Flashback Friday: Base Brau (1978)

The 1978 Appleton Foxes program had an article on the new star performer at Goodland Field. This seems odd because the programs of the time rarely mentioned the players who would be on the team in the upcoming season. Due to deadlines, the Foxes wouldn't have time to write up any of the big prospects that would be playing for the home team at Goodland Field.

That was not the case in 1978.

This star performer was arguably one of the most popular ever to appear in the Fox Cities. To this day, people will bring in memorabilia relating to this performer. To this day, people who were there, talk with fondness about…Base Brau.

This week's Flashback Friday is an article that appeared in the 1978 program and it is beautiful.

 

BASE BRAU
APPLETON'S NEWEST STAR

BASE BRAU NIGHTS
Saturday, May 6           Saturday, July 15
Thursday, June 8         Friday, August 11

In Appleton, Wisconsin, the heart of the Fox River Valley, where professional baseball has been active since 1909, there's word of a combination that can't miss.

The Appleton Foxes Baseball Club, affiliates of the Chicago White Sox and members of the Midwest League, have provided the baseball world with some of its leading names: Earl Weaver, Dave Garcia, Boog Powell, Dave McNally, Bill Melton, Bucky Dent, Sparky Lyle, Terry Forster, Rich Gossage, and Base Brau to name a few.

Base Brau??

Since the invention of the ball and bat every adult baseball fan at one point has reached for a beer while watching their favorite team in action. To the Appleton Baseball Club the combination of Baseball and Base Brau only seemed natural.

Unable to field or throw the twelve ounce beer of the Appleton Foxes has been a hit since word of its production was leaked in January.

Following a story that appeared in the Appleton Post-Crescent in early January interest in Base Brau has been spectacular. Prior to the selection of a brewery and before a can design was finished or approved, beer can collectors and baseball fans have been placing orders for a beer that was more a dream than reality.

Orders from throughout the country have arrived steadily since January even though plans to brew and distribute Base Brau were not formally announced until March 7, 1978,

While other sports teams have had beers named in their honor, Base Brau is believed to be the first beer of its kind.

Brewed exclusively for the Appleton Foxes by the Stevens Point Brewery, Base Brau will be available to the public only at Goodland Field on Base Brau Nights. The first night is scheduled for Saturday, May 6.

Following the first night, back orders for can collectors will be filled and shipped and any remaining cans will be placed on sale in the Foxes souvenir stands.

The Foxes have a special pride in Base Brau but they are quick to remind all that they are a baseball team and Base Brau is just one of many stars to come from the Fox River Valley.

---- BULLETIN ---

Due to the tremendous advance response to Base Brau, the Foxes will offer a different color can on each of the Base Brau Nights. These cans are limited in quantity.