The recent debate about the beer distribution provisions in Governor Walker’s budget bill have turned my attention toward one of my favorite things in the world.. beer!

Under current state law, a brewer of any size can also obtain wholesale licenses, which are given out by municipalities. Walker’s provision would change that by combining the brewer’s permit and wholesale and retail licenses into one permit under state control. This new state permit bans brewers from owning a wholesale distribution business.

Proponents of the bill, including MillerCoors, the Wisconsin Beer Distribution Association, the Tavern League of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Grocers Association, are big players in the beer industry. They say the move is necessary to prevent any one company from monopolizing the “three-tier” beer market in Wisconsin.

The owners of several craft brewers see the budget proposal as a power grab by the state’s beer distributors who, along with MillerCoors, are overreacting to the potential threat of Anheuser-Busch entering the Wisconsin distribution market.

Two Madison brewpub businesses, including the Great Dane, have stopped selling MillerCoors beers in support of other craft brewers who fear the effects of the beer distribution provisions in the state budget.

All this controversy is making me thirsty. Where in Madison can I find the best selection of Wisconsin microbrews on tap? Leave a comment below. Jonathan and Kitty will pick a winner July 7th. Then we’re off to sample some of Wisconsin’s finest. Cheers!

I have yet to discover a great deli in Madison. The smell of parmigiano reggiano, salami, and tins of lasagna just pulled from the oven at an Italian deli always makes me think of rural Calabria and family. Hot pastrami with Russian dressing and cole slaw takes me back to the day when I was sleeping on a couch, working two jobs, and loving it in San Diego. My roommate and I frequented a deli right downstairs from our tiny one bedroom apartment downtown. Every morning we would wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread.

My neighborhood deli in Detroit gave you the choice of a new or old pickle. Their old pickles always had more flavor. I want to create some Madison memories with a face full of cold cuts and a cream soda! Where’s the best deli in Madison? Leave a comment below and Jonathan and Kitty will pick one at random May 13th. Then you and I are off for lunch.. and I’m buyin’.

There are a ton of pizza places in any city USA. The hard part is finding pizza that’s awesome! After twenty years in Detroit there were only 2 pizzas I absolutely loved.. Tomatoes A Pizza and Pizza Papalis. I might even sayTomatoes A Pizza is my all-time favorite.

I’m partial to thin crust over deep dish. It’s just not as much fun. Who wants to be down for the count after one piece of thick crust pizza when you could enjoy six or seven slices of heaven?

Who do you think has the best pizza in Madison? Leave a comment below and Jonathan and Kitty will pick a winner at random March 16th. Then you and a friend are coming with me for some real pizza pie.. and I’m buyin’!

So far you’ve turned me on to a couple amazing Madison treasures.. Tony Frank’s, and Mickies Dairy Bar. This time I’m looking for Madison’s best Mexican Restaurant. Burritos, guacamole, hot salsa, and enchiladas are some of my favorites. No pressure, but I lived in San Diego for awhile and to date that town has the best mexican food I’ve ever tasted! Any ideas?

Leave a comment below and Jonathan and Kitty will pick a winner at random. Then you and me head out for mexican and margaritas!

You know what they say.. breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  When it comes to breakfast I love it all.  Eggs over easy, scrambled, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, hash browns, sausage and of course after a night out no early morning meal is complete without a huge pile of delicious BACON!

Where can I find the best breakfast in Madison?  Leave a comment below and Jonathan and Kitty will pick a winner at random.  Then you and me get an early start for once and I’m buyin!

Where’s the best burger in Madison?  I’m starvin’!  Help me out and come grab one with me.  I’m buyin!

Leave a comment below and I’ll pick one at random to win.