La Crosse Distilling Co. in La Crosse, WI made an announcement Sept. 13 regarding a partnership with the Green Bay Packers. Their Fieldnotes vodka will be the feature rail vodka at Lambeau Field, bringing a local touch to the historic atmosphere in Green Bay.
The Packers aim to localize their fan experience with products from the state, highlighting the importance of WI-based partnerships.
Nick Weber, the CEO and founder of La Crosse Distilling Co., says this partnership helps ensure fans at the stadium are getting craft and quality vodka in their beverages.
“People typically associate rail spirits with low-tier liquor because traditionally, bars will designate low-cost spirits to the rail to increase profits. But with evolving consumption patterns, we know that people have a preference for craft, and local products,” Weber said.
A “rail drink” is a mixed drink or a “house drink” typically made with less expensive alcohol and is named after the “speed rail”, or the area in front of the bartender holding the most liquor and mixers for easy access.
Weber added that the price point of the vodka still makes business sense to be placed on the rail, emphasizing that although it is a rail product, it doesn’t mean the alcohol is of lower quality.
Packers Director of Corporate Partnerships Sales and Activations, Justin Wolf, said, “Being a Wisconsin-based company, La Crosse Distilling Co. has given fans one more reason to cheer and will allow Packers fans to responsibility celebrate the success of the Packers all season long.”
“It shows the true commitment and the valuing of their fans from Wisconsin,” Weber echoed.
The partnership between these organizations reflects the ongoing effort to make WI-sourced products more accessible, deepening connections within the state’s communities.
The family-owned distillery located in downtown La Crosse opened Sept. 1, 2018. According to Weber, with an eco-conscious company mindset and a location so close to the Mississippi river, they are able to utilize that water via a geothermal well as a renewable energy source.
This energy is used during their distilling and brewing processes and plays into their commitment to giving back to the environment.
“We are using that energy to reduce [the use of] fossil fuels,” Weber said.
Including Fieldnotes vodka, they also have house-made whiskeys and gin, all made from ingredients by family farmers located in the Driftless area.
In turn, La Crosse Distilling Co. supplies farms with compost which helps provide zero waste when crafting their spirits.
“I would argue that we have the largest composting program in the city, if not beyond that,” Weber said, highlighting how important giving back to the La Crosse area is to their business practices.
“We are about drinking responsibly… [and with] the sustainability efforts we put forth, our goal is to make this place better than we found it, versus other companies out there that do not follow those values,” said Weber.
