Oblio’s at Holiday Time

I’m inserting this short blog post now before all the Holiday tinsel has tarnished and the trees are on the curb.  On December 23, Marv and I took son Tom, daughter Brenda and son-in-law Michael out for supper.  We had a pre-dinner beer at Oblio’s.  Brenda and Michael, visiting us from Davis, CA, had never been in the place.  But they are familiar with the taverns we trail riders have visited as they read our blog.  Why, they are the very ones who suggested this blog and showed us how to set it up.  And Oblio’s was the first stop on our initial “ride.”

Enjoying a Schlitz at Oblio's

Tod was tending bar and greeted us with a “Merry Christmas.”  Lots of folks were at the bar, so we settled at a nearby table.  We ordered Schlitz.  We told Brenda and Michael the story of the fall of “The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous” when a new owner had decided to cut corners and had cheapened the brew.  Now that that is gone and the old formula has returned, Schlitz can raise its head (pun intended) again.  It’s not back to the popularity and prominence it once had, but at least now it tastes good.

As we pointed out the Robert Brand Company back bar, I noticed something that wasn’t in Oblio’s in December 2010, namely Christmas decorations.  On our Holiday Tour in 2010 Gary, Elaine Marvin and I expected colored lights and Holiday garlands in Oblio’s.  But Christmas music on the jukebox was the extent of its holiday décor that December.

Holiday Garlands on the Robert Brand Co. Bar

We were pleased to see that this year the decorations had made it out of the basement and onto the walls.  But Tod wanted us to see something else and brought out a new Oblio’s T-Shirt.  Those of you who remember People’s Beer will recognize this as a “Tip of the Hat to Peoples.”

“We’ve got stock in Peoples,” Marv said.  “Might be worth something on eBay.”

Tod Showing Off the New Oblio's Tee

On that note, we left for supper.

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