New Glarus Brewing (2018)

Don't sleep on that one, guys. If you're a fan of French ciders, this is right up your alley. It's the closest thing I've had to an apple lambic.

 

It is excellent. Is it a new vintage or the same one available last year?

 

I'll have to check my sister's bottle over the weekend. I assumed it was last year's since they were offering Vintage 2016, but I've also never been to an R&D release, so what the hell do I know?

 

Where are the insiders???

What are the 2018 R&Ds besides Vintage 2017?

What are the next Thumbprints?

 

It was right around this time last year (the 26th, I think) that New Glarus announced the Sour Porter release, so stay sharp on your Facebooks.

 

A PSA: a 50:50 mix of strawberry rhubarb + vintage 2016 is fucking excellent

 

Very interesting. I'll be curious to see how quickly (or not) this sells given how (thankfully) non-hyped Belgian quads are these days. I know I'll try to pick up some, and I appreciate NG not feeding into hype unnecessarily.

 

Honestly I'm in no matter what the style is. Like the 4 limit too. Seems like a good one to stash for later.

 

Seems like a very complicated Belgian. Can't wait to see how these flavors jive with each other.

 

Would seem to imply that there is an abundance of it. That's my take anyway.

 

Kind of surprised that there isn't much buzz around this upcoming release. Is nobody really excited about the Belgian R&D next weekend?

 

I am! But since I'm 300 miles away & I won't be in central WI for a couple of months, my excited buzz is at a very low simmer.

 

I'm excited, but I can't take a trip next weekend, unfortunately.

 

I'm excited and will definitely be popping up early afternoon on Friday to get my allotment!

Two things working against the release. First are the people butthurt about not being able to get stupid drunk by 8am (for the record I'm fine with them getting rid of the shares; their house, their rules) and second, no fruit in the beer. Based on how the last couple releases went last year I would guess that if there is not fruit in the beer, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to obtain. But that is just my $0.02 on the situation; agree or disagree as you must.

Cheers!

 

Honestly?

No, I don't think the average beer geek is particularly excited for a Brandy Barrel Aged Quad.

Not a Bourbon Barrel Pastry Stout.
Not a Hazebro IPA in 16oz cans.
Not a Fruited Sour.
Not a wine barrel aged saison.

I'm sure it will be good, and likely to be exceptionally executed, but it just isn't a style that people are chasing (and/or trading).

 

All the people who say they are excited but can’t make it would find a way if this was a “lambic style ale with Marion blackberries.”

 

Incorrect! I'll take a barrel-aged quad over a lambic of any time, any day... Which makes me a heathen. I'm OK with that.