March Bierstube Blog

Fact: All Bierstube cities have outstanding athletic programs in many various sports & have made it to state or won state over the years in many various sports. Far too many to mention! Congratulations to you all & keep up the great work!

Fact: Hastings got particularly (coincidently) outstanding the years after I graduated in 1983. HMMM???

Fact: The Bierstube had the great honor of making the “Treasures of MN” book & is on sale at each Bierstube. It comes complete with a Bierstube logo bookmark telling you our pages & locations, great food, history, etc.

Fact & if you care: My 2 best friends from grade school in Hastings & still are Steve Nielsen & John Klimek.

Fact: Speaking of Klimek, the “hubbub” about him is absolutely true. I recently found that out on our 20th annual golf trip (& rather scary I might add. This is somewhat of an inside joke. For those of you who aren’t in on it, use your imagination & read into it a little bit.) Yet another great trip huh guys! John, Joel, Rod, Warmy, Dave, Tom N. & Tom S.

Fact: All of the other Bierstubes are taking Hastings & Oakdale’s leads & are in the process of setting up something similar to help their local food shelves. What Hastings & Oakdale do is on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m.- close we donate ½ of all of our food sales to our local food shelves.

Fact: JoJo the Balloon Guy (the Elvis of balloon guys) has graciously donated his time from 6:00-? In Oakdale just to add fun for all the kiddies & some young at heart adults. Thank you again so much Joe Leonard!!!

Opinion: The Twins & the Vikings haven’t handled things (front office wise) the best. But then again they haven’t by far been the worst. They’ve generally been better than they’ve been bad.

Prediction: Look for a couple of semi competitive years from each club; maybe even more from the Vikings depending on certain acquisitions. Possibly the same thing could be said for the Twins if EVERYTHING clicks!

Opinion: Enjoy what we have! Be positive, look forward to the great outdoor stadium & don’t forget ‘87 & ‘91!

Fact: Speaking of ’87 & ’91, in 1987, my brother Mike, Mark Merkling & I bought LW’s. In 1991, I opened JW’s Bierstube the same week the Twins were in the World Series. The Twins won the series both years. AHHH…it seems like yesterday when I bought out Rainbow’s Homer Hankies & had just enough for our Friday night customers the night of “GAME 6” The hair on my arms & the lump in my throat witnessing the game & the homer hankied happy customers for me was better than being at the game.
Fact: There are no plans of opening any new Bierstubes soon!!! (From Jim’s wife: THANK GOD!!!)

Fact: Jim Yanz runs over JJ’s Bierstube partner & friend, Jim McArdle, for game winning touchdown!!! Hastings Raiders 6, Tartan Titans 0 during 1982 Varsity Black & Blue Divisional Clash!
Opinion: If you observe closely, you can still see my cleat marks on his gigantic Cro-Magnon forehead. Jim was so woozy from the tremendously jarring hit that he still has trouble remembering to this day. He tries to refuse such a torrid embarrassing (not to mention dominating & overpowering of himself) memory.
Fact: Jim & I are believed to be brothers by looks by many people & have been asked literally 100s of times if we are. My typical response is it must be OUR huge Cro-Magnon foreheads (& dashing good looks!)

Congratulations: To the Chris & Frank Tschida Family! Thanks to their beautiful young daughter Cara on Friday, February 22, Cara found Homer Simpson in record breaking time (about 15-20 seconds) & won 5 great seats to Disney on Ice “Finding Nemo!” Congrats to the whole family!
Congratulations Part 2: Another wonderful family also won tickets to “Finding Nemo!” (Sorry I don’t have their names!)
Both winners got nearly standing ovations & very rousing & sincere rounds of applause!

Customers of the month at JW’s: All of you young guys & gals I see every Friday night! Too many names, not enough room! Thanks for your enthusiastic, innocent, (surprisingly mature at your age compared to me), fun & bright, infectious smiles, you are not only the future of the Bierstube, but also the present! Also, very long timers: Franz, Mason, Bob, Jerry & Mary, Joe & Bonnie, Sparky & Vi, Sue & that one guy, Liam, Chris & Ava, & a little newer but none the less, my Friday night buddies, Denise & Wes & last but not least, Bill & Char! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I hope you all can make it to our 18th annual customer appreciation pig/turkey roast on Saturday July 12th. *Other Bierstubes, please be patient, everybody will get a turn! Thanks for your understanding, I only have so much room!

Prediction: Never thought I’d say this, but I believe the smoking ban helps all the Bierstubes! Especially those with adequate to 1st class smoking patios!

Opinion: A little boring for sports fans right now, but March Madness begins: NCAA Tourneys, the Masters, Twins Season Opener at home against Torii Hunter & the CA Angels March 31st, NFL Draft in April - hang in there sports fans!

Incidentally: Rob from the Bierstube in Hastings still has a little bit of room on his 2nd bus from the opening game against Torii & the Angels. Call Rob (651)334-1972 for details. If you can find a ride to Hastings, we’ll drop you off at the Oakdale Stube on the way home from the game. Great seats, 3rd of the way up the 2nd deck behind home plate!

Fact: I cannot express the absolute appreciation & admiration enough to Dena Shull of Oakdale, Rob Groth of Hastings & Cindy Schafer of IGH for their loyalty, support, perseverance & hard work that they have sacrificed for myself the past few years of the most difficult & trying business transitions I’ve EVER had! I thank you all so much!

Prediction: John McCain vs. Barack Obama for the Presidency (OOH real bold prediction! But some of you have asked for more predictions!)
Prediction: Tiger Woods will take 3 out of 4 majors. But who’s not already predicting something like that?!
Opinion: Maria Sharapova & Serena Williams in a tie.
Fact: I will still have my head shaved at “Larry’s Lounge” if the Celtics win the NBA Championship this season!

Reminder: The Bierstube’s 1st Golf Tourney kicks off with JW’s in Oakdale majorly upgrading their tourney to the outstanding Stone Ridge, May 12th, 12:30 shot gun.

Highly Recommended: The loop in the Pioneer Press. Sundays are particularly hilarious along side Charlie Walters with your kids locked up in a far away sound proof room, ear plugs in, a cup of coffee, juice, etc. & a little breakfast or a snack; you just can’t beat it.

Notice: ALL Bierstubes are going Irish St. Patty’s weekend! Specializing in the mouthwatering slow roasted corned beef & cabbage Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Great beer specials as well! Yes, Green if you want it!

Prediction: The acquisition of Shaq wins the well deserving Steve Nash (best in the NBA) his 1st NBA Title. (Why didn’t or couldn’t the wolves get a Shaq or a Paul Gasol? These acquisitions make it that much more in the bag that I won’t have to shave my head when Mr. Clutch (Kevin Garnett) & the Celtics don’t win the Championship.)

Happy 40th Birthday to the ravishingly beautiful Lara Donovan!

Overrated: Bryant McKinnie fights in night clubs better than on the football field.

Barely Partial Truth & Admission: I hope you find this Blog somewhat informative & maybe even somewhat entertaining. If you strongly disagree with some of the opinions expressed, remember my wife Jodi types this & she is opinionated enough that it’s very likely that she may have completely changed my CORRECT opinion. If you’re not napping already, thanks for your time & you’re welcome for your current or upcoming nap! Take care & God Bless!