Wisconsin Belgian Red | New Glarus Brewing Company
Brewed by:
New Glarus Brewing Company
Wisconsin, United States | website
Style: Fruit / Vegetable Beer
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 09-22-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 992 | Ratings: 3,460
4.43/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Finally got around to buying this, and I was not disappointed. It actually reminded me a lot of Very Cherry, which used to be a sparkling, non-alcoholic drink made by Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma, Wis that I used to enjoy as a kid. You can't taste the alcohol but you can definitely taste the cherry.
★ 299 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Finally got around to buying this, and I was not disappointed. It actually reminded me a lot of Very Cherry, which used to be a sparkling, non-alcoholic drink made by Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma, Wis that I used to enjoy as a kid. You can't taste the alcohol but you can definitely taste the cherry.
★ 299 characters
4.17/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I really liked this beer until I got halfway through my glass. Its great fruit beer but its very very sweet. Starts to coat the back of your throat like when you ate too much candy on halloween as a kid. Very jammy, tons of cherry in this, basically its like drinking a liquid cherry Jolly Rancher. There is a good amount of tart cherry in this beer I just wish it was less sweet.
★ 380 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I really liked this beer until I got halfway through my glass. Its great fruit beer but its very very sweet. Starts to coat the back of your throat like when you ate too much candy on halloween as a kid. Very jammy, tons of cherry in this, basically its like drinking a liquid cherry Jolly Rancher. There is a good amount of tart cherry in this beer I just wish it was less sweet.
★ 380 characters
4.22/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Slightly cloudy copper, lacing almost throughout the beer itself.
Everyone knows this is a fruit beer. The wheat however comes through kind of like a crispy Belgian waffle, if you can imagine that. There's a grainy, savory undertone that balances the sweet tartness of the cherry, which is not an artificial candy sort of cherry, and it comes off like a home-made cherry compote for the waffle.
★ 395 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Slightly cloudy copper, lacing almost throughout the beer itself.
Everyone knows this is a fruit beer. The wheat however comes through kind of like a crispy Belgian waffle, if you can imagine that. There's a grainy, savory undertone that balances the sweet tartness of the cherry, which is not an artificial candy sort of cherry, and it comes off like a home-made cherry compote for the waffle.
★ 395 characters
4.34/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This was quite the unique beer. Pours a raspberry like red, with an off white/red head. Great smell to this beer, fresh jam, sweet, and a tad bit tart to the nose. The taste was full of fruit flavors. Fresh cherries, Raspberry jam, not tart at all. Almost tastes like a cherry jolly rancher.. A nice amount of carbonation and fizz in this. A great fruit beer, would make the perfect summer drink!
★ 404 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This was quite the unique beer. Pours a raspberry like red, with an off white/red head. Great smell to this beer, fresh jam, sweet, and a tad bit tart to the nose. The taste was full of fruit flavors. Fresh cherries, Raspberry jam, not tart at all. Almost tastes like a cherry jolly rancher.. A nice amount of carbonation and fizz in this. A great fruit beer, would make the perfect summer drink!
★ 404 characters
4.71/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Had a friend bring this by for a bottle share. Amazing. Easily the best fruit beer I've ever had. It was like drinking cherry juice, but not overly sweet, and definitely not fake tasting at all. I wish I could drink this regularly.
★ 235 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Had a friend bring this by for a bottle share. Amazing. Easily the best fruit beer I've ever had. It was like drinking cherry juice, but not overly sweet, and definitely not fake tasting at all. I wish I could drink this regularly.
★ 235 characters
4.1/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle.
A: Big sweet cherry aroma with a slight sourness.
A: Brown in color, totally opaque with a slight reddish hue moderate tannish head that slowly receded.
T: Huge sweet cherry flavor that is followed by an estery light sourness.
M: Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation. The beer has a mild acidity.
O: The sweet cherry aroma and flavor overpowers the tart sourness. While tasty, the flavor leans a little too far toward cherry juice and needs to bring out other complimentary components, such as the wood and light sourness.
★ 547 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle.
A: Big sweet cherry aroma with a slight sourness.
A: Brown in color, totally opaque with a slight reddish hue moderate tannish head that slowly receded.
T: Huge sweet cherry flavor that is followed by an estery light sourness.
M: Medium-light bodied with moderate carbonation. The beer has a mild acidity.
O: The sweet cherry aroma and flavor overpowers the tart sourness. While tasty, the flavor leans a little too far toward cherry juice and needs to bring out other complimentary components, such as the wood and light sourness.
★ 547 characters
4.09/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dingy, copper, natural cherry color, slightly Brown. Smells of tart cherry, cough drops. Taste isn't as overpowering as the smell would indicate. More raw cherry, effervescent, carbed up
★ 186 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dingy, copper, natural cherry color, slightly Brown. Smells of tart cherry, cough drops. Taste isn't as overpowering as the smell would indicate. More raw cherry, effervescent, carbed up
★ 186 characters
4.42/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
liked this quite a bit more than Serendipity. Appearance is dark red. smell is lots of cherry. Taste is sweet cherry followed by a slight tartness, not overly sweet like i thought Serendipity was. medium mouthfeel, really smooth and easy to drink. great fruit beer.
★ 269 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
liked this quite a bit more than Serendipity. Appearance is dark red. smell is lots of cherry. Taste is sweet cherry followed by a slight tartness, not overly sweet like i thought Serendipity was. medium mouthfeel, really smooth and easy to drink. great fruit beer.
★ 269 characters
4.64/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: deep ruby to wine red.
S: bowl full fresh cherries
T: cherries. Slight tartness. This is amazing
F: smooth velvet. So soft and finishes like a whisper of a thrill
O: this is wonderful in every way.
★ 206 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: deep ruby to wine red.
S: bowl full fresh cherries
T: cherries. Slight tartness. This is amazing
F: smooth velvet. So soft and finishes like a whisper of a thrill
O: this is wonderful in every way.
★ 206 characters
4.87/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Not really a big fruit beer guy...but this was amazing. Complex, depth, loaded with tart fruit. Seemed to be the right amount of carbonation for the style.
★ 155 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Not really a big fruit beer guy...but this was amazing. Complex, depth, loaded with tart fruit. Seemed to be the right amount of carbonation for the style.
★ 155 characters
5/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I do enjoy a good fruit beer and in my opinion this is one of the best. Super fruit forward. Beautiful red color in the glass. Tasted like jolly ranchers. Or gogurt. for those without kids gogurts are those yogurts that come in a lil tubes you buy for your kids but steal one while there at school. Hahahahaha yup taste just like those. Very fruity. Easy drinking exceptional brew. Loved it.
★ 393 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I do enjoy a good fruit beer and in my opinion this is one of the best. Super fruit forward. Beautiful red color in the glass. Tasted like jolly ranchers. Or gogurt. for those without kids gogurts are those yogurts that come in a lil tubes you buy for your kids but steal one while there at school. Hahahahaha yup taste just like those. Very fruity. Easy drinking exceptional brew. Loved it.
★ 393 characters
4.53/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Really good with lots and lots of cherry, but hard to drink much of it. Better to share this one. Very fizzy body, which is good for the style. Glad I tried it, but not sure if I would buy again.
★ 196 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Really good with lots and lots of cherry, but hard to drink much of it. Better to share this one. Very fizzy body, which is good for the style. Glad I tried it, but not sure if I would buy again.
★ 196 characters
4.67/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Cherry bomb. Good carb, healthy foam. Tart, sweet, and fruity. Doesn't even strike me as an ale, more like a carbonated fruit drink. Not that that is a bad thing at all.
★ 169 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Cherry bomb. Good carb, healthy foam. Tart, sweet, and fruity. Doesn't even strike me as an ale, more like a carbonated fruit drink. Not that that is a bad thing at all.
★ 169 characters
4.85/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Pours a brilliant auburn with a ton of tan foam. This smells just like cherry Tangy Taffy! The taste is sweet cherry with hardly any tart presence. Nice thin, bubbly feel and overall fantastic.
★ 193 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Pours a brilliant auburn with a ton of tan foam. This smells just like cherry Tangy Taffy! The taste is sweet cherry with hardly any tart presence. Nice thin, bubbly feel and overall fantastic.
★ 193 characters
4.31/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a glowing ruby red. Has aroma of cherries and a funkyness I assume is the Belgian yeast. Flavor is pretty awesome. Huge cherry flavor, a little Belgian yeast presence and a nice tartness. Not sour but tart. Very clean mouthfeel and super smooth. This is a delicious beer
★ 276 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a glowing ruby red. Has aroma of cherries and a funkyness I assume is the Belgian yeast. Flavor is pretty awesome. Huge cherry flavor, a little Belgian yeast presence and a nice tartness. Not sour but tart. Very clean mouthfeel and super smooth. This is a delicious beer
★ 276 characters
4.09/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: New Glarus, I am appealing to your better senses: STOP it with the wax. It is thin and cheap looking, melts in your hand, crumbles when you open it, falls into your glass when pouring, and is generally a bad idea. Please stop. Anywho, the beer is a beautiful clear ruby-brown, red-tinged fine head, good lace.
S & T: Smell is red fruit- tons of cherry, some apple, and more than a hint of cinnamon. Flavor follows, real cherries, although it comes across more as something like a Rainier cherry. Sweeter than a cherry, but not cloying or artificial. Fleshy.
M: Medium body, refreshing.
O: Hand down the most realistic fruit flavor I've ever had in a beer. I like the cinnamon spice on the nose- not sure where it came from, but I liked it. Easy to enjoy, simple flavor profile, but I'm sure not a simple process to make such a great brew.
★ 844 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: New Glarus, I am appealing to your better senses: STOP it with the wax. It is thin and cheap looking, melts in your hand, crumbles when you open it, falls into your glass when pouring, and is generally a bad idea. Please stop. Anywho, the beer is a beautiful clear ruby-brown, red-tinged fine head, good lace.
S & T: Smell is red fruit- tons of cherry, some apple, and more than a hint of cinnamon. Flavor follows, real cherries, although it comes across more as something like a Rainier cherry. Sweeter than a cherry, but not cloying or artificial. Fleshy.
M: Medium body, refreshing.
O: Hand down the most realistic fruit flavor I've ever had in a beer. I like the cinnamon spice on the nose- not sure where it came from, but I liked it. Easy to enjoy, simple flavor profile, but I'm sure not a simple process to make such a great brew.
★ 844 characters
4.43/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Was able to get a bottle in a trade. Really have been into fruit beers recently, and this one did not disappoint.
red cherry appearance. Big foamy head. Strong carbonation is visible.
Tons of cherry in the nose. I saw someone mention a creamy/buttery scent, and I definitely picked up on that.
Taste was a fantastic representation of cherry freshness. Extremely addictive taste. Very refreshing. Easily drinkable. Not overly sweet.
Light-body with strong carbonated feel. Creamy.
Wonderful beer that I had on my Want list for a very long time. Exceeded expectation. Would purchase over and over.
★ 605 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Was able to get a bottle in a trade. Really have been into fruit beers recently, and this one did not disappoint.
red cherry appearance. Big foamy head. Strong carbonation is visible.
Tons of cherry in the nose. I saw someone mention a creamy/buttery scent, and I definitely picked up on that.
Taste was a fantastic representation of cherry freshness. Extremely addictive taste. Very refreshing. Easily drinkable. Not overly sweet.
Light-body with strong carbonated feel. Creamy.
Wonderful beer that I had on my Want list for a very long time. Exceeded expectation. Would purchase over and over.
★ 605 characters
4.59/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Loved the flavor on the juicey juice of a beer. Strong cherry flavor that turned out to be way better then I was expecting . I feel like out of all the New Glarus fruit beers this delivered the best .
★ 200 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Loved the flavor on the juicey juice of a beer. Strong cherry flavor that turned out to be way better then I was expecting . I feel like out of all the New Glarus fruit beers this delivered the best .
★ 200 characters
3.89/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured red cherry with good carbonation resulting in a 1 finger reddish hard.... Not
Much on the nose.... Hard to get aroma... Slight sweet cherry tones..... Taste is very balanced.... Not as tart as I expected more on the sweet side, but not overly so... Good acidity... Finishes clean... Refreshing beer!!!
Overall it went well with homemade mac and Cheese with bacon and Panko crust.... Acidity paired well!!!
★ 414 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured red cherry with good carbonation resulting in a 1 finger reddish hard.... Not
Much on the nose.... Hard to get aroma... Slight sweet cherry tones..... Taste is very balanced.... Not as tart as I expected more on the sweet side, but not overly so... Good acidity... Finishes clean... Refreshing beer!!!
Overall it went well with homemade mac and Cheese with bacon and Panko crust.... Acidity paired well!!!
★ 414 characters
4.06/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750mL poured into an oversized tulip.
Marvelously luscious and foamy khaki head. Lace wall forms as it recedes. The pour shows a sherry-like liquid, burgundy in color and cloudy. It's sexy. 5
Fascinating aroma of cherry and vanilla and buttery pie crust. Yeah, there's a buttery aroma alongside some bread notes but it works here in a peculiar way. Cherry skin and pulp are laid on heavy. Tartness is there too. 4
True to the nose, initially it's sweet cherry and vanilla, syrupy sweetness that's thick with cherry pulp, and a cherry pie sort of finish. Lots and lots of cherry in different incantations. The finish brings in tarter cherries. 4
It's intensely sweet and syrupy. About 8 ounces is plenty. Thankfully a sharp tart flavor reels this in a bit. 4
Unique and a memorable but sweet as all hell.
★ 808 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750mL poured into an oversized tulip.
Marvelously luscious and foamy khaki head. Lace wall forms as it recedes. The pour shows a sherry-like liquid, burgundy in color and cloudy. It's sexy. 5
Fascinating aroma of cherry and vanilla and buttery pie crust. Yeah, there's a buttery aroma alongside some bread notes but it works here in a peculiar way. Cherry skin and pulp are laid on heavy. Tartness is there too. 4
True to the nose, initially it's sweet cherry and vanilla, syrupy sweetness that's thick with cherry pulp, and a cherry pie sort of finish. Lots and lots of cherry in different incantations. The finish brings in tarter cherries. 4
It's intensely sweet and syrupy. About 8 ounces is plenty. Thankfully a sharp tart flavor reels this in a bit. 4
Unique and a memorable but sweet as all hell.
★ 808 characters
4.58/5 rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
This is easily my favorite of the fruit beers from New Glarus. Pours a beautiful red color. Aroma of fresh door county cherries. Nice slick, but not that sticky, mouthfeel. Sweet semi tart cherry flavor. Cherry dominates the taste for this one. It’s sort of like drinking a thick fresh cherry juice. So darn delicious.
★ 320 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
This is easily my favorite of the fruit beers from New Glarus. Pours a beautiful red color. Aroma of fresh door county cherries. Nice slick, but not that sticky, mouthfeel. Sweet semi tart cherry flavor. Cherry dominates the taste for this one. It’s sort of like drinking a thick fresh cherry juice. So darn delicious.
★ 320 characters
4.56/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is one of the best fruit type beers that I have had. It's the perfect marriage between tart and sweet. This is the beer for those who don't want a fruit beer to be too sweet or too tart. Looking forward to trying their other beers
★ 235 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is one of the best fruit type beers that I have had. It's the perfect marriage between tart and sweet. This is the beer for those who don't want a fruit beer to be too sweet or too tart. Looking forward to trying their other beers
★ 235 characters
4.55/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
7/12...this is the stuff. Pours deep cloudy crimson brown. Light tan foam on top, murky below. Sweet cherry fruit smell, almost like an Italian ice. Tart cherry flavor blended in with a woodsy backbone. Loaded with fruit. Really darn tasty.
★ 240 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
7/12...this is the stuff. Pours deep cloudy crimson brown. Light tan foam on top, murky below. Sweet cherry fruit smell, almost like an Italian ice. Tart cherry flavor blended in with a woodsy backbone. Loaded with fruit. Really darn tasty.
★ 240 characters
4.88/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
One of the best fruity beers, maybe second to serendipity (haven't had strawberry rhubarb yet). I don't really like fruity beers, but new glarus makes the best fruity beers out there. Very balanced, delicious, intense and enjoyed by everyone even people who don't like beers.
This one is strong cloudy red in appearance. Aroma of cinnamon, apples, cherries. Sweet upfront and lightly tart in finish. Wonderful in a hot summer day, for light breakfast or with muffin. Has a nice refreshing and palate cleansing carbonation.
Worth all the hype. New glarus are one of my favorite breweries and would highly recommend any beer lover to try at least some of their sours or fruity beers.
★ 685 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
One of the best fruity beers, maybe second to serendipity (haven't had strawberry rhubarb yet). I don't really like fruity beers, but new glarus makes the best fruity beers out there. Very balanced, delicious, intense and enjoyed by everyone even people who don't like beers.
This one is strong cloudy red in appearance. Aroma of cinnamon, apples, cherries. Sweet upfront and lightly tart in finish. Wonderful in a hot summer day, for light breakfast or with muffin. Has a nice refreshing and palate cleansing carbonation.
Worth all the hype. New glarus are one of my favorite breweries and would highly recommend any beer lover to try at least some of their sours or fruity beers.
★ 685 characters
Wisconsin Belgian Red from New Glarus Brewing Company
4.36
out of 5
based on 3,460 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
25 oz. bottle into a tulip glass
A - Beer pours a 1 finger high frothy/sudsy head that a dissipates quickly to nothing. The head is off white in color, while it lasts. Beer itself is garnet in color and clear in appearance with moderate carbonation rising at a moderate pace towards the surface. 4/5
S - Aroma is very strong on the cherry front, almost medicinal (somewhat reminds me of cherry flavored Nyquil). Very sweet and syrupy aroma. Somewhat of a malty/white bready base along with an herbal hop undertone. Candy sweetness throughout. 4/5
T - Sweet dark stone fruit and raspberry jam hits me straight away which transitions into the tartness of the cherries. A moderate malty undertone is present throughout the first third of the sip. Somewhat of an earthy middle which transitions to an herbal hop finish to this beer along with a tart cherry tartness that cleanses the palate of the herbal hop and its associated bitterness. 4.25/5
M - Carbonation tickle up front reminds me of a soda pop fizziness. Wheat provides a nice smoothness to the remainder of the sip. Light to medium in body, crisp and slightly drying on the back end. 4.5/5
O - Interesting Belgian Red here with a huge concentration on tart cherries. There is some sweetness that balances out the tartness but the tartness does override the sweetness for the most part. Transitions between flavors are stark and obvious, allowing for this beer to be approachable and not overly complicated. A bit too much like cherry Nyquil or cough drops to warrant anything higher than a 4 overall from me. 4/5
★ 1,596 characters