At our Monday editorial meeting this week, we found ourselves a little off-topic, discussing the new 64-calorie Miller Genuine Draft Light (aka MGD 64). None of us had tried it yet, but Molly mentioned it was available at Summerfest.
Which led me to ask, "What if someone made a calorie-free beer?"
Then, "No matter how bad it tasted, would you drink it?"
I said "yes," as long as it was after a few good beers. The rest of the group weighed the pros and cons, and then we tabled the discussion for a later date.
Last night, I was on the Summerfest grounds to interview Brian Kramp and Jon Adler for a story running Friday. Even though the duo had to be up in a just a few hours for its Thursday morning show on FM 102.1, Adler took one for the team and hung out with me for an hour or two.
We wandered to the Harley stage to check out the Crystal Method DJ set, and lo and behold, we saw that the beer tent was selling MGD 64.
I confidently recalled Monday's meeting, re-declaring my willingness to drink a diet beer as I ordered up a pair of brews. Adler agreed with me, patting his stomach.
Then we took a sip.
I now understand why beer isn't supposed to contain only 64 calories. I don't know exactly what this stuff tasted like, but it certainly wasn't beer. More like bitter, carbonated yellow water, actually. Adler made a funny face and agreed with me.
Needless to say, it was "one and done" with the diet beer, and I immediately retracted my position on the calorie-free beer. I like almost every other Miller product I've ever tried. But this near-beer wasn't for me.
Hey, I thought my iron constitution could handle anything. But if it's 64 calories or less, count me out.
But what do you think? I'd love to hear your take. Just use the Talkback feature below.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
