Actor Willem Dafoe is from Wisconsin, a state that consumes its share of Jim Beam and alcohol. Yet, in a recent Jim Beam ad, the whiskey maker takes a bit of shot at Milwaukee.
The whiskey giant’s newest commercial (a spot called "Parallels") shows Defoe in two "parallel" lives, one of fame after choosing a bus to New York City and the other less glamorous, a life led after choosing Milwaukee.
It's an odd spot all around, and you can judge it on your own by watching it. Iron Horse Hotel owner Tim Dixon knows how much Milwaukeeans like whiskey, and he for one doesn’t appreciate the ad.
After viewing the commercial, Dixon took to his personal Twitter page: "Doesn't make sense for Jim Beam to bash a city that drinks as much as Milwaukee, does it? -- Mind boggling." Then, the Milwaukeean decided to take matters into his own hands saying that his hotel will distill and barrel its own whiskey -- Barrel 1907 -- with neighboring Great Lakes Distillery.
Over a series of meetings between Dixon and Master Distiller Doug MacKenzie, the two crafted an original rye whiskey recipe befitting of the hotel’s clientele.
Although the hotel will continue to sell Jim Beam, signature cocktails will feature the hotel’s own recipe. The special whiskey will be tapped at a party in The Yard, the hotel's outdoor bar and restaurant, this June.
Thoughts on the Jim Beam ad? Use the Talkbacks.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
