In the midst of a pandemic shutdown, Nate Fakler and Ben Mantay’s Faklandia Brewing finally found a home at the former 42 Ale House space at 3807 S. Packard Ave. in St. Francis in spring 2020.
Faklandia is the local craft brewer that combines its passion for beer with its love of fantasy storytelling.
You can read an early story on Faklandia here, and a story about its new home here.
Now that we’re going out again, Faklandia is hosting a proper official grand opening on Saturday, July 17 at noon.
There will be karaoke from 4 until 7 p.m. and live music by Secondhand Souls from 8 until 10 p.m.
Plus, 20 percent off all apparel, annual mug club memberships for $120 and a deal on gift cards. Buy $50 worth and get an additional $10.
Mug club members enjoy 10 percent off food and buy one get one half-off cocktails in your mug during the event.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
