Since the Heileman Brewery, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sold in 1999, the half-dozen adjacent whitewashed storage tanks could hardly be called a tourist attraction, though for three previous decades they had been known as the World's Largest Six Pack. On Friday, Sept. 26, at 3pm, the restored "World's Largest Six Pack" make a comeback as a sixer of La Crosse Lager in an official ribbon cutting and unveiling ceremony kicking off "City Fest."

The previous set of cans, Heileman's Old Style, were a popular tourist destination and mandatory stop for any college road trip through the state. As the brewery was bought by Stroh's and then changed hands again, roadsiders watched in dismay as the beer can labels were obliterated with white paint. In preparation for new brand labels, perhaps? Completion of that thought took four years, but the beers are finally back.

As far as we know, the King Gambrinus statue still stands across the street, hoisting his goblet of suds in appreciation. [09/23/2003]

November 25, 2009