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Spotted Cow
New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- New Glarus Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Saison
Ranked #738 - ABV:
- 4.8%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #22,727 - Avg:
- 3.76 | pDev: 13.3%
- Reviews:
- 925
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 04, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 02, 2002
- Wants:
- 334
- Gots:
- 1,210
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
Notes:
Naturally Cloudy Farmhouse Ale
** Although many call this beer a cream ale, according to Dan Carey they refer to it as a farmhouse ale at the brewery. **
As for what makes up Spotted Cow, it’s a blend of Pilsner malt, white wheat, and caramel malt. The water comes from a well on the brewery property and has a hard character to it. Hops are the finest Saaz he can get during selection each year in Europe, and it’s fermented with a German ale yeast.
Cask conditioned ale has been the popular choice among brews since long before prohibition. We continue this pioneer spirit with our Wisconsin farmhouse ale. Brewed with flaked barley and the finest Wisconsin malts. We even give a nod to our farmers.
Naturally cloudy we allow the yeast to remain in the bottle to enhance fullness of flavors, which cannot be duplicated otherwise. Expect this ale to be fun, fruity and satisfying. You know you're in Wisconsin when you see the Spotted Cow.
** Although many call this beer a cream ale, according to Dan Carey they refer to it as a farmhouse ale at the brewery. **
As for what makes up Spotted Cow, it’s a blend of Pilsner malt, white wheat, and caramel malt. The water comes from a well on the brewery property and has a hard character to it. Hops are the finest Saaz he can get during selection each year in Europe, and it’s fermented with a German ale yeast.
Cask conditioned ale has been the popular choice among brews since long before prohibition. We continue this pioneer spirit with our Wisconsin farmhouse ale. Brewed with flaked barley and the finest Wisconsin malts. We even give a nod to our farmers.
Naturally cloudy we allow the yeast to remain in the bottle to enhance fullness of flavors, which cannot be duplicated otherwise. Expect this ale to be fun, fruity and satisfying. You know you're in Wisconsin when you see the Spotted Cow.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by padraic_g from Hawaii
3.86/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
3.86/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
This is best described as a farmhouse ale, slightly cloudy but not quite hazy as true hazy beers. It has nice floral notes with yeast under tones and with a clean finish. It reminds me of some German ales, but with a slight twist of citrus. Very nice beer with easy drinkability.
Nov 25, 2022
Rated by archermarks
3.12/5 rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.12/5 rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Very nice, but a bit corny for my taste
Oct 26, 2022
Reviewed by hbeimers from Illinois
3.82/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.82/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
This really lives up to its reputation. It's ubiquitous in Wisconsin, and for good reason. If you're trying to get someone into quality beer, this is a great one to do it with.
Oct 24, 2022Reviewed by Iowa3stew
4.52/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.52/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Evaluate this beer for the style it is. If you love IPAs you may find it weak, for instance. It is a golden/farmhouse ale. By that standard its exceptional. Much more full-bodied with a very nice richness on the the palate. This beer can "free" your neighbor from the evil grip that Miller & Bud have on them if you sell it a bit. Fairly cloudy, a hint of wheat. Perfect for warm weather. Often the first brew I drink b4 transitioning to an IPA. WELL DONE.
Oct 07, 2022
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
3.27/5 rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.27/5 rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a foggy yellow, nice white head collapses to a ring, some spotty lacing. Bready and grainy aroma. (are those real words). This is just one of thos beers that don't work for me.
Sep 09, 2022Reviewed by Noahoxley
4.39/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
4.39/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
They call this a Saison, but think of it as a cream ale. Pale color and very unassuming nose, though the malt character is very nice. This beer really leans on its smoothness. Subtle fruit, toffee candy. Very soft and kind of foamy in a good way with barely an aftertaste. Ales like this aren't necessaily incredible, but they are incredibly hard to find in the other 49 states.
Aug 25, 2022
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois
4.16/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.16/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
REFRESHING SAISON CLEAR CRISP SLIGHTLY MALT
Aug 22, 2022
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio
3.97/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
While I found my original review to be amusing, it was too dated to remain in light of my current notes, so I am starting fresh.
Barely foggy straw yellow with a white foam head of moderate height settling to a softly persistent blanket and wavy ridge.
Like a mild, floral hefe on the nose, and closer to a Belgian wit in taste--even including a hint of orange peel and wheat--this is such an enigma (not to be confused with their very own Enigma)!
The medium body has a fine froth that comes to a tingly semi-dry finish.
No wonder it has such staying power, there's nothing like it out there, yet it's still quite drinkable.
Aug 18, 2022Barely foggy straw yellow with a white foam head of moderate height settling to a softly persistent blanket and wavy ridge.
Like a mild, floral hefe on the nose, and closer to a Belgian wit in taste--even including a hint of orange peel and wheat--this is such an enigma (not to be confused with their very own Enigma)!
The medium body has a fine froth that comes to a tingly semi-dry finish.
No wonder it has such staying power, there's nothing like it out there, yet it's still quite drinkable.
Rated by NCSapiens from Indiana
3.63/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.63/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Proliferates all over Wisconsin but objectively tastes pretty bad. New Glarus makes good fruit beers but this one I could do without.
Aug 11, 2022
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan
3.89/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.89/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Got this given to me by a guy who went to Wisconsin for family and brought home beer.
Poured amber with active carbonation and an off white head.
The aroma was faint for me, I think it had some malt or other cereal.
The taste was cereal and malts first and foremost. Nice enough, but a saison should have some funk or tart, right? Not sure if any are here. The taste is great, just not a saison flavor.
The feel was good, not viscous and not watered down, just nicely quaffable.
Glad I finally got to try this, cheers!
Aug 11, 2022Poured amber with active carbonation and an off white head.
The aroma was faint for me, I think it had some malt or other cereal.
The taste was cereal and malts first and foremost. Nice enough, but a saison should have some funk or tart, right? Not sure if any are here. The taste is great, just not a saison flavor.
The feel was good, not viscous and not watered down, just nicely quaffable.
Glad I finally got to try this, cheers!
Rated by Weisenbeer from Ohio
3.9/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
For the style, pretty darn good. Chris, refreshing and all you expect from a farmhouse style ale
Jul 29, 2022Reviewed by gjdgjdgjd
4.55/5 rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Great beer brewed in my state. Classified by the brewery as a farmhouse ale, the flavors are not intense yet are tangy and refreshing. Tastes of grain, malt and yeast. Easy to see why it is absolutely everywhere in Wisconsin.
Jul 20, 2022
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
3.84/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle into a pint glass.
Looks very good. Glassy yellow body with a generous white head. This maintains throughout, leaving scattered lacing.
Nice light belgiany aroma, a little yeast.
On tasting, light and clean, very easy drinking, has all the hallmarks of a saison, but very much subdued.
Mouth between medium and full, finish slightly grainy and a little yeasty.
Overall, a very nice light saison on a warm Pennsylvania evening.
Jul 10, 2022Looks very good. Glassy yellow body with a generous white head. This maintains throughout, leaving scattered lacing.
Nice light belgiany aroma, a little yeast.
On tasting, light and clean, very easy drinking, has all the hallmarks of a saison, but very much subdued.
Mouth between medium and full, finish slightly grainy and a little yeasty.
Overall, a very nice light saison on a warm Pennsylvania evening.
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana
3.93/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz can stamped I2221003 poured into a vintage footed bar glass at fridge temp, no ABV listed on label. The beer pours just clearer than hefe-hazy in a medium amber color. The head is off white and settles to a ring and island after a few minutes. The aroma is mild with fruity and farmhouse esters. The taste is semisweet pale malt with mild clove and relatively minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. Overall, excellent everyday beer. I don't know that I'd stretch and call it a farmhouse ale, but I'd drink it anytime it was offered.
Jun 26, 2022
Reviewed by MatthewJW from Wisconsin
4.25/5 rDev +13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev +13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
(Enjoyed on tap in a pint glass. Rated within the style)
L: Golden straw appearance, decent lacing and a medium lasting milk white head
S: biscuty, malty and non offensive
T: smooth sweet and airy. Bread and biscut flavors with well rounded smooth homespun back end
F: light medium mouthfeel medium heavy carbonation and it doesn't taste like a very dry beer, which is nice
O: Very common where I live so its cheap but overall its an excellent local craft beer
Mar 04, 2022L: Golden straw appearance, decent lacing and a medium lasting milk white head
S: biscuty, malty and non offensive
T: smooth sweet and airy. Bread and biscut flavors with well rounded smooth homespun back end
F: light medium mouthfeel medium heavy carbonation and it doesn't taste like a very dry beer, which is nice
O: Very common where I live so its cheap but overall its an excellent local craft beer
Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
3989 ratings
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