About Us
| Established in 1969 Serving our customers from the same location for overt 40 years! |
History
The Purple Foot is Milwaukee’s premier home fermentation store.
The Purple Foot was started in 1969 by Ken and Clara Geist. In December of 1969
the store on 92nd street was opened and The Purple Foot still calls this location
home. In 1972 Mary & Jerry Uthemann started working for Ken and Clara and in
1983 they took over the operation and purchased all rights to the store. They have
been the driving force ever since. Over the years Mary and Jerry’s three children
have worked in the store from time to time. In 2006 their daughter Karen came
back to work, after several years pursuing other interests. Karen is now ready to
take over the store operations.
The Purple Foot is Milwaukee’s premier home fermentation store.
The Purple Foot was started in 1969 by Ken and Clara Geist. In December of 1969
the store on 92nd street was opened and The Purple Foot still calls this location
home. In 1972 Mary & Jerry Uthemann started working for Ken and Clara and in
1983 they took over the operation and purchased all rights to the store. They have
been the driving force ever since. Over the years Mary and Jerry’s three children
have worked in the store from time to time. In 2006 their daughter Karen came
back to work, after several years pursuing other interests. Karen is now ready to
take over the store operations.
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Meet our expert staff:
Over 40 Years of Home Fermentation Experience!
(75 years if you add us all up!)
Mary & Jerry Uthemann
Jerry and Mary both immigrated from Germany where beer was made in many
homes and every pub! Their love of home fermentation is obvious. Mary and Jerry
have earned many awards for their home made wines and beers in some of the most
prestigious competitions and are highly respected in the wine and beer industries.
Karen Lau
Karen is Mary and Jerry’s oldest daughter and has worked at the store on and off
during her life, she started making wine in the early 1980’s but stopped for several
years while raising children and pursuing other career interests. In 2006 Karen
came back to the store with plans to take the family business on to the next
generation. Karen is an excellent winemaker and beer brewer, She has also won
many awards for her wines in some of the most prestigious competitions in the
world, and is creative in her home fermentation endeavors . Mom and taught have
her well!
Jim Remus
Jim has been with us since 2006, he is a Master Gardner who enjoys making
“Country wines” from the variety of fruits he grows in his yard. He has 13 years of
fermentation experience.
Jaime Gilbert & Jim Sowinski
Welcome to the newest members of our staff. Jaimie and Jim joined our staff in
April of 2010. Both are avid home fermenters. Jim has been home brewing for 13
years and dabble in wine. Jaime has been only brewing for a couple of years with
her husband Don but is passionate and is learning quickly!
Melissa & Jill Lau
Melissa and Jill are Karen's daughter-in-laws and relative newcomers to the business
They help out during our busier times and are preparing to be the 3rd generation of
home fermentors in our family!
Mary's Legacy:
Mary passed away in February of 2010 but Jerry will still be around, just not all of
the time! For those of you who might be wondering, Mom knew there would come
a time when she wouldn't be here and prepared for this day. She taught me well,
over the last 4 years she trained me to operate the store. Now more than ever I'm
ready for where we can go, with the support of my family and friends! The Purple
Foot will continue to supply the wine and beer making community!
The next generation is already in training, Karen’s sons enjoy home brewing
and her daughter in laws make their own wine!
As we move into the future we have many plans which include combining the
best of new available technology with the old world charm of the original store
front. Our store at 3167 south 92nd will remain open. For those who prefer to
use their computers we now have our website with easy access to information,
pricing and specials.
We all share a passion for home fermentation and love sharing that passion
with others.
Over 40 Years of Home Fermentation Experience!
(75 years if you add us all up!)
Mary & Jerry Uthemann
Jerry and Mary both immigrated from Germany where beer was made in many
homes and every pub! Their love of home fermentation is obvious. Mary and Jerry
have earned many awards for their home made wines and beers in some of the most
prestigious competitions and are highly respected in the wine and beer industries.
Karen Lau
Karen is Mary and Jerry’s oldest daughter and has worked at the store on and off
during her life, she started making wine in the early 1980’s but stopped for several
years while raising children and pursuing other career interests. In 2006 Karen
came back to the store with plans to take the family business on to the next
generation. Karen is an excellent winemaker and beer brewer, She has also won
many awards for her wines in some of the most prestigious competitions in the
world, and is creative in her home fermentation endeavors . Mom and taught have
her well!
Jim Remus
Jim has been with us since 2006, he is a Master Gardner who enjoys making
“Country wines” from the variety of fruits he grows in his yard. He has 13 years of
fermentation experience.
Jaime Gilbert & Jim Sowinski
Welcome to the newest members of our staff. Jaimie and Jim joined our staff in
April of 2010. Both are avid home fermenters. Jim has been home brewing for 13
years and dabble in wine. Jaime has been only brewing for a couple of years with
her husband Don but is passionate and is learning quickly!
Melissa & Jill Lau
Melissa and Jill are Karen's daughter-in-laws and relative newcomers to the business
They help out during our busier times and are preparing to be the 3rd generation of
home fermentors in our family!
Mary's Legacy:
Mary passed away in February of 2010 but Jerry will still be around, just not all of
the time! For those of you who might be wondering, Mom knew there would come
a time when she wouldn't be here and prepared for this day. She taught me well,
over the last 4 years she trained me to operate the store. Now more than ever I'm
ready for where we can go, with the support of my family and friends! The Purple
Foot will continue to supply the wine and beer making community!
The next generation is already in training, Karen’s sons enjoy home brewing
and her daughter in laws make their own wine!
As we move into the future we have many plans which include combining the
best of new available technology with the old world charm of the original store
front. Our store at 3167 south 92nd will remain open. For those who prefer to
use their computers we now have our website with easy access to information,
pricing and specials.
We all share a passion for home fermentation and love sharing that passion
with others.
| Honoring our family, it's all about our love and tradition. |
| Affiliations |
| Fermenters International Trade Association |
