New Glarus Brewing Company
| File:New glarus logo.png | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | New Glarus, Wisconsin United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owned by | Deborah and Dan Carey (independent) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Active beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seasonal beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other beers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The New Glarus Brewing Company is an American brewery founded in 1993. Located in New Glarus, Wisconsin, a small town south of Madison, Wisconsin, the New Glarus Brewing Company is by definition a small independently owned craft brewery.
New Glarus Brewing Company is the 36th largest brewer in the country, according to the Brewers Association in Boulder, CO, and over the years it has received numerous awards for its many different beers.[1]
History
New Glarus Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Deborah Carey (making her the first woman in the United States to found and operate a brewery) and her husband Dan Carey. Before starting New Glarus Brewing Company Dan Carey was an experienced Diploma master Brewer. He began as one of the youngest brewers in America successfully building his first brewery in Helena, MT at twenty three years of age. He studied Food Science at UC Davis and was Validictorian and Tecnical director of his Siebel's Institute of Brewing Class. He served a Brewing Apprenticeship at Ayinger Brewery. He designed and built 48 breweries while working at JV Northwest and was a Brewing Supervisor for Anheuser-Busch. New Glarus Brewing Company brewed their first beer in October of that year and began selling their product in December. They brew a variety of beers today, with their Spotted Cow label leading in sales.
The brewery began in an abandoned warehouse with used brewpub equipment. In 1997 Dan Carey removed Copper Kettles from a brewery in Germany that was slated to be demolished. When the retiring brew master learned his beloved brew kettle might live on, he sold all of his equipment with an estimated value of $1 million to the Careys for its scrap value of just over $24,000 US.
New Glarus Brewing company beers are sold exclusively in Wisconsin. From 1998 to 2002 New Glarus Brewing Company brews were also sold in Illinois, with a majority of its sales throughout greater Chicago. Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. purchased River City Wine and Spirits and told the small New Glarus Brewing Company was told that they would no longer distribute their products. When New Glarus was told to pay $20,000 to recover the right to reassign distribution and after already having difficulty keeping up with demand in Wisconsin the New Glarus Brewing Company decided to cease sales in Illinois altogether and hasn't returned since.
In May 2006 New Glarus Brewing Company broke ground on a new $21 million facility on a hilltop on the south edge of the Village of New Glarus, Wisconsin. The new 75000 sq. ft. facility will increase production to 100,000 barrels. Production at the company's old facility had topped-out at over 65,000 barrels a year. The new expansion will enable the company to keep pace with its current demand and expand production of its 'Unplugged', fruit, and barrel-aged beers. The new facility is being designed to look like an Bavarian village and is a popular destination for tourists who visit New Glarus. The number of employees is expected to nearly double from about 35 to 60. Construction was completed on scedule and the first brew at the Hilltop plant was November 15,2008.
The Green County, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says the brewery has a direct and indirect economic impact of about $40 million a year.
Beers
By far the company's most popular label is Spotted Cow, a bottle conditioned[farm house ale] sweetened with a hint of corn. The Wisconsin Belgian Red is also very well-received and has won a variety of awards world wide. It is a fruity Belgian lambic-style ale brewed with Montmorencey cherries from Door County, Wisconsin. This beer has won numerous awards in beer competitions around the world, and consistently ranks in the 100th percentile (highest possible average rating) among the critical beer drinkers at RateBeer.com. The Uff-da Bock is also popular, being a bit stronger than most bocks.
New Glarus Brewing Company brews a total of eight regular beers that are available year-round. In addition, the company produces seven rotating seasonal varieties; for example, a winter dark like Coffee Stout, lighter summer offerings like Dancing man Wheat and a Fall Oktoberfest Staghorn Oktoberfest. "Unplugged" beers are released four times a year. These are limited release brews by Owner/Brewmaster Dan Carey.
Awards
New Glarus Brewing Company was rated the 23rd largest Craft Beer brewery in the United States in 2007. [1] New Glarus Brewing Company has been one of the most award-winning brewers of its size. Some of their awards include[1]:
Apple Ale:
- 1999 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1998 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 1997 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T. I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1997 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 1996 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Peoples' Choice Award for Best Brew - Essen Haus Bierfest and Tasting
- 1995 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Coffee Stout:
- 1997 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Edel Pils:
- 2001 - Best of the Midwest - Pilsner Class - United States Beer Tasting Championships
- 1997 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1995 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Enigma:
- 2007 - Gold Medal - Best Beers in the World Overall - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
- 2004 - Bronze Medal - World Beer Cup - San Diego, CA
- 2003 - Silver Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
Hometown Blonde:
- 2002 - Bronze Medal - World Beer Cup
- 1999 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival – Denver, CO
- 1998 - Bronze Medal - World Beer Cup
Hop Hearty:
- 2007 - Gold Medal - Best Beers of the United States - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
Nut Brown Ale:
- 2004 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2004 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
Raspberry Tart:
- 2007 - Gold Medal - Best Beers in the United States - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
- 2005 - Silver Medal - Brewing Industry International Awards - London
- 2004 - Silver Medal - Brewing Industry International Awards - London
- 2004 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Silver Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Bronze Medal - Brewing Industry International Awards - London
- 2002 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2002 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 2002 - Bronze Medal - Brewing Industry International Awards - London
- 2001 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2001 - Best in the Midwest - Fruit Beer - The United States Beer Tasting Championships
- 2001 - Grand Champion - Fruit Beer - The United States Beer Tasting Championships
- 2000 - Gold Medal - World Beer Cup
- 2000 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1999 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1998 - People's Choice Award - Spring Beer Fest - Portland, OR
Road Slush Stout:
- 2007 - Gold Medal - Best Beers of the U.S. - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
Snowshoe Ale:
- 1997 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1995 - Bronze Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Solstice Weiss:
- 1996 - Bronze Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Spotted Cow:
- 2002 - Best of Wisconsin - Wisconsin Trail's Magazine
Staghorn Octoberfest:
- 1997 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Uff-Da Bock:
- 1997 - Silver Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Gold Medal - World Champion Bock Beer - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Silver Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
Unplugged Cherry Stout:
- 2006 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2005 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Bronze Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
Unplugged Eisbock:
- 2004 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
Unplugged Smoke on the Porter:
- 2007 - Most Surprising Beer - Isthmus Newspaper - Madison, WI
Unplugged Smoked Rye Bock:
- 2007 - Gold Medal Best Beers of the U.S. - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
Wisconsin Belgian Red:
- 2007 - Gold Medal - Best Beers in the World By Style (Specialty Beer) - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
- 2006 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2005 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Silver Medal - Brewing Industry International - City of London
- 2003 - Gold Medal - Great American Brew Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Platinum Medal - BTI World Beer Championships
- 2002 - Silver Medal - Great American Beer Festivall - Denver, CO
- 2002 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 2002 - Silver Medal - Brewing Industry International - City of London
- 2001 - Bronze Medal - Brewing Industry International Award - The Guildhall, City of London
- 2001 - Silver Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2001 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 2000 - Bronze Medal - Brewing Industry International Awards - The Guildhall, City of London
- 2000 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1999 - Brewing Industry International Award - World Champion Specialty Beer - The Guildhall, City of London
- 1999 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1998 - Brewing Industry International Award - World Champion Specialty Beer - The Guildhall, City of London
- 1997 - World Champion Specialty Beer - Brewing Industry International - Burton Upon Trent, England
- 1997 - Peoples' Choice Award Fruit Beers - Spring Beer Fest - Portland, OR
- 1997 - 12 Best Beers in America - Men's Health Magazine
- 1997 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1997 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 1997 - Best Beer Made in America Award - Malt Advocate Magazine
- 1996 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
- 1996 - Gold Medal - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 1996 - Silver Medal - World Beer Cup - Associations of Brewers U.S.A.
- 1996 - 10 Best Beers - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
- 1996 - World Champion Specialty Beer - Brewing Industry International - Burton Upon Trent, England
- 1995 - Platinum Medal - Fruit Beer World Champion - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Yokel:
- 2006 - Top 25 Best Beer in America - Men's Journal
Zwickle:
- 1997 - Gold Medal - World Beer Championships - B.T.I. - All About Beer Magazine
Other Awards:
- 2007 - Top 100 Breweries in the World - Rate Beer - Santa Rosa, CA
- 2007 - Dan Carey - Forbes Tastemaker List 2007
- 2007 - Bronze Medal - Best Microbrew of Madison - Madison Magazine
- 2006 - Dan Carey - Innovation in Craft Brewing - Russell Schehrer Award - Brewers Association
- 2006 - Bronze Medal - Best of Microbrew of Madison - Madison Magazine
- 2006 - Brewery of the Year (Midsize) - Association of Brewers - Great American Beer Festival
- 2006 - Dan Carey, Brewer of the Year (Midsize) - Association of Brewers - Great American Beer Festival
- 2005 - Brewery of the Year (Midsize) - Association of Brewers - Great American Beer Festival
- 2005 - Dan Carey, Brewer of the Year (Midsize) - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Dan Carey - Best American Brewer - Great American Beer Festival - Denver, CO
- 2003 - Best Small Brewery in America - Great American Beer Festival
- 2002 - Wisconsin's Favorite Microbrewery - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
- 2002 - 10 Breweries to Watch For - Business Magazine
- 2001 - Wisconsin's Favorite Microbrewery - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
- 2000 - Wisconsin's Favorite Microbrewery - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
- 1999 - Top Ten Brewery of the Year - All About Beer Magazine
- 1999 - Wisconsin's Best Microbrewery - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
- 1998 - Business of the Year - Green County Development
- 1997 - Wisconsin's Best Microbrewery - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
- 1997 - Local Brew - Best of Madison - Madison Magazine
- 1997 - Madison's Favorite Beer - Isthmus Newspaper - Madison, WI
- 1995 - Top Ten Breweries of the Year - The Beverage Testing Institute
- 1995 - Best of Wisconsin - Wisconsin Trails Magazine
Availability
New Glarus Brewing Company beers are distributed exclusively in Wisconsin. Most grocery and convenience stores in Wisconsin carry Spotted Cow and a few other varieties. Wisconsin Belgian Red and Raspberry Tart are only available in 750 mL bottles and quarter-barrels (29.3 L); the rest are sold in standard 12 fl oz (U.S.) bottles, by six- and four-packs or cases, and in quarter- and half-barrels. Most bars,will have Spotted Cow on tap. Currently, the brewery does not distribute outside of Wisconsin so they can focus on the quality of their product. New Glarus beers are distributed by seventeen independent wholesalers in the state of Wisconsin.