The recent issue of Beer Advocate had a little snippet about one of my favorite breweries, New Glarus.

Ever since visiting the brewery in the very Swiss town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, I’ve been enamored with their beers.  Because the brew isn’t sold anywhere outside of Wisconsin—and I personally blame brewer Dan Carey for my unquenchable thirst—I’m always on the lookout for when and where I can get another taste.

A while back, my girlfriend arranged a trade with a native Wisconsinite and I was able to savor six delicious bottles of their brown ale, Fat Squirrel.  Since then, I haven’t been able to get my fix.

Fortunately, I am not alone.  Back in November the Mad River Bar and Grill in Manhattan—sigh—was caught illegally selling the beer.  Over fifty case were confiscated and a slew of fines were slapped on the bar owners.

Although I’m smitten knowing that there are others with a passion for New Glarus, I do feel bad for the patrons of Mad River.  Apparently, the bar was a haven for displaced Wisconsinites who frequented the bar for a taste of home (i.e. Beer and Badgers’ games).

All I know, is that if I found a Portland bar who specialized in Brooklyn and Ithaca beers, I’d be in there as much as possible to flood my taste buds with some East coast flavors.

To all those Wisconsin alumni, I raise a glass to you and hope you find another illicit operation to tip back a few pints of home.