There comes a time in life when difficult decisions must be made, and it is with much consideration that Randy and I have decided to step away from the brewing industry after 30 years in order to retire from brewing. We will suspend operations at the brewery while we await its sale.

Owning and running the first microbrewery in Western Wisconsin has been an incredible journey. I say journey because it has been much more than just a job, it has been a lifestyle. One that we will sorely miss. We feel so very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people who have come to the brewery not only to sample our wares, but to see and support us personally. People literally have come from all over the world to visit our quirky little brewery in Dallas, Wisconsin, and each one shared their story with us. It has been an amazing experience. One afternoon, we had a couple from Oregon at the brewery and a gentleman from Maine. When another gentleman showed up from Alaska, I said that he must be the winner for longest distance to come to the brewery for the day. As soon as I said it, I was proved wrong because two English teachers from Taiwan walked through the door. All of us laughed and they talked about their different experiences and what brought them to the brewery.

We started the brewery in 1994 and named it Viking Brewing Company because of our Scandinavian heritage. We loved playing up being Vikings from Dallas, Wisconsin during football season when television crews showed up in town trying to make sense of it all. In 1996, we sent a keg to the Packer's for the Superbowl. They got such a kick out of it that "Viking Brewing Company - Dallas, Wisconsin" scrolled in the Superbowl's credits. Other breweries spend millions for that kind of exposure. This wasn't the only publicity that we have received over the years. In 2002, I ran Randy for governor under the Beer Party making headlines and national news with the catch phrase "Real Governors Don't Wear Feathered Boas" which was pointed at Minnesota's governor at the time, Jesse Ventura. He was not amused and threatened to start a Packer Brewing Company in Duluth. In 2009, we teamed up with Ryan Lentz and Louie's Finer Meats to make the World's Longest Brat for several years running during the Dallas Oktoberfest and made headlines, national news (NPR), and we were told that it was even mentioned on "Prairie Home Companion" by Garrison Keillor when we won the battle of the brats.

The brewery has been featured in many periodicals, radio programs, books, Blogs, TV programs, movies, and videos through the years. Some of the books include: "Renewing the Countryside", "1001 Beers to Have Before You Die" with our Big Swede, "Wisconsin's Best Beer Guide", and "Hidden Treasures 2023" and some of the TV Programs and videos are "Around the Farm Table", "Cheeseheads", and "Taproom Travelers", but I have to say that the most recognition we have received has been because of the Dallas Oktoberfest which I started and have run for 27 years. Because of the event's upbeat and small-town feel, it is easy to renew friendships and to foster new ones so people gather at the Oktoberfest just to enjoy each other's company. Every year thousands of people from all over the country show up to this unique Oktoberfest. It has evolved into an event that is of itself and not of just one person. If people want it to continue, it will.