Sportswriter/Designer/Copy Editor, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

Illinois and Wisconsin are both great states, no matter the city.

North61, you don't know squat.

 

Whoa, let's not go crazy now, clearly you've not visited the exotic treasures of Decatur, Ill.

 

Or Danville, for that matter.

 

Danville is a nuclear test site waiting to happen.

 

High Packer garbage is my new favorite phrase, with Kosar's iconic status a close second.

 

Wisconsin's great if you love beer. The difference between Wisconsin and other states is in the beer.

You walk into a dive bar in most states and they have Bud Light or some shitty beer on tap. Dives in Wisconsin have Leinies, New Glarus and other really good micro brews

Oh yeah, the cheese curds also kick ass.

 

The best young cheddar in the world comes from a group of Menonites about an hour north. Somewhere around Chippewa Falls or Barron.

I actually thought it was a pretty cool, laid back area. I don't think the locals north of ther are hicks and renecks so much as they're hard-working. Lots of farms there.

 

From Illinois, lived in Wisconsin and vacationed there quite often as a kid. Have to say I love Milwaukee, Madison and even have an affinity for Oshkosh. There's no better state to get a brat and a beer (that's high on my list). And Madison is an ultimate destination if you're looking for a good party. You know that saying that in college you can find a party 7 days a week. Well in Mad-town they party 8. I don't know how they do it, but they do. Favorite wisconsin brew has to be Pointe beer. And whoever alluded to people from Chicago misrepresenting the rest of the state is dead on. People from the Chi think it's the best place on earth and aren't afraid to tell you how much every other place on the planet sucks. Of course that's blanket statement and not true of everyone you meet. Yes, Decatur and Danville are absolute holes, and let's not be afraid to throw East St. Louis into the mix.

 

I love the pointy-headed guy on the Point beer tap handle, but that beer is nasty.

 

Anybody who comes to Wisconsin needs to have a Leinenkugel's Honey Berry, which is:

half a pint of Leiny's Honey Weiss and half a pint of Leiny's Berry Weiss (once a seasonal brew, now available year-round).

I never was much of a beer drinker before. Since having one of those concoctions, I'm forever hooked.

 

That shit is gooooooood. I'm also a big fan of the Sunset Wheat, which is basically a better tasting Blue Moon.

 

Thanks for the Leinie suggestions. I love Leinie's Red, but will try the Honey and Berry mix. Sprecher Amber isn't bad, either.

Ah, to visit SportsJournalists.com for beer advice ... that rocks!

I was born and bred in Wisconsin, went to school in Milwaukee, lived in Chicago and currently reside in Madison. I think I can give a darn good opinion on most things Midwest. Wisconsin isn't New York or California, but I don't think it's as backwards as some folks are declaring.

Although Kankakee is a bit scary, that's all I'm saying.