Wisconsin Belgian Red - New Glarus Brewing Company

brakspear

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

For my 100th review I had to select the best specialty beer brewed in Wisconsin -- it was certainly tough to let the bottle sit in my beer cave awaiting my entry into the mugclub!

The presentation alerts you that this beer is something different: a 25 oz champange bottle sealed with crimson bottling wax....the beer is best served in a brandy snifter or champange flute according to Master Brewer Dan Carey.

The beer pours a deep ruby red with a frothy pink head, that does not linger long, but does not need to with the lingering carbonation hidden in the depths of this ale.

The aroma is an explosive blend of sour Montmorency cherry and spicy oak earthy notes. Tremendous balance in the aroma that prevents the cherry from becoming overwhelming.

The taste is also an amazing blend of cherry tartness and slight malty sweetness, balanced with an earthy oak dryness. This is not an ale to be gulped, but savored throughout the night.

This is a nearly perfect example of what craft brewing can produce, given the skills of an expert brewer, the use of exceptional local ingredients, and a daring to try something unique. New Glarus deserves all the awards they have received for this tremendous ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2003 12:30:11 | More by brakspear

Winter

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My 100th review had to be something special. Fortunately, an award winning, unique and local ale can be had in New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red. It was hard waiting to review this spectacular offering, but the time has finally arrived...

Belgian Red comes in a 750 ml green bottle with red wax dripped over the cap and top of the neck. I grabbed a brandy snifter and began pouring it into the glass. The color is a clouded, tawny red with a thin light-pink head. The aroma consists of sweet cherries and oak. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and crisp from the carbonation. Initial taste is of sweet cherries followed by a tartness that balances out the initial sweetness. This never-ending act of sweet & sour tartness is played out to perfection as both of the oppossite flavors are kept in check by each other somehow in an ideal balance. Pleasant carbonation hits the middle of the tongue. Belgian Red retains the earthy and wood flavors of the oaken casks that were used to age this ale followed by a mild tartness in the finish.

This is the perfect beer to replace wine at the dinner table with Thanksgiving Turkey. Or great to share with a loved one on Valentine's Day. Wisconsin Belgian Red is an ale that's meant to be savored and enjoyed. Perfect for special occasions, and holidays, yet it's great beer to have on hand and serve anytime.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2003 09:06:11 | More by Winter

beerguy101

California

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reddish brown color, hazy. Small to no head. Aroma is cherry and malt. WOW.. AND I DO MEAN WOW!! I had this beer several years ago, and while I had no notes on it. It tastes exactly the way I remembered it. Medium bodied. Intense cherry flavor, sweet, sour and tart. There is some malt sweetness as well as hop spiciness as well. Complex and intense flavors. Extremely smooth. Not very beer like, closest style might be a lambic?? But, who cares it tastes amazing. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is clean and sweet. World class beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2003 17:52:41 | More by beerguy101

BadBadger

New York

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a truely an amazing beer. It pours a dark color with red hints of the cherries contained within the beverage. The head was more than descent and lasted long enough to enjoy. The smell was an olfactory delight. Yum, the taste was absolutely amazing: first thoughts are of fresh homemade cherry pie. While rather pleasantly strong, the sweetness is nicely balanced by the hops. This is a beer to enjoy with friends after a nice meal. Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2004 14:51:31 | More by BadBadger

Iguana

Oregon

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle gotten via a trade with JeffKrenner

A: Poured a bright reddish with brown hues. 1 inch pink head that went down to lacing after a couple minutes.

S: Smells like fresh cherry pie.

T: Taste is simply amazing. Cherries, sour cherries, and umm cherries. As it warms up a nice chocolate taste starts coming through that took me awhile to nail down, but I thought it was tootsie roll flavored. Man thats a nice combo.

M: Smooth, very full and kinda tart which really brought everything together.

D: Quite probably the most enjoyable beer I have had to date. Gave my parents a try and neither of them who really cares for beer both said that 1 they would go out and buy. I know if I ever get the chance to get more of this, I will stock up. This beer is a must try for anyone especially if you enjoy cherries.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2007 03:49:04 | More by Iguana

wardough

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Brought this back from a recent trip from WI. What a great gem!
A: Pours a light burgundy. A good 1/2 inch head that dissipates into a tight lacing.
S: Wonderful cherries.
T: Wow, you forget that you're drinking an ale. It's sweet, but not overly sweet. This would be a great desert beverage.
M: Medium-high carbonation makes this go down smooth, almost like champagne.
D: Highly drinkable.
All in all, you must get this beer. Great job, Mr. Carey.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2008 21:25:38 | More by wardough

Tilley4

Tennessee

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Huge thanks to Lordsloth for including this in the Virgin BIF and knocking a Want off my list..

The wife and I enjoyed this one while having some of her homemade cheesecake on Father's Day..

Poured into a champagne flute...

Pours out a murky reddish brown that forms a smallish eggshell head....barleywine like in color...

Delicious fruity aroma of fresh hand picked cherries that have been crushed into some sort of compote... It smells vaguely sweet but not overly so... This really smells delicious...

This is just a masterfully crafted brew here... Its loaded with delicious cherry flavor but at the same time maintains its integrity by not being overly sweet or cloying... It partners perfectly with the cheesecake that I'm having... I don't know what they could have done to improve upon this (except distribute it in Tennessee!!). I've had the Raspberry Tart and it was good but this is on another level. I place this brew up there with the truly elite ones that I've had. Simply a masterpiece..

This is one of those brews that you savor, enjoy... and rue over when its gone. I have got to trade for more of this... Its too good not to have more of...

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2008 00:29:59 | More by Tilley4

budgood1

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

it's my seven year BA anniversary today and i've been sitting on this bottle for almost a year, so i find it appropriate to toast this day with a special brew.

WBR pours out of the 25 ounce bottle a cherry red infused dark bronze colour, with a magnificent cream to tan head that seems to want to stay. plenty of lace to be had, also. the aroma is a deftly balanced mixture of delicious tart cherries and sweet maltiness, with an oaken note from the aging in oak vats. the taste is sublime! it's cherry centric, but with enough of a malt backbone to come across as beery and balanced. definitely tart, and a touch yeasty, too. there are wheat malt nuances and a grainy/grassy flavour from the hopping i suppose...and a slight bitterness that never asserts itself in any way. this is by far the best tasting fruit beer i've had the pleasure of quaffing. the mouthfeel is alive and spritzy, holding up all that fantastic cherry goodness, complimenting the full body and robust nature. drinkability is spectacular...WBR never comes off as cloying or artificial, just delicious and satisfying in a way i've never experienced before. FANTASTIC.

highly recommended. about as perfect a brew as one can think of. it's more than a fruit beer; it's the nectar of the beer gods.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 00:33:30 | More by budgood1

drowland

Florida

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

FANTASTIC! The aroma is full of ripe, sweet cherries with a hint of malt. The flavor is absolutely full of cherry flavor perfectly balanced with a wonderful malt/wheat backbone that makes it taste like a fresh cherry pie, including subtle spices that remind you of cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. One of my favorite beers!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 08:18:51 | More by drowland

scaliasux

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance - Dark, off-red. Initial short off-white head quickly dissipates into a short film.

Smell - Moderate aroma of authentic cherries. Sweet, but not cloying.

Taste - Starts moderately sweet then turns nicely tart. Straight from the orchard cherry flavor - nothing artificial about tasting here. Reminds me of the summer cherry picking sessions in Wisconsin's Door County of my youth.

Mouthfeel - Light and well-carbonated.

Drinkability - Fruit beers are, for me, generally a fairly unimpressive category. New Glarus does these right, though. Really captures the essence of the fruit.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2009 02:55:35 | More by scaliasux

SirSketch

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Vibrant ruby red color. Big head that has a slightly red hue, too. A bit cloudy.

S - No doubt, the BEST aroma on any fruit beer... maybe ANY beer I've had! If I didn't know better, I would guess my glass holds a bunch of crushed cherries. Like a sweet cherry pie filling.

T - Again, very fresh, authentic cherries dominate the flavor, but a distinct white grape juice flavor comes through. More sour than tart, if there is a difference (I think so). An awesome sort of candy sugariness that is fantastic. The complexity and depth of this beer is unbelievable!

M/D - Medium carbonation and body. The taste lingers with you and gives you time to think about it for a minute or longer after having it. One of two perfect beers I have ever had. I need more Wisconsin Belgian Red!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2010 02:32:17 | More by SirSketch

trappistlover

Arizona

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

(750ml bottle courtesy of Alpar!). Pours hazy red juice color with minimal head. Aroma of maraschino cherries. Taste is sweet. Medium bodied with a luscious, ripe fruit finish. Man, this is a delicious beer...Thanks for sending this out Alex. Awesome stuff! This is the holy grail of fruit beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 04:23:18 | More by trappistlover

joefuzz

New York

5/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I have been really trying lately to not rate beers all 5. This beer is unlike anything I have ever tried. Pours a murky red with a nice sized slightly pink head amazing lacing. Smell is nothing but cherries and cranberries. Taste is a nice tart cherry which mellows down to a great fruit taste. Mouthfeel and carbonation are wonderful. Could drink this stuff by the truckload. Overall one of the best beers I have ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 22:11:38 | More by joefuzz