New Glarus 2024

Damn that hurts... But it makes sense I guess.

 

The podcast episode on Imperial Radler was really frustrating as they never really got in to what the hell the base beer is. The discussion at times made it sound like a heller bock, a weizen bock, and a belgian/strong golden. Dan is so fun to listen to talk about beer and the host guy can be PAINFUL. i know he's there to 'dumb down' some of dan's sciency talk etc. but uhhh gimme a breaaaak

 

Not New Glarus but the TODAY show has a Vid on Potosi brewery not sure how long the vid link will work
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peo...e&cvid=ecc7f5c2c8c54b1e8bbd1607d99f1718&ei=26

 

it's on you tube

 

I took the family to the Dells last week and took a detour to New Glarus on the way home. I have always thought Spotted Cow is overrated, but I really enjoyed my time there. $8 for the self guided tour, with the glass, and full of beer seemed very reasonable. It was not crowded at all, so I got to enjoy myself.

I did get to try the Zwickel, and it was really good. Only spent ~$60 on beer, which was pretty good for me!

 

On Memorial Day my Mother-in-Law who has a soft spot for Potosi brought their Pilsner and their Snake Hollow IPA and they were both really good.

 

I'm also of the opinion that SC is overrated, but if you take it in the context of influential beers in the area, it definitely isn't. I have an uncle who doesn't really drink craft beer and asks for SC by the case when someone can get it for him; it's a great gateway beer.

 

https://x.com/WIbeerbaron/status/1798443824752259132

 

So is Pilsner year round now or do I need to stock up? Don't wanna be running out after only four 12 packs like last summer...

 

Oh lord.

 

It appears we've been gifted. I guess I need to make a border run soon.

https://newglarusbrewing.com/pages/year-round-beers

 

Hell yes! No more driving all the way to IL just to get a good pilsner.

 

Between Totally Naked and Pilsner, this summer has been off to a good start for me. Here's hoping the IPA coming out soon is a hit.
I've also been driving to IL to fill my beer fridge (mostly Roaring Table and Hop Butcher) but I think I'll be buying New Glarus more often this summer. The price and quality is hard to beat.

 

Haven't had a chance to try the NG myself, but I hope I will soon.

 

IMO it's on the same level as the stuff I've had from Goldfinger, Roaring, Art History, etc. Very shelf stable too as I had some cans I hoarded from last summer and stretched deep into winter and they never became less drinkable despite that unique hop profile receding. As with last year I can see the hops maybe being polarizing but they aren't the dominant flavor and lend a clean dry finish.

 

I tried Totally Naked for the first time a few weeks ago and was absolutely blown away at how good a simple 4.2% lager can be when done right. Went through the six pack FAST and have been craving it since. It's a 30-40 minute drive across the border to WI which is tough to justify with 3 kids, full time work, activities, and other hobbies like going to the gym.

I also found out that apparently New Glarus used to distributed outside of WI, namely to IL, and scaled back when they weren't successful. While I don't think New Glarus would be successful if the suddenly appeared somewhere like Texas or Florida, I am shocked they don't have some distribution in the Twin Cities. So many die hard fans here, many who make long drives to stockpile it.

 

Yeah, I've talked to some other beer "nerds" before about NG, and I think the problem is that their beer is very well made, but not flashy (outside some of the Thumbprint and R&D beers). So while there are those of us who will wax poetic about Kid Kolsch, for example, there are other people who are driving to WI, grabbing a 6-pack of Spotted Cow, and saying "this is IT?!?"

 

Spotted cow is definitely not world-class S-tier beer. But...

• it tastes great and doesn't cause palette fatigue
• 4.7% abv is so welcome nowadays, especially as I get older...
• it's available at every single gas station, grocery store, liquor store, and bar in WI
• it costs $7-8 for a 6-pack
• it's available in bottles

There is NOTHING in MN that compares. Closest thing would be Castle Danger Cream Ale, but it's 5.5% ABV, $11-12 a 6-pack, not as widely available, only comes in cans, and IMO not as good as Spotted Cow. I can also only consume 2-3 of them before I get palette fatigue.

They do have a few beers that are overrated IMO (Moon Man, for example), but otherwise, NG is one of those breweries that does many things very well rather than doing one thing exceptionally and sucking at everything else. Just my opinion