A brewery from south of the border (souse of the border?) brought some beautiful horses to Oshkosh today. Four pair pulling a vintage century old wagon with a dalmation sitting atop the beer cases. The dalmation could hear. I asked. High percentages of dalmations are born deaf, probably from inbreeding. This, of course, explains why fire departments and dalmations have been intertwined over the years. The horses were groomed to-a-tee and very well behaved. They were brought here with several large 18-wheelers. This is a big operation with a lot of costs. Folks kept their cameras busy and the children enjoyed the spectacle.
Children? Of course, of course. There were no samples but the picture is clear. Get those kids adjusted to the sight of those clydesdales now so they'll know what to drink when they get older. The company that owns those clydesdales has done a lot to put brewmasters and brewery workers out of business in Wisconsin, and they continue to try to drain money out of this state. They refuse to distribute Wisconsin's micro-brews with their efficient delivery system. The micro-brews are no competition to them but this out-of-state brewer wants to smash all competition no matter how large or small. They are a ruthless killing machine, a great example of capitalism at its ugliest. They know how to brew a generic beer with the cheapest ingredients (rice...ugh!) and charge the biggest buck to make the most money.
It was explained to me many years ago that these clydesdales were given Schlitz to drink and the pail was put under the horse, bottled, and sent from Missouri to points north. I didn't get a chance to ask the horse groomers if that was true. I guess the dalmation thing...you know...one question was probably enough.
Let them bring their pretty horses, but don't drink their beer unless you are on their turf. You'll know when to drink it when you see that 'gateway to the west' arch. In the meantime crack a Point, Leinies, Huber, Miller, and assorted Wisconsin microbrews. You are keeping some brewery worker from Wisconsin in a paycheck.
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Michael Perry, noted author, spoke at the public library tonight. He drew a standing room only crowd and had them in stitches. His small town Wisconsin humor (New Auburn: Pop. 485) is now noted across the country. His advice tonight: "never stand behind a sneezing cow", "if you can see your breath, don't lick the pump handle", is a breath of fresh air. I know librarian Ruth P. had something to do with this. Thank you Ruth and all of the other people involved, especially the person who did the posters for this event. Psssst! People pay to hear storytellers like M. Perry.
Another story teller is Garrison Keillor. His show is broadcast on more radio stations than any other in the world. He can be found here:
http://www.prairiehome.org
He is in the news of late. He has decided to sue a blogger. That's right! A blogger has been selling shirts that say: 'A Prairie Ho Companion'. I can't imagine why GK is so excited. The only thing that "ho's" in Lake Wobegon is Santa Claus.
Protest the Iraq war this weekend. Thanks.
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The breweries of Wisconsin are no better for the people of Wisconsin than any other producer of alcohol. When you produce a product that begins to affect people's judgement and actions within consumption of a couple bottles, you are harming society, period. The few jobs breweries provide do not compare with the negative consequences of alcohol. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is one of the hardest hit states with the negatives.
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