I had heard about this from the bartender at the Maproom while sipping a Rasberry Tart from New Glarus – but I was in denial. New Glarus has pulled out of the Chicago market to satisfy the demand in Wisconsin. This article from Madison confirms it. I say let those cheeseheads drink Point and whatever Huber is selling for 9 bucks a case these days.
This means I’ll have to go back to the old days, when I had to cross state lines and bootleg back Sprecher. Fortunately Belgian Red cellars very well, so I’ll be picking up a case or two next time I’m in cheeseland.
Why did I not hear of or notice this sooner? Well I’ve been restricting my intake of beer to try to lose a little winter weight, but I should have been paying attention. I feel like hitting myself in the head with a bottle for missing the Real Ale fest for the second year in a row.