We polled the Bottleneck office to offer up some great answers to the classic drinking theoretical question: Who would you like to have a beer with (dead or alive)?
Some cunning insights:
5 Bottleneckers had answers related to family.
7 team members want to spend time with artists or entertainers.
Only 3 of us chose someone most often associated with the food and drink industry.
So here we go, the Bottleneck team’s answers to:
Who would you most like to have a beer with (dead or alive)?
Chris Bisaillon – Co-owner
I would love to have a beer with my family in 20 years to see how everyone has progressed in their life, look back on fond memories, celebrate successes, and hopefully, talk about new additions to the family. My wife Jen, daughter Ashley, son Brock and step-daughters Olivia and Addison all play a very important role in my life, and I hope that over beers I can see how I have shaped them, as well.
Jason Akemann – Co-owner
My Dad. He passed away when I was a kid, and I have always wondered what he would think about Bottleneck. He was a restaurateur, and I think he would get a kick out of what we have become. What better way to tell that story than over a beer?
Nathan Hilding – Co-owner
I would have a beer with my brother Matt— it doesn’t get any better than family. Thankfully, I get to have beer(s) with him often.
Mark Gray – CEO
I would love to have a beer with my Grandpa. He was a part of the “greatest generation,” fought in two wars, and was a career Marine. When he retired from the Marines, he went back to school at 45 years old and got his master’s degree and then became an executive with Johnson and Johnson. He always took a special interest in me and always gave me the right support at the right time. When I come to big decisions, I often think “what would he do?” I would be very proud to show him how things have unfolded personally and professionally.
Angela Zoiss – CMO
I’d LOVE to be able to have a beer with my grandpas! I know that’s not one person, but it’s the only way I can answer this question.
Both of my grandpas died when I was a baby, and within one year of each other. So I never got to know them. Words cannot express how much I would enjoy being able to talk to these men and get to know them over a beer… to see first-hand where my mom and dad came from. My mom and dad are, without question, two of the most loving, kind, selfless, thoughtful, and coolest people I know. I can’t help but think that my grandpas had a big hand in that, and it would be fulfilling to meet those men.
Jordan Gibrick – Senior VP of Operations
I’d like a beer with Jerry Garcia. I’d love to discuss his long, strange trip with the Grateful Dead and his thoughts on the current state of the live music scene. I’d also really like to know what he thinks about craft ciders, especially Vandermill’s Totally Roasted. I think he would thoroughly enjoy it!
Erin Carroll – VP of Sales
I’d like to have a beer with Adele. We would be at a dive bar talking and laughing about all the bloody blokes out there and then she would start a sing-along where everyone in the bar would join in to Hometown Glory. True story…I actually came close to having a beer with Adele a few years ago at the Green Mill (well not WITH her but BY her). This was after her unforgettable concert at the Riv, and she ended up sitting 2 booths away from us. It was very brief since the stupid band was on a very long break so she ended up leaving. I have felt cheated ever since, so I feel this experience is owed to me.
Photo Credit: TheBrag.com
Kendra Power – VP of HR and Training
I would love to have a beer with Action Bronson. I have watched his show F*ck That’s Delicious for many years and he knows great food and has traveled all over the world eating his way through many amazing cities. We would be sure to have some laughs!
Photo Credit: Gastromakers
Tim Benedict – VP of Facilities & Development
If I could choose one person to have a beer with beyond the friends and family whom I am able to regularly enjoy time with, it would likely be Fernand Point, although he almost exclusively drank Champagne. For me, as a former chef, his work, writing and industry impact were formidable forces on my life. His outlook on restaurants was greater than good food and drink, but as places where the entire experience should nourish you and your soul. He would go to the ends of the earth to please every guest and everyone he interacted with. He had an incredible passion for mentoring young chefs, most of whom proceeded to greatly impact the nature of restaurants and the culinary world, all of whom would credit his guidance and training. His impact on the industry I am so passionate about is inconceivable. I would love the opportunity to thank him and then just listen and absorb his wisdom and passion, from all accounts, the man would talk your ear off and then pour another glass of Champagne. Restaurants are not a career in my eyes, they are a lifestyle and no one has embodied that more to me. Through my years in years in kitchens and frankly anytime life is a challenge, I regularly thought of his famous quote ” A toi, cuisine devant l’enfer de tes fourneux parfois je découvre le paradis sur terre.” To you, kitchen, facing your oven’s inferno, I sometimes discover paradise on earth.”
Bethany Orlowski – Creative Director
Kamala Harris – She’s arguably the strongest female around since RBG and I’d love to share political memes, learn even more about what an amazing woman she is and get some advice on how to navigate the future.
Melanie Kurz – Regional Sales Director
I’d love to have a beer with Karen O, the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Not to date myself, but having gone to high school in the 90s, female-led grunge/alternative/punk/indie music has always had a hold on me. When the Yeah Yeah Yeahs first album came out, I was hooked right away, and after seeing them perform at Lollapalooza, I wanted to BE Karen O. She was so electric and wild and like nothing I had ever seen before. I’ve seen them every time they come to Chicago and am never disappointed. I think she is so creative and passionate and would love to chat about nothing and everything while having a drink in a dive bar or somewhere in Logan Square, I think that would be her vibe.
Tracey Krueger – Accounts Payable Manager
I’d love to toss back a few shots with Guy Fieri. Preferably his and Sammy Hagar’s tequila, Santo. Shhh – secret crush alert LOL.
Photo Credit: Chef’s Making Waves
Doug Wise – Senior Beverage Manager
I’d like to have a beer with Tom Colicchio (chef, restaurateur, and host of the TV show Top Chef). I am a big fan of Top Chef, so it would be fun to talk to him about my favorite seasons and contestants. He also wrote the foreword for one of my most-used books, The Oxford Companion to Beer, so that we could discuss the brewing industry and all things beer!
Dominic Biscuso – Controller
It would be incredibly gratifying to chat with Michael J. Fox, even if we only grabbed a symbolic “beer”. His career as an actor and author has brought me endless joy, and obviously, his courage in fighting Parkinson’s disease has been beyond inspiring. It would be an honor to simply tell him “thank you”!
Jules Rice – Senior Marketing Manager
Easy. Paul Rudd. Spill the skincare secrets, man! Seriously, though, he seems like the kind of person who could turn a random Tuesday into one of those nights you laugh about forever. I imagine we’d bounce between nonsense talk, ridiculous jokes, and, fingers crossed, a step-by-step breakdown of whatever magic keeps him from aging. The movie I Love You, Man is a forever favorite, and I have no doubt I’d end up saying something awkward like “Jobin” or “slappin’ da bass” mid-conversation. But that’s the beauty of it, with Paul, it’d be all fun and wholesomeness. Honestly, it sounds like peak happiness and pure silliness—and we could all use a little more of that.
Former Bottleneck Teammates:
Luis Garcia – HR Business Partner
If I could, I’d grab a few drinks with Mr Baklava himself, Action Bronson. Known primarily as a rapper, his bigger-than-life personality is heavily influenced by one of my favorite rap collectives, Wu-Tang Clan. But Action is more than just another rapper, he’s also become a prominent figure in the culinary world, which makes him even more intriguing. Beyond his music career, he’s pursued his passion for cooking. This has led him to create several food-inspired shows that bring us on a journey through his life as a chef, sports enthusiast, and artist. He’s also built a strong presence on YouTube, with channels dedicated to sharing his experiences and culinary knowledge. Whether he’s exploring incredible eateries or barbequing on the block, I love that Action brings that same energy to food that he does to his music. It would be a blast to sit down with Action and chat about everything from his next culinary adventures to hearing him talk about influences like Wu-Tang, Nas, and Cam’ron.
Lizzy Crandall – Accounting Manager
I am going to go with Audrey Hepburn! She was a fantastic woman who helped those in need until the last years of her life, and she is the only non-Roman person that the Italian people considered a “true Roman woman” – which is a huge compliment!
Cortney Lowinski – Corporate Training Coordinator
I think I would like to have a beer with Lucille Ball. We would most likely drink a summer shandy on a lovely patio somewhere in the summer air. We would chat about clowning and people watch for hours.
Lee Jarvis – Digital Marketing Manager
I’d have a drink with my past and future selves. I’d point out all the stupid things I did and have learned from, and probably ignore anything that future-Lee might suggest to avoid further life embarrassments. Young Lee would drink some bland macro beer, I would order a nice porter, and future Lee would drink zero gravity space beer. Young Lee would out-drink his elders accordingly.
Eric Babula – Regional Chef
If I can only pick one, it’d be Anthony Bourdain. Not because he’s my favorite chef, but because he has eaten and drank with EVERYONE I look up to. He’s a greater writer, still very humble, and has been able to live the dream life of a seasoned chef – getting paid to travel, eating and drinking with the best of the best. We could pound PBRs and talk shit about unjustly famous fakes and sing praises of all the real-deals. Plus, I’m sure he can stay toe to toe with me for shots.
Mike Jettner – VP of Concept Development
I’d like to have a beer with Walt Disney. His vision, creativity, and business acumen are all areas I’d love to pick his brain on. His philosophy on guest experiences, business, and leadership are areas I would dive deeper into. He would most likely be a really fun person to enjoy 16 ounces with, and at the same time probably the most educational 16 ounces.
Sarah McCarten – Administrative Assistant
I would love to have a beer with Dolly Parton. She is such a strong female that can handle any kind of criticism. And I mean, Steel Magnolias? A masterpiece.