Greetings and Salutations my fellow Thursdians,
I ask all of you to journey with me this week, as we return to a simpler time where a tall pint, some good conversation, and the sounds of the rolling hills of Ireland was all you needed to feel home. Paddy’s embodies this down its core, as its warm environment and welcoming hospitality are all you need to feel home. I am looking forward to a fresh pint of Guinness and some good people to enjoy it with this Thursday night.
Paddy’s opened in 1996, and by many standards is considered the most authentic Irish Pub in all of Milwaukee; this of course was no easy feat, and it takes something special to hold that title. That special something, of course is the main ingredient to one of the most remarkable stories I have ever come across in all of my travels across the great city of Milwaukee. It all started with one curious Welcome to Thursdays member.
Sandy Brunner (WTT Member #13) is a traveler of the world, always looking around the corner for adventure, one pub at a time. She found herself in Dublin, Ireland in search of the best pint of Guinness. Obviously, she knew the best place to look was the source: the Guinness brewery. As she arrived at the gate late one night, she was greeted by a very polite man. She asked where to find the perfect pint, but he said nothing and opened the gates. The polite man stepped away from his post, and pointed to what I can only describe as the most picturesque home in all of Ireland. A dim neon sign in the window showed Sandy the way and she entered.
Situated in front of her, was a nearly empty pub with a very sad couple sitting up at the bar. She walked up and explained her search for the perfect pint, but was met with tears. They explained that they were the owners of the pub, and had run out of Guinness for the night. With the brewery being closed, there was nothing to drink. Sandy placed her hands on both of their shoulders and explained that there was nothing to worry about. Out of her travel bag, she bestowed upon them the most beautiful thing ever: a 30 pack of Old Milwaukee. It is custom for the people of Milwaukee to always have an emergency thirty of Old Mil’ on the ready, and Sandy was no different.
Please speak with Sandy to learn the other 274 travel tips that get her through her adventures!
Throughout the night Sandy drank with the couple talking of all things Milwaukee. The owners, now so mesmerized by Old Mil’, realized they couldn’t spend another day so far away from this amazing brew. They decided they had to move to Wisconsin but didn’t want to lose their Irish roots. The couple then did something that is beyond amazing, they quite literally moved the entire house all the way to Milwaukee where it resides now as Paddy’s Pub. You are probably wondering how they managed to move an entire house, well my readers all I can do is show you.
This actually happened.
The rest is history. Cheers my friends!
Your Co-Founder and Friend,
Jeremy Blandin
The day Sandy showed Ireland the power of Old Milwaukee.
*Keeping your glass filled and spirits high one Thursday at a time, this is Welcome to Thursdays: a local social group determined to make your Thursdays more fun. Each Wednesday, The Squeaky Curd features a fictitious history of a Milwaukee County bar that we gather at on Thursday evening. Join us this Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Paddy’s Pub located at 2339 N Murray Ave (Upper East Side) at 7:30pm.*
The memories of that night still bring tears to my eyes and beers to my lips.