I really love New Glarus beer. A few years ago they decided not to sell it beyond the cheddar curtain and I have been miserable ever since. I have been meaning to head up to the town and stock-up, but I haven’t gotten around to it. In the meantime, I have a hankering for some Belgian Red. What would be the best place to cross the border and pick some up (preferably from a store that reliably stocks it)? Bonus points if your suggestion is optimized for my trip - let’s say from Schaumburg, IL.
Hmmm… I can get it where I live. Does that mean that the UP is “behind the cheddar curtain”?
Mike, if you can wait a few days, I have a guy who lives in Wisconsin who could MAYBE bring some down - and I work in Schaumburg. I say maybe because he’s not in the rest of this week but will be next week and I can ask him then.
Alternately, just drive on up to New Glarus Brewing Co. and get it right from them! It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive - and if you go on a weekend, stay for a Packers game. 
Thanks Missy. I have a friend that lives in WI, so I could always hit him up. I think I am just looking for an excuse to make a beer and cheese run. But now that you mention it, I should make the jaunt all the way up and get it from the brewery – nice and fresh.
I know what you mean. I have to sneak some across the Cheese-Corn border when I visit relatives.
Last time I was in WI, I drove nearly 2 hours out of my way to pick up a case of the stuff from the brewery! I miss it terribly - don’t suppose anybody’s heading to Georgia soon?
If you don’t want to drive all the way to the brewery I can tell you of a few places in Milwaukee that carry it.
The big Woodman’s supermarket in Kenosha, just off 94, carries New Glarus as well.
Thanks for the help everyone, especially the Woodman’s tip, Ferret Herder – my buddy lives in Kenosha.
Fortunately, I am set for a few weeks as I made my first pilgrimage this weekend. Can you believe the town also sells chocolate and cheese? Oh yeah, and the town is located in a lush, green valley covered with trees changing color. I suspect I will be checking out real estate before the bottom of this Belgian Red bottle.
Also, if you get a chance to try the Smoked Rye Bock – it is very worth it!
Mike, some Sunday morning get on the interstate, drive to Rockford, turn right to Monroe, Wisc., go to Baumgartner’s Tavern and Cheese Store on the town square. Have a NG, have a limburger and onion on dark rye with brown mustard, sit at the Stamtish in the back, talk to the old guys and all the people from Illinois who show up. Buy a case of NG when you’re done and look out for the cops on the way home.
Spavined Gelding, I would’ve suggested Baumgartner’s as well. Be sure to have some of their “2nd Best Chili,” too (because everyone knows someone who makes the best chili).
Whenever I visit my family in Madison, I make sure to pick up some New Glarus. I was there a couple weeks ago and I think I still have a bottle of Fat Squirrel in my fridge (trying to make it last).
Now, if someone from the Pacific NW could hook me up with Widmer’s Snowplow milk stout, I’d be very happy.