Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin’s Historic Bars and Breweries

by Jim Draeger, Jim Draeger, Mark Speltz

Bottoms Up showcases the architecture and history of 70 Wisconsin breweries and bars. Beginning with inns and saloons, the book explores the rise of breweries, the effects of temperance and Prohibition, and attitudes about gender, ethnicity, and morality. It traces the development of the megabreweries, dominance of the giants, and the emergence of microbreweries. Contemporary photographs of unusual and distinctive bars of all eras, historic photos, postcards, advertisements, and breweriana help tell the story of how Wisconsin came to dominate brewing—and the place that bars and taverns hold in our social and cultural history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Architecture, Food

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the history and the architecture of bars and breweries. Because one of the authors is an architectural expert. The book spent more time on that than on other aspects of the history.
I wish there was more about how they impacted our culture and the people.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overview of the bars got repetitive but was still interesting.

[Dave Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photos...great stories. If you have an interest in the history or architecture of Wisconsin (or booze), you'll enjoy this book.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coffee table book and likely a handy tour guide for some summer day trips.

[Doug Kolar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selection of the some of the bars is iffy IMO, but enjoyable all the same. A new list of places of places to visit now.

[Dave Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are from Wisconsin and "get it" this book is truly awesome (to coin an 80s phrase). Begin the quest now!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book showcase a few bars that I go too. It was interesting to get some back story/history on those places.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read through the history of brewing in WI.