Tuesday, September 4, 2012

On Reputations


Odd. It appears that I've somehow acquired an undeserved reputation as a drunkard beer lover. This misconception crystalized last week in, of all places, the wilds of Wisconsin when my brand new fishing buddy, Mac, upon the end of our first day on the water together, reached into the back of his truck and pulled out a six-pack, saying "I understand that you're into beer."

I, of course, was dumbfounded. Where'd he get that idea? I started to protest, but thought better of it and, unwilling to hurt the dear boy's feelings, reluctantly accepted his largess. It was quite the sacrifice, I assure you.

But I'll give Mac some credit. He picked the wares of a fine small local brewery, The New Glarus Brewing Company, a delightful little summer seasonal, Totally Naked. The bottle says:

Pure and crisp, this is a beer with nothing to hide. Wisconsin two-row barley malt insures a mellow and smooth body. We import Noble hop varieties from Germany and the Czech Republic to insure a fine mature aroma with no course bitterness. Expect this beer to pour a delicate golden hue that sparkles in the summer sun... Kick back, relax and enjoy the simple unadorned flavor. This is beer at its most basic.

I don't know about the pour or the summer sun sparkle, but it damn sure tastes good straight from the bottle, sitting on a tailgate, watching the moon rise at the end of a fine day of fishing. So next time you find yourself in southern Wisconsin, hopefully chasing Driftless trout, be sure to look up New Glarus. Kick back, relax, and get totally naked.

Wait. I mean get Totally Naked.

Crap. I'm sensing yet another undeserved reputation in the offing.


Blogger Geek Note: It will be interesting to see the keyword hits that this posts brings.

22 comments:

  1. Mike, you can run but you can't hide. Darn the luck! Looking forward to you doing a post in the future about the various search terms that brought you hits on your blog from this little beauty!

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  2. I suppose there are worse reputations to have. What fisherman doesn't enjoy beer? :)

    And I'm sure the google searches will surprise you. I keep getting "Biggest Rack"...Like I don't know what they were -really- looking for haha.

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  3. People up there are always trying to get you to drink New Glarus. I've never had that particular flavor, but the other choices aren't very good.

    PS, If you can read this it's because my forth guess at the captcha was correct.

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  4. You? Beer? Really? I hadn't noticed. Much. I'll see if I can smuggle some local brews in my luggage for the trip.

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  5. That is a good beer. Been awhile since I've had one.

    I still regret the joke post I made long time ago with a woman bathing naked in a river, a modest shot from the back of course.

    Every, single, day... it's amazing how many people are interested in women bathing naked in a river.

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  6. Good choice! My name is Kevin and I love a good Beer!

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  7. Ken, who isnt interested...

    Spotted cow is another great choice from the new glarus brewing co :)

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  8. A wise man once said, "If bread is the staff of life, then beer is life itself."

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  9. Mike....I had not visited your blog for a good while....I had much to read and lots of pics to see...it's always a delight...with a special"athmosphere" that can't be found anywhere else...thanks for sharing all this with us Mike (:
    JP

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  10. I'm partial to the Fat Squirrel which made my stream side lunch very enjoyable last June. Good on you Mike for showcasing a great brew. Glad you had a good time. Sometime we will have to fish those wi waters at the same time.

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  11. "There can't be good living where there is not is not good drinking"

    -Benjamin Franklin

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  12. You're right, Mel. There's no hiding. And Erin Block got me checking my keyword hits closely. Makes you shake your head sometimes.

    What fisherman indeed, Alex. And is suppose they had a big 'yak to carry. Right?

    All I can report is that I liked the one I tried, Clif. But then practically any beer tastes good after a nice day on the water. Hell, even PBR. And if you'd stop spamming me I could turn of the captcha. :-)

    Wait 'tii next weekend, Steve. Then you'll see how misunderstood I am.

    Not amazing at all, Ken. Not at all. And the first related keyword is in. Naked daybreak.. Oh boy.

    Seems you're not alone Kevin!

    Next time, Blake. Spotted Cow. Got it!

    Another wise man said "Damn that's good." Thanks Pete!

    Well, almost nothing, Phillip. Almost.

    Thanks for stopping by, JP. It's such a kick to make connections that cross such distances. Merci mille fois.

    Just name the time, Joel. Let's make it happen.

    That's hard to argue with, Mac. THANKS for making this post possible. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the day.

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  13. Well...like most good reputations, they are hard earned. And what better way for a fellow friend and beer lover to show his respects by offering up some fine local brew.

    I do believe that means you've educated your audience well...

    Cheers!

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  14. Educated my audience? Perhaps, Sean. A bad example can indeed be illuminating. Thanks, my friend, for the positive spin.

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  15. I understand that you're into beer......made me laugh!

    Such a fair gentleman of you drinking that beer. I bet every mouthful was painful. ;-)

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  16. Every sip, torture. Every sip. Really nice hearing from you, Ro!

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  17. Mike bulks up his triceps by throwing 2/0 and 3/0 streamers on his 10 weight. To prevent a totally out of whack musculature he must build contrapuntal definition in the biceps. Thus, the frequently required knocking back of fine brews. The man is all about balance!

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  18. Thank you, NW. I'm glad someone understands.

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  19. Hey Mike,
    This is the first blog I ever signed up to follow! I am technologically challenged, as if that counts as an excuse. Oh,hope there is not something Freudian about me leaving my first comment on this particular entry.Just wanted to let know that I enjoy your writing( when I get a chance). I will definitely buy the book!
    Sincerely, Mary Anne Hughes

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  20. THanks for joining, Mary Anne! I'm honored to be your first. :-)

    And don't hold your breath waiting for that book.

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