Letter To The People - July 2011
Publisher's Commentary
by Rökker
Rökker & Lars (Distiller at Yahara Bay) with the first bottles of Rökker Vodka off the line
photo by Nick Quint
Rökker Vodka: This Month, Rökker Vodka gets introduced in Madison. Yep! I put out my own vodka label, crazy huh? It is distilled and bottled right here in Madison by Yahara Bay Distillery, an award winning distillery. It is a premium vodka, so it’s not rail… and best yet, it’s so pure there isn’t a hangover.
I got the idea for this special vodka after touring through Iceland and a stop in Reykjavik that turned me on to the “Black Death Vodka.” We needed a “Black Death of the Midwest” vodka, so I bring you Rökker Vodka. You can read the full story about the tour at RokkerVodka.com/iceland.
The Label is characterized by a skull and crossed guitars with a small story on back about the Iceland experience. It can’t be mistaken with the recently released Swedish vodka “Rökk Vodka” because if there isn’t a skull or guitar… it’s not Rökker Vodka.
Lars Forde, the distiller at Yahara Bay Distillery, helped me celebrate the first few cases heading out the door by coming with me to the Frequency, High Noon Saloon, and Majestic Theater last weekend to talk to people about Rökker Vodka. (see the pic of him and I with the first bottle, we’re standing in front of the still)
This month, even more venues will carry Rökker Vodka including Mr. Roberts, The Harmony, Wilson’s, Alchemy Cafe, Inferno, Barrymore Theater, Bluephies, Drakenberg’s, Ale Asylum, Talula, Brink Lounge, Bellini Italian Restaurant, Dragonfly Lounge, Lazy Oaf. Also keep an eye out at Woodman’s.
A list will be updated at RokkerVodka.com, both growing daily.
Rökker Vodka on Tour: You will also be able to catch Rökker & Lars on tour throughout the summer! We don’t need no stinking guitars or drums to tour, lol, all we need is some Rökker Vodka! We’ll be hitting shows and clubs at the following locations with a $4 drink special each night. Come see us on tour and hear the story of Rökker Vodka and how it’s made. Google the locations for directions.
Max Ink Radio presents
Rökker Vodka on tour in July:
7/14 Drakenberg’s Cigar Bar - 10pm, $6
7/15 Official Tasting & Release Party
Frequency - 10pm with
Sunspot, and Subatomic
7/16 Alchemy Cafe w/ Kingtown Rockers
7/17 High Noon Saloon w/ Red Elvises
7/22 Inferno w/ Droids Attack, Romero
8/4 Majestic w/ Baghdad Scuba Review
8/19 High Noon Saloon
Last Coast & MIR Present
Nashville Pussy, Whisky Pig
Atwood Summerfest: I am personally looking forward to this year’s band line up. Here’s a preview of the Maximum Ink/Ale Asylum Rock Stage at Atwood Summerfest on Saturday, July 30th 12-7pm on 2000-2100 blocks of Atwood Avenue in Madison.
Up first at noon is Unity, a reggae band from the Fox Valley. I’ve tried to get them a few times over the years but they are never available. This year we caught some luck, they’re a great band, great chemistry and a killer bass player…. oh, and the other guys ain’t too shabby either! 😉
Following Unity will be a Milwaukee band featuring Paul “Evil” Kneevers on Hammond B3 and Dave Schoepke (Moloko Shivers) on drums. They’re instrumental jam music is fun and groovy.
Then Madison’s Soul Shaker will crank a set of hard blues. They really rocked it last year and everybody loved ‘em. I had to give ‘em another round!
Baghdad Scuba Review is reuniting for Atwood Summerfest! Make sure to catch this “rare” show as they sink back to vacation status again.
And back for an unprecedented third time, Madison’s 70s disco outfit VO5. They have gotten more people to dance at one time than any other band in Atwood Summerfest history. So get your wig on and boogie to set a new record this year!
Rökker Vodka is a sponsor of the Rock Stage and if you need to try some it will be available at some of the local establishments like Players, Mr. Roberts, Wilson’s, and Alchemy Cafe. We’ll be hitting all of those places after the fest and getting some prime rib at Wilson’s for sure!
Special Thanx Randy Wilson of Wilson’s Bar and Grill, Otto Dilba from Ale Asylum, Keith From the Harmony Bar and Grill, Michael & Steve from Knucklehead’s Tobacco and gifts, Margo at Goodman Center, and General Beverage for sponsoring the Rock Stage again this year!
Adventures with Elizabeth: It’s summer and the kids are in camp. More next month.
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