An Open Letter To Leinenkugel's Brewery

Dear Leinenkugel's Beer,
My name is Greg Gilbertson and I've been a loyal Leinie's drinker since before I was supposed to be. Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I've enjoyed nearly every beer you've brewed (with exception to your Original. Don't know why, but I still have trouble with that one. Sometimes if it's ice cold and I drink it fast...). You've been there for me time after time - relaxing me after a hard day of work, cooling me off during hot Wisconsin summer days, making me irresistible to our lady-folk - and for that I've spent my adult life in grateful and delicious appreciation.

I've rushed out to buy every new seasonal beer, tolerating the more experimental flavors. I understand Berry Weiss. I don't hold Apple Spice against you - it seemed like a good idea. Your Big Butt was hands-down the best beer I had ever tasted until you rereleased the 1888 Bock last year. That stuff blew my mind!

But here's the deal: I've been drinking a lot of New Glarus beers lately. It started with a Spotted Cow here and there at places that didn't have Honey Weiss on tap. Then it was on to Fat Squirrel. I really enjoyed these beers. I figured it might actually be a good thing. After all, they're a small Wisconsin micro-brewery too. And it's not like I stopped drinking Leinie's all together.

But then I bought a six-pack of New Glarus Black Wheat. It's at least as good as your 1888. I'll have to wait for you to come out with it again before I can say conclusively that it's a better tasting beer....and therein lies the problem. Black Wheat is brewed YEAR ROUND! Now, I'll buy up piles of 1888 when it comes back around, but - and I'm sorry about this - I just won't be drinking much Honey Weiss and Creamy Dark during the off-season (although I'm downing a Honey as I write this - and I'm enjoying it - but it's just because the wife brought home a sixer. Again, I would have gone with the Black Wheat).

What I'm trying to say is that I've become a New Glarus guy. It's now my primary blend. Don't get me wrong, they have some problem beers too. Their Organic Revolution, beyond having the worst name of any beer in the world, is just awful. Tastes like Schlitz. And to be honest, they have lots of brews I've yet to try. But in just three beers - THREE BEERS - evenly dividing the taste-color continuum (those being the lighter Spotted Cow, the mid range Fat Squirrel, and the used tractor oil-esque Black Wheat), I've been turned.

Now, understand that I don't think less of you than I ever have. I just think more highly of New Glarus these days. You're still the reason I'm proud to be from Chippewa. I still brag about you because YOU STILL BREW FANTASTIC BEER (!) - and I'll still throw down with anyone who says otherwise. But they're my go to beer now. You've become my supplementary beer. In other words, "I still want to be friends". Things are just a little different now, that's all.

Your friend,
Greg Gilbertson

Update:
Since writing this I had a bottle of New Glarus Crack'd Wheat. Holy Crap! Fantastic. I also learned that Black Wheat is in fact a seasonal beer. Sigh...