A Deer That Drank Beer
This has got to be the oddest true beer story I’ve seen. In the 1940s or ’50s, a deer used to drink at a bar called Happy’s Inn in Montana.The deer would sit at the bar next to other customers, and the bartender would feed it deer. There’s even a picture to prove it.
After reading the previously linked article, Rob Swenson, the son of the former owners of Happy’s Inn, wrote in with this response:
Vince, my name is Rob Swenson and my parents Everett and Ruth Swenson owned Happy’s Inn when that picture was taken. We named the deer Pat and one of her favorite snacks was cigarettes, but a beer after an unfiltered Camel was in line.
One hunting season I was afraid that the deer would get shot, so I put her in the barn and closed the door. As I was walking away I heard this crash, the deer broke out the window and jumped to freedom. I cried to my Dad and he tied a red scarf around the deer’s neck. Well that did not last long either. Now keep in mind, I was about 6 or 7 at the time. As a last ditch effort to keep the deer from getting shot, I painted her red. I am sure the paint was lead-based and I darn near killed her. My Dad shaved her hair off, but she was sick for several days.
The Happy ending was, she did not get shot. However, she was killed by coyotes several years later. Pat and I were best friends.
Thank You,
Rob Swenson
And with this, I conclude today’s blog postings, because there’s just no way I can top that.
