Affecting Change: 2022 TLW Legislative Day

Affecting Change:

2022 TLW Legislative Day

Photos Courtesy of Holly Leitner

On February 15, 2022, the TLW held another successful Legislative Day in Madison. The 2022 event marked the 37th year the TLW gathered to learn about legislative issues facing our industry. Though it has been two years since the last Legislative Day, the turnout was commendable, and the TLW was able to communicate our issues and concerns while both the Assembly and Senate were in session.

This event offered the opportunity for TLW members to participate in a truly grassroots lobbying effort. As always, this was an important day for the association, giving us the opportunity to display our strength and commitment to our industry. The TLW will announce the date for the 2023 Legislative Day in late 2022. Watch for it and plan to join us! In the meantime, visit tlw.org/legislative-day for more information.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES

WHAT WE’VE DONE AND WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned its 2021-22 legislative session. The Legislature operates on a two-year cycle, beginning in the January of odd-numbered years. The first six months are primarily dedicated to working on the biennial budget and then the focus shifts to standalone legislation. With the Legislature’s adjournment, members now focus on running for reelection, as all 99 members of the state Assembly are up, as well as half of the state Senators.

2021-22 Legislative Session Review

PASSED

• Cocktails to Go • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) state tax exemption • Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) state tax exemption “The 2023 session will have at least 29 new members — the most since 1942. Nearly 25% of the 2023 Legislature will be new faces. That will require a lot of work by our members to provide information on the issues we care about and how they impact the hospitality industry in Wisconsin.”

APPROVED (by the Department of Revenue or DOR) • Return of beer during the pandemic

KILLED

• Retail craft expansion • Alcohol delivery • Elimination of tipped wage • Expanded enforcement of the DOR • All-terrain vehicle/snowmobile operating while intoxicated charges for drivers We’ll start working on several issues before the next Legislature convenes in January. Other issues will likely come up over the next few months, but the following are left over from the previous session, and we will work on these and others in 2023.

2022-23 Issues of Focus

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• Nonexclusive wholesaler territories • Tax credits for advertising • Exemption of state taxes from credit card fees • Chapter 125 enforcement of alcohol beverages • Private event venues Every session presents new challenges and new legislators. The 2023 session will have at least 29 new members — the most since 1942. Nearly 25% of the 2023 Legislature will be new faces. That will require a lot of work by our members to provide information on the issues we care about and how they impact the hospitality industry in Wisconsin.

To learn more about these and other legislative issues, please visit the Wisconsin State Legislature website at legis.wisconsin.gov. There is a wealth of information — from finding out your state legislators to a listing of all legislation introduced in the 2022 legislative session — on this easy-tonavigate website. You can also find contact information for your legislators, so you can call or email them about issues of concern to you and your business. It is a terrific website and it brings state government right to you! TLW

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ABL DISPATCH — THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

BY JOHN BODNOVICH, ABL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ABL Lobbies Senate to Follow House’s Lead on Passage of RRF Funding

On April 7, by a vote of 223-203, the House of Representatives passed the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022. The bill would provide $55 billion in additional funding for businesses struggling to recover from the pandemic, $42 billion of which would go to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The bill had bipartisan support with 19 Republican cosponsors and included language that would prevent any business with “a wage violation at the time of application” from receiving funds.

Focus now shifts to the Senate where a standalone bill would require 60 votes for cloture. Sens. Ben Cardin and Roger Wicker introduced the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 on April 7. This bill is very similar, but not identical, to the House bill as it would allocate $40 billion to replenish the RRF as opposed to the House bill’s $42 billion. As reported by Bloomberg Government, to offset the measures’ costs, “the Senate measure would directly rescind a combined $4.89 billion in unspent funds from the Paycheck Protection Program. The House bill, by contrast, relies on seizing or recovering funds from a number of pandemic-related small business programs, including through fraud investigations.”

American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is engaging with members of both parties to support this legislation. Bill supporters face the challenge of getting at least 10 Republican senators (if all 50 Democratic senators support the bill) to reach the 60-vote threshold. Potential affirmative votes include senators from states with House delegations that largely supported the House bill, as well as those Republican senators who supported previous legislation to help the hospitality industry with COVID-19 (e.g., the Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive or RESTAURANTS Act of 2020; the RESTAURANTS Act of 2021; the RRF Replenishment Act; the Continuing Emergency Support for Restaurants Act, etc.). Stay tuned for more updates and grassroots advocacy information.

ABL Provides Impaired-Driving Policy Report

At the recent TLW Spring Conference & Trade Show in La Crosse, I presented an update on ABL and alcohol industry issues. I focused on ABL’s longstanding work on drunk driving and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) policy issues, as well as the association’s ongoing efforts over the past two years to secure federal government relief for TLW members who were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Considering the passage of federal legislation in 2021 requiring automakers to include impaired-driving technology in future vehicles, as well as events leading to a renewed conversation about 0.05% BAC initiatives, ABL put together a report on impaired-driving policy that reviewed and discussed past, present and future initiatives by ABL and its members to shape impaired-driving policy and regulations. The report was printed and distributed to all conference attendees.

To date, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to move forward with advanced impaired-driving technology rulemaking for new vehicles. ABL will engage with the Department of Transportation and NHTSA through the formal rulemaking process. Any technology that is required for new vehicles should not function as a deterrent to sensible adults who wish to responsibly enjoy their favorite beer, wine or cocktail at their local bar, restaurant or neighbor’s home. As the legislation recognizes, and the technology must reflect, 0.08% BAC is the legal limit for alcohol impairment. This is also an opportunity for ABL to rally its members, industry partners and the public to share their views on how the law should be implemented.

ABL Holds First In-Person Board Meeting Since Pandemic; Five TLW Leaders Participate

On April 25 and 26, the ABL Board of Directors met in person for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting in Chicago brought together bar, tavern and package store owners from across the country to discuss ABL business, policy positions, and other initiatives to promote and defend beverage licensees.

The TLW delegation was robust, and included TLW President Keith Kern; TLW Immediate Past President Chris Marsicano; TLW Past President Terry Harvath; TLW Managing Director Karie Krantz; and TLW Outreach Director Pete Madland. Marsicano and Harvath serve on the ABL Executive Committee as vice president and at-large representatives, respectively, while Madland co-chairs the ABL Communications and Membership Committee.

Board members discussed current policy issues, including impaired driving and 0.05% BAC; federal relief legislation for COVID-19-affected businesses; and small business issues that affect beverage retailers and the state of competition in the industry. They also heard from executives in the brewing and beer distribution tiers as guest speakers.

The next ABL Board of Directors meeting will be held on July 10 as part of the ABL Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Updated ABL Economic Report a Valuable TLW Asset

Earlier this spring, the Economic Impact Study of America’s Beer, Wine & Spirits Retailers report was updated to provide an in-depth look at the important role that beverage licensees play by creating more than 1.74 million jobs from direct retail alcohol sales; paying more than $48.9 billion in local, state and federal taxes; paying over $55 billion in direct wages; and creating $131 billion in direct economic impact. The report was authored by John Dunham & Associates, a well-respected and independent economics firm that drew on multiple data sources to create the report.

In Wisconsin, on-premise businesses that sell alcohol create more than 120,000 jobs that pay over $2.6 billion in wages, generate $7.1 billion in economic impact and contribute nearly $947 million in state taxes. The report is interactive and can be accessed on the ABL website at ablusa. org/members-only/economicimpact. As a benefit of ABL membership, TLW members can access and use the individualized economic reports for each Wisconsin state Senate and Assembly district when talking with state legislators and decisionmakers about the importance of the tavern industry in Wisconsin. Contact the TLW office for the password to access the reports.

ABL Annual Meeting Registration Open

Registration has opened for the ABL Annual Meeting that will be held in New Orleans July 10 and 11, 2022. TLW members are encouraged to register and make their hotel reservations now to join fellow licensees in “Celebrating 20 Years” of ABL, which was created in 2002 to unify and represent independent beer, wine and spirits retailers.

The ABL Annual Meeting program will examine key issues facing independent beverage retailers, including short-term and longlasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the retail alcohol market; competition issues within the alcohol industry; legal, regulatory and legislative developments in Congress and the states; and a host of other important topics that are shaping the beverage alcohol marketplace.

Meeting attendees will be able to bring insights and information back to their states and businesses to help them build on their success. Visit bit.ly/38vTi1u to register. TLW

ABL is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. ABL represents the TLW 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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LEAGUE PROFILE

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

The Sheboygan County Tavern League’s leadership is on a mission to highlight its value to local members, businesses and the community. “We’re looking to deepen our involvement in our community and with our members,” says Ron Ranieri, treasurer of the Sheboygan County Tavern League and owner of Ranieri’s Four of a Kind in Sheboygan. “It’s an important thing we are pushing. Without that happening, we don’t have a voice.”

The Local League’s Annual Spring Banquet on May 9 at Town & Country Golf Course in Sheboygan was an opportunity for leadership to share that message. State and local government officials attended the sit-down event, along with state TLW representatives, and Sheboygan County Tavern League members and their guests. “It’s an event with food and fellowship,” says Ranieri. “But it’s also a chance to share our accomplishments, which reflect the value we bring.”

One accomplishment is the effort to remove illegal slot machines from local businesses that don’t hold the correct licenses. Dave Repinski, president of the Sheboygan County Tavern League and owner of Dave’s Who’s Inn in Sheboygan, has been leading this charge. Ranieri explains that slot machines have been appearing in more businesses recently, but they are technically only permitted in establishments with Class B licenses, such as taverns. The league has been working with local law enforcement to remove these machines from unlicensed facilities.

“That law was established for taverns and these illegal machines are cutting into our revenue,” says Ranieri. “And because they aren’t operating under the same guidelines and laws that the taverns are, they don’t do the work to monitor them or know how to monitor them. In some places, like filling stations, anyone at any age can come in and use those machines — they could be letting kids gamble! It goes against all the things the law was created for and, when you look at it from that standpoint, we’re helping keep people safe and in accordance with the law.” Another accomplishment of the Sheboygan County Tavern League is its work with the Tavern Safety Coalition. Formed about a decade ago, this local committee includes business owners, city personnel and citizens involved in “policing their own businesses,” says Ranieri. More specifically, the committee seeks to reduce issues in their businesses by reviewing local incidents of physical damage, disorderly conduct, fighting and the like. Members then decide whether the perpetrators of these incidents should be allowed back into local businesses or banned for a period of time.

“It sends the message that we don’t want problems and poor behavior is unacceptable. It’s working. The police support us and we’re making our city a better, safer environment,” says Ranieri. He adds that the message has gotten out and the numbers have shifted dramatically from eight to 10 individuals coming before the committee each month to now just one or two.

Sharing the Sheboygan County Tavern League’s story isn’t the only work local leaders are doing. They are also looking at ways to further benefit members and extend their mission. For instance, they are currently surveying members to gauge interest in donating to political campaigns, endorsing local races and sponsoring the 2023 State Golf Outing for the Wisconsin Tavern League Foundation. (Sheboygan County is home to world-class golf courses.)

The League is also looking to start a membership committee. “We are looking at ways to get members more involved with the Local League,” explains Ranieri, who has been involved with Sheboygan County Tavern League for about seven years. “I first got involved because I knew all the things Tavern League was doing at the state level and what an important lobbying force it is for us. But as I got more involved in the community and local league, I saw all the support and information it provides here as well. Local leagues are valuable resources and we need to get that word out.” TLW

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT

U.S. BANK PAYMENT SOLUTIONS - ELAVON

From credit card acceptance to credit lines, business checking and more, TLW corporate sponsor U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon helps members grow their businesses and keep their financial houses in check.

“Whatever payment solution you’re looking for, we have you covered,” says Brian Leonard, senior sales director, U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon. “We provide comprehensive credit card acceptance, various point-of-sale (POS) solutions and fullscale banking. Whether you’re working with a reseller, leveraging our own products or integrating with a third party, we work with you to complete a full discovery and needs analysis to learn how you accept payments to run your business. Then we tie those all together for you to provide a full range of options from the deposit, reporting, accountability and visibility perspective.”

In addition to merchant services, as a full-service financial institution, the company offers a variety of other options for businesses, including credit cards, loans, lines of credit, checking, savings, payroll, investments, equipment financing and so much more. “We have many other capabilities and we want to help you in any capacity we can,” explains Leonard.

U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon processes over 6.6 billion transactions globally, worth more than $490 billion every year. In business for more than 30 years, Elavon has helped more than 2 million customers worldwide grow their businesses through payments. While those customers include some of the world’s most notable brands, the company’s core audience is small to medium-sized businesses, including TLW members.

As a corporate sponsor for the TLW, U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon is dedicated to being the best partner possible. For instance, when a TLW member signs on as a new customer, the company pays a portion of the revenue from that business back to that tavern’s county and state League.

TLW members also receive extra perks through the company’s Encore program for customers with both a merchant account and a business credit card. “We give consistent, competitive cost savings and transaction pricing,” says Leonard. “We know the bar and restaurant business and, as a committed sponsor, we want to work with you to support your business.”

Customers are also not locked in with termination penalties. “We want to have you around for a long period of time, but don’t lock you in,” Leonard emphasizes. Another benefit of working with U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon is its newest offering called Everyday Funding, which funds customer accounts seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Leonard explains that credit card payments made on Saturdays or Sundays traditionally don’t transfer to a customer’s account for a few days. With Everyday Funding, once you run a settlement — whether it’s 5 p.m. on Tuesday or 2 a.m. on Saturday — those transactions are sent through the system and deposited into the business’ account.

“It dramatically speeds up that funding, making those deposits available for customers to put back into their business,” says Leonard.

Another service of interest for TLW members is surcharging, which is an extra fee a merchant charges customers to cover the cost of accepting payment. “Surcharging was the No. 1 thing that people wanted to talk about at the booth at the Spring Conference,” says Leonard. “It’s a good option as businesses look at additional ways to cut costs. And because it’s become more popular and widely accepted, consumers are more readily willing to pay a surcharge and do the right thing to help a small business out.”

According to Leonard, what sets U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon apart is its dedication to customers. “The customer is really at the center of all we do,” says Leonard. “We have leadership around the state and, as a customer, you have a dedicated account manager — a real human being — to provide you with the service you need. We know how important it is to have someone who knows the specifics of your account. This is a big advantage we offer.”

U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Elavon has been a corporate sponsor since 2019, but has been a member of the TLW for almost 10 years. “We are proud to be the preferred provider for the TLW,” says Leonard. “We have several hundred members signed up across the state, and bring unmatched expertise in the bar and restaurant industry. We look forward to serving members now and into the future.” TLW

NEW MEMBERS

As of April 25, 2022

STATE ONLY

Stenger Government Relations Scott Stenger Madison Tavern League of Wisconsin Nathan Florek Middleton DISTRICT 1

Kenosha City

Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14 Robert Nelson II Pleasant Prairie Local Folks Restaurant & Pub Jennifer Collison Burlington Main Street Tap Dawn Ornberg Twin Lakes

Kenosha County

Broken Spoke Tavern & Eatery Aaron Aggerwal Genoa City Clay’s Tap Shirley Willie Kenosha Honeydripperz Pub Vincent Mosca New Munster Whiskey Hill Tavern Brian Boeckenstedt New Munster

Racine City

Dunk’s Public House John Dunk Racine River City Lanes/ Bruno’s Restaurant Chuck Torosian Waterford

Racine County

Aman’s Beer Store + Wine Aman Singh Wind Lake Baggers Roadhouse Jason Strebe Kansasville Dunk’s Public House John Dunk Racine McDonald’s Mimi Schmitz Hinsdale

Walworth County

Semper Fi Saloon Jerud Sagorac Cudahy DISTRICT 2

Dodge County

Chef Chanse Chanse Schomber Juneau Copper Tap Chris Merkes Fox Lake Mojoz Saloon Sheila Olson Montello Spirits on State St. Kurt Harmsen Fox Lake

Madison/Dane County

Anchor Club II Stacey Hardy Brooklyn Forward Craft & Coffee Dan Podell Madison Red Rooster Jesse Steinberg Madison

Waukesha County

Boozhags’s Clubhouse Phil Zagrodnik Hartland DISTRICT 3

Crawford County

McCormicks Bar & Grill Terri McCormick Gays Mills

Grant/Iowa County

Crossroads Supper Club & Banquet Hall Nicole Vosberg Platteville

Juneau County

Command Post Saloon Michelle DeVito Camp Douglas Eagle Eye Bar and Grill Vince Sinkule Elroy Famous Garage Bar Sean Snyder Lyndon Station R&S Spirits & Lounge Richelle Freng New Lisbon The Reel RV Campground Resort Michele Baumel Oak Creek

La Crosse City/ County

4 Sisters La Crosse La Crosse Bierhaus and Legends Will Jedlicka La Crosse

Monroe County

The Greens Sadie Brooks Sparta DISTRICT 4

Fond du Lac County

Third and One Brant Bornemann Fond du Lac

Manitowoc County

DJ’s Tavern Eric Mueller Saint Nazianz Tipsy Tomato Jodi Bessler Manitowoc

Oshkosh City/ Winnebago County

OshkoshBars.com Barry LaVaque Oshkosh

Ozaukee County

Plier’s Full Circle Rich Plier Port Washington

Sheboygan County

Bummy’s Shawn Baumhardt Howards Grove North Star Bar Curt Semph Sheboygan Time & a Half Dayton Schnuelle Sheboygan

Washington County

Dude’s Clubhouse Steven Dobbs Hartford DISTRICT 5

Adams County

Adams SafeRide Coordinator Barbara Robbins Arkdale Backwaters Bar and Grill Jennie Kotula Rhinelander Chico’s Restaurant Heidi Edelburg Wausau Jam-Rock Recordo Neil Green Bay North Pole Saloon Eva Bruce Hurley Ponderosa Pines Pub Eatery and Campground Sandra Bula Bancroft Richard’s Bar and BBQ Richard Smetana Racine The Rustic Buck Bar and Grill Brittany Delaney Pittsville Trail’s End Saloon Jennifer Wentland Goodman

Green Lake Area

Rose’s Lakeside Pub Jeffrey Rose Markesan

Langlade County

Animal’s Bear Trail Mike Richling Mountain

Marathon County

Holiday Inn Rothschild/Cedar Creek Grill House Rob Meyer Rothschild

Portage County

Jordan Bar and Grill Connor Donlan Stevens Point Rock N Roll Bar N Grill Jose Perez Stevens Point

Waupaca County

Philigan’s Island Phil Heimbruch New London The Pub Tim Wantu Waupaca Rustic Woods Campground Deb Hughes Waupaca

Wood County

Viaduct Bar and Grill John Barwick Marshfield Wurk Bar Alan Worzella Stevens Point DISTRICT 6

Brown County

Drink Ricardo Peguero Green Bay The Marq Mike Grahek De Pere

Door County

Idlewild Fishing Hole Brian Wills Sturgeon Bay

Marinette County

The Rustic Edward Farrell Silver Cliff

Oconto County

Bailey’s Pour Haus Lakewood The Corner Pocket Joe and Kaitlin Robles Oconto Falls Randy’s Place Bar & Bowl Theodore Streit Suring

Outagamie County

Cruz Inn Inc. Tamarah Jahnke New London DISTRICT 7

Barron County

American Legion Post 98 Kenneth Bowen Cumberland Whiskey Way Travis Turner Chetek Z Bar Dakota Zarecki Cameron

Chippewa County

Leinie Lodge Lindsey Everson Chippewa Falls Maple Hill Tavern Crystal Maier Boyd

Clark County

Eagles Club 624 Pam Messman Voelker Marshfield Neillsville Country Club Janine Bethea Neillsville The Wasted Grain William Riedel Thorp

NEW MEMBERS

NEW AFFLILATE MEMBERS

Eau Claire City/ County

4 Mile Restaurant & Bar Andrew Berres Eau Claire Hangar 54 Grill Ryan Anderson Eau Claire Princeton Valley Golf Course Joshua Walberg Eau Claire Valley Burger Company Ryan McKone Eau Claire

Jackson County

Rozario’s Pizza Nicholas Respicio Black River Falls

Pierce County

Beav’s Susan Trotterchaud Arkansaw

Polk County

The Barred Owl Elizabeth Paquette Balsam Lake Felicia’s Northern Bar Felicia Lane Luck The Mix Up Liz Sieben Amery Raising the Bar Sports Pub Bobbi Bade Houlton

St. Croix County

517 on Main Diana Gulden Hudson Wingin’ It Bar & Grill Tracie Stammer Helenville

Trempealeau/ Buffalo County

Detox Bar & Grill Donald Sylla Arcadia DISTRICT 8

Ashland/Bayfield County

The Cranberry Over Superior Lacey Lueth Herbster Dead Squirrel Bar and Grill Mark Eder Glidden Elkhorn Lodge Sherri Koosmann Clam Lake The Local Bar and Grille Mike Skinnes Ashland Patsy’s Bar & Grill Robert Stadler Ashland

Burnett County

Emily’s Luncheon Beatrice Erickson Webster

Lincoln County

Gordo’s Garage Motel & Bar Gordon Radloff Tomahawk Maple Bear Campground Thalia Kloehn Tomahawk

Oneida County

The Supply Station Daniel Stehl Rhinelander

Price County

Outpost Bar and Grill Lisa Zarza Lakeville

Superior/Douglas County

Halfway Bar & Grill Jennifer Knutson Gordon

Taylor County

Bottoms Up Bar and Grill Len Schmuckal Sheldon Longshot at Miller Dam Gina Timm Lublin The Wasted Grain William Riedel Thorp

Vilas County

Alpine Resort of Presque Isle Kim Bowler Presque Isle Chef Rene’s at the Inn Rene Ayuazzadeh Eagle River

Washburn County

Kincaid’s Country Inn Christian Kincaid Rice Lake DISTRICT 9

Milwaukee County

Bad Moon Saloon Chris Graves Milwaukee CRG Investments Kathy Goedde Menomonee Falls Mojo MKE Todd Wargula Milwaukee The Pressroom MKE Robert Holmes III Milwaukee Root River Center Tammy Bresette Franklin

As of April 25, 2022

CarePlus Dental Plans Paul McDonnell Milwaukee, WI • (414) 202-2723 pmcdonnell@careplusdentalplans.com careplusdentalplans.com

Carriveau Insurance Agency Mike Biundo Crivitz, WI • (715) 854-7711 agency@carriveauinsurance.com carriveau.com

Cozzie’s Tavern and Grill Chris Cosgrove Stillwater, MN • (941) 330-5964 cchriscoz@gmail.com cozziestavern.com

Gilbert Brown Foundation Lori Severson Ettrick, WI • (608) 525-2326 lori@seversonandassociates.com gilbertbrownfoundation.org

JJ’s Bottleroom Jordan La Chance Kaukauna, WI • (920) 462-4187 luckyladsllc@gmail.com

On the Hill Bar Joshua Gibson Mosinee, WI • (715) 370-9442 onthehillbar@gmail.com

Score No Score Erik Little Austin, TX • (512) 771-9705 erikhlittle@scorenoscore.com scorenoscore.com

Toast Inc. Tony Robertson Boston, MA • (414) 677-0680 tony.robertson@toasttab.com pos.toasttab.com

TRNXN Company Paul Hadfield Newport Beach, CA • (866) 855-1171 trnxn.com

INDUSTRY TRENDS

First Ready-to-Drink Absinthe Seltzer

Absinthe is an herbaceous elixir with a long tradition of lore intertwining the romance of the spirit, and its use by artists, writers and bohemians throughout the centuries. Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor living in Switzerland, created absinthe in the 1790s with the intent for it to be used as an alcohol-based elixir distilled from the bitter-tasting herb Artemisia absinthium or wormwood.

Hundreds of years later, Oldknow Bev Co. released its own interpretation of fairy water with the first absinthe-based seltzer in the United States. The spirited seltzer distillery makes its Verte Absinthe Spirited Seltzer from a combination of crisp mountain water, all-natural spirits and fresh herbs.

Owners Mary Catherine Matheny and Ryan Warner Wood have been creating cocktails for 10 years. “We wanted to create something magical that highlights the notes and nuances of anise and fennel,” according to Wood. Founded in 2021 in Georgia, Oldknow Bev Co. also produces vodka and gin seltzers.

Digital Ordering Keeps Bar Businesses Buzzing

BEES is a new digital ordering platform that connects you and your Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in new ways. You can browse your wholesalers’ catalogs to see all of their available products, including your favorite beer brands, with real-time pricing and discounts. With the app, you can submit orders around the clock, on your time, and schedule delivery dates at your convenience. As a bar owner, you can also view and manage all your past orders and invoices in one convenient, centralized place.

“Anheuser-Busch wholesalers are committed to serving retailers in a more efficient way, allowing the sales teams more time to service accounts, launch new products and work together with retailers as a business partner in Wisconsin. BEES is a digital sales enablement application that will allow the sales organization to be partners with our retailers and grow businesses for generations to come,” says Johnny Moore, manager of sales tech enablement, Anheuser-Busch. TLW

ADVERTISER INDEX

Anheuser-Busch ......................................23 anheuser-busch.com

Ansay & Associates ...................................13 ansay.com B&K Bar Supplies ....................................22 bandkbarsupplies.com Cornerstone Processing Solutions ..........................4 cornerstoneps.net Enviro-Master Services of Milwaukee .....................15 enviro-master.com/commercial-cleaning-locations/milwaukee-wisconsin Johnson Brothers ......................................7 johnsonbrothers.com McCain Foods .......................................17 mccain.com

Molson Coors Beverage Company ........................24 molsoncoors.com

Society Insurance ......................................7 societyinsurance.com Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators (WAMO) .........2 wamo.net

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27 Year Affiliate Tavern League Member 7100 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis 414.259.9161

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