clarisecocktails-blog

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This blog is so relevant. I work in an old Victorian mansion that has been transformed to a hotel and bar. We have some very interesting regulars. They demand a lot but overall I really enjoy their company. It is nice to see a friendly face that isn’t a coworkers every now and then at work. I have enjoyed reading your blog these four weeks. Have a great rest of your summer!

ualifications and Benefits of Becoming a “Regular”

               While you may think it’s easy to be a regular at a food service business, more goes into this title than you think. Simply coming into a business often doesn’t make you a regular, in fact this couldn’t be further from the truth. You could come into a bar every day of the week, and the wait staff may still not consider you truly a regular (they may however consider you an alcoholic). As many people in the food service industry can attest, regulars exemplify the best qualities possible as a customer and often carve themselves out a special place in our hearts. This article will outline some overarching characteristics that regulars display, and the benefits you receive in return.  Even if you aren’t striving to become a regular somewhere, these are still great ideas to keep in mind when interacting with wait staff.

Qualification: Be considerate. This sounds easy, but is something that people seem to forget how to do in a place that serves food and drinks. If you are someone who regularly traffics an establishment, being considerate of the wait staff can get you on the fast track to their good side. Being considerate can be shown in many ways. If the bar is packed full of people, opt to wait for it to slow down before you order, make sure you have your order ready, or instead of ordering a complex cocktail, maybe settle for a beer this time. If a large group leaves your favorite coffee shop and doesn’t clean up after themselves, grab a couple dishes and put them in the bus tub when you go to leave. Nicely warn the staff about something, like the bathroom being out of paper towels, before a rude customer tells them. Finally, help to spread this considerate spirit to others in the business. If your food takes a little long, theirs a mistake, or the place is almost empty and the staff wants to leave, be understanding. Other individuals will see how you interact with the staff and takes this as an example of how to behave. Being considerate of others is always a good practice, and in this case, it’s a free way to get yourself on the staff’s good side.

Benefit: If you are considerate of employees at your favorite restaurant, they will notice and it will pay off. For those times when you waited to order until after a big, bartenders and waiters may ask you what you would like to order before the crowds of random people. It’s their way of returning the favor. Once you are on their good side, they would rather serve you because it gives them a break from all the inconsiderate people jockeying to get a drink. If you are one of those people who orders the same drink or food every time you stop in, they’ll see you coming and will be able to finish your order faster, or may have it complete by the time you order!

Qualification: Never ask for free stuff. You would never do this, right?! Well it seems like once people start to feel comfortable with an establishment and its workers, they start thinking they may be entitled to free things. The bartender may have been in the sharing spirit last week and passed you a free shot, but this does not give you the right to start asking for them. You’re a still in a business which needs to sell product in order to make a profit and keep the lights on. Asking for free things is a quick way to ruin your chances of being a regular, besides that it’s kind of embarrassing. This rule also applies to your friends. The staff may love you and regularly give you free stuff, but they don’t know your friends and have no reason to treat them the same way. This is a good thing to remember the next time your friend wants to drag you to their watering hole because “the bartender loves me!”.

               Benefit: If you play your cards right and become a regular, you will get free stuff. A food order gets mixed up, the wrong beer is poured, a bartender makes a drink wrong or feels like creating a new cocktail, chances are they will ask if you would like it. They enjoy serving you and you are good for business so they want to keep you as a customer. A free appetizer here, a larger than you asked for coffee here, these things add up over time and is how the staff and business show their appreciation. You will also build trust with these people, and this is a huge benefit. Very few food service benefits allow people to open long-term tabs anymore, and for good reason. If you are a regular though and forget your wallet, don’t be surprised if they are willing to open you a tab or even let it slide. This doesn’t sound like a big deal until you are in this position.

Qualification: Regulars tip well. Regulars are welcomed back by the staff for many reasons, but a big one is because they tip well. This is true before you are a steady customer, and is true once you are considered a regular. The food service industry is not easy, glamourous, and in most cases, doesn’t pay that well. You may know all the employees, heck you may even be friends with some of them, but this does not negate the fact that they are their trying to make money. These people still have bills to pay, and while your friendship is an amazing thing, it can’t pay the rent (unless you can find someone to pay for your friendship of course). They have been scheduled to work, they would much rather be sitting on the same side of the bar as you, but since they are not, help them make a couple bucks while you’re there!

               Benefit: We notice! Having your favorite customers (who tip well) come in on a slow night can be the difference between a good and a bad night. Tipping well can also be the key to many other benefits for a regular. If you tip well the bartender is much more likely to get you a free drink, or even buy you one from their own tips. Wait staff will seat you faster and even try to compete for who gets to serve you because they know that you appreciate, and are willing to pay for good service. In business’s where it may not be as common to tip your server (coffee shop, café, sandwich shop, etc.) the staff will be incredibly appreciative of this gesture. These individuals often work just as hard to make your order, but because social practices they are not compensated for it (example: people almost always tip when a server pours them a beer, which is very easy to do. But it is not common practice to tip someone for making you a latter or other espresso drink, which is much more difficult to make).

Qualification: Be a friend. This is an easy one (I hope), but be a friend to the staff and the business. The best way to make friends is to be one. Help the individuals one when you can and support the business when you are outside of it. If you are hanging around enough, they may ask you a favor, for your help, or even just your opinion on business or personal matters.

               Benefit: Friendship. As I just said, the best way to make friends is to be one. Having people at your favorite spot that you consider to be your friends now, and they think of you the same way is a great feeling. This is what truly solidifies you as a regular and turns a random business into your place, your hangout. Be able to walk in somewhere and knowing there will be a friendly face, someone to talk to, great food and drinks, that’s well worth all the time and money you’ve spent in this establishment

These ideas will help you if you ever decide you find a place where you’d like to become a regular patron, but these are also great things to keep in mind when visiting any business. Always give people the benefit of the doubt and be considerate. Just because they are on the clock doesn’t mean they should be treated in a negative way. Never embarrass yourself and ask for free things, no matter how much time you spend at the business or how close you are with the staff. These people and business’s need to make a living, so compensate them for the hard work they are doing and show appreciation whenever possible. If you do these things you will be able to grow your favorite hangout into a place where you are welcome by smiling faces. A place all your people know your name and get treated like you’re someone.

#MKT400UWL

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I loved this blog! I love how it was full of pictures that you took from your vacation not just pictures from google images. It honestly makes me want to drop everything and spend the summer in Greece. Now if only my budget would allow that. I have enjoyed reading your blog during these four weeks and have a great rest of your summer!

My Big Fat Greek Vacation

My Big Fat Greek Vacation Welcome to another week’s blog post!  So for those of you who have been keeping up and paying attention, last week I decided to tell all of you lovely people about my spontaneous, crazy trip to Paris. As yet another example of a hilarious trip featuring me, Briara, this week I am going to tell you guys about my vacation in Greece.  Some of you may remember from last week, but I spent a portion of last summer studying abroad in Spain.  After my summer session in Salamanca was over, my family decided to meet me in Greece for a week-long vacation.  So, here we go.

The first of many Briara Greece stories has to do with saying goodbye to my host family in Spain.  Now, I am not a super emotional person, nor do I cry very often, but let’s just say the taxi driver taking me from my host family’s apartment to the bus station was probably slightly concerned by my waterworks.  The second half of my preamble is that I was very sick leaving Spain.  We do not need to discuss the details, but it was not fun, I refused to eat if I had to go anywhere due to a fear of my stomach’s consequences, and once again I will remind you to bring tums wherever you go!  They were the only thing that mildly helped, and once I was out, life was a lot less fun.  To make matters worse, I was just as sick for the majority of the Greece trip.  Just another side note: I am the definition of hangry, so me not eating to avoid being sick made a super not fun person to be around, straining a bit of the vacation family dynamic throughout the trip. So, with all of that being said, the first little portion of my trip to Greece was simply getting there.  My friend Katie was meeting her mom in Barcelona, so we were able to take the bus to the airport together, and from there I was on my own.  All I had to do was make it into the airport, onto the right flight, and then find my way around the airport in Athens.  Not too bad, except I was still sick, but everything went fairly smoothly.  However, I did do a little experiment to share everyone.  While going to and from Paris, Katie and I noticed that the airport personnel were a lot less friendly to Americans, so I decided to see if I would get treated any differently if I went through everything while speaking Spanish instead of English.  At this point, after six weeks of all Spanish all the time, I was confident in my speaking ability, and was also excited to see if I could speak airport Spanish versus typical, conversational Spanish.  As it turns out, I did really well with my Spanish, and got treated 10x better by everyone at the airport simply for speaking their language.  Obviously not everyone speaks another language, but if you are in an airport whose native tongue is something other than English and you know even a little bit, try speaking to them in the home language!  Unless you are in France, then absolutely do not try speaking French unless you are literally fluent, most people there do not appreciate the effort as much as other countries. The next order of business was to find my luggage (it was overweight from my shopping all summer, my bad) and then to find a cab to take me to the hotel.  The Athens airport was a perfect example of where is important to be aware of how the taxi system works.  There was a 48€ flat fee for all taxis going into the city of Athens, but a lot of drivers would try to get tourists to pay more than that.  So, just be aware!  Another tip: always have the address of the place you are going typed out in your phone or on a piece of paper.  Not everyone speaks English or will be able to understand where you are asking to go, but they will know how to read the address.  It just saves everyone some confusion and frustration to write the address down; plus, you have it with you in case you forget where you’re going! Up to this point, I had made it from Salamanca, to the Madrid airport, to the Athens airport, to my cab to take me to the city of Athens.  The next small hurdle was checking into my family’s hotel, since I got there first.  Checking in was super easy, but then I had to wait for my family to arrive, which was annoying because I was beyond ready to tell them about all of my stories from the summer!  Eventually they made it, we talked, we ate, we went to sleep early because in the morning we had another short flight from Athens to the island of Zakynthos!

The next day, we all made our way to the beautiful island, and then had a short(ish) cab ride to our hotel.  Now let me tell you, this was easily one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in.  It was called Lesante Blu, and it was only a year old, so we got an extremely good deal to stay there since they had not built up a big client base yet (another good tip: new hotels are a little cheaper since no one knows about them).  However, I honestly felt a little out of place being in such a fancy hotel.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to dress up and pretend to have way more money than I do, but sometimes a girl just needs a beer without 5-star service to go along with it.  One super cool random thing about the hotel and its fanciness was that with every drink we ordered, we got a bowl of potato chips!  The Lesante Blu is an all-inclusive resort, so drinks and food are all included, but they automatically bring snack with your drinks, which you would never realize is a great idea until you try it!

Now, time for what I know you all have been waiting for, a little recap of some actual adventures!  My favorite day of the trip was when my family and I went on an excursion around the Mediterranean to look at different caves and cliffs.  The tour was just our family of four on a boat with a ‘captain’ (a twenty-something dude that knew where to go, also he was extremely attractive so that was fun) and a cooler full of beer.  Honestly, there is nothing else I can think to ask for.  Anyways, the tour started out by going to a bay to see sea turtles, which was very cool, but there were a ton of boats there to do the same thing, which made it a “oh look, okay let’s go” kind of moment.  After that, the trip got much more exciting.  Our captain determined that we did not care about typical American tourist things, and decided to show us some of his favorite hidden caves.  My favorite was the one pictured below, there were lots of little alcoves to explore, and I felt like Ariel, living her life in the sea.  

A little while later, we asked the captain if there was anywhere to go cliff jumping.  He was hesitant to say yes, but eventually he caved and took us to his brothers’ favorite spot (he himself hated heights).  So we pull up to this giant rock that was about forty feet high, and me and my brother were adrenaline-pumped enough to climb the rock and do it.  However, once I got to the top, jumping got a lot more real.  Before Greece, I had only jumped from about twenty-foot-high cliffs, and this doubled that.  My brother went first, survived, and then whipped out a phone to record me doing it, and I have no shame in saying I did it for the video.  Whatever makes the adventure happen works for me!  After the cliff jumping, the rest of the day was fairly normal, but in reality, all of the scenery was breathtaking, and I would highly recommend visiting Zakynthos and taking a boat tour!

My other Greek adventure I decided to share with all of you is about the time I got lost!  Yes, earlier I did say I am known for getting lost easily, that’s not déjà vu.  However, this time my whole family got lost with me, so I couldn’t take all the blame, even if I was the one who got us lost in the first place.

For our second excursion in Zakynthos, Greece, we decided to go on the hotel’s top recommended tour of the island.  We got our own personal guide, his name was Dimitri (also insanely gorgeous, and actually, almost everyone in Greece was crazy beautiful, so not fair) and he drove us around to all of our destinations.  First, we went to Xigia Beach, which is right next to a sulfur mine.  Since there is excess sulfur in the water, the beach is known as a ‘natural spa’ and makes your skin extremely soft and smooth.  Naturally, my mom and I loved it, and my dad and brother really did not care.  After that, we went on another boat tour to see the Blue Caves and Navigo Beach.  This is where it starts to get interesting folks.  Essentially, you stay on the boat during the blue caves tour, have an hour at Navigo Beach, and then get on the same boat with the same people to come back to the mainland.  That is not what the Braun (Griswold) family did.

TO SEE CLIFF JUMPING: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXN0juRHysRcs7v9da-PnlWq99h40VFmkqspbc0/?hl=en&taken-by=breeeeairrrraaaa 

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Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

           Do you think the legal drinking age should be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen? This has been under debate for many years. Since eighteen is the age that you legally become an adult in the United States, it is technically logical that one should also be allowed to drink. Eighteen year olds can purchase cigarettes, cold medicine, gamble with their money, and they can vote in government elections. So, should they also be allowed to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages?

Eighteen year olds are legally considered adults. The day you turn eighteen is the day the government legally recognizes you as an adult. You can vote in government elections and help decide the leaders of the United States of America. You can also enlist in the military and defend our country. You can also purchase cigarettes. One argument against lowering the legal drinking age is that it is harmful to the body at such a young age. However, is smoking cigarettes not as bad, or worse? Yet we make cigarettes legal and easily obtainable. It is easy for an eighteen year old to purchase cigarettes and smoke. Cigarettes are very bad for you. They cause your health to deteriorate and have been linked to causing cancer. So has alcohol. If we make cigarettes readily available and they are potentially worse for our health than alcohol, why would we not make alcohol readily available as well? Eighteen is the age that the government recognizes one as an adult, able to make important decisions regarding voting or joining the military. Why would we not treat these people as adults and give them access to all of the benefits that being an adult has to offer?

Other countries have a legal drinking age that is eighteen or below eighteen. The United States is one of the few countries where legal drinking age is as high as twenty-one. Many European countries, specifically Italy, have a legal drinking age of sixteen. These countries give out fewer underage drinking tickets and have less trouble with underage drinking in general than the United States. In the United States binge drinking is, sadly, a huge part of our culture. Kids as young as middle school age start binge drinking because it is perceived as a “cool” thing to do. In other countries around the world this is not the case. Because their legal drinking age is lower, people do not feel the need to binge drink in secret. They prefer to actually taste and enjoy the alcohol they are drinking. Drinking is not idolized in advertisements as it is in the United States. Students that travel abroad can sense the difference as well. I spoke to a friend that studied in Italy. She said that they would go out quite often on the weekends, and that the atmosphere was very different. In Italy you can drink wine when you are sixteen, and then you can legally consume hard liquor when you are eighteen. Most of the people at the clubs my friend went to were nineteen to twenty-three. There were not underage kids trying to sneak into bars with fake IDs. Because people can start drinking earlier, there is no reason to sneak in to clubs. No one has  to sneak drinking alcohol to feel cool.

Having the legal drinking age set to twenty-one can encourage underage drinking. The drinking culture in America is a large issue. This is extremely prevalent in college towns and on campus. College students do not turn twenty-one until their second to last or final semester in school. Many colleges have a culture that encourages binge drinking. For example, the University of La Crosse has Oktoberfest in the fall. Events like these encourage students to drink even if these students are not twenty-one. Underage people feel as though they have to participate, because if they do not they will miss out on something fun. During the Oktoberfest event, many underage drinking tickets are distributed by police, as well. Events like these are fun, but they encourage underage drinking and enforce the alcohol culture that we have in America. The fact that you do not turn twenty-one until your last semesters in college adds to this culture. People go downtown and to house parties when they are not supposed to, because you not only have fun but there is a sense of danger that goes along with it. Will we get caught? Will we get into this bar? Raising the legal drinking age would take away that sense of danger and take away some of the excitement of breaking the law while drinking underage.

Although many people believe that the legal drinking age should be lowered, there are many that disagree and some even think it should be raised. Those that think it should stay the same make the argument that eighteen year olds are not mature enough to make a reasonably logical decision, especially while under the influence. The brain is not fully developed until age twenty-five and allowing teenagers to drink would be aiding someone to stunt their development. Teenagers do stupid things and make dumb decisions, even without alcohol. With the legal drinking age set at twenty-one years old, teens still find a way to get alcohol. Whether they steal it from their parents or have a fake ID so that they can purchase some on their own, these are bad decisions. Teenagers have not fully developed the part of the brain that helps with good decision making. This means that under the influence of alcohol, not only do they not have a fully developed brain, but they also are more likely to make a bad decision that could haunt them for the rest of their lives.

A study done by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugsfound that even though people still drink while they are underage, the drinking age is saving lives. They discovered that after the drinking age was raised in 1984 due to the National Minimum Drinking age act of 1984, traffic infractions from underage drivers under the influence of alcohol decreased. The amount of fatal car accidents with one of the drivers blowing a positive blood alcohol content decreased from fifty-seven percent among drivers ages sixteen to twenty. This is compared to a thirty-nine percent decrease for those drivers ages twenty-one to twenty-four, and nine percent for those twenty-five and older. This decrease in driving accidents where one of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol is highly significant. With just raising the drinking age by three years, thousands of lives were saved from the perils of drunk driving. Since teenagers do not have a fully developed brain that allows them to make good decisions, such as not getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence, the raised drinking age literally saves lives every day and night.

Alcohol is expensive; even if you buy the cheapest bottle of liquor, over a long period of time you can end up spending thousands of dollars on alcohol. Teenagers that would be spending lots of money on alcohol if the drinking age was lowered to eighteen, can now save their money for important things. Examples of these would be things like college or saving enough to move out of their parents’ home. Since turning twenty-one, I have realized that I spend a ridiculous amount of money on alcohol each month. I do not even want to know the total because it might put me into shock. Since eighteen year olds are not as mature as a twenty-one year old, they would most likely spend more money on alcohol and possibly spend money when they do not have it. This could potentially cause them to go into debt. When you are buying a three dollar rail drink you do not consider how they add up over time. When you get your final bill at the end of the night you always have to ask that question “Did I really need that last Vodka Cranberry mixer?”. Keeping the drinking age at twenty-one discourages eighteen year olds from purchasing alcohol and wasting money that they should save for more appropriate items.

The American culture that encourages binge drinking could potentially be detrimental to teenagers and young adults. Even though you are considered a legal adult at the age of eighteen, you are not mature enough to make fast and good decisions about your well-being. Teenagers are more concerned with what is cool than what is morally right at times. Lowering the drinking age to eighteen would just aid degenerate behavior among teenagers in America. There are, however, reasons to consider lowering it to eighteen. Even though they are not mature, they are still legally considered adults by the American government, and so therefore should have all the rights that an adult is entitled too. What do you think? Should the drinking age be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen? Should it remain at twenty-one? Or, should it be raised to an age older than twenty-one?

#MKT400UWL

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I love reading your blog because it always has such good healthy food options. I have tried the Mac and Cheese from the food truck Apothic and its to die for. I need to go back and try their tacos because that picture makes my mouth water. I will definitely have to take a look at some of the other places you mentioned as well. The pizza in the last picture looks like something I need to eat right now!

Travel Eats

Good news! Traveling has been scientifically proven to increase happiness, decrease depression, and chill you the F out. While it is important to be grounded, traveling is a big part of finding out who you are and what environment fuels your inner fire. Plus, experiencing different cultures is invigorating AF. So for all of you that want to get out and explore the borders of this world, I have put together a travel eats guide to all the fabulous food from your home base and beyond. Enjoy! 

The Guide 

$: least expensive 

$$$: most expensive 

Apothik Food Truck $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Calling all Lax residents! Apothik Food Truck is a must try during the summer and fall seasons. The lovely humans behind the truck value: supporting local businesses and farmers while serving up delicious food! The menu changes each week to reflect seasonality and availability of different ingredients, so if you see something you like on the menu, make sure to get it while you can. You can find them at the Cameron’s Park farmer’s market, affordable and in walking distance for all you fellow college students.☺ 

My go-to: CHEESY MAC! 

5 Cheese Sauce, Diced Tasso Ham, Fresh Herbs, Crispy Crumble, Diced Bacon

CINCO DE TACO 

Chipotle Chicken, Chopped Kale, Roasted Hot Sauce, Lime Cilantro Crème, Pineapple Pico De Gallo, Melted Pepper Jack, Corn Tortilla 

The Mint $$ 

La Crosse, WI 

Oh you fancy huh? The aesthetics at The Mint are on point. Everything from the furniture, to the glassware, and to the food is practically flawless. Toto, I don’t think we are in La Crosse, WI anymore. This is truly an experience you do not want to miss out on. Teaming with The Root Note, The Mint is a farm to table restaurant serving up all the local goods right to your plate. If you are on a budget, I highly recommend taking advantage of Sunday Craft Cocktail night. The craft cocktails are only $5 and appetizers are on sale. 

My go-to: CHARCUTERIE/CHEESE 

Chef’s Daily Selections, Pickles, Mustard, Bread

A LITTLE ROSY

Letherbee Gin, Grapefruit Crema, Grapefruit, Rosemary Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters 

NAKED AND FAMOUS  

Vida Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperitivo Select, Lime 

Howie’s On La Crosse $ 

La Crosse, WI 

A La Crosse classic (most likely right outside your door step). Howie’s has great grub, drinks, games, staff, and an awesome patio. If you have not been I am honestly concerned. Oh, and do I even need to mention the bloody mary bar. YUM! Happy Hour is the perfect time to put down your schoolwork and head over for some student deals. I mean we are only students for four years, so we might as well soak up the discounts while we can. You are bound to run into some of your classmates working at Howie’s and most likely some of your professors throwing one back at the bar. There are enough TV’s at Howie’s that you will never miss a second of your favorite games. 

My go-to: THE ALL AMERICAN 

Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Garlic Mayo, Sweet Potato Fries 

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA 

Ecker’s Apple Farm $ 

La Crosse, WI 

Because what is better than a caramel apple tossed in M&M’s? Ecker’s Apple Farm is stunning to say the least. Plan on spending the afternoon. With a beer garden, live music, apple picking, yard games, and plenty of grub you are not going to want to leave. Their mission is to bring you unique, quality craft beers from around the country and serve them up cold while you take in the view of the beautiful farm. I’M DOWN. It is a fall destination in La Crosse. 

My go-to: M&M CARAMEL APPLE 

APPLE PIE AND ICE CREAM 

Black Coffee and Waffle Bar $$ 

Minneapolis, MN

Did someone say waffles? These waffles are like no other. They are seriously FUNKY and out of this world. The interior of Black Coffee and Waffle Bar provides an awesome space for students to chillax and enjoy a drink and a waffle. I mean, what could be finer? Every month they introduce a new specialty waffle. I promise, the drive is worth the overpriced waffle and the Instagram picture that comes with it! 

My go-to: STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE 

Cheesecake, Strawberries, Graham Crackers, Whipped Cream 

Hola Arepa $$ 

Saint Paul, MN 

Started from a food truck now we here. The vibes up in this joint will take you away on a Latin destination vacation. The specialty here: Venezuelan stuffed arepas! Arepas are made from cornmeal dough, formed into patties and cooked on a griddle. Then, they are stuffed with meats, veggies, cheeses, and topped with homemade salsas! Their mission is to make food from scratch with a whole lot of love. I recommend sitting on the patio in the sunshine! 

My go-to: FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUTS 

Tamarind Vinaigrette, Housemade Chorizo Sausage, Pepitas, Caramelized Onion Jam, Manchego, Radish 

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN AREPA 

Tomato, Sweet Corn Salsa, Citrus Onion, Radish, Arugula, Chipotle Aioli, Yuca Fries 

Pig Ate My Pizza $$ 

Robbinsdale, MN 

Besides like the cutest name for a pizza place ever, Pig Ate My Pizza was named one of the best pizza places in the US by Time and Food & Wine magazines! They are serving up rotating craft pizzas and over 16 local tap brews! The atmosphere is unexplainably awesome, so you will have to go check this one out yourself. Checkout their website for a little sneak peak (the marketing is phenomenal). 

My go-to: PIGGY PIE 

Deep Dish Meat Lovers! Brioche Crust, Pork Lovers Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon Emulsion, Toasted Black Pepper Fennel, Oregano

Velvet Taco $ 

Chicago, IL

Let’s taco bout it people! In the heart of the windy city, Velvet Taco is a counter service setting, whipping up some of the most BOMB margaritas and tacos on this planet. With over twenty varieties of tacos, they will assure that you have never had a taco like this. At Velvet Taco, food is art. Let’s go, the flavors await. 

My go-to: FISH N’ CHIPS 

Curry Mayo, Malted French Fires, House Shred, Beer Battered Atlantic Cod, Pea Tendrils, Flour Tortilla 

BUFFALO CHICKEN 

Crisp Tenders, House Buffalo Sauce, Danish Bleu Cheese, Ranch Crema, Carrots, Micro Celery, Flour Tortilla 

Real Good Juice Co. $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

Itching for something a little healthier to cure your Sunday scaries? You have found the place. Real Good Juice Co. serves up good juices and smoothies that are organic and locally sourced. The juices are cold pressed which means they retain 100% of the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. The company is a huge supporter of Chicago’s Old Town community and contributes a percentage of juice sales to local charities! They don’t stop at serving juice. They also sell bowls, a variety of toasts, salads, and shots. It’s a Win Win. 

My go-to: YUM YUM IN MY TUM TUM 

Banana, Cacao, Almond Butter, Almond Milk, Honey 

Firecakes Donuts $$

Chicago, IL

Hellzzz to the yeah! These donuts are on fire! Firecakes believes that everyone can use a sweet treat to get them through the day. With the craziest flavors, your taste buds will be wanting more. These donuts are fried in a large cast iron pot of oil over an open fire and sprinkled with all the sugar and goods one could ask for. They even have gluten free and vegan donuts! 

My go-to: DONUT ICE CREAM SANDWICH 

Summer House Santa Monica $$$ 

Chicago, IL 

An escape to the warmth and laid-back vibes of the West Coast. The atmosphere is beachy AF. They promise that no matter the season, no matter the weather, you will be transported to the warmth of California at Summer House. I felt like I was Serena van der Woodsen from Gossip Girl, no lie. If you have ever dreamed of your bridal shower, this is that dream. To be honest I barely paid attention to my meal, I was too caught up looking around at all the VIBES. 

My go-to: RICKY BOBBY 

Hank’s Vodka, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Lime, Strawberry Air

San Giorgio Pizzeria $$ 

Milwaukee, WI 

Neapolitan pizza dough, made fresh in seconds, right before your eyes in a wood-fired oven! I have had a lot of pizza in my life, and this is by far my favorite. That is saying something people, you must go. The chef sits five feet in front of your table while throwing dough and firing up some incredible ZAA. Head Chef Gino Fazzari made this an unforgettable experience (he even bought my boyfriend and I special shots on the house). I would go back a million times. 

My go-to: MARIA CARMELLA 

San Marzano Tomato, Fresh Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Fresh Basil, Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Logan House Coffee Co. $ 

Denver, CO 

The vibes are too real people. This place is like an indoor farmer’s market. Make sure you give yourself enough time to really explore. The staff members are super DOPE and are jazzed about talking coffee with customers. 

My go-to: NUTELLA LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory $ 

Vail, CO 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! You will never want to get ice cream elsewhere after trying Rocky Mountain. This is mainly because of the cones. Have you ever seen something so beautiful? In the heart of Vail Village you will feel like the cutest snow bunny with one of these cones in hand and the mountains right above your head. If you are a chocoholic you NEED to check this out. 

Blue Moose Pizza $$ 

Vail, CO 

Want to eat pizza while looking out at the Vail Village Slopes? Yeah, me too. This was some of the most exotic pizza I have ever had. Flavor overload in the best way possible. If you go during off-season you won’t even have to wait for a table. 

My go-to: AUTUMN PIZZA 

Sautéed Mushrooms, Truffle Oil, Parsley, Parmesan, Garlic, Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese 

Finale

Now that your taste buds are basically exploding, it is time to get out and explore. Gas up your vehicle, book that plane ticket and Airbnb and be on your way. The flavors await! If you try any of my suggestions make sure to tag #vitabenedetta and let me know about the fabulous foods. 

Until next time. What are some of your favorite travel eats? Comment below.

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Wow reading this made me so hungry! Senior Villas chips and salsa is literally the best in town. I crave it all the time. I personally think that Howie’s has the best cheese curds in La Crosse. The only word I can think of to accurately describe is fluffy. They are amazing. I enjoyed reading about the other places to eat in La Crosse. I’ll have to go to the twisted moose and get some ice cream soon!

The Best Bar Food - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Bar food is a special type of food. It can taste good by itself, but when you add a few drinks and a special atmosphere, it becomes great. There’s just something about having a snack or meal while drinking at a bar that makes it so much better. Sometimes you go into the night expecting to buy food from a particular bar, but more often than not, food is put in front of you that simply cannot be passed up. For me, I classify bar food as something that you can order after 9 at night. That’s usually when a restaurant turns into a bar and their late-night menu is in effect. Drinks at a reduced price and cheap food is every college students dream!

La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a place that is known for their bars and drinking. They have been named the 10th Drunkest City in America, had the most bars per capita, and broke the Guiness Book of World Records for the most bars on one street. That being said, there are plenty of different places to visit in La Crosse if you’re looking for a drink. I have lived in La Crosse for over 4 years and have experience everything the city has to offer. I have also spent more time than I am probably willing to admit in different bars. That being said, I have come up with a list of the best bar food around the city for college students. This food is cheap and delicious, and I’m sure you have experienced them if you have ever visited La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Chips and Salsa – Senior Villa

Senior Villa is a relatively new Mexican restaurant right next to the UWL campus but their chips and salsa are legendary. This is a classic at most Mexican restaurants but Senior Villa gets it right and understands us college students. Once you are seated, you’re greeted with warm chips and a large bowl of salsa FOR FREE! You can also get as many refills as you want for no extra charge. They even have another sauce for your chips that is hard to recognize but tastes fantastic. As a college student, there’s not much more you can ask for; free chips and salsa. Add a margarita, or 3, and you have a great night ahead of yourself!

Nachos – Howie’s

Picture this – You’re playing Bingo, 2 tall Bud Light’s deep, and you suddenly get a craving for food. No need to worry, Howie’s on La Crosse Street has you covered with their $5 nachos. These aren’t just any nachos, these are some of the best nachos I have ever had. They are covered in lettuce, onions, and cheese served with a side of jalapenos and banana peppers. It is served on the biggest plate in the restaurant and it towers almost 12 inches tall. This is more than a snack, it’s a meal, and I have fasted for up to 5 hours in excitement for this food. Nachos from Howie’s is a great late night meal from one of the best bars in La Crosse.

Popcorn – Who’s on Third

Popcorn is an all-time classic bar food no matter where you live. It’s light, filling, and the perfect complement to a few drinks. I’m sure there are a few more bars that have popcorn but the one I am most familiar with is Who’s on Third. My first step when I walk into the bar is towards the popcorn machine, even before I get a drink. The smell is overpowering and I can’t help but grab a cup while I’m there. Popcorn is also great bar food because it’s free, and as I mentioned in my first blog, there’s nothing better than free food. You can never go wrong with popcorn, especially when you’re at a bar!

Wings – Brothers

Across the country, there are Brothers Bars serving wings and providing good times for college students. The bar located in La Crosse is arguably the most popular bar for college students in the city. Many of these people don’t know about their 25 cent wings on Wednesday nights. This is the best deal for wings you will find in town and they are surprisingly good for being from a bar. Even though you can only get this deal on Wednesday’s, it is worth the wait from week to week. With a variety of flavors, you will never get bored of going to Wing Wednesday at Brothers. It is said that there is nothing better than beer and wings, and Brothers Bar doesn’t disappoint on either.

Burger – Eagles Nest

The Eagles Nest recently re-opened after about a year of being closed and the new management has made this a popular spot for food and drinks. Not only do they have $1 drinks, but they also have buy one, get one free burgers. This is another favorite phrase for college students and we will go out of our way to find similar deals and save money whenever possible. It’s hard to mess up a burger and the Eagles Nest delivers with a quality burger at a great price. With their buy one, get one free deal, you and a friend can get 2 burgers for around $5 each. This is a great deal and you can wash down the burger with some $1 Miller High Life’s at a new bar.

Cheese Curds – The Old Crow

Cheese curds are a popular appetizer for the people of Wisconsin because of our love of cheese. The Old Crow has been known to have the best cheese curds in all of La Crosse and I can agree with that. Their unique square shape and light coating make for the perfect snack, especially when you’re there late at night. On our senior bar crawl, I stopped at the Old Crow around 9 p.m. and it was the perfect snack to share with friends. They are constantly making their cheese curds so it’s not uncommon to get the curds before your drinks, which is never a bad thing. As a Wisconsin resident, it doesn’t get much better than beer and cheese for dinner.

Ice Cream – Twisted Moose

Many of you that go to school in La Crosse my not be familiar with this treat at the Twisted Moose. I have only seen them serve ice cream one summer but it was definitely one of the best snacks I have ever had downtown after 10 p.m. This isn’t your typical bar food and it’s completely different from everything else on this list. Having said that, I have never been happier than I was when I saw the ice cream machine as I walked into the Twisted Moose. It’s the classic soft serve vanilla or chocolate swirl cone similar to what you would get from McDonald’s for only $1. There are few things better than an ice cream cone on a hot day in the middle of the summer!

Conclusion

This is just a short list of my favorite bar food in La Crosse, Wisconsin. As you can see, there is a wide variety of bars that have great food for college students. I’m sure that there is more great food from different bars in the city, but as I mentioned before, there are a lot of bars in La Crosse and it’s tough to visit them all. I recommend trying to visit as many different bars and restaurants as you can wherever you are. That will allow you to experience something new and maybe discover a new favorite spot for burgers or wings. After living in La Crosse for 4 year, I can say that I have a great understanding of the city and I have a favorite place for every kind of food. I’m excited about my semester because I have another opportunity to eat all these different kinds of bar food one last time.

I believe my favorite bar food on this list are the chips and salsa from Senior Villa. The fact that they are free and you can get endless refills is tough to compete against. The addition of the mysterious sauce puts it over the top even though no one really knows what it is. It kind of tastes like ranch but all that matters is that it goes great with tortilla chips. There are plenty of times where my friends and I have gone to Senior Villa solely for their margaritas, chips, and salsa. We will spend hours eating all their chips and salsa and knocking back around 3-4 margaritas. Whenever someone mentions eating there I always get excited and it’s an offer I can’t pass up. Senior Villa has become one of the most popular spots for the college student of La Crosse to enjoy a meal and a few drinks.

Is there anything I missed? Would you take something off my list? Let me know what your favorite bar food is in La Crosse!

The diet every college student can relate to!

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

How to Save Money At The Bars

           Have you ever calculated how much money you spend on alcohol annually? I personally have not as I know the amount would be more than I would like. However, a study was done, and it found that amount the average college student spends is staggeringly high. It is estimated that college students spend over 5.5 billion dollars on alcohol per year. Per month the range varies from fifty dollars to six hundred dollars spent. Which would be a little over one thousand dollars per year. This would mean that by the end of your four years at college you have spent over four thousand dollars on alcohol alone. Thinking about how often I go downtown or enjoy a drink with dinner, that number makes me cringe. Many college students are broke but still want to go downtown and have a few drinks with their friends. Here are four easy ways to save money on alcohol while in college.

1.    Focus on Deals

Many have deals that involve a dollar off drinks or buy one get one half off tap beers. In downtown, La Crosse most college bars have a happy hour where all drinks are half off. Some bars have even gone so far to have dollar everything deals. This is where literally every drink at the bar is only a dollar. Deals like these really help broke college students still have fun while also being conservative with their money. Many bars and restaurants have drinks that you can get in either a large or a small glass. The large glasses are usually twice the size but only one dollar more expensive. It is fiscally responsible to get the larger drink. If you are going to have more than one small drink you might as well pay less and get the same amount with the larger drink. Certain bars will also sell pitchers for the price of one large rail drink. This is another amazing deal that will be delicious and also keep you from going over your budget. Grocery stores will have sales that will decrease the price of alcohol. Pay attention to these. They are usually deals on really nice and sometimes fairly expensive alcohol. With this deal, you have the luxury of expensive alcohol for the price of cheap liquor. All of these deals are great because you get the fun of going to a bar and drinking without breaking the bank.

2.    Buy the Cheaper Bottle of Liquor

Let us be honest. No one likes drinking cheap liquor but sometimes our budgets do not allow us to buy the good, expensive bottles. Just because you cannot afford to buy premium alcohol does not mean you have to buy the bottom of the barrel, cheapest you can find bottle. A medium priced to low priced bottle is not too expensive and is also not a bad bottle of liquor either. If you are buying beer or wine coolers, pay attention to the price and how many are in the pack. Sometimes a six pack is only a dollar or two cheaper than a ten or twelve pack. If this is the case buy the twelve pack because chances are you will eventually want more than six. They last and do not need to be consumed all in one night. If you only plan on drinking wine coolers or beer, they have tall 25 to 32 ounce cans. I have seen these for as cheap as two dollars. They last only one night but they are cheap and just as good as a six pack.

If you do not want to buy a medium priced bottle for better tasting alcohol, I recently discovered a new trick. Buy a cheap bottle of vodka, for example, Fleishman’s. Then buy a water filter. Pour the cheap vodka into the water filter. This will filter out the vodka giving a better taste. This is why more expensive alcohol tastes better, because it is filtered more. This will create the illusion of better tasting vodka while paying very little for it. The water filter might be expensive initially but overtime you will get your money back from buying the cheapest bottle of vodka versus a better tasting more expensive bottle. Another way to mask the taste of cheap liquor would be to buy a non-alcoholic beverage to mix it with. Depending on the ratio of alcohol to mixer, your beverage will taste better and you will not get the after taste that comes with drinking it straight.

3.    Pay with Cash and Do Not Start A Tab

Many people get caught downtown at a bar with no cash on them. This creates another problem: Bar minimums. Some bars require you to pay in cash for a bill under ten dollars. If this happens and you only have a credit or debit card on you, you then have to go to an ATM machine and make a withdrawal. Usually there is at least a three dollar charge for a withdrawal. This is just a waste of money. If you do not want to make that withdrawal but still have no cash, then you have to open up a tab. This becomes dangerous because it can feel like you are not paying for the drinks you get but then you get the bill at the end of the night and it is much more than you were anticipating spending. Bringing a specific amount of cash downtown and spend only that much. This is a smart way to not go over your budget. Leave your debit or credit card at home. Even having it with you downtown opens up the possibility to get food at the end of the night that you probably do not need and will regret eating in the morning. Bring only cash and all of these extra charges can be avoided completely.

4.    Pregame the Bars

Pregame is a term most college students use. It means to have some drinks before going out to the bars therefore, you are a little tipsy before getting there. One obvious way to save money at the bars is to have some drinks before them. This way you are in charge of how much you drink, how strong your drinks are, and how much you spent on the alcohol. If you pregame the bars, then you are less likely to spend a lot of money at them because you are already drunk. I suggest to start pregraming at the earliest an hour and a half before you go. This way you are close to the time you are leaving to go downtown and you will still have your buzz by the time you leave. Rail mixed drinks are usually three dollars and if you tip your bartender, which you should, they are more expensive than that. Other bars that are not specifically meant for college kids are more expensive. If you are just going out for one drink, I would not suggest pregraming as you should get at least one drink at the bar you are at as courtesy of the bartender. Having a pregame reduces the amount you spend at the bar by a lot depending on how much you drink beforehand. It is a smart way to save some money at the bars while still going out and having a good time.

5.    Do Not Go Out to The Bar Every Night

The most obvious way to save money at the bars is to not go to them every night. Some college students will go the bars three or four nights a week. This can really break the bank and cause you to go over your budget for the week, especially if no deals are going on. Staying in for the night completely eliminates the cost of going out and keeps the money in your pocket. You are not buying drink after drink or getting unnecessary food at two in the morning. I would suggest minimizing going out to one or two nights a week max. This way you still get to go out and have fun at the bars while not spending as much money as before. If you do not go to the bars all weekend you potentially save a lot of money for groceries, rent and other important expenses. If you would still like to go out more than once or twice a week, the other four suggestions will help you save money while going out.

All of these suggestions will help you save money while still having a good time with your friends. Living by these five points will help you improve on creating a plan to help save your money throughout college and life in general. Going to the bars and getting a drink is part of the American culture but it does not have to break the bank and cause you to go over budget. We all like to have fun after a hectic day or week at work. Why not try to save some money while doing it?

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

An old dog can learn new tricks! Your dog is so cute. I love how you gave a real-life example of teaching an old dog new tricks. My dogs are seven and eight and I recently taught them to shake hands with people. All you need to a dog new tricks is treats and a lot of patience. Can’t wait to read next week’s blog!

Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

There’s an old saying, that I am sure we have all heard of, that states, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I personally do not believe this to be one bit true. I currently own a 9-year-old Schnauzer-Yorkie mix named Katy. I got her the summer before I went into seventh grade and I was thrilled to have a cute tiny puppy, but I had no idea the amount of work a puppy actually is. Katy was extremely stubborn and hard to house train. I remember being annoyed with her because she couldn’t learn how to lay down and my old dog had been so well behaved and so easy to train. At 9-years-old Katy now has so many tricks that I forget some and can easily learn a new trick in a day. She does everything from closing doors to playing dead to walking on three legs. In this post I am going to discuss some of my favorite tricks, and some simple tricks that any dog can learn.

1.      Leave It

I think everyone knows to teach their dog to sit and lay down. But, I think leave it is a super important command. It is beneficial for a dog to know in case food is dropped and you don’t want your dog to get it, or if there is something gross outside. It also helps redirect your dog’s attention to you. This trick can be easily taught. Begin with putting a treat in front of your dog and telling them to leave it. When they listen reward them with a different treat than what is in front of them. Very rarely will I allow my dog to eat the treat in front of her, even though the treat I am giving her is exactly the same.

It is also a good idea to practice the leave it command at a distance. My dog will stop dead in her tracks on the way to get something because she knows if she leaves whatever she’s going towards and comes to me instead she will probably get a treat (not so much now that she is older, but when she was younger she did consistently). To make leave it into a neater trick that you can show to people is simple. Once your dog is really good at the command practice leaving the room. This can lead to you being able to walk all through your house, or even out of your house without your dog touching whatever is in front of them.

2.      Shake, High Five, Wave

All of these tricks go hand in hand (or paw in paw). A lot of people know how to teach their dog to shake. This is done simply by holding a treat in front of your dog and asking them to sit. Then wait until they touch your hand with their paw. Once they touch say “shake” and give them the treat. This can easily translate into high five. Once your dog has mastered shake simply lift your hand higher in the air, so they have to pick their paw up higher. I try to make sure my dog’s paw goes up to her head. Again, once your dog makes contact say, “high five” and give them the treat. Once your dog has mastered high five start to lift your hand to the high five position, but don’t allow them to make contact with your hand. When they lift their paw say “wave” and give the treat. Slowly remove your hand from the high five position and they will quickly realize you just want their paws to go up. These make for cute tricks that your dog will easily be able to do for anyone. They also lead to you having control over your dog’s front legs which helps lead into the next tricks.

3.      Closing a Door, Paws up

Closing a door is a super easy trick to teach, and it is very helpful when you are carrying stuff. Since my dog is about 11 pounds she mostly helps close kitchen cabinets or the fridge. To teach her this trick I started with bringing her towards a cabinet and asking her for her paw. She would then hit the cabinet with her paw. Each time she did this I would say “close it” and give her a treat. Once she was comfortable I added in “all the way” for the few times she might not get the cabinet closed all the way. I can now open tons of different cabinet doors in my kitchen and she will go down the line closing them.

Having this control over her paws also allowed me to teach her paws up. This is when I ask her to put her two front paws on any object. This can be anything from a skateboard to a basketball (as you can see below). Anytime I introduce a new object I make sure to reward her with treats as she is extremely food motivated.

4.      Roll over, Stay, Play dead (aka “Bang”)

These are two of my favorite tricks of hers. These two take a little more time and patience. As I mentioned above, I am extremely fortunate (and unfortunate) to have a dog that is food motivated. She will do anything for food. This made teaching her to roll over super simple. I would just ask her to lay down and then move the treat to her right. This would coax her into having her body roll over. It took a day or two of asking her to do this and having her be comfortable for her to do this. Now that she is good at it she will roll over multiple times in a row.

To teach “bang” I made sure Katy was very good at her stay command. I taught her to stay by having her sit in one spot and bringing her back to that spot every time she moved. I would gradually make the length of time she had to stay longer. Having the stay command well developed makes teaching bang easy. Simply ask your dog to roll over and once they go onto their side say “stay”. Many dogs will catch onto this very fast, especially if a belly rub and treat is involved. When you command your dog to stay you can also use a hand gun. Once they understand the hand gun you can switch to saying “bang”. This makes for a cute trick to show your friends and family.

On a side note, I personally believe in teaching my dog a hand command and a vocal command. My dog is able to do every trick either way. This really forces her to focus on me especially since she anticipates tricks. My dog also gets extremely excited and vocal when learning tricks so being able to do them without me talking helps to keep her calm.

5.      Limp

This trick brings me back to the saying I stated at the beginning of “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” As I mentioned, Katy has more tricks than I can even remember most of the time. I tried to teach her to limp a long time ago when she was about three-years-old. I tried in many different ways and I worked hard on it. Much to my disappointment she never was able to grasp what I wanted. It led me to being very frustrated. Two years ago, I had some free time and my younger brother asked me why she never learned the trick. So, I decided to revisit teaching her in a completely new way.

She was seven years old, and I was attending college, so I only saw her every now and then. I began with teaching her the command “leg”. I would position her in front of me and I would lift of her leg with my finger. We worked on this a lot until she could comfortably hold her leg by herself for five to ten seconds.

Then I added in one step. I would ask her for her “leg” and put my finger underneath to remind her to keep it up and then I would have a treat in front of her face and move it slightly forward. She, of course, wanted to follow the treat and would take a step. It took a long time to get her to take one step without putting any weight on my finger. Once she could do one step I added in a second.

Two years later, at nine-years-old she can take five steps and start further away from me. This is my favorite trick that she can do, and it was the most rewarding. It forces you to really spend time with your dog each day to help them have the muscle memory to perform the trick. Your dog also has to trust you because walking on three legs is not a normal feeling to them. Overall, this is definitely the most rewarding trick that my dog knows, and I believe it is one of the most impressive tricks a dog can learn. So, I say, an old dog CAN learn new tricks, what do you think?  

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

I, myself love craft beer! I think they are so interesting and full of history. I had to watch a documentary about the craft beer industry in of my classes last semester and it’s what got me into craft beer. The industry itself is so cutthroat and big beer companies don’t respect them. They try to undermine them. I think more people should start supporting craft beer breweries because they care about the quality of the beer and bring in so much for a community. Interesting blog!

Start up guide for Craft Beer

History

               There is evidence that the fermentation of grains into beer has been a process existing as far back at 7000 years ago. And for thousands of years, up until the beginning of the industrial revolution, all beers were created in a Craft Beer method. Breweries would create small batches of beer that would only would be sold and drank locally, because of the lack of transportation and storage technology. Even after the beginning of the industrial revolution there were thousands of small independently owned breweries all over the U.S. At the time the beer being produced was a much darker and heavier than the average beer drank in the U.S. today. Almost all breweries were put out of business at the beginning of prohibition. Breweries who operated through prohibition did so in hiding, and watered-down beer to stretch supplies further.

               As beer production began to increase after the end of prohibition and WW2, breweries began to buyout competitors to gain their customers, distribution avenues, or to simply to end their production. Corporate brewing companies have continued to grow into near monopolies using these methods. With monopoly comes decreases innovation and variation of products. By 1980 there were only 44 breweries left in the U.S. At the same time, the lack of innovation and variation in beer tastes and styles helped to popularize home brewing. Because of the change in beer preference to a light lager ale, home brewing was the only way for many people to enjoy the beers produced by their ancestors. Through the 70’s and 80’s home brewing would grow into what is modern day microbrewing. As recently as 2012 Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors still controlled almost 90% of the market. Interestingly though, from 2008 to 2016 the number of new breweries grew by a factor of six. During the same time the number of new employees in the industry grew by 120%. Since the early 2000’s beer consumption has dropped, while the average beer price has almost doubled, showing that people are choosing to consume better beer at a higher price.

What Qualifies as a Craft Brewer

               Craft Brewing or microbrewing are words that have become common place in the alcoholic beverage market. But what qualifies a brewery as being a “craft brewery”? Craft breweries come in different sizes and characteristics which often fall into three categories.

1.       Small: A small craft brewery is one that produces less than 6 million barrels of beer annually, sales from these breweries constitutes less than 3% of annual beer sales in the U.S.. Beer production in small breweries is characterized by the continual changing of beer styles being produced.  

2.       Independent: An independent craft brewery is one that is owned by 25% or less than another industry member who does not itself produce craft beer. This has become a defining factor in the craft beer market because of the frequent buying of small breweries by large domestic breweries. Large domestics will buy small craft breweries and keep producing their beer under the same name, increasing their profits without customers ever knowing a change in ownership.

3.       Traditional: A traditional craft brewery is one that devotes a majority of its beer making capabilities to recreating traditional style beers, experimenting with creative ingredients, and testing new fermentation styles to create new beers.

Some craft breweries will qualify as a combination of a small, independent, and traditional brewery. On the other hand, breweries such as Ballast Point, Lagunitas, and Founders, have all been bought out by larger beverage corporations as a way of increasing their portfolio. For many, the ownership of the brewery doesn’t matter if the beer is good, but too many craft beer connoisseur’s it can be a make or break detail.

Why Support Craft Breweries?

1.       Craft beer allows brewers and consumers the opportunity to try new and traditional beers that are not produced by the domestic market. These beers require very unique and high-quality ingredients to produce to perfect taste, texture, and consistency. While it seems like a wide variety of products claims to use “the high-quality ingredients”, with beer the proof is right there in front of you. Brew masters will ferment beer with special ingredients such as spruce tips, coffee beans, and cocoa beans, and as a consumer you can actually taste these things. As a consumer this is an awesome opportunity to set yourself apart. With so many breweries and beers to choose from, craft beer gives you the chance to find and drink a beer that is “your beer”. A beer that you look for in every row of tap handles or that you always bring to gatherings. Through craft beer you can show your personality and creative side.

2.       Craft breweries are also a great way to support local businesses. Microbreweries themselves often small businesses, but they can have a large impact on their surrounding communities. As an employer they offer wages and opportunity for employees, helping boost local economies. As a producer of beer, their product can help bring name recognition to small towns and areas of cities that would not otherwise get attention. This attention helps to attract people to the physical location where the beer is produced to take tours, sample new beers, and hang out in the breweries tap house. This is great for the brewery, but business also spills over into the surrounding area helping to support other local businesses.

3.       Unlike domestics which produce the same beers year after year, season after season, craft brews focus on making the right beer for every season. While most craft breweries produce a couple popular flagship beers year-round, they also craft annual seasonal beers and new creative seasonal beers on a regular basis. This is important because most people’s taste preference changes as the weather does. In the summer people like to enjoy lighter, crisper, smoother beers. But as the weather changes to winter, people begin to drink darker, heavier beers. To keep up with this change in taste preference and demand, craft breweries are always coming up with new recipes to satisfy customer needs.

4.       Finally, one of the most rewarding things about drinking craft beer. Craft beer allows you to be a part of a large group of people all with the same common interest. Whether you’re picking up a six pack after work or bellied up to the bar, it’s amazing how drinking a craft beer can lead to conversation or friendship for no other reason than your taste in beer. Craft beer is also celebrated in large gatherings too. Brewery tours, large beer tasting events, and tap takeovers in your local pub are all great examples of times when beer is used to bring people together because of a common interest

Afraid of Craft Beer? Don’t Be!

               Craft beers get a bad rap for being super hoppy, sour, strong tasting IPA’s, but that is not true at all! Craft beer comes in all flavors, levels of bitterness and alcohol content. If you are new to the craft beer scene it is important to educate yourself beforehand, or at least have an idea of what kind of beers you may like.

Already a beer drinker?

As is the case with many people who grew up drinking domestic beers long before craft beer was ever popular, it can be hard to make the jump and try craft beer. If you fit into this category, here is some advice. As I stated earlier, craft beer comes in all flavors and styles. In other words, you don’t have to drink super dark or bitter beer to be a fan of craft beer. Beers styles such as a pilsner (which many craft beers are a form of), kolsch, wheat beers, blonde ale, witbier, and hefeweizen are all craft/traditional beer styles which have a lighter, crisper, more reserved taste. You’d be surprised too, while having a similar taste, these beer styles can have a much fuller texture and alcohol content, that may likely replace your favorite domestic.

               I don’t drink beer, I drink wine!

If your someone who chooses to drink wine and stays away from beer, have no fear, there is still a beer out there for you! Beer and Wine are not all that different, and with the rise of craft brewing this is becoming ever more obvious. With the resurrection of some traditional beers and creation of new styles, beer and wine are more similar than ever. For those who like to drink sweet wines, craft beers such as fruit beers and ciders are a good starting place. If you are someone who likes to drink dry or bitter wines, sour beers and ciders (Yes, cider beers can have such a wide array of flavors that two people of completely different taste can both like the same style of beer!) may be a great place to start. Fruit IPA’s are also a good place to start for someone who enjoys more bitter wines. For those who still aren’t willing to fully jump into craft beer, many breweries have also began making beer-wine hybrids which could act as a great steeping stone into craft beer!

               I only drink liquor…

               So, you’re the type of person who likes their drink to burn a little more on its way down? Not surprisingly there is a beer for you. Fermenting beer in whiskey and rum barrels has become a popular brewing style that creates a very unique final product. Bourbon barrel stout or a rum porter are both examples of beers that have been fermented in liquor barrels. When beer is fermented in these wooden barrels they soak up both flavor from the barrel itself, giving them a much stronger flavor. This style is often fermented in a way that gives it a higher alcohol content. These characteristics combine to create a beer which is high in alcohol content, has a strong distinct flavor, and a great start for those who drink liquor and want to try craft beer.

               Final Recommendation!!!

               Try new things and give them a real chance! This is so simple yet important. Bartenders are always willing to give you a sample of a tap beer, so don’t be afraid to ask. Trying new things is much less intimidating if you can do it for free. Ask your friends if you can try their beer, cause that’s what friends are for! The more beers you can taste, the more likely you are to find one you like. While sampling beers is a good start, sometimes you must push yourself to like something. To really appreciate a beer, even if you think you hate it, sometimes you have to sit down with a whole pint or bottle and drink it. After doing so you may not love the beer, you may not want to immediately drink another one, but hopefully you come away with an appreciation for something new. With many things in life you must learn to love something, who have to try them multiple times and let them grow on you, and beer is no different!

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Big Beer or Craft Beer?

Beer is a large part of the American Culture. The music industry and advertisements paint a picture of having an ice-cold beer after a long day at work or drinking one outside on a hot day by the beach. Almost always, friends are around and everyone is having a good time. Many people drink beer at bars, at home, or at a friend’s house. But is the beer they are drinking actually good? Or, is it possible have they never had a good beer? Big beer companies like Miller-Coors and Budweiser are destroying the craft beer industry. Most people will swear by one particular kind of beer. My mom swears she loves Bud Light. However, I would bet money that if I did an experiment with her and blocked the labels of the beer before she drank it, she would not be able to taste the difference. Experiments like this have been done before with random people and they have found those exact results. Beer from the Big Beer companies essentially all taste the same.

           Some people got fed up with drinking watered down beer so they started brewing their own. This started the craft beer industry. They started brewing beer the right way and adding more hops, spices and their own ingredients to make a variety of delicious beers. This has directed a huge hit to Big Beer’s sales. Miller and Coors have teamed up to create Miller-Coors and Budweiser has started undermining craft brewers. Budweiser has started purchasing craft breweries in order to stay on top. They keep a close eye on craft breweries that will not give in and sell. With these companies, Budweiser does something that could be seen as spiteful. If a craft brewer releases a new flavor of beer, such as an apple ale, and that drink is doing well in the market, they will release their own apple ale. It will be cheaper than the craft beer and they also will not put as much time and effort in the ale to make it taste good. Therefore, people will buy Bud’s apple ale because it is cheaper and they recognize the name. They will then not like it and then not want to try the craft beer’s ale. This deters craft breweries from making their own unique concoctions.

           Big Beer still dominates the market. Budweiser makes up forty-six and a half percent of the United States market and Miller-Coors make up about twenty-seven percent of the market share. Craft beer, wine and spirits make up the last twenty-six and a half percent of the market in the United States. Slowly and steadily craft beer’s market share is rising. Consumers are starting to realize that beer does not have to taste watered down. I once heard someone say “I never believe people when they tell me they do not like beer. I just think they have not found the right kind yet.” I think this is something that craft brewers have taken advantage of. Many people say they are not fans of beer or would rather drink anything but beer. Putting a fruity twist on a light beer is a good way for craft breweries to put their twist on beer while pleasing everyone. Big beer companies have started doing this as well. Budweiser created the Lime-a-rita, a twist on a classic margarita. They have expanded that to include many more flavors as well. They have priced these inexpensively, and made them easily accessible to consumers. This is another example of big beer companies undermining the craft beer industry.

           When people try the flavored beer that the big beer companies make and end up not liking them, they will not try the craft brewer’s product that is also the same flavor. Craft brewers take time to their products taste amazing. They put in hours and hours of work to ensure that the beverages they put out are top notch and are tasty. This causes their prices to be higher than those of big beer companies like Miller-Coors and Budweiser. Consumers that are on a budget will not go out of their way to buy craft beer. This is a huge hit to the craft beer industry. College students that cannot afford to buy good, pricey beer are not going to purchase their product. Most of my friends that drink beer drink Pabst Blue Ribbon or Natural Light. I personally think that these beers taste like garbage water. I understand why my friends buy it though. It is very cheap. Sometimes a thirty pack is less than fifteen dollars. Craft beer is more expensive at restaurants as well. A glass of Bud light might only cost three dollars where as a glass of downtown brown ale from the Pearl Street Brewery might be more like seven dollars. The difference in taste is worth the more expensive price.

           Big beer companies also control the distribution channels in most places. Beer is distributed by a three-tier system. This essentially means that craft brewers rely on distributors to distribute their products to local grocery stores, gas stations, bars and liquor stores. Distributors are usually employed by big beer companies. Therefore, they have the option on whether they want to or do not want to carry the craft beer on their trucks. Craft breweries do not have the ability to distribute their products themselves because it is illegal in most parts of the United States. If a distributor does not want to carry their products they are essentially out of luck and need to think of another way to get their products to the consumers. Big beer companies not only share a majority of the market but they control most of the distribution as well. This creates tension within the beer industry.

With craft beer on the rise, craft breweries have started offering fun extra things that entice the consumer to start drinking their products. Craft breweries often give tours of their facilities open to the public. I, myself, have toured the Turtle Stack Brewery. It is a local and newer craft brewery located in downtown La Crosse. It just opened its doors a few years ago and already has seen a rise in demand for their products. Because they are a smaller brewery, they are having a hard time keeping up with their demand. Their beer is featured on several local restaurants menus. They sell to these restaurants by the barrel and are responsible for their own distribution. They said that many of these restaurants often demand several barrels a year. Since the Turtle Stack Brewery is small they struggle with keeping up on the demand of their different beers. They are selective with the restaurants they provide their products too. Most of their consumers come in to the brewery and purchase their beer in the store. La Crosse is a town that is centered around drinking so having two local craft breweries, Turtle Stack and Pearl Street Brewery, adds to the aesthetic of the large town. The Pearl Street Brewery is another local La Crosse brewery. They are larger and have been around for many years. Their most popular beer is the Downtown Brown Pale Ale.

Many consumers avoid craft beer because they believe it is all hops and IPA is the only kind available. This is not true. Crafter brewers add hops to their drinks to add flavor that big beer companies do not have because they are so watered down. There are many craft beers that are light and similar, yet better, than the big beer company’s drinks. New Glarus Spotted Cow is the perfect example of this. It is a light beer and it tastes so much better than a regular bud light or Miller-Coors. Not all craft beers are hoppy and heavy. Some people really like the taste of IPA beer drinks. For me they are too heavy and little sour. I prefer light beer that has a sort of fruity finish to it like the Summer Shandy from Leinenkugel. Craft beers have a variety of flavors and a range of light to heavy beers. Many people have not tried craft beer because they stick to what they know. However, stepping out of your comfort zone could open up a whole new world of beer to you.

Craft breweries not only bring an original take on beer into a community, they also enrich the community. They host tours and special events that bring townsfolk together to celebrate everything we all love, beer and alcohol. If you are still on the fence of whether or not to try craft beers, do it. Go to a local brewery, take a tour and try a glass of beer. It will change your mind and views on the beer industry. Big beer companies will continue to try and destroy craft breweries but I believe that in ten to twenty years, craft beer will have almost as large of a market share as Budweiser and Miller-Coors. If you have learned or decided anything from reading this, remember this, support craft beer and breweries!

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

I think this article is very interesting. There’s always a blurry line between what is considered business causal and what’s considered professional. Some people think jeans and nice shirt is business casual and acceptable to wear. However, my work says their business casual but doesn’t allow jeans. I’m excited to read your future blogs to learn more about Bizmiss!

Why ‘BizMiss’?

Well, first, let me tell you a bit more about myself. I’m a junior in college double majoring in marketing and psychology. I started college with the desire to be a psychiatrist, but quickly changed my mind when I realized the enormity of strain that came with the job. As I was entering college, I felt lost. Psychology was so interesting, but I did not want to have a traditional psychology career. I had planned on psychiatry my whole life… so now what? Through taking a variety of classes my freshman year, I realized that not only were the business classes understandable for me, they were also interesting. For a freshman in college, classes that are interesting do not come around very often, so I decided to investigate further.

I came to realize that business was not just pushy salespeople manipulating you or an accountant sitting at a desk all day. There was this thing called marketing which I found intriguing. Marketing and psychology go hand in hand, probably why I was so interested in it. To target the right group of people that you wish to market to, you need to know your audience and what makes them the ‘right group’. But what I love most about marketing is the switch from knowing what your consumers want to buy to why they want to buy it. This psychological aspect is extremely interesting to me and is what pushes me as a marketer.

In the past few years, I have gotten involved professionally as much as possible. Through joining the American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Pi, the Sales Team, and having an advertising/branding internship, I want to absorb as much as I can about the business world before I am projectile launched into it in T-11 months (wow, ain’t that a scary fact). I’ve loved every second of the clubs that I am a part of. They all give me a different perspective to the business world that I would not have gotten otherwise.

Lately, I have been getting more interested in advertising and branding, which is what my internship is in. I would love to learn how to use Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Canva, and other design platforms in classes, but there are only a few courses at the school I attend that discuss these platforms. Through my internship I have gotten more familiar with other platforms, which has been giving me real world experience of what my possible career after college would be. Although I’m graduating soon, I am allowing myself time to figure out what’s best for me and what I truly enjoy doing.

So now that you know a bit more about me, let me tell you why I chose to create BizMiss. First of all, it’s a play on words. Come on, everyone loves a good play on words. But in all seriousness, I created BizMiss because I truly enjoy dressing professionally and helping my friends pick out what they should wear. I have so many business clothes (seriously, it’s ridiculous) because I rationalize my clothing purchases as my investing in the future since I will be needing these clothes once I start my career.

The clubs that I am a part of often require business casual or business professional dress, so I have gotten used to slipping on heels and a blazer for a long school day. Although sometimes it can be annoying to have to look nice when my friends are sitting comfortably next to me in leggings and a baggy t-shirt, generally I like getting dressed up.

My internship also requires business casual dress in the office. I feel as though it promotes a sense of knowledge and professionalism that would not be achieved if any kind of dress was allowed in the office. When I wear business clothing, I am more confident in myself and what I’m saying because I look the part of a professional. Our boss, the CEO of the small company I intern at, always chooses to wear a suit. No matter the day, even if we’re just at the office, he wears a full suit. His decision to wear a suit reflects his power and confidence in the office. Although it’s just clothing, I feel as though I respect him more since he is dressed more professionally than I am.

Maybe there’s something to be said there. If you think about it, whether it’s business clothes or sweats, why do some clothing gain us more respect that other clothing? I wonder if it has to do with the material it is made out of. Sweats are comfortable, soft, and easy to move around in while business clothing like blazers and slacks are tightly wound with a higher thread count. Perhaps since business clothes are more uncomfortable, the people that would wear them are seen as more serious and are automatically given more authority?

Or maybe it is because of how expensive it is to create business clothes. Because they are typically made with higher quality fabric, it could be a status symbol to wear these clothes. For example, if you wear Lululemon apparel, which is extremely expensive athletic clothing, you automatically are viewed with more prestige than someone without name-brand athletic clothing. Perhaps people in business clothes are similarly viewed with prestige because of the clothes’ generally higher price tag. But, I digress.

My love for clothing stemmed when I was in high school. I always enjoyed fashion and keeping up with different clothing trends. Of course, like the typical high schooler, I was nervous to stand out too much, so I would never wear the fashionable clothes that were too ‘out there’. However, I did experiment with clothing and would often wear clothing that my friends would never wear.

Now that I am in college and could care less what others think of my clothing, I am free to experiment and wear whatever clothes that I enjoy. I used to do this mostly with everyday clothes, but as of the past year I have branched out and begun to wear business clothes that is fashionable, but not always normal. Personally, I like looking different than everyone else because it sets me apart and (hopefully!) is another way to make me memorable to others.

Last year I spent the first 3 weeks of summer in Italy for a psychology study abroad trip. It was my second time in Europe but was the trip that I cherished the most. My first trip to Europe, I was too young to appreciate everything around me, especially the fashion. Last year I was in complete awe at the sophistication and boundaries pushed with clothing in Italy. I found my new favorite store, Zara, there. This is one of the major stores that most Italian woman visit to find everyday clothes. However, since the fashion in the United States is much different, most of the clothing at Zara is perfect for business clothes. Italy taught me to appreciate ‘wacky’ patterns and flared sleeves in a way that I never thought that I would before.

Not only do I want to use this blog to promote different business clothes, but I also want to give insights and tips to my readers. I am lucky that the clubs that I am in do a fabulous job of preparing us for what to wear in the business world and what is and isn’t acceptable to wear. However, I know that many students that are going into the business world did not get the same opportunities and help that I did. My goal is to arm my readers with the insight to know what is acceptable to wear to each type of career they may encounter.

What took me the longest time to understand was the difference between business casual and business professional clothing since most business clothes can either be dressed up or down to reflect the specific look you are trying to achieve. I personally enjoy dressing business casual more so than business professional as there is more room to experiment and more options to try. However, business professional clothing is what makes me feel the most confident and professional. Overall, there are pros and cons to each type of dress.

You might be thinking, this girl is just a college kid, why should I listen to her? I’m sure that I could learn just as much from you as you might from me. From what I’ve learned in my experience, the business world is constantly growing and changing so why not use each other to gain a bit more knowledge into the field that we are all going into? I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts in the comments so let’s make this interactive and fun for the both of us!

If you decide to keep up with my blog, I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time out of your probably hectic life to read my tips and tricks on business dress and etiquette. I was extremely grateful for all of the knowledge that I gained from my clubs and internship and hope that you get a little something out of reading my blog as well. Ladies, let’s take this leap and dive into the BizMiss world together.

#MKT400UWL

[clarisecocktails-blog]

I love this article! I didn’t realize that there were so many dogs in the United States and can you imagine then how many there are worldwide? That number is probably huge. I love taking my dog to the dog park so he can make some friends. It’s so important to make sure that your dog is healthy and gets outside enough. Dogs are a member of the family. If you can’t tell I’m a dog person haha #MKT400UWL

How to Have Fun with Your Dog

Dogs come in all shapes in sizes and they all have very different personalities. According to the ASPCA, 44% of all households in the United States owns a dog. This means that there are 78 million dogs owned in the United States alone! That sure is a lot of dogs! People get a dog for all sorts of reasons whether it be a farm or guard dog or just a cuddly lap dog. Every type of dog serves a purpose in someone’s life.

One huge way that dogs help us is that they help to relieve a lot of stress. Simply petting a dog can make someone feel a lot better. This is why they are used as therapy animals so often. Many dogs every day are brought to nursing homes and hospitals just to put a smile on the patients faces. Throughout this post I am going to give you a few simple tips on fun activities that you can do with your dog (or any dog) to put a smile on your face, relieve some stress, and to allow your dog to have a little fun!

1.      Walk Your Dog

The first activity is simple. This would just be taking your dog for a walk. I do not know a single dog that does not enjoy going for a walk, and it is great exercise for the owner too. It is an easy task to accommodate into most people’s lives because you do not need anything except a leash, good walking shoes, a poop bag (always pick up the poop), and your dog. You can walk for as long or short of a distance as you would like to and there are even apps that allow a person to track their route that they walk with their dog. These apps will allow you to track if you take one route a lot more than others. This could help an owner to find ways to mix up their path if they begin to get bored of where they are walking. Walking is also a great option for someone who may have an older dog that cannot go too far but likes to get out of the house. Additonally, walking is a good option for dogs who may not listen well off leash or may not like other dogs. Walking allows the handler to have control over the dog without putting other people or animals at risk.

Getting involved in local dog walks is also an enjoyable option. A lot of humane societies will have fundraiser walks that allow people to bring their animals. This is fun because it allows you to meet other dogs and dog enthusiasts and they can meet you and your dog. It is important to make sure your dog likes other dogs before attending an event with other dogs around.

Some ambitious people also choose to go running with their dog. This is a great way to tire a dog out, and many dogs really enjoy this. In most communities there are many different running and walking paths, so you can easily change up where you are going with your dog, so it does not get too boring.

2.      Dog Park

Taking a dog to the dog park is an enjoyable time for both the owner and the dog. It is good for the dogs because it is generally a fenced in area and the dog is free to run wherever they want. It also allows the owner to see and meet many new and very cute dogs. The dog park allows the dog to meet new dogs and play with them. This will tire out your dog quickly which is a goal that many busy people have. It also allows you to not have to do less work than you would if you were walking or running with your dog. Many dog parks offer benches which is especially great for people who may not be able to walk too far. Additionally, the dog parks offer paths throughout the fenced in area, and other unfenced in parts of the park that you can take your dog to explore.

So, you decided you want to go to a dog park? There are a few tips you should know. Most dog parks are split into a small and large dog section to prevent injuries to dogs. It is always a good idea to bring water for your dog. Make sure you bring a lot because as soon as you put it down every dog will drink it. It is also important to keep an eye on your dog at all times. This allows you to quickly pick up any poop, or step in if your dog looks like it might get in a fight. Make sure your dog is tolerant of lots of different dogs because as soon as you walk into a dog park, dogs will swarm your dog. Most importantly enjoy your time and pet lots dogs!

3.      Swimming

This might not be the best option for all dogs, but for a dog that loves to swim it is perfect! Swimming tires them out quickly and they love doing it. Many people opt to bring a ball or a toy that floats along so that they can play fetch with their dog. If your dog is anything like mine who hates water and sinks, then you might want to bring a life jacket or opt to not take your dog swimming. It is important to check that wherever you are taking your dog to swim is dog friendly, and that your dog listens well when called if it is off leash in an unsecured area. It is also important to make sure you are away from any boats because you do not want your dog to get hit.

There are also different dog schools that you can join that do a water dogs program. This allows the dog to practice swimming in a safe environment. The trainers helps to build the dogs confidence to help prevent accidents. Some dog owners even compete their dog in a competition called dock jumping. This is where a dog has to jump as far as it can off a dock to catch a toy. The dog that jumps the farthest wins. The dogs that compete in this really love fetch and water, so if your dog loves fetch and water they might make a good dock dog!

An activity related to swimming that does not involve a wet smelly dog, is taking your dog kayaking with you. Many people train their dogs to sit in a kayak and they take them all over with them. This does not get your dog as much exercise, but it does provide an owner with companionship. It is important to make sure your dog calmly stays in the kayak because otherwise they could flip the both of you into the water. Then you would both be wet and smelly.

4.      Watch a Movie

This forth option, my personal favorite, is what I call the lazy option. This is just sitting down on a couch and calling your dog over and petting them. Grab your favorite blanket, turn on your favorite TV show, grab a snack, and call your dog over. Dogs love being pet and will be happy with the attention you are giving them especially if you have been gone most of the day. Keep in mind most dogs really appreciate a belly rub! Watching a movie or TV is a great option if an owner is tired and has had a long day. Most people watch TV at some point during the night, so this is a good way to unwind while giving you pet attention. Many people make this into a routine. I know my dog always knows when it is the end of the night and she goes to her normal spot on the couch and waits for a belly rub. She is happy when anyone gives her one for any amount of time. Petting a dog also helps to relieve stress so having a routine like this will force you to sit down and take a break from the craziness of our lives.

There are tons of activities and ways to be involved with your dog and these are just a few. Dogs do not care what they are doing with their owners. They are just happy to receive attention. Most people work away from home during the day, so taking the time to spend an hour doing a physical activity is good to keep your pet from going stir crazy. It is also good for the owner to get outside and be active, especially if they have been sitting at a desk job all day. Furthermore, petting a dog relieves a lot of stress. We know today that people are more stressed than ever before, so anything we can do to help combat this is worth it.

Our dogs look forward to us coming home all day. They live to spend time with us. They are happy when we are, and they know when we are sad. Simple activities such as the ones I discussed do not take a lot of effort on our part but make our dogs days so much better. What is your favorite activity to do with your dog or pet?

[clarisecocktails-blog]

Fair or Unfair Charges?

For a private event at an elegant restaurant, bar, or hotel should it clearly state what the total liquor minimum cost will be after taxes and gratuities before a patron agrees to a certain amount? I have run into this issue quite a bit at work. Just a little background on where I work, I am currently employed at the Maxwell Mansion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was the first mansion built in Lake Geneva by Dr. Maxwell. It is a beautiful old, Victorian mansion that was built back in 1856. The upstairs has been converted into a swanky, Victorian hotel with six rooms. The Lower level was converted in a bar and lounge area. The basement, way back in the 1920’s, was a speakeasy. A few years ago, the basement was converted back into a speakeasy that is open to the public on the weekends. Only if they know the password though! Many people come from out of state to stay and have a drink at this beautiful historic mansion. Because of the renovations made, many different kinds of special events can be held at the mansion. The summer is definitely the busiest time for these events. The mansion is located right across the street from Geneva Lake, in Southeastern Wisconsin. The upstairs bar is full on the weekends and the speakeasy is packed to the brim. On occasion, during the summer, there will be special events. These events include weddings, receptions, birthday parties, bridal showers, etc. All of these events are orchestrated and run by the event coordinator. She makes sure that every last detail down to the most miniscule thing you could think of is planned for and anticipated.

The most important part of these events is the bar. How many people are attending that will be drinking? How much are they going to spend on alcohol? Is it a cash bar or a hosted bar? All of these questions are answered well before the event is scheduled to occur. One of the items that is negotiated with the event coordinator is the bar minimum. The bar minimum is a guaranteed amount of money that will be spent on alcohol and other beverages during the event. For example, if the patron knows that their group is going to drink a lot that night the customer will set their bar minimum to be higher than someone who thinks their group will not be imbibing a lot. For example, say the bar minimum for an event is one thousand five hundred dollars. The patron would then be asked to pay that before the event as a deposit and guarantee that amount will be spent at the bar. If that specific amount is not met, then the customer will have to pay the difference. However, most people forget to add the sales taxes and service charge to the bar minimum when negotiating the total amount. If the consumer with the bar minimum of one thousand five hundred dollars reaches that, they will actually be spending around two thousand dollars because of those added fees. That is over five hundred dollars more than they were anticipating! If they had not budgeted for this extra amount, they still would have to pay it. This brings me to my initial question: Should a bar minimum include service taxes and gratuity in the price or should it be factored in after the minimum amount is met?

Many people that work in the food and beverage industry are aware of the auto-gratuity of large parties and events on food and beverages served. However, many people do not take this into account when they are budgeting for their wedding or a different large, important event. A few weekends ago I worked a wedding that the bride’s mother had planned. She had a bar minimum of one thousand dollars. At the end of the wedding she received the final bill for the bar. The total bar sales had exceeded the bar minimum by five hundred dollars. The bartender also added the sales tax and a service charge which is the same thing as auto-gratuity. The final bill turned out to be a little over double than what she expected. She had the money to pay for it, but it made me wonder. Was she told that these extra fees were going to be added to the final bill or had it just been expected that she already knew about them?

I spoke to the event coordinator that is in charge of handling the bar minimums and negotiating the dollar amount for each of them. In the original rental agreement that everyone is sent, when inquiring about special events and catering options, it clearly states in large bold letters that the agreed minimum at the bar does not include added taxes and a service charge. The event coordinator said that she also makes this abundantly clear in her consultations with customers. She mentioned that the only people that usually object to the taxes and service charge are those that are also in the food and beverage industry. One wedding that she hosted a while ago was extremely aware of the auto-gratuity. They had a one thousand dollar bar minimum and wanted to be alerted immediately when the tab was around eight hundred dollars. Once it reached that amount they would switch over to a cash bar. This way they would reach their bar minimum with the final bill and it would include the sales tax and service charge. This is fiscally responsible, but it can also come across as cheap or lower class. I know that the Maxwell Mansion includes that sales tax and service charge automatically because in the past they had run into problems of patrons not tipping the bartenders and servers. On a bill as high as a thousand dollars, people would often be skimpy with the tip. This service charge at the end ensures that the bartenders and servers are getting the amount of money they deserve for working that event and crafting beautiful, delicious cocktails.

Places like the Maxwell Mansion cater to a more sophisticated crowd. The cocktails are complex, innovative and a little more on the expensive side. The bartenders are constantly creating new drinks and thinking of new ways to show off their mixing talents. Recently they have started using a smoking gun on certain cocktails. This brings out the smoky flavor of bourbon and other rye based liquors. The drinks that are created are not your average, run of the mill rail mixed drinks that you would find at any local bar. At these events, there is no discount on these kinds of drinks. There can be a specialty drink made in honor of the event which is usually a sangria of some sort. The specialty drinks are usually cheaper than a regular cocktail at the bar. Bottom-line, if you are hosting a private event there, such as a wedding, it should come as no surprise that there is a service charge added to the final bill. The atmosphere, the bar and the mansions itself is a unique place to have your special day. It is an expensive place to rent out with an entire full house buyout priced at eight thousand dollars. The Bar is advertised as not only as a bar, but as an experience.

Overall I can understand why people think that having a bar minimum and not including the taxes and service charges in there can seem like a sneaky way for a business to get more money from you. The taxes that are added on vary by state and they are usually just a miniscule amount and are required by the state law. The service charge is just a guarantee to the bartenders that they will get paid for the service they provided. Especially if it is a whole property buy out and they will not get patrons walking in just for a cocktail. Essentially, most of their income from that particular night is going to come from the service charge at the event. Event patrons need to be aware that a bar minimum is just the amount of money spent on alcohol during the event and does not include the extra charges. This should be stated clearly in the rental contract before moving forward with planning any event. Fancy, delicious cocktails are expensive and sometime complicated to make. The bartenders should get their gratuity for a job well done.

I think you could even argue that a server or bartender should automatically get a twenty percent tip on all bills. They sometimes make less than five dollars an hour, and since most of their salary depends on tips, they deserve the money made through the service charges. This is a progressive opinion that I am thinking some people might disagree with. However, with the added service charges, servers and bartenders are happier to be working. That ultimately creates a better experience for the consumer.

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