Sorry for the long silence...things have been pretty hectic here since the brewery equipment showed up about a month ago. Since a lot of people have been asking what's going on, I figured I'd try to bring everybody up to date. The brewery is all set up and working (pretty much, anyway) and in fact we poured our first beer last Thursday! The Blonde Ale (really a Kölsch-style beer) is on tap here at the brewery and at a bunch of locations in the

Cities. I just filtered the Amber Ale (really a Düsseldorf-style Altbier) today; I'm hoping to keg it tomorrow and have it on tap this weekend. Our big Grand Opening bash will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 29-31. There are more details in the article below. Paris and I and our eight cats will have moved into our house in nearby Deer Park by then. I hope to see you at the Grand Opening! Let me know if you need

maps, accommodations, etc. Email or call me on 715-263-4333. have fun RDS P.S. Members of the brewing community: stay tuned for a special announcement, forthcoming as soon as I get the boss to agree to it. -- Richard Stueven, Brewer William Kuether Brewing, Clear Lake, Wisconsin "Beer Me!" http://beerme.com "Breweries On The Web" http://breweriesontheweb.com "Fox Valley Cup for Keggers" http://foxvalleycupforkeggers.org <---- Article starts William Kuether Brewing Grand Opening By the time you read this, William Kuether Brewing Company of Clear Lake, Wisconsin will have tapped their first keg of 'Sconnie Tall Blonde Ale, a Kölsch-style beer. And while you're welcome to come by and have a pint any time, be sure not to miss the big three-day Grand Opening party July

starting at 4:00pm each day. There will be live music provided by The

on Friday and Saturday, a food booth serving burgers, brats, and the like, and a volleyball court for the more athletically-inclined. Brewer Richard Stueven, late of Egan Brewing Company, will be serving up

latest creations along with the Tall Blonde Ale: 'Sconnie Rustic Trail Amber Ale (a Düsseldorf-style Altbier), 'Sconnie Pale Ale (a remarkably hoppy American Pale Ale), and 'Sconnie Badger Brown Ale (a roasty Dark Mild). The ingredients for a batch of the Princess of Darkness Porter are also lurking in the brewery, waiting for a slot in the schedule. William Kuether Brewing Company is located in Clear Lake's old Village

This historic building, which over the years has served as a movie

ballroom, library, and convention center, was scheduled to be demolished last year. Many of the townsfolk were upset at this idea and demanded that Something Be Done. Enter company founder and good citizen Bill Kuether, who purchased the vacant lumberyard across the street, and traded that land to the village

exchange for their old hall. Bill had spent many years at the family's

distributorship in Minnesota, and had become intrigued by the idea of brewing quality beer for the residents of northwestern Wisconsin and the Twin Cities area. He renovated the old Village Hall, left the family business, and bought the brewing equipment from a defunct brewpub in Washington. Now everybody in Clear Lake is excited about their new brewery, the new Village Hall has been built on the site of the old lumberyard, the village is renovating their fire department next door to the brewery, and there's

whole new sense of pride in this small town. It's amazing what a little

can do. So swing by and sample some 'Sconnie! William Kuether Brewing Company 360 Fourth Street Clear Lake WI 54005 715-263-4333 www.sconnieale.com Pub hours: Thursday-Saturday 4:00pm-close. Tours: Monday-Friday noon-4:00pm, by appointment, or whenever the brewer's around. Article ends ---->