"Old Fashioned" Debate

The Great Wisconsin Old Fashioned Debate

You may not realize there’s a cocktail controversy brewing.

Order an Old Fashioned in Madison, Milwaukee, or Green Bay and you’ll likely be served a brandy cocktail garnished with cherries and citrus. Order an Old Fashioned almost anywhere else in America and you’ll get bourbon.

We discovered this firsthand when we introduced our Brandy Old Fashioned pre-mix in other states.

The response?

Confused stares and “Wait… Brandy?”

Apparently, what seems perfectly normal in Wisconsin sounds downright rebellious everywhere else.

How Wisconsin Ended Up Drinking Brandy Old Fashioneds

The roots go back more than a century. Wisconsin’s strong German heritage created an appreciation for fruit brandies and European-style spirits. Then, in the late 1800s, Korbel introduced its California brandy to Midwestern drinkers, and Wisconsin embraced it with enthusiasm.

By the time the Old Fashioned became America’s signature cocktail, Wisconsinites had already chosen their preferred spirit.

While the rest of the country built Old Fashioneds around whiskey, Wisconsin proudly built them around brandy.

And we’ve never looked back. Today, asking for an Old Fashioned in Wisconsin often prompts another important question: “Sweet, Sour, or Press?”

That’s not just a cocktail order. That’s a culture.

Why Has the Old Fashioned Lasted So Long?

The Old Fashioned has been around since the days when ice itself was considered a luxury.

Think about that.

The cocktail has survived Prohibition, disco, tiki bars, flavored vodka, molecular mixology, and countless beverage trends that came and went. Why?

Because it’s simple. A great spirit. A touch of sweetness. A little bitterness. A little citrus. The formula works because it lets quality ingredients shine.

A truly great Old Fashioned never needs to shout.

Four Ways to Enjoy a Classic

At vomFASS Madison, we believe cocktail traditions are meant to be celebrated—not argued over. That’s why we’ve assembled a lineup that honors both Wisconsin tradition and classic cocktail culture (see below).

We've done the hard part. Just pour over ice and choose your Wisconsin personality: Sweet (lemon-lime soda), Sour (grapefruit soda or sour mix and soda water), or Press (half lemon-lime and half soda water).

Our Old Fashioned Sampler Sets

Settle the Great Old Fashioned Debate in your own home.

Our Old Fashioned Sampler Sets include multiple expressions of this iconic cocktail, allowing you to compare Wisconsin tradition, classic bourbon style, spicy rye character, and our house-crafted pecan-infused creation side-by-side.

• It’s part tasting experience.
• Part cocktail history lesson.
• Part gift—for yourself or someone else.

And unlike most presents, this one comes with a built-in excuse to gather around, pour a glass, and make a few memories.

Whether you're on Team Brandy, Team Bourbon, Team Rye, or discovering a new favorite in our Pecan-Infused Bourbon Old Fashioned, there’s one thing everyone can agree on:

A well-made Old Fashioned never goes out of style!