New Glarus Brewing Company

New Glarus Brewing CompanyNew Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus Brewing CompanyNew Glarus Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Beer-to-go

2400 Hwy 69
New Glarus, Wisconsin, 53574
United States

(608) 527-5850 | map
newglarusbrewing.com

Tasting Room, Gift Shop, Beer Depot and free self-guided tours are open Monday-Friday 10-5. Closed on Weekends.
BEER STATS
Average:
4.07
Beers:
56
Ratings:
42,305
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.6
Reviews:
104
Ratings:
466
pDev:
10.43%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by NickThePyro:
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Rated by NickThePyro from Washington

5/5  rDev +8.7%

Nov 29, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.34 by bschmidt_37 from Illinois

Sep 30, 2023
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Reviewed by OldManBrodie from California

4.73/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
This is a true diamond in the rough. Out in rural Wisconsin lies this incredible brewery. Their beers are renown in the surrounding states, and for non-Wisconsinites living within an hour or so or the border, it's common to make the trip over the border to pick up seasonal favorites that are only distributed in Wisconsin. Their selection, while not vast, is top-tier. Even beers that I didn't love were still obviously crafted by people who know how to make a good beer.
Aug 06, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

May 05, 2023
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Reviewed by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
Made to look like a European village with an expansive outdoor area, with great views and ample seating. There's a large courtyard and then other more secluded spots to explore. You can tour the plant at your leisure. And of course, world class beer!
Mar 07, 2023
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Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.36/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
I accidentally found NG while traveling through Wisconsin (after seeing a New Glarus sign off of the interstate). I visited in January so the outdoor beer gardens were closed. The small bar that sold samples was the only thing available. I would love to visit in the summer as I imagine it would be much more lively. The to-go store had a great selection, as did the gift shop. This is definitely worth checking out if in the area.
Jun 02, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

May 08, 2022
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Reviewed by UrbanCaveman from Ohio

4.86/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
The space is vast, the setting gorgeous - particularly in the warmer months, when you can enjoy the outdoor taps in the terraced biergarten loaded with faux ruins and with a lovely view of rolling, lightly wooded rural Wisconsin hills. But let's face it, you're here for the beer, and maybe the souvenir glassware it comes in.

Between the indoor and outdoor taps (when the outdoor taps are open), you'll get up to a dozen or so choices for draught. Meanwhile, the bottle shop in the basement has everything New Glarus currently has bottled or canned, including gobs of their R&D beers (which are pricey, but often well worth it). As the brewery doesn't want to step on the toes of the local bars, you'll also usually end up with some tokens for discounted beers in town.

There's a self-guided tour, for those who enjoy gaping at brewing apparatus while enjoying their pours. But it's tough to beat that biergarten experience, and view.
Dec 29, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by Rifugium from North Dakota

Jan 17, 2020
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Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4.18/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
It can be tricky finding New Glarus Brewing when you're arriving from the north side of town; there's a smaller location with New Glarus signage on the building that is easily visible from the state highway and your eyes tell you to U-turn and stop by, only to find out this isn't the taproom. Well, keep driving south a few miles and now you see a massive Swiss-styled building atop a hill and a winding road which leads you to the current brewery. Large biergarten with many tables and chairs and faux-ruins of building sticking up from the ground. Did I mention this is outside and it's 35F outside? Well, the tasting room is inside the gift shop, and while it remains cozy inside, offers no place to sit and barely offers the surface of the bar to place your drinks. But inside the hybrid gift shop/tasting room is the start to a well designed self guided tour around the brewhouse, pilot batch, and cabinet of awards, to name a few.

The beer is the big reason why you're here, and that they provide. Strangely, only six beers are pouring from tap, no bottles in the tasting room. Ironically, the beer depot beer store below doubles the tap selection in bottles. Still,the six taps are kick-ass, pouring No Coast Pale, Laughing Fox, Two Women, Staghorn, Spotted Cow, and....oh my god....there it is, the Wisconsin Belgian Red. The full size pour prices look expensive at first; $8 for a pour of Staghorn, but you get to keep the brewery's flagship glass as a souvenir, and refills of said beer drop to $5.50 afterwards. That's a clever instrument to remind customers where they visited. The staff behind the bar will wash your glass out and wrap it up for you when you're ready to leave. Beer quality is near the top; my Staghorn was crisp and malty, and the Wisconsin Belgian Red will be one of the best fruit beers you ever drink.

A visit to New Glarus Brewing may seem ordinary at first glance, but the Swiss-inspired town of New Glarus which it's in makes the visit much more festive. The brewery will even give you a token for a free taster of their beer at selected bars and restaurants around the city itself. Another brilliant instrument to link the brewery with the city it named its beer after.
Oct 31, 2019
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Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Wow... What a place. Like a brewery was resurrected on the ruins of an old monastery. The drive way reminded my of Tree House, taking you back off the main road. Was there on a Wednesday afternoon and the crowd was not bad. Huge facility, with bottle shop down stairs and tasting room gift shop upstairs. 6 or 8 beers on tap, I had the Staghorn, and it was excellent. Off the gift shop is a large patio area set among what appears to be the ruins of an old brick church. There are picnic tables spread about and a number of trails about the property. Very friendly service, and you get to keep the glass your beer came in. They also give you a token good for a free beer in town. A wonderful place to fritter away an afternoon.
Sep 18, 2019
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Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
a destination spot for sure. while on the way to see a buddy near Stevens Point i stopped at New Glarus even knowing that their beers are widely distributed throughout the state. the experience was totally worth it. this brewery is from another place and time. got there about a half hour after opening. beat a lot of the crowds. walked around outside drinking crisp refreshing lagers. also did a self-guided tour. very interesting place. highly recommended.
Aug 30, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by Wipiglet from Wisconsin

Jul 21, 2019
 
Rated: 4.83 by ZRT from Ohio

May 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4.56 by Jotunsynth from Illinois

Jan 03, 2019
 
Rated: 4.66 by Jlswen2945 from Wisconsin

Nov 15, 2018
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Rated by Dankacheese from Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Amazing property and brewery. Touristy mixed with abundant quality.
Oct 18, 2018
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Reviewed by Micheal_McCann from Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
Tremendous Beer Garden with the option to get a wrist bracelet to taste test all the beers you prefer.

Enjoyed the self guided tour, allows you to go at whatever pace you prefer.
Oct 08, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by Vman2381 from Illinois

Aug 12, 2018
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Rated by Zenboy99 from Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev -7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
Beautiful brewery. Don’t like the fact that I have to buy a ticket to go to another spot to buy a beer
Aug 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.58 by Berknerj from Illinois

Jul 21, 2018
 
Rated: 3.11 by stadmo1 from Michigan

Jul 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.9 by JuanAlberto from Texas

Jul 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4.44 by antoines15 from Indiana

May 19, 2018
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Reviewed by Oconomowocian from Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Much like the rest of Wisconsin, New Glarus is a great brewery to visit when the weather is nice. The setting is great, just south of town up the hill in the woods. The outdoor beir garden is world class. Beautiful farm setting and landscape. FYI the beer at the depot is priced higher than anywhere else, so if you are stocking up I suggest stopping somewhere else, NG beer is everywhere. They have really upped the ante by having past r&d beers and brewery only thumbprint beers. It's pretty quiet on week days but really fun on weekends. Enjoy!
May 11, 2018
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Reviewed by VashonGuy from Washington

3.71/5  rDev -19.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.25
The New Glarus brewery is in a gorgeous setting. It's a great place to sit and sip a beer on a spring afternoon.

Unfortunately, your choice of what to sip is pretty limited, just five beers on tap, and only one of those drawn from the top tier of NG beers. So I don't see how folks are giving NG high scores for selection or quality. New Glarus makes exceptional beers, they just mostly don't serve them at the brewery. The taproom offerings are their standard fare, very good but not great.

The self guided tour is fairly interesting, and is well presented. The taproom service was ordinary, neither good nor bad.

My advice to serious beer geeks: Go to New Glarus, take the tour, and buy bottles to go from the unparalleled selection of NG beers, but don't bother with the taproom. Instead, go back to the nearby pizza joint (Sugar River) in the town of New Glarus, and have something from their excellent list of 80 bottled beers.
May 01, 2018
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Reviewed by larryarms847 from Illinois

4.66/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Love this brewery, it sits on a hill and overlooks a beautiful hilly part of Wisconsin. The quality is just superb. The service was about what I expected and the selection is great for people looking for a variety of styles.
Apr 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.33 by Half-full from Illinois

Mar 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by MJSFS from Florida

Mar 11, 2018
 
Rated: 4.4 by Richie_C_Johnson from Minnesota

Feb 26, 2018
 
Rated: 4.43 by Foxman27 from Iowa

Feb 21, 2018
 
Rated: 1 by jjnelsen418 from Wisconsin

Nov 26, 2017
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Reviewed by Tsar_Riga from Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
What an odd spectacle, the crowning brewery on a hill. Great experience to walk through the brew space. The beer choices are extensive, a full range of styles that offer traditional to somewhat odd-ball, but always carefully designed and a piece of the total vision of the brewery. Been trying for years to make this trip, and now that i have, I am wondering when I can next return.
Oct 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.36 by jkaczinski from Iowa

Sep 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.24 by County33 from Iowa

Sep 03, 2017
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Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -29.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3
Wow, is this place a wonderland or what? It's like a theme park.

No really, I mean, it's almost MORE kid-friendly than it is a beer sanctuary. I'm sure it wouldn't keep the little ones busy for very long, but there's all sorts of things to see for a short visit. You might start by parking in the lawn to the left of the driveway because you see a car or two parked there already, but it might seem a bit odd being this far away from wherever the entrance is. So you head up the mulched walkway that meanders uphill through the woods and opens to a view of the enormous main..."visitors building" with a bustlingly full parking lot--and forgive me, but this was my first time here and I had absolutely no indication this place was such a massive compound! There are multiple buildings further to its left, and all of them are huge. Everything on their website seems so humble and quaint, I had no idea. Anyway, getting back to what else there is to see, when you walk in you can go straight and to the left for a bottle shop (which just so happened to have pallets and pallets of R&D waiting for us when we arrived), or upstairs to the absolutely massive beer garden. Depending on the day, they might have alpenhorn players by the steampunk looking, multi-nozzle rinsing station, and if not, the bells above the beer garden entrance will chime at the half and full hours, and they're real bells, ho boy! I mean, is it clear yet that I had no idea whatsoever what I was walking into?

You must purchase tickets to drink beer, which just adds to the theme park-vibe of this place. Once you get your very well-made but mostly classic German-style beers, you can plop down nearby under the hop bine trellises. Or you can go for a nature walk, further into the multi-level garden which is spiked with faux-ancient and worn down walls inspired by- I don't know what because they otherwise look modern and new.

It's a neat place, but with all the beer flowing through the massive compound, (and you can take yourself on a self-guided tour to see the insane amount of plumbing in this place), you'd think they'd offer more than 5 beers on draft. I don't know if this is a Wisconsin law issue, or something they impose upon themselves, but it's a damn shame. At least you can take home a veritable truckload of bottles if you so choose.

But what really gets my goat is that there is no prepared food, which is probably another reason why there is so little beer. This place is just ripe for a restaurant. I mean, how could it not be?! It makes absolutely no sense to me. We just wrapped up a 10-hour road trip and figured there'd be some good options inside, and weren't really feeling like opening any of the road trip snack food we brought along with us. Well, that's basically you're only option here, even if you buy what's in the gift shop. And if you buy cheese, I hope you have a knife on you because you're going to need it if you want something solid to go with your beer. Some of it is stellar, lovely and aged, so, if you don't have a knife, I feel sorry for you because some of those cheeses go quite well with a Wisconsin Belgian Red!
Aug 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.61 by Eman17 from Illinois

Aug 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.26 by REVZEB from Illinois

Aug 02, 2017
 
Rated: 3.95 by zkoehn from Wisconsin

Jul 28, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by teamwiggum from Wisconsin

Jun 18, 2017
New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus, WI
Brewery rating: 4.07 out of 5 with 42305 ratings