New Glarus Fruit Beers

I guess I can see the Lindemans stuff being a bit sweeter than the NG, but NG is still quite sugary.

 

Totally. It's not even close to Hoppy Birthday. HB is the kind of beer that can change your thinking about what beer can be- literally a IIPA flavor/aroma packed into such a light bodied beer... but with none of the crappy "session" side effects you get from every other light IPA.

Moon Man, though, is what I session drink in the 80 degree 90% humidity Wisconsin summer when there is no hope of escape (or Hoppy Birthday). The body is a touch heavier, and it isn't as "clean" as HB. Still, it was designed to be what it is, before the session craze hit.

 

A few years with the coolship might remedy that. I think there will be more opportunity for blending than they've had in the past.

 

Expecting fruit beers to taste like sour ales is kinda absurd. I will keep trading for them for exactly what they are, uniquely sweet, slightly funky, tart beers. @robear Belgian Red paired nicely with a fire pit after Thanksgiving, before it got too cold and the stouts were cracked.

People did talk about SCREAM this year and rightfully so, damn that is a great DIPA.

 

If I ever fall into a coma put Serendipity into my IV, by far my favorite from New Glarus.

 

I had a Cran-bic last night. Lots of sour to it, but some residual sweetness. While it is true their fruit beers have sweetness to them, it is a natural sweetness derived from the fruits and the malts. To me, they drink like carbonated juices with some alcohol in them. And that's a good thing. I like fruit.

There are many junky malternative beverages that try to address the same thing (carbonated, fruity, sweet, and alcohol) using inferior ingredients and mass production. I agree with you that if A-B put out one of the NG fruit beers, there would be lots of bashing just because it is A-B (but less if the called it Goose and used a barrel). However A-B has put out some fruit beers (e.g., Wild Blue) and they are nowhere near as good as these NG beers.

 

I am a big fan of New Glarus and lucky enough to live in WI. I see most of their fruit beers rated highly - I am looking for suggestions on what to try, what is good representative of the style, etc. since this will be a new genre for me. Thanks in advance for your time and opinions.

 

I'm from Wisconsin, too. Unless you're looking to trade, the best fruit beers you can get in Wisconsin ARE New Glarus beers (as far as I'm concerned), so stick with what's local. Belgian Red is life changing. It's an incredible fusion of beer and wine flavor.

 

Belgian Red has been around longer than many of the breweries currently in vogue for their sours and fruit beers. I'd definitely start there, try the Raspberry Tart and then anything else Dan puts fruit in. And as long as you're a fellow Wisconsinite, go visit the brewery. They're building their own personal fairy tale and it's worth seeing.

 

I liked the Strawberry Rhubarb as well and Serendipity was pretty damn good too! Oh and the Cran-bic was amazing as well.

 

I've never had one that wasn't amazing. Drink them all.

 

Each of their beers is representative of their style, it's just the flavor that differs. I think the Belgian Red with it's tart, effervescent cherry flavor would be the most acceptable as the one to start with, but most persons new to this style would likely enjoy any of them.

 

All 4 NG fruits are the best fruit beers out there.

 

Seriously, all of them, buy them until you have no more money

 

Drank a cran-bic tonight (among other things) and had some Belgian Red that my wife was drinking. They're all great!

 

Along with the fruits and cran-bic, I really enjoy the Apple Ale. I think I might crack a NG fruit beer tonight now.

 

I had the Raspberry Tart a couple weeks ago when in WI for work. It was worth finding. What I appreciated was that the fruit notes did not taste artificial, had the right amount of sugary sweetness, and unlike others I've had in this style, was not a carbonated mess.

 

New Glarus makes the absolute BEST fruit beers in my opinion. I've traded for Serendipity, Strawberry Rhubarb, Wisconsin Belgian Red, and Raspberry Tart. They are all top notch beers, with personally, I feel that Serendipity was the best.

 

I love Serendipity... that beer is so good and refreshing on a hot summer day. Cran-bic is also awesome. I cab drink cases of those beers.