Quick sips

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Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample.

Shepard has seen his fair share of bars, and he knows a good one when he sees one. A good bar, he says, has knowledgeable bartenders who simply want you to enjoy a good brew. This starts with a sample to ensure you’re happy with your beer of choice.

However, a good bartender also tries to move you outside your comfort zone. Want a Bud Lite? They’ll give it to you, along with a sample of a craft beer similar to it  just to see if you like it.

After all, it’s all about spreading, or instilling, the love of beer in others.

Thinking about a brewery of your own? It’s pretty competitive.

According to Deb Carey, Wisconsin sells more than 100 brands of beer. That means cutthroat competition. Before New Glarus opened in 1993, a major domestic brewery purchased all of the brown glass on the market, leaving none for New Glarus or other small breweries. There are plenty of day-to-day tricks as well.

“You put up signs, someone takes them down. You stack your beer in a store, someone stacks their beer around it or kind of tries to slide in on it,” she says.

In other words, “More money, more problems.”

Support local breweries whenever possible.

Deb Carey and New Glarus are doing incredibly well for a craft brewery. The Brewers Association’s 2009 Top 50 Breweries list, which ranks craft breweries across the country based on beer sales volume, lists New Glarus as No. 22.

However, sales of craft beers constitute no more than 5 percent of beer sales in Wisconsin. New Glarus, Carey says, is maybe 1 percent. With this in mind, Carey implores consumers to do what they can for the little guy.

“Breweries are good manufacturers, and we drive the economy of the state,” she says. “We provide a lot of jobs not only through our brewers, but also, the money flows through to retailers and bar owners and wait staff and all that kind of stuff.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Wisconsin’s beer culture is all about helping one another enjoy the best brew possible. Check out online resources, like BeerAdvocate or the Brewer’s Association.

The same rule applies to searching for bars. Shepard has one trick in particular: “When all else fails, call the local home-brew shop,” he says. “Ask whoever answers the phone, ‘So, where do you go to drink beer?’ I’ve never had that fail me.”

You’re damn lucky to live in Wisconsin.

Not only does Wisconsin boast a reputation as “the beer state,” we also have a few beers that are legendary outside state lines.

“New Glarus Belgian Red is like currency anywhere beyond Wisconsin,” Shepard says. “Brewers are enamored by that beer. It’s won all kinds of international awards. When I travel, I guarantee you 80 percent of the brewers I run into will ask me about, ‘When’s the last time you’ve had Wisconsin Belgian red?’”

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