By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Aug 09, 2022 at 8:01 AM

You spoke and Leinenkugel’s listened, folks.

Leinie’s is bringing back Sunset Wheat on Aug. 15! Yes, fruity pebbles in beer form, as some call it for its sweet blueberry and orange notes. (Oktoberfest will return the same day.)

When Leinie’s announced it would no longer brew its seasonal Belgian-style witbier – last brewed in 2019 – fans were moved to start a petition on Change.org.

In creating the petition, “Sunset Wheat Fan” wrote:

“During these unprecedented times of chaos and uncertainty (they cancelled Sunset Wheat in *2020*? REALLY?!), we can simply not afford to be without this beloved member of the craft beer community any longer.

“Despite near daily inquiries from concerned citizens everywhere, Leinenkugel's has repeatedly indicated there are no plans to resume production on Sunset Wheat at any point in the near future.”

Fret not, as the 4.9 percent ABV Sunset Wheat – first brewed in 2006 as a seasonal available August-October – is back in standalone packs in the Great Lakes region and as inclusions in the Lodge Variety Pack around the country.

The beer was not just beloved but fans, it was also well-received by judges, nabbing silver at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival and brone in the World Beer Cup in the Herb and Spice category that same year.

To celebrate the return of this popular gem, Leinie’s going to pay somone 10 grand to enjoy a sunset with a Sunset Wheat (streaming live, of course)..

“While everyone knows about the beauty of a California or Florida sunset,” notes a Leinie’s promo for the contest, “Leinenkugel’s – born and brewed in Wisconsin – knows that Wisconsin is the best kept secret for beautiful sunsets … especially when enjoyed with a beer in hand. And now they are looking for someone to share that Midwestern sunset in celebration of their returning beer Sunset Wheat.

Folks 21 and up can apply for role by explaining, before Aug. 18, why they are best suited for the job of “ultimate beer drinking sunset watcher” in an Instagram video post tagging Leinenkugel’s with the hashtags #sunsetstreamer and #contest.

In addition to $10,000, a free beer and watching a beautiful sunset (I vote for this one I took over Long Lake near Wausaukee), you’ll also win a Labor Day weekend getaway.

sunset
No filter needed for Wisconsin sunsets.
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Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.