Celebrate History's 'Whiskey Women' At The Hungry Brain Oct. 16th
By Jon Graef in Food on Sep 29, 2013 6:00PM
Modeer's Dead Meadow cocktail: bourbon, rye, walnut bitters and Leopold Bros. New York Apple Whiskey. Irrelevant to this story, but no less amazing.
And, really, are there any other kind? (Actually, yes, and they have profound historical impact, according to a new book whose release will be celebrated Oct. 16th at Lakeview's The Hungry Brain.)
The 'whiskey women' alluded to are not just a group of gals who seem like a right laugh.
They were the unheralded saviors of spirits, women who, as the news release for Fred Minnick's new book, Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey, states, "long distilled, marketed, and owned significant shares in spirits companies."
Women invented beer and distillation, and they owned Bushmills, Dalmore, Laphroaig, Johnny Walker's most-important distillery and were instrumental in every aspect of the business, including Maker's Mark's Marge Samuels redefining packaging and Jacob Beam's wife having the money for the first Beam distillery.
Their stories, heretofore untold, will come to life through an amazing panel of Chicago's women spirit makers, who join Minnick to discuss his book: the panel includes Sonat Hart, distiller from Koval Distillery; Monique Huston, whiskey specialist at Stoller Wine & Spirits; Meg Bell, brand ambassador for Death's Door Spirits; Natalie Greene, brand ambassador for Headframe whiskey; and Karen Sisulak Binder of Southern Sisters Spirits.
The release event and discussion of Minnick's book, though sponsored by Quimby's Bookstore, will take place at the Hungry Brain, 2319 W. Belmont Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event is 21+ and free to attend, but the Facebook page asks attendees to bring an old pair of eyeglasses to donate. The eyewear will be recycled by the Chicago Windy City Lions Club and given to those who cannot afford eye care here and abroad.