Spring Green, Wisconsin
Thursday, May 4, 2023 | Vol. 4, No. 8 FREE, Single-Copy
Inside this edition
Lake Louie Brewing ‘Major Water Relocation Project’
BEST OF THE RIVER VALLEY 2023 Nominations Open
Can bipartisan support save arts funding in Wisconsin?
Pages 1, 9
Pages 1, 5
Page 11
Lake Louie Brewing announces 'major water relocation project' with the move of Lake Louie from Arena to Verona
Paul Verdu, Lake Louie Brewing / Wisconsin Brewing Company Lake Louie Brewing Company announced that they plan to relocate the body of water known as Lake Louie, from Arena Wisconsin to Verona Wisconsin. The moving of the lake will reunite it with the brewery that produces Lake Louie Brewing beers. Lake Louie Brewing was founded by Tom Porter in 2000 when he cashed in his 401K to start a brewery out of his garage in Arena, WI. He named the brewery after the lake that sits on his property, which was named after his Uncle Louie. Later in 2019, Tom sold Lake Louie Brewing to Wisconsin Brewing Company (WBC) based in Verona. Tom shuttered his brewery and all of Lake Louie Brewing beers are now
Photo contributed by Wisconsin Brewing Company Pictured is Tom Porter, founder of Lake Louie Brewing, which was started in Arena in 2000. produced in Verona. Despite this sale and closure of his facility, the body of water known as Lake Louie still sits on Tom’s property, far away from the new home of its namesake brewery.
In the fall of 2022, Wisconsin Brewing Company announced that they would be putting all of their attention and investment behind Lake Louie Brewing and announced a new visual identity
for the brand at the same time. “We are putting all of our focus on Lake Louie Brewing,” says Paul Verdu, President of WBC. “Having Lake Louie so far away from our brewery just doesn’t make sense. We have no choice but to move the lake.” Thus, planning for this historic lake relocation project has been underway for months. On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Lake Louie will be moved from Arena to WBC’s beautiful property in Verona. “Sure, I’m a little sad to see it go, but I still love Lake Louie Brewing, and it needs to be next to Lake Louie lake,” said Tom Porter. “Plus, maybe they’ll finally leave me alone now.”
continued on page 9
Valley Sentinel announces the 2023 Best of the River Valley reader poll, nominations open now Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 3rd Annual Best of the River Valley reader poll! Again, drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it. As with last year, with winners announced in June, the Best of the River Valley is designed to maximize engagement with area businesses and attractions heading into the busy summer months. The poll results will be on stands during the Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair and for the season opening of American Players Theatre. The Best of the River Valley is not only a complement to existing guides that help community and newcomers alike navigate our area, but also — especially now more than ever — a time to share where you believe the area is headed,
what the area needs to focus on, and also a place to brag about your business or your favorite Old Fashioned, with a healthy competitive spirit. As voting opens towards the end of May, tools will be made available to businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited. The poll will focus on the goings-on of the past year, from June 2022 to May 2023. Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around the Spring Green area — Arena, Lone Rock, Plain and Spring Green — unless stated as regional. The poll will cover various categories from the staple business services, to outdoor adventures, to arts and culture. Winners will range from businesses to
continued on page 5