We met the nice guys from Destihl at the Beer Hoptacular in Chicago back in June. They were one of the lone stand outs at that event, both in their seeming genuine enjoyment of their hobby cum job and also in their beer – they offered the only sour at the event and, sour or not, it stood head and shoulders above everyone else’s phoned in contributions.

So you could imagine my excitement when I got news from their facebook page that Destihl is hosting an Oktoberfest at their brewpub in Normal, Illinois September 25th. They’re promising some suckling pig, fresh brewed Marzen, and a bavarian influenced menu. Willie and I have been threatening a bike trip down there since June and an early fall ride through middle Illinois’ shifting colors seems just what the doctor ordered.

Now I just gotta go get my freaking bike out of the shop.

“Some people paint, some sing, others write … I brew.” -Daniel Carey, Brewmaster, New Glarus Brewery, Wisconsin

I was planning on hitting the AHA Teach Your Friend to Homebrew event at Brew & Grow tomorrow, I figure it’d be a good way to find those bits of information that only experience can offer a person and to meet some other budding alcoholics. But when I found out that the weather tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the mid-60′s I had to change my plans and fast.

So now, instead of learning about the craft of homebrewing, the esteemed Willard Skynard Devotionliner and I will be saddling up our gas belching toads and riding them to the New Glarus hilltop brewery. I’ve heard good things about the new facility and I’m anxious to try the much promoted framboise those sick wiscos brew up there.

However, my dirty little secret is that I have never been terribly crazy about New Glarus. I find it totally drinkable and will typically always enjoy it while in Wisconsin, but I have yet to have a beer of theirs that really knocks my knickers up. Although I did really find myself enjoying the Totally Naked brew last weekend at the Up North in Madison, it’s confident maltiness deliciously cut the fall evening air. With that said, I’ve not had much from their portfolio beside the Cow, the Flying Squirrel and the Totally Naked so I’m fully prepared to be blown away.

Here is the tentative route we’re taking across Wisconsin’s beautiful alphabet roads to our temporary beer nirvana:

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I’ve really been enjoying the fall weather these past couple of weeks. The gray rain of early October has given way to crisp afternoons glowing their way into the winter death. And what more can a fat, old man ask for, other than a proper parade into eternal night? Oh right, motorcycles and beer.