Recently, I read a great book for my book club called "Love Is A Mix Tape." It's the memoir of Rob Sheffield, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, and it takes place in the mid '90s, a time when people -- well, some people -- actually drank Zima.

I was never a fan of this clear, lightly carbonated malt liquor; however, when my friend and fellow bookclubber suggested we bring Zima to the book club party, I agreed. It seems like a humorous and appropriate contribution for the standard book club food-and-drink buffet because in the book the characters mixed Zima with Chambord.

We agreed that she would get the raspberry liqueur and I would score the Zima. Easier said than done.

I stopped in at two liquor stores in Riverwest. Neither had it. So I went to Pick 'n Save's liquor department. Nope. I called a few more liquor stores, including Otto's and Gilbert's, both on Oakland Avenue, and they didn't have it either.

Everyone I spoke to said basically the same thing: They thought the beverage was still around, but they hadn't stocked it in a long time. I checked the Web site, and apparently it was repackaged and reintroduced as Zima Citrus, but even that is difficult to find.

Anyone have any idea where to find -- or if you can still get -- the classic, non-citrus flavor Zima? I will not rest until I track down this nasty beverage.