Change is Good

Photo Credit: Kim Pizzala

In Wisconsin, the seasons change, and that can be a really beautiful thing. One of the ways we change with the seasons is, we update our cocktail menu. At this time of year, we shift from the juicy, berry-flavored drinks of summer for the more savory flavors of fall. Warm, brown spirits, baking spices and fall fruit are ushered onto the menu, just in time for the coziness of sweaters and the smell of leaves as they fall like multicolored confetti from the trees.

This fall’s menu features two favorites from last year, the Autumn Fire and the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned. Our bartender Jerod designed the Autumn Fire to be a silky, creamy cocktail that is as sophisticated as it is delicious. With its hint of cinnamon, it satisfies the palate and the spirit. Our bartender, Ally, asked us to bring back the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, because it speaks to the timeless pleasures of fall without being overly sweet.

We’re expanding our portfolio of beer cocktails. You may recall the Beer Margarita; and who can forget the Keg Nog? This summer we branched out with a Ginger Shandy, which was complex and quaffable. This fall, we’re featuring the Autumn Shandy, which makes the most of our best-selling Delafield Amber, adding Drambuie, ginger beer and a touch of lemon to brighten it up.

Last but certainly not least is my own favorite, the Oh, Pear! Bulleit bourbon, with a pear reduction and the warm, savory spices of Milwaukee’s own Bittercube Bitters’ Trinity bitters.

We welcome these drinks, and this change of seasons, as we pack away our bathing suits and bring out the sweaters and jackets we haven’t seen for months. The menu comes to life October 1, and we look forward to seeing you at the Delafield Brewhaus bar!

Partnership Opportunity

In life, people come and go. This is an unfortunate but well-known truth. The people we work with are no exception to this rule. Though we have labored together side-by side and grown to care for one another, sometimes our dreams pull us apart. As true friends, we have no choice but to stand aside and wish our loved ones well as they launch themselves bravely into the future.

At the Delafield Brewhaus, we are very fortunate to have known some very fine people. I, personally, can say in all seriousness that I have met more truly good people in the nearly four years I have worked here, than I met in the previous decades combined. Though we are sorry to see dear friends leaving, we are eager to meet new and hardworking people who will help our team continue to pursue excellence in all departments.

Now we are hiring and we would open the process up to you, for you to recommend the good people in your life to our endeavors. Yes, we work hard, but we work hard together. Yes, the work can be challenging, but we draw on our combined strength to achieve our objectives. We have the training, tools and teamwork needed to continue our success into the future, but we are asking for your help to fill our roster with smart, hardworking, kind people -- the sort of people you’d like working for you and your family.

If you know anyone whom you think would thrive in our environment, please recommend us to them. Let us know whom you’re sending, and ask them to put your name down as a reference. If your recommendation is hired and remains with us for 90 days, we will thank you with a $25 gift certificate to use as you wish.

Thank you for the compliment of your continued patronage, and for your partnership in these exciting times!

How to Incorporate Professional Development into Your Office

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Employee development is almost universally recognized as a strategic tool for an organization's continuing growth, productivity and ability to retain valuable employees.” When your employees are learning and growing, educating themselves day after day, the company as a whole grows, too.

There’s many additional reasons for a company to concern itself with the professional development of its employees. For instance, when a company cares about career development, it is more likely to notice upcoming changes in technology, work environment changes, social and demographic trends, and the upcoming needs for a variety of different kinds of jobs. For the employee, there’s a number of benefits as well. Employees feel more engaged when they recognize that their employer is concerned about their well-being. When employees know that the company they work for actually wants them to go after their individual career goals and, even more, provides them with ways to reach those goals, morale, productivity, and motivation is improved organization-wide. So, how can a company begin incorporating professional development into the office?

1. Determine the employee development budget

How much of the company’s resources can be devoted to professional development? Once this question is answered, so can the remaining questions.

2. Determine which skills are the priority 

Try developing a system for this step. Have a brainstorming session and write down all the different skills that come up in the session. Have a record on file; later, you’ll be able to track which skills you’ve been building and which could use more attention.

3. Plan for development that meets both the employees’ goals and the mission of the company

SHRM states, “Recognize and use the departmental goals and objectives as a basis for developing employees.” When your company does that, it’s a win-win situation.

4. Determine which tools/resources your company will use for development purposes 

There’s a number of different options you can pursue. Here’s the short list:
• In-service training
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Webinars
• Seminars
• Cross-training
• Mentoring
• Job rotation
• Internships

Depending on the type of professional development that your company chooses to incorporate, you’ll need to consider a number of additional questions. For instance, if you decide to host a seminar, where will you have the event? We answered this question in our latest blog post, “10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Business Venue.” Check it out here. Here at the Delafield Brewhaus, we have private dining options available for business lunches, meetings, seminars, conferences, and more. The Brewhaus offers a full range of services to make an event like a professional development seminar successful. Learn more here.

5. Monitor your employees’ continuing performance to evaluate and refine future professional development opportunities. 

Incorporating professional development in the office is not a one-time thing. For it to be effective, it needs to happen throughout the year, month after month. Keep improving with each professional development opportunity by taking notes, monitoring differences, and evaluating the results. There’s always opportunity for growth – it’s just easier to find when you’re watching for it!

If you’re ready to plan a professional development event for your company, consider Delafield Brewhaus for your business event venue. Get in touch with us by calling 262-646-7821.

Lake Country Beer and Wine Festival

Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi said that, and it is good advice. Great advice, really -- especially if your efforts result in a huge beer-and-wine party at a hotel with a water park built into it. Okay, maybe not exactly what Gandhi had in mind, but it’s still a great idea.

It all started with one local couple  who couldn’t happily attend either beer or wine tastings together because he likes beer and she likes wine. Rather than give up, Andy Roncke started his own festival. The Lake Country Beer and Wine Festival has something for both camps, plus live music from the Rhythm Kings.

On September 30, 2016, you can join the Delafield Brewhaus and thirteen other breweries, plus thirteen wineries at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee for a celebration of fermentation. $45 will buy you unlimited tastings from all the featured community partners, a souvenir tasting glass, live entertainment, and food to be served from 8-9p.m.

Plus, this event has a heart. We are coming into the season of giving and counting our blessings, so please bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. For every item you bring, you will get a raffle ticket for beer-and-wine giveaways, which are drawn from 6-11 p.m.

Single advance tickets are $45 and are available here, and sleepover discounts are available, just mention the event when booking your rooms. We are ready to have a great time for very worthy cause.

5 Tips for Surviving the Brewhaus Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is fast approaching, and if you’ve been with us in years past, you know that we take the gemutlicheit very seriously. The beer flows from morning until night, a live polka band plays on our patio and everywhere -- I mean everywhere -- you look, our guests are celebrating. Lederhosen, dirndls, those beer-drinking hats and steins from all over are just a few of the things you’ll see at our party. We also offer up traditional German fare to help everybody power through this boozy bash.

When I went to WhiskeyFest in Chicago, I did my homework first. Of course I studied the vendors that would be there, and the styles they’d be bringing. More importantly, I also asked everybody I knew professionally how to stay sober at a marathon drinking event. Then, for good measure, I studied the Russians. Here are a few tips to help keep you from being “that guy” at the party.

1. Get a good night’s sleep before the party, and be mindful of your nutrition in the days leading up to Oktoberfest.
2. When you get to the Brewhaus, put down a base layer of fat in your stomach. I learned this one from the Russians, and can endorse it as helpful. Eating something fatty will slow the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. The Russians recommend drinking a raw egg, which I do not recommend, but perhaps a serving of cheese curds, or french fries with cheese sauce would be a good place to start.
3. Hydrate. I can’t say this one enough. Feather in a glass of water every couple of drinks, especially once you get a few beers in and all you want is more beer.
4. Move your body. Circulating at a party is a good way to monitor your motor skills, and fresh air is a great friend to have.
5. Keep eating. This is the best way I know to stay on top of your buzz.

Here’s a little more free advice, because I care: If you’re drinking, plan a ride home. All we want is to show you a good time and to see you again.

10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Business Venue

When planning a business event, it can seem like your to-do list is never ending. From developing the preliminary agenda to sending out invitations to key participants, many details need to be considered to make your meeting a success. While parts of planning can be complicated, we believe that picking your business venue should be as straightforward as possible. In an effort to make it even easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 essential questions to ask when choosing a conference venue.

1. What is the Capacity?

One of the first steps to take when selecting a potential business venue is coming up with an estimate of the number of attendees. This helps you book a space that will fit all of your guests comfortably. Whether hosting a smaller meeting or a larger conference, the Delafield Brewhaus can accommodate up to 200 guests in our banquet facility or up to 80 guests in our mezzanine.

2. Is Space Available?

Most businesses have a few selected dates in mind for their event, so it is important to find a space that can host on the desired date. We try to be as flexible as possible, so please call the Delafield Brewhaus Banquet Team at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103 to check availability.

3. How Much Does the Venue Cost?

Sticking to a budget is vital to ensuring a successful event. Make sure to inquire about the deposit, cancellation fee, and any extra charges the venue may have.

4. What are the Technical Capabilities?

No matter the type of business event, it’s likely that you will need audio or visual equipment. Our facility is multimedia ready and fully equipped to make your presentation a success.

5.  What is the Catering Situation?

Food and drink is always an important part of events. To make the planning a little easier, ask if a location has on-site catering. We offer a variety of dining options and create specialty menus for our private dining events. So whether hosting a corporate lunch or an all-day conference, we have delicious food—and tasty beer—to keep your guests happy.

6. Is the Venue Easily Accessible?

Making the trip to the conference location as easy as possible will make your attendees extremely grateful. Located just off I-94 W, midway between Milwaukee and Madison, the Delafield Brewhaus is easy to get to and won’t require your guests to make an uncomfortable trek.

7. Are Decorations Allowed?

Most events like to incorporate decorations and branding—especially if sponsors are involved. We want to make sure your event looks amazing just as much as you do, so feel free to ask us how to take your event to the next level.

8. What Does Staffing Look Like?

To make your business event run as smoothly as possible, always talk with your venue to inform them of any assistance that is required prior or during the event. Whether it is assistance with your set up or directing people to the nearest restroom, be upfront about what you need from the venue’s staff. Another good idea is to check if there is an on-site dedicated venue coordinator to assist with any issues that arise.

9. Are There Any Nearby Accommodations?

If your guests are from out of town, providing suggestions to nearby hotels will help their trip run smoothly. Close to the Delafield Brewhaus, you can find accommodations such as: The Delafield Hotel, AmericInn Hotel & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and others.

10. What is the Venue’s Reputation?

Asking what types of events a venue frequently hosts and if they are capable of hosting yours, is an important step to finding the perfect location for your business event. The Delafield Brewhaus has frequently hosted a number of events, including corporate lunches, company events, business meetings, corporate conferences, and breakfast meetings.

While it is easy to get wrapped up in the planning for a professional event, don’t make things harder than they have to be. With this list of 10 essential questions to ask a potential venue, you’ll be sure to identify the perfect location. To see if we’re your perfect location, please call the Delafield Brewhaus at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103 or visit our website at http://www.delafield-brewhaus.com/private_dining.html for more information.

Don’t Let Your Productivity Go Out to Lunch

When is the last time you took 30 min (or even an hour) to step away from your desk and eat lunch? If you are like most people, it has probably been awhile. In fact, a study by Right Management showed that only 1 in 5 people step away for a midday meal. The other 4 people are staying static and eating at their desks. In the fast paced world we all work in, the pressure to perform and be as efficient as possible leaves a majority of us working every second, with no time for a meal. However, several studies show that this habit is actually crippling our creativity, productivity, and innovation.

In an interview with Kimberly Elsbach, a professor at the University of California, regarding workplace psychology, she states that, “Staying inside, in the same location, is really detrimental to creative thinking.” Elsbach goes on to explain that this static work environment inhibits the brain from fully cycling through and arriving at an “aha!” moment. In today’s economy, a business’s success is highly dependent on its employee’s ability to produce innovative, productive ideas.

Does your workplace culture involve a majority of people eating in the same place that they work? Elsbach claims that to make a change, management needs to “create a community around the idea.” Delafield Brewhaus is excited to help foster a new culture for your business with a group dining experience. Don’t stress about the details. We have countless years of experience with planning and hosting events and can easily help you with size, food, drinks, and technical setup of the room.

Be the difference for your office. Kicking off a campaign to refresh your midday work culture at Delafield Brewhaus will pay big dividends for your total creativity, productivity, and effectiveness. Soon you will have employees taking the mental break they need to make your business the best it can be.

It’s time to make the organizational culture shift. Call the Delafield Brewhaus Banquet Team at (262) 646-7821 Ext. 103.