With the recent announcement that Schlitz beer will cease production, my memories of Kite’s, a popular tavern in Aggieville, come flooding back. During my time at Kansas State University from 1969 to 1973, Kite’s was my second home. This bar exclusively served Schlitz beer on tap, and after a disappointing experience with a can, I vowed only to drink it fresh on tap.

Kite’s was taken over by Terry Ray in 1969, following its establishment by Keith “Kite” Thomas, a former K-State and professional baseball player. The establishment thrived on its simple offerings—a place for 18-year-olds to gather and enjoy 3.2% alcohol beer. The atmosphere was distinctly casual, marked by the scent of spilled drinks and walls adorned with photographs of K-State sports legends, all underscored by the lively tunes from a jukebox.

It was the hub for students on Fridays, with everyone scrambling for a booth or hopping between tables to socialise. Living just two blocks away at the Sigma Chi fraternity house made Kite’s our go-to hangout and, often, our “annex.”

Years later, while sifting through old checks, I realized just how many I had written to Kite’s—frequenting it was like banking for my university days. One memory stands out: returning from spring break in 1970, I recall the jukebox blaring Three Dog Night’s "Joy to the World," and noticing that the price of a pitcher had risen from one dollar to $1.25, and steins from 25 cents to 30 cents—a bitter reminder of inflation during the Vietnam War era.

During its heyday, Schlitz ranked as the second-best-selling beer in America. After graduation, my path took me away from taverns and back to academia, marking an end to my love story with Schlitz. Eventually, Kite’s closed, but it later reemerged as Kite’s Bar and Grill, offering a more enhanced dining experience.

To the friends I shared those beer-soaked memories with, let’s raise a toast the next time we enjoy a drink together—after all, “When you’re out of Schlitz, you’re out of beer.”