A BARREL OF FUN. The Chippewa Valley Bourbon Society (CVBS) was founded in 2023 by happenstance — over a shared pour or bourbon and the idea to create a regional space for folks like Curt Anderson, the group's founder. Today, the society has bloomed to include over 1,000 active members throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond. (Submitted photos)

Like a lot of great Midwest ideas, the idea for Chippewa Valley Bourbon Society (CVBS) sparked in the outdoors – in a tree stand, to be exact. The night before the big hunt, while sharing a pour of bourbon with a friend, Curt Anderson was discussing the statewide “WISCO Bourbon Club.”

“99% of everyone in that group are from Milwaukee or Madison, and I thought it would be really cool if we had something like that here,” Curt said.

So, the next day sitting in his tree stand, not seeing anything (tale as old as time), he made a Facebook group and sent it to his wife and friend.

“I told them they’re the first members to join,” Curt said.

The CVBS officially began in 2023 with Curt not knowing where this new adventure would take him.

“At first I said I thought it would be cool if a year from now we could have an event with like 50 people,” Curt said.

However, what bloomed that year was a private Facebook group with over 1,000 active and participating members. “It kind of blew out of proportion faster than I ever imagined,” he said. 

Now a full fledged operation, the CVBS community has resulted in richer friendships, and even supporting group members in need.

Amidst it all, Curt (self-titled as Admin #2), admits he couldn’t do it without his “Admin #1.”

A St. Patrick's Day event, hosted by The Chippewa Valley Bourbon Society at The Red Mixer (2526 Golf Rd., Eau Claire).

“My wife, Elizabeth, is the backbone of the group, and does a majority of the work,” Curt said. “She made the website and does 99% of the Instagram and Facebook posts and polls; When we raise money for local causes, she makes sure that we upload the receipts and a thank you letter to our members.”

The online community regularly shares what they're pouring in their private Facebook group as well as what they’re celebrating with their pours, giving reviews as they go.

The private online group has no fees or requirements to join, although they try to keep the geographical radius of their members to 90 miles around Eau Claire (with exceptions).

Along with the active online activity, CVBS regularly hosts in-person events around the area, like the Old Forester event at Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse (4751 Owen Ayres Ct., Eau Claire) and a seven-course bourbon pairing dinner at The Good Wives (2161 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire).

Chippewa Valley Bourbon Society members with their new barrel, pictured above.

At these events, Curt often gives a short presentation on the history of what they're tasting and how to correctly taste bourbon.

“We’re really 'new bourbon' focused; we welcome everyone, and we want new bourbon people to feel comfortable,” Curt said.

Since the quick growth of CVBS, distilleries across the country have invited members of the society to come and tour their facilities. Most recently, members visited Coppercraft Distillery in Holland, Mich., where they even got a chance to pick their own barrel.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the CVBS, you can either be referred by a current member, or simply reach out to their Facebook group and ask how to join. From there, you’re provided a link with some simple questions and your journey begins.

To learn more about the Chippewa Valley Bourbon Society, visit their webpage online at chippewavalleybourbonsocietywi.com.