Laverne and Shirley

I just couldn’t help but follow up with another TV show reference!  Milwaukee was the backdrop for the sitcom Laverne and Shirley.  It chronicled the escapades of two single women who worked at an iconic Milwaukee brewery.  Back in the day, there were three major brands brewed in The Beer City: Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz. They all brewed a light libation referred to as pilsner.

As time went on, tastes changed and only Miller survived to compete against powerhouse Budweiser. Wine rose in popularity and mixed drinks came back in vogue.  Then the craft brewers appeared on the scene and revitalized the interest in beer. Varieties like Red IPA and Pumpkin Lager were being introduced and brand names like Arrogant Bastard and Spotted Cow appeared.

These craft brewers are synonymous with the local food movement; kind of a “know your brewer” mentality.  They have brought back heirloom recipes and an artful skill set is being developed in a new generation. Young produce growers are now learning to farm, understanding what seed varieties produce excellent tasting crops and how to make connections within the communities that they serve. It is exciting to see these “lost” skills be rediscovered.

I don’t know if we should be looking to current television programming to glean any insights into the future- we already live the reality of droughts and floods, immigration and labor, plus recalls and lawsuits. More drama is definitely not needed. Laverne and Shirley’s comic relief centered on their work life. We all can take a clue there: enjoy what you do and spread the cheer!