Sen. Chuck Grassley was feted by the National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC and the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. PAC yesterday for–breakfast.  No word on whether the menu featured beverages of the alcoholic variety.

Whatever was served, this is of note: over his years in the Senate, Grassley has  collected $116,700 in campaign contributions from the beer, wine and liquor industry. One issue dear to both trade associations above is repeal of estate taxes (see here and here), an issue at play in health care reform legislation being debated now. Grassley, the ranking chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is in favor of either a repeal or lowering of the tax, reported The Hill earlier this year.

Hot from our lobbyist sources, check out these opportunities to drink up and donate this week with lawmakers. They’re not in the database yet, so for now I’m posting images of the invitations.

On Tuesday, donors are invited to a “martinis and mayhem” party with Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Republican from Wisconsin, at the Capitol Hill Club Grill. Cost is $1,000 for a PAC, $500 for “friends,” and $250 for “individuals. ” (What’s the difference between a friend and an individual, we’d like to know?)

On Wednesday there’s a party at Charlie Palmer Steak for Rep. John Yarmuth, Democrat of Kentucky, sponsored by the lobbying triumvurate of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers PAC, Distilled SPirits Council PAC, and the National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC. Requested contributions are $5,000 for a “host,” $2,500 for a “friend,” and $1,000 for an “individual.”

Of course alcohol and fundraisers are a popular mix–there’s nothing like a drink or two to make you open up your checkbook. Click to see events in our database that mention beer, bourbon, wine, and, yes, margaritas.