After launching the Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame and inducting its first honorees two years ago, Milwaukee’s Central Standard Craft Distillery is opening the third round of nominations for inclusion in this pantheon of Wisconsin’s favorite cocktail.
The event was launched as part of the creation of Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned month (September), as well as Brandy Old Fashioned Day on the first day of autumn, Sept. 23.
Six people were inducted into the Hall of Fame in its first year and eight more joined them last year.
Anyone can make a nomination through Sept. 30 by visiting thecentralstandard.com/brandy-old-fashioned-hall-of-fame and explaining in 50 words or less why the nominee is worthy of inclusion.
Then, a panel of judges will select the inductees from the nominations and the honorees will be announced in October with a ceremony to follow early in 2025.
“Last year, we were thrilled to receive over a hundred submissions, each telling a unique story of how our brandy has impacted them,” said Evan Hughes, co-founder of Central Standard Distillery.
“Whether someone discovered a passion for mixology or became the go-to bartender at family gatherings, we’re honored to have created a community around Wisconsin's favorite cocktail.”
Inductees get a year’s supply of North Wisconsin brandy; a custom bottle of North Wisconsin brandy with their photo on the label; lifetime VIP status at the Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, 320 E. Clybourn St.; and recognition in the Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame in the Founders’ Room at the Crafthouse & Kitchen.
According to co-founder Pat McQuillan, Central Standard will begin rolling out a new label on its North Wisconsin Brandy in the coming weeks.
"As the state that consumes the most brandy, we have a unique opportunity to showcase our local pride through cocktails,” said McQuillan.
“Our brandy is a true reflection of Wisconsin — authentic, welcoming, and locally sourced.”
For more information on the promotions, the Hall of Fame or the Crafthouse & Kitchen, visit thecentralstandard.com.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
