New Glarus Brewing Company
| File:New Glarus Brewing Company logo.png | |
| Company type | Independent |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Wisconsin |
| Products | Beer |
| Owner | Dan and Deborah Carey |
| Website | newglarusbrewing |
The New Glarus Brewing Company is a U.S.-based brewery established in 1993 in New Glarus, Wisconsin. It operates as an independent craft brewery that distributes its products solely within Wisconsin. By sales volume, it ranks as the 15th largest craft brewer and 25th largest overall in the United States.
History
Deborah Carey founded the brewery as a present for her husband Dan Carey, a seasoned master brewer. The operation began in a repurposed warehouse utilizing secondhand brewing equipment. In 1997, Dan purchased copper kettles from a German brewery for slightly over $24,000, though their estimated worth was near $1 million. The inaugural beer was brewed in October of that year, with commercial sales starting in December. Currently, New Glarus offers a variety of beers led by its flagship brand Spotted Cow and employs approximately 90 staff members.
In 2003, the company ceased distribution in Illinois due to production limitations, choosing to concentrate exclusively on the Wisconsin market to uphold product quality and strengthen market presence.
In May 2006, construction began on a $21 million Bavarian-inspired facility situated on a hill near the village of New Glarus, intended to expand both production capacity and visitor engagement. While the original location drew around 25,000 visitors annually, the new site targets an increase to as many as 150,000 guests. Production at the former brewery peaked above 65,000 barrels annually; projections estimated output at 165,000 barrels by 2014 with potential growth to 300,000 barrels following cellar expansion. This new facility facilitates higher production volumes for specialty lines such as "Thumbprint," fruit-infused, barrel-aged, and research and development beers. The building was completed in 2008.
In 2014, New Glarus introduced its first sour beers fermented with wild yeast from a dedicated wild fruit cave located at its original Riverside Brewery site. This development broadened its product range and enhanced its position as an innovator within the craft brewing sector.
Spotted Cow
The brewery’s most popular offering, Spotted Cow, debuted in 1997. This cask-conditioned farmhouse ale represents roughly 40% of New Glarus’ yearly production, with about 45,000 barrels brewed annually. It has consistently been Wisconsin’s leading draft beer in sales and remains one of the state’s most iconic brews. Unfiltered and containing brewer’s yeast that may settle at the bottle’s base, Spotted Cow has an alcohol content of 4.8% ABV. The name was inspired by sheep spotted during a trip to England by founders Deborah and Dan Carey. Additionally, Spotted Cow earned the top spot on Cold Cans podcast’s ranking of the best 100 beers ever.
Other beers
Among other offerings is the Wisconsin Belgian Red, a fruit beer crafted using Montmorency cherries sourced from Door County. This beer has received international accolades and ranks highly among critics on RateBeer.com. Another notable beer is Uff-da Bock, known for its higher-than-average strength.
New Glarus produces five beers available year-round alongside seven seasonal selections such as the winter Coffee Stout, summer’s Dancing Man Wheat, and fall’s Staghorn Oktoberfest. The "Thumbprint Series" includes limited-edition brews developed by owner and brewmaster Dan Carey, typically released four times per year. Moreover, the "R&D Series" features exclusive releases available only at the brewery in 500 ml bottles. Some products bear unique names like Stone Soup and Pumpkin Pie Lust.
Distribution
New Glarus beers are distributed solely within Wisconsin through a network of 17 independent wholesalers. Spotted Cow and various other selections are widely available at many grocery and convenience stores throughout the state, with a significant number of bars serving Spotted Cow on draft. Wisconsin Belgian Red and Raspberry Tart are exclusively offered in four-packs of 12 oz bottles, while the remaining varieties come in standard 12-fl oz bottles, as well as six-packs, four-packs, cases, and quarter- and half-barrels. Between 1998 and 2002, the brewery also supplied Illinois—primarily Chicago—but pulled back due to the strong demand within Wisconsin. Deborah Carey, the founder, attributed this limited distribution partly to the expensive "pay to play" practices required for tap placement in key markets.
In 2009, authorities fined a New York City bar for unauthorized sales of Spotted Cow. Likewise, a bar in Maple Grove, Minnesota faced penalties in 2015 after selling Spotted Cow kegs that had been purchased in Wisconsin for resale.
Awards
New Glarus Brewing Company ranks among the most decorated breweries of its scale. At the 2009 Great American Beer Festival held in Denver, it secured two bronze medals. Over time, Spotted Cow has garnered numerous accolades, including being named Best Drink in Wisconsin by Bon Appetit magazine in 2009.