Ephraim’s First Drink

A group of Ephraim residents gathered at The Chefs Hat to enjoy the first legally sold alcoholic beverages in village history. Photo by Jackson Parr.

A New Glarus Spotted Cow gets the honor of breaking Ephraim’s 163-year dry history.

Todd Bennett opened up his restaurant, The Chef’s Hat, at midnight on July 1 to sell the first alcoholic beverage ever in the village of Ephraim. Fred Bridenhagen, one of the lead petitioners for the referendum that changed Ephraim’s alcohol laws, enjoyed a Spotted Cow in front of a small group of Ephraim residents early Friday morning.

The Pulse’s Assistant News Editor Jackson Parr and Arts, Entertainment & Lit. Editor Alyssa Skiba drink the seventh and eighth beers sold in village history.

Bennett was granted his beer and wine license on June 29, effective July 1, along with five other Ephraim businesses, including Summer Kitchen, Good Eggs, Joe Jo’s Pizza & Gelato, Old Post Office and Somerset Inn & Suites.

“Obviously for my sake owning a business, I really don’t want to go into Fourth of July weekend and throw all this into the mix, to be honest with you,” said Bennett when the village was still untangling its alcohol ordinances. “Will I? Absolutely.”

Bennett’s printed beverage menus include beers from Hinterland, Titletown, New Glarus and Lakefront breweries and over 50 wines, already stocked and ready to go.

“This really was a major history moment,” said Bridenhagen.