Beer history is theme of bookstore talk, musical performance

Beer lovers and history buffs will hear tales of Chicago's beer history when June Skinner Sawyers, author of "Chicago Beer: A History of Brewing, Public Drinking and the Corner Bar," presents a book discussion and signing on May 15 at Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park. She will be joined by Kathryn and John Atwood, known as The History Singers, who will perform music at the event.

"I've always had an interest in the social aspects of beer and alcohol overall and how history of temperance and prohibition are all interconnected," Skinner Sawyers said. She added that the key point of that interest is community.

"The idea of the community corner bar is the core of what the book is about," she explained. "In many ways it has been the anchor of a community. That's where my real interest lies. Going back in the history of it and seeing how it all emerged during the early days of Chicago up to the present."

The book project had a slightly complex history. It originally was going to be published by an independent publisher in Berkeley, California, as a guide to craft breweries. When that publisher folded, it sold the rights to the book to Arcadia Publishing's The History Press.

"They don't do guides like that so I had to change it into a narrative," Skinner Sawyers explained. "That's how it became this history of brewing and public drinking, eventually getting to the whole idea of the corner bar."

The author's research went beyond Chicago's borders. She also visited breweries in Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana to do her research. "Just for fun because I knew I wanted to include some sidebars," she said. Skinner Sawyers described that road trip as "an excuse to drink beer in all the parts of the Midwest."

The book includes a color insert of more than 30 pages, the author noted. It shows some advertisements which she found interesting because of "how dated they are or sexist or racist," she said. "That led to another sidebar on the art of the beer label."

"I try to make it as quirky as I could," Skinner Sawyers said.

Augie Aleksy, owner of Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, suggested the pairing of Skinner Sawyers' author event with The History Singers, John and Kathryn Atwood. Kathryn said she would never say no to Aleksy "because of the lovely way he runs his business and supports local authors."

Kathryn, the author of six published adult nonfiction books, is one of those local authors who has had book talks at Centuries & Sleuths.

The Atwoods began singing together in a church group many years ago. The Forest Park couple first combined their talents as a duo in 2003 with a program called "Settings of American Songs" at their local library. That evolved into The History Singers. The couple has performed at more than 100 libraries, historical societies, women's clubs and retirement communities, as well as events.

For every program, John noted, they choose a time period. "Then what we do is research on what were the songs that were popular or historically significant for the time," he said. They create a balance with different styles of songs.

When they aren't performing as The History Singers, Kathryn teaches beginning and intermediate piano, and continues writing books. John works in the health insurance industry.

They were still finalizing their set for the May 15 appearance at Centuries & Sleuths at press time. "Illinois," which was written in the 19th century, was already on their performance list. "It's got weird words that suggest there's something more going on than what the words are saying," John reported.

They will also be doing Bathhouse John Coughlin's "Dear Midnight of Love."

Attendees will also hear Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request."

"The prime beverage served at ballparks is beer, especially in Chicago," John said.

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.