bend.

• Jesse Kremer (59th AD, Kewaskum) Flight operations specialist for the US Army.

• Robert Brooks (60th AD, Saukville) Founded a real estate brokerage and management company, Chairman of Ozaukee County Board, 2004-2013.

• Nancy VanderMeer (70th AD, Sparta) runs the VanderMeer Motor Company.

• Romaine Quinn (75th AD, Rice Lake) Salesman for Viking Coca Cola.

• Dave Heaton (85th AD, Wausau) Reinsurance consultant, former prosecutor for Cook County, Illinois.

• James Edming (87th AD, Glen Flora) Owner and operator of Edming Oil Company, Jimmy Boy Pizza and Ovenworks Pizza companies.

• John Macco (88th AD, Green Bay) Founder of Macco’s Floor Cover Centers Inc., president of Macco Financial Group, Inc.

• Scott Allen (97th AD, Waukesha) Works in real estate, worked on the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission.

Assembly Democrats • David Bowen (10th AD, Milwaukee) 10th District Supervisor for the Milwaukee County Board, trainer for intergenerational community improvement.

• Jonathon Brostoff (19th AD, Milwaukee) previously served as director of State Sen. Chris Larson’s Milwaukee district office.

• Mark Spreitzer (45th AD, Beloit) President of the Beloit City Council, assistant director of Alumni & Parent Relations – Beloit College.

• Amanda Stuck (57th AD, Appleton) Works for Appleton Housing Authority.

• Beth Meyers (74th AD, Bayfield) Executive director for CORE Community Resources, elected to the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors in April 2010.

• Lisa Subeck (78th AD, Madison) Executive director of United Wisconsin, member of Madison City Council since 2011.

• Dave Considine (81st AD, Portage) Twenty-nine years as a middle school teacher for Baraboo School District.

To find whether your State Legislators have changed, please view the interactive map on the State Legislature’s website: maps.legis.wisconsin.gov.

Have you found us on Facebook yet?

Search for: Tavern League of Wisconsin and become a fan! www.tlw.org

For more information call 800-348-2976 or visit us online at MTIproducts.com • AutoFry.com • MultiChef.com Your Source for Ventless Kitchen Solutions

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Accounting Help Retirement Plans for Small Businesses

By Michelle Eno, CPA

The requirements for 401(k) plans are complicated, and several tests must be met for the plan to remain in force.

T

here are several types of retirement plans to choose from, and each type of plan has advantages and disadvantages. Listed below are the most popular plans and the rules that apply for 2015.

Profit-sharing plans allow you, the employer, to make contributions that are spread among plan participants. You are not required to make annual contributions.

A separate account is established for each plan participant, and contributions are allocated to each based on the plan’s formula. Each participant’s account must also be credited with his or her share of investment income or loss.

There are limitations on the amount that you can contribute to each participant.

Contributions cannot exceed the lesser of 100 percent of earnings for that year or $53,000. Your total deductible contributions to a profit-sharing plan cannot exceed 25 percent of total compensation of all the plan participants in that year. When calculating this deduction, include compensation of no more than $265,000 for each employee.

A 401(k) plan is a deferred compensation plan that is funded by the participants rather than by the employer. These plans can be expensive to administer, and employers may offer to match employee deferrals as an incentive for employees to participate.

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However, if you adopt a “safe harbor” 401(k) plan, discrimination testing is not required. This requires you to either match contributions (100 percent of the first 3 percent of compensation, and 50 percent of contributions between 3 and 5 percent of compensation), or make a fixed contribution of 3 percent of compensation for all eligible employees, regardless of whether they contribute to the plan. Your contributions are fully vested immediately.

You can also avoid discrimination testing by adopting a qualified automatic contribution arrangement (QACA). Under a QACA, any employee who fails to make a deferral election is automatically enrolled in the plan with automatic contributions of at least 3 percent for the first two years of participation and then increase 1 percent each year until it reaches 6 percent. Employees can change their contribution rate at any time. As with safe harbor plans, employers are required to make a contribution; either 3 percent of pay to each eligible employee, or a matching contribution up to 1 percent of pay, and 50 percent on additional contributions up to 6 percent of pay. You can require two years of service before your contributions vest (compared to immediate vesting in a safe harbor plan).

If you (and spouse) are your only employee(s), than a “solo” 401(k) plan is an option. Because you have no other employees, discrimination testing is not required. You can make pretax contributions of up to $18,000, plus “catchup” contributions if you’re 50 or older.

You can also make profit-sharing contributions; however, total annual additions

to your account can’t exceed $53,000 (plus “catch-up” if 50 or older).

The SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRA plan allows employees to defer up to $12,500 ($15,500 for employees 50 and older) of annual compensation. Employers are required to match deferrals, up to 3 percent of the contributing employee’s wages or a fixed contribution of 2 percent to the accounts of all employees whether or not they contribute to the plan.

SIMPLE plans work much like 401(k) plans, for employers with 100 employees or less, without all the testing requirements. This makes them cheaper to maintain. However, one drawback is that contributions are immediately vested, meaning any money contributed by the employer immediately belongs to the employee.

FINDING THE RIGHT PLAN: Because the rules regarding employer-sponsored retirement plans are so complex and easy to misinterpret, you should consult a plan professional to help you determine what works best for you and your business. TLW Michelle (Shelly) Eno is Tax & Business Services Department Manager with Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants with offices in Madison, Baraboo, Janesville and Pewaukee. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of the subject matter. You can contact Michelle at 608-442-1951 or michelle. eno@wegnercpas.com

www.tlw.org

Local League Updates Past TLW Presidents gather

SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP Platinum Club Members Outagamie County Tavern League In December 2014, past TLW presidents gathered at Bay Rest Resort in Adams County. Shown left to right: Bill Hunter, Bob (Bubba) Sprenger, Rob Swearingen, Pete Madland and Jerry Hinderman. Tom Dorsey, 5th district director and owner of the resort says the group visited other member establishments in Adams County, including Carlson’s Rustic Ridge Supper Club where they had dinner. While visiting his resort, Dorsey says, “there was a lot of discussion of their experiences with ABI, ABL and in Madison.”

He enthusiastically adds, “They are still fighting for our businesses.”

Camaraderie at Fall Convention

Oshkosh City Tavern League Portage County Tavern League Waushara County Tavern League TLW 3rd District TLW 5th District

Gold Club Members Dodge County Tavern League Door County Tavern League Manitowoc County Tavern League TLW 8th District Director Erin Farrar joins Earl Paul and Wally Kriesant directors of the Tomahawk/ Merrill League for drinks and conversation during last fall’s TLW convention at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

Oconto County TLW Donates to Canine Unit

The Oconto County Tavern League presented its annual donation of $1,500 to the county’s canine unit at the league’s Christmas party held at Silver Rail Bar. From left: Deputy Todd Skarban and his dog Dexter, Oconto County Tavern League President Dave VanLanen and Sheriff Mike Jansen. Through the matching funds program, the TLW donated another $1,500 to the Oconto County Canine Unit.

Want to See Your Local League Featured in On Premise?

Send your photos and a brief description to: Pete Madland, petem@tlw.org; Chris Marsicano, c.marsicano@yahoo.com or Barb Howell, bhowell@ntmediagroup.com www.tlw.org

Oconto County Tavern League

Silver Club Member Repp’s Bar

Annual Membership Levels Platinum $1,000 Annual Membership Level Gold $500 Annual Membership Level Silver $250 Annual Membership Level For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at 800-445-9221

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Advertiser Index Promotional Products

1000’s of items for your advertising Pens • Calendars • aPParel • Bar Tokens

Many American Made Products Affiliated Investment Group Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 B & K Bar Supplies www.bandkbarsupplies.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Brakebush Brothers www.brakebush.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. www.cornerstoneps.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Disher Insurance Services www.disherinsurance.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Edge One www.edgeone.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Emil’s Pizza www.emilspizza.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Engels Commercial Appliance www.engelsinc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Grand Geneva Resort & Spa www.grandgeneva.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Great Lakes Amusement www.glastore.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Great Lakes Distillery www.greatlakesdistillery.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Jim’s Specialties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kessenichs LTD. www.kessenichs.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Newton Mfg. Rep. - Jim Flynn Janesville 608-758-3470 or Cell 608-201-2055 Email: jimsspecialties@yahoo.com Website: www.newtonmfg.com/jimflynn

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

Pulltab ProMotionS

Great Profits Employee Incentive Program Used Pulltab Machines Available More Info: 414-217-1731 wbohrer@wi.rr.com www.wimilkcaps.com

Great Lakes Amusement Cherry Master - Video Poker Pull tab disPensers Coin Pushers - rePlaCeMent Parts

PLAtinum touch 3 34 GAmes in one cAbinet Affiliate tavern League member Green Bay, WI 877-354-7544 www.GlaStore.com

KLB Insurance www.klbins.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Kobussen Buses LTD. www.kobussen.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Lamers Bus Lines Inc. www.golamers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Magnuson Industries Inc. www.posi-pour.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Advertise in

On Premise the official publication

Mass Appeal Inc. www.massappealinc.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

of the Tavern League of

MillerCoors www.millercoors.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Wisconsin

Modern Cash Register System www.moderncashregister.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Motion Technology Inc. www.mtiproducts.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Precision Pour www.precisionpours.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Reinhart Food Service www.rfsdelivers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Riverside Foods www.riversidefoods.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Society Insurance www.societyinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 WAMO www.wamo.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Wisconsin Souvenir Milk Caps www.wimilkcaps.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 46

Contact:

Louise Andraski, Account Executive louisea@merr.com Direct: 608-873-8734 Fax: 262-245-2000 NEI-TURNER MEDIA GROUP

Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR OF THE

MILWAUKEE BREWERS®

©2015 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI

Av. analysis (12 fl oz): 96 cals, 3.2g carbs, ‹1g protein, 0.0g fat