Wisconsin Belgian Red - New Glarus Brewing Company

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from tasting notes.

Pours out a deep garnet / ruby color with a brief flash head and no lacing. Body is on the lighter side of medium thickness, silky smooth, and carbonation is on the higher side of medium strength.

Straight away, the cherry pie aroma fills the room upon cracking open the bottle, upon warming up a faint vanilla-oak essence joins up with the aroma. So...much...cherry deliciousness! If there could be any criticism to be had, it would be that it is difficult to find beer characteristics in the nose at higher than a faint garnishing level.

Maintains all of the juicy cherry pie sweet-tartness in the flavor as well, in fact I would dare say that oak wood shows up even more around the edges in the flavor than on the nose. Just an amazing dessert beer, especially when considering how it never gets medicinal or cloying at all despite how beefy all of the fruit aspects are.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 23:58:54 | More by WastingFreetime

iadler

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes:

A- Pours a deep red with a one finger head that dissipates into a thin cap that leaves a few lines of lacing.

S- Tart and sweet cherry pie filling, bready malt and cherry juice. Smells like cherry pie in a bottle.

T- Follows the aroma closely with plenty of cherry pie filling, peppery spice, freshly squeezed cherry juice and a hint of caramel.

M- Medium carbonation and body with a tart and dry finish.

O- I've throughly enjoyed both the Raspberry Tart and now Belgian Red from New Glarus. Fruit beers are not typically a style I enjoy, however, NG has succeeded in making a fruit ale with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 04:58:33 | More by iadler

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.48/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle courtesy of AlAlvarez, split with my cousin with my end being poured into my Firestone Walker tulip.

Wisconsin Belgian Red pours a very nice polished ruby red, with gorgeous cherry highlights. A little more than two fingers of bone colored foam crown the beer, with minimal head head retention and lacing left behind. The nose has a huge ripe, sweet cherry skin aroma, with just a bit of earthiness behind it. The flavor is an absolute cherry bomb. It's still predominantly sweet, but there is a bit of a tart cherry edge to things as well. There's a slight malty sweetness present at the open, and the earthiness comes through in the finish. The body is on the light side, though with a little more heft than I might have expected for a 4% beer. The carbontion, while on the bubbly side, does let the sweetness mellow for a second or two before really kicking in. Wisconsin Red is, outside of one or two sours, the best fruit beer I've ever had. Fantastic all the way around.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 18:58:56 | More by axeman9182

kevanb

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the New Glarus brewery, served in the NG Logo pilsner glass. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a nice bright garnet/ruby red color, slightly off white head, no retention or lacing to speak of. Looks pretty much exactly what you'd expect a beer with a pound of cherries to look like. The aroma is super heavy on the cherry, so powerful it at times reminds me of cough syrup, not in the best way either. However, it does also remind me of cherry jams, preserves and most importantly, delicious cherry pie. The flavor is much more approachable, obviously packed with cherries, slight malt backing, not enough to act as a pie crust, but enough to balance out the sweet and tart cherries with something earthy and neutralizing. The body is wonderful, light, crisp, bubbly, spritzing, juicy and full all at once.

Verdict: This is a fantastic fruit beer, probably the best fruit based beer you can find other than the fruit lambics that we love so much. New Glarus has hit a home run with this and almost all their fruit beers, hell, all their beers are dynamite, but this might be the star performer of their line.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 04:45:00 | More by kevanb

Homebrew35

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a half finger of a white foamy head. Hazy deep amber/red body which clears as it warms. Minimal lacing with no head after a short time.

Smells like a big sweet cherry pie filling. Some simple carmel sweetness and light confectionery frosting notes.

Big medium tart cherry flavor. Light puckering acidity and sourness. Sweet forward and fairly refreshing.

Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Lightly sticky on the finish with an obvious cherry taste.

Great beer, great fruity flavors and well balanced for the style.

$9 a 750/bomberish

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 01:04:11 | More by Homebrew35

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle poured into large tulip

Pours a bright ruby red color with some black cherry darkness. Little head comes through, although a small collar of white film rests along the beer.

Boatloads of fresh cherry scent in the nose - almost like a fresh baked cherry pie or homemade jam. A bit sweet with a very light natural tartness from the fruit. Mellow and wall received by the senses.

Pure cherry flavor right up front on the tongue with a soft tartness. Almost like slightly unripe fruit, but with a tempered sweetness. Touch of sugar with juiciness. Finishes with more cherry and a lingering dry tartness.

Lighter medium body, slightly higher carbonation, smooth yet bubbly on the tongue. This is easily one of the better fruit (not sour) beers I've had in recent memory.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 01:54:16 | More by xnicknj

zac16125

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle with the initial glass poured into a champagne flute (as instructed by the label, and the subsequent glasses from the bomber poured into a snifter)
no born on date or other distinguishing numbers

A big thanks to haveanother1 for sending this one over in a trade.  

A: Pours a translucent amber with reddish accents and 1.5 fingers width of white head with a subtle pink hue.  The head takes a fair amount of time to dissipate away and leaves a firm layer of lace after each sip with cobwebs in between.

S: Smells of cherry of course, both fresh cherry along with a medicinal cherry cough syrup character.  Not much else going on here.  

T: Again cherry, and again more of the medicinal artificially flavored cherry.  No doubt its sweet, but it also is surprisingly tart, which I like and think is absolutely necessary to balance out the sweetness.  Its  more tart than the raspberry tart, which is quite ironic.  Its also a touch oaky, and has some herbaceous, earthy notes.  

M/D: Medium bodied, somewhat syrupy, moderate to highly carbonated, and slightly drying.  Drinkability is moderate at best, as the combination of the high carbonation and sweetness make this one just sit in my stomach and make me feel full and bloated.  When I review beers I like to drink the whole thing, but this one is definitely for sharing.  So grab a buddy or loved one before you break the wax seal on this one.  

O: Overall, good not great.  As far as fruit beers go, this one is far better than most, but in my opinion the raspberry tart is much better.  This one seems much more artificial and generically flavored than the RT, which literally tastes like you are drinking fresh raspberries.  Certainly worth a try, but I probably wont seek it out again.  

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 22:29:42 | More by zac16125

cnbrown313

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

To me, this is the epitome of what a fruit beer should be. I have had it many times, but I finally decided to actually write a review after drinking a whole bottle to myself on the 4th of July! Purchased just over the IL / WI border, for $9.49 a bottle.

A - It pours a pure, cherry red with a good amount of carbonation and an off white head that recedes quickly.

S - The smell is of strawberry jam / cherry pie. With a little bit of earthiness to it. It smells like it is going to be overly sweet, unless you have tasted one before.

T - The taste is perfect. The only way I can describe it is that it literally tastes like the filling from the freshest cherry pie you've ever had. Or like fresh strawberry jam. Surprisingly though, this beer is not all that sweet and it is pretty easy to drink. No boozy taste at all, but it is only 4%. Usually sweet beers or drinks will give me a headache after the first glass, but I gladly poured myself a 2nd, and 3rd from the bottle. I should also note that if you like sour beers, you should try the Raspberry Tart instead of this, as the Belgian Red isn't really sour at all. The RT is also quite good, but in my opinion, this is much better.

M - The carbonation is almost perfect and the bubbles float nicely across the palate.

O - If you have access to this, pick a bottle up. My favorite fruit beer, period.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 18:21:26 | More by cnbrown313

Auracom

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another pickup from my early May trip to Madison. 7-8 oz. in a Cantillon Flute on July 1st, 2012.

A - Looks a lot like Raspberry Tart. Darker red mahogany with a thin film of off-white head. Poor retention. Good lacing.

S - Fantastically ripened cherries and cherry pits. Lightly pruny. A bit of grass and other herbaceous notes which I'm attributing to the yeast.

T - Straight cherry juice, sweet strawberries, and a bit of sourness into the rear palate. Simple but wholly natural.

M - High carbonation, light body, semi-sweet finish with a tart cherry aftertaste.

D - Not quite as good as Raspberry Tart but as excellent as I'd hoped.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 14:30:43 | More by Auracom

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle from mscarpen, 750ml into a tulip. Thanks a ton Scott!

Ruby red, with an offwhite head. Some retention and nice lacing. Nose holds loads of the beautiful Wisconsin cherries, dark fruit notes, spice and lots of jammy/pie filling characteristics. Taste of cherry pie filling, spice, pie crust and cherry jams. Dense feel, full and just an immense amount of flavour packed into this beer. Another brilliant NG fruit beer. Next to the Raspberry Tart as one of the best fruit beers (and any beer) I've ever had. Wisconsin cherries are fucking boss.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 20:01:23 | More by liamt07

DarthKostrizer

California

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared at Ehammond1's bottle share after the bruery RS event party

Look: Pours a deep mahogany color with a slightly pinkish head about 1/4 with ok retention and some spotty lace

Smell: Lots of cherries on the nose and a slight musty funk

Taste: Like the nose it is just tons of cherries. Unlike the raspberry tart the fruit flavor does not seem artificial but more yet like cherries put in a blender with some sugar added. I really like the flavor here

Mouthfeel: Just under medium body with mild carbonation and a bit sticky

Overall: I actually quite enjoyed this beer and would drink again

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 20:45:02 | More by DarthKostrizer

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: mahogany red/gold shimmer, trace white head,
quite nice lacing

S: CHERRIES! big fresh, ripe bushel

T: same as the nose with a sour pucker finish

M: light bubbly body, sour/pucker,
big carbonation

O: I had this before at New Glarus, but just a
sip and didn't care for it. This must be better
batch. Rather refreshing, would be crowd pleaser
to share with lambic newbies. I would get
this again, but a once in a while brew.

VERY GOOD, WORTH TRYING!

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 18:39:17 | More by BeerLover99

Backer2004

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Finally got my hand on this while on a family trip to Milwaukee. 22 ounce bottle sealed in red wax, $9.99. My expectations were very high and at first, I thought they were met. However, after the third sip or so, I realized how overrated it was. Worth trying for sure, but there's great fruit beers that are much easier to find.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 22:40:06 | More by Backer2004

sukwonee

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into New Glarus flute

A: Two finger head (yellowish pink), reddish amber brown, lots of bubbles.

S: Sour cherries, some barnyard smell, jam

T: Delicious. I think this one is slightly sweeter than Rasp Tart. It's not really sour or tart, but it's definitely more tart than sour. Taste lingers in your mouth in a pleasant manner.

M: Perfect. Light to medium thickness with sharp carbonation. Less dry than Rasp Tart.

O: I prefer Raspberry Tart over this (Raspberry tart is more refreshing, although less complex), but NG never disappoints. World class beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 03:51:47 | More by sukwonee

Holland

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: reddish brown to orange in color with a pinkish brown head that dissipates but leaves some lacing and a good rink around the edges.

S: sweet and sour with cherry

T: cherry, sweetness, some tartness, very juice-like

M: pretty thick and syrupy for such a light beer, medium light carbonation

O: not really impressed with this, but I thought it was better than the raspberry tart even though I don't like cherry flavor too much.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 02:12:34 | More by Holland

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received this in a trade and poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice crystal clear ruby red with a good two finger light tan head that slumps to leave a nice creamy thick blanket and good side lacing.

S - Nice and sweet, like cooked cherries. Smells like sweet, lightly spiced cherry pie filling.

T - Oh yah, definitely cherry pie filling. Nice nutmeg/cinnamon flavours and even a little bit of crust/dough. This is cool. Delicious.

M - Mouthfeel is good, nice carbonation, not heavy or syrupy. Perhaps a slight bit too sweet, but this isnt cloy.

O - Overall this is a delicious fruit beer. Very very cherry without being cloy. I love this.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 05:16:31 | More by rudzud

beagle75

Iowa

3.43/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Slightly hazy, medium amber color with less than one finger of diminishing parchment-tinted foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Aromatic fruit is rich and purposeful, making for a strong perfume. It shares a similar smell to its raspberry-brewed sister beer; this beer smells as much like raspberry fruit/seeds/tea as it does cherries.

T: Begins sweet, with refined malt that contributes just a touch of bread to what is otherwise pure fruit. There is an acidic thread present, which together with even less assertive earthy hops cultivate the expected tea-like quality. Fruit flavors lose some of their intensity in the clean finish, allowing the cherry component to stand out more there than at any other time.

M: Medium viscosity, acidic at times but otherwise balanced on the palate, with brisk carbonation.

D/O: To many, yeast and its metabolites are what distinguish Belgian-styled beers from those inspired by other brewing traditions. Despite being called Belgian, this fruit beer lacks any detectable Belgian yeast qualities. It, like New Glarus' other famous fruit beer Raspberry Tart, is a delivery vehicle for fruit qualities. This beer gains an advantage over its sister, projecting more honest cherry that the other was able to do for raspberries. Pair with dessert and women.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 20:43:08 | More by beagle75

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into tulip. Courtesy of biglobo8971

A- Slightly brownish hued red pour with a two finger egg shell soapy pour with decent lacing.

S- Simply put... cherry pie filling. Slightly artificial and sweetened but still very enticing smelling. The sweetness is a sign that it won't be as tart as I first thought.

T- Full on cherry pie, I get the filling of course (dead on by the way) slight crust with a touch of cinnamon. Slightly artificial but very fresh tasting.

M- Medium to full bodied, slightly syrupy with a low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 22:12:42 | More by korguy123

Etan

Illinois

3.34/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml into a tulip, shared by Agold at last night's tasting.

A: Ruby with a small off-white head.

S: Syrupy. Cherry cough syrup. Hrm...

T: Better than the aroma. Cherry pie - candied cherry flesh, sugary pastry dough, heavy spice like nutmeg and cinnamon.

M: Slight carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Pretty interesting - tastes just like cherry pie - but I could barely kill my 8oz pour, let alone a whole bottle. Good for a one-time experience.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 14:17:31 | More by Etan

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.88/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle to Founders tulip.

A - Poured cherry red with a slight glow around the edges. One finger of light brown/cream coloured head formed and receded to a thin layer full of big bubbles.

S - Dark cherries dominate the nose but the aroma is very fresh and not artificial. Lighter notes of spice and sweet bready malts in the background. Almost smells like fresh baked apple pie.

T - Huge fresh baked cherry pie flavour full of dark cherries and sweet flaky pie crust. A touch of spice is present as well. An amazing flavour profile.

M - Almost full bodied. Creamy and thick. Light carbonation.

O - This was by far the best fruit or vegetable beer have had.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 13:11:35 | More by TheSevenDuffs

yamar68

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 750ml bottle to tulip glass:

Pours a bright pinkish red with a soft pink, sticky head that fades to a thin cap. Nice lacing and hazy beading.

Very pungent on the nose. So much fruit it's ridiculous. Rich cherry, floral bits, white sugar, some honey... massive aromas.

Sweet. Tart. Sour. All cherries. I could never finish a whole bottle. Way too much flavor. Definitely an experience. Like no other beer that I can think of.

Drinkability is relatively low but it's part of the experience. It's a sweet, aggressive sipper.

I can see why people go nuts over this stuff but it's a bit much for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 00:14:56 | More by yamar68

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Stone 15th Anniversary snifter on 5/3/12

Thanks to smurfbeer for the chance to try this long time want.

Though a dirty rose color while being poured, the beer takes a darker turn toward rust and light plum. Held to the light, however, it has a nearly crimson sheen; it's quite bright. The head didn't pass more than half an inch an wisps out in no time. Some collar retention.

The aroma is a deep and sugary cherry: cherry pie, cherry concentrate, cherry preserves. Overtones of vanilla as it begins to warm. Faint cracker grains. I like the smell enough, but I'm afraid this is going to be a sugar bomb.

Huh. Not quite as sugary as I was expecting, but pretty close. The cherries are undeniable; sugary and heavily outfitted. Though it adds some to the sweetness, I'm glad there is a somewhat decently proportioned cracker and pie crust malt offset to flesh out the overall flavor. A bit tart, but it could stand for more stimulation in that respect.

The feel is a bizarre cross between a medium-light body and a sticky sugar bent. The beer feels far heavier than it actually is. Carbonation is moderate.

Overall impression - It's like hearty cherry soda. It's like a good, shitty port... without all that pesky alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 04:03:26 | More by Ryan011235

beerhan

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Poured into a couple pint glasses. Ruby red body with a pink two finger head. Lots of carbonation

S-Lots of candied sugar and sweet cherries and what I am going to call magic dust.

T-Sweet cherry juice dominates with a little yeast presence in the background. Just delicious.

M-A little tart with puckering carbonation.

O-Probably the best fruit beer out there. Worth seeking out and is perfect for warm weather.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 16:08:22 | More by beerhan

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.79/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Served on tap in a flute at the brewery on 4/28/12

A - A beautiful mostly clear brilliant pinkish-cherry red with 1 finger light cherry head with good retention and moderate lacing.

S - The soul of a cherry, these fruit are so abundant it is intoxicating, nice oak, and fruity soda, bubble gum notes.

T - A very sweet cherry taste hits you so smooth you'll be charmed immediately followed by a bit of tartness and delicate oak notes and just a hint of hop floral aroma.

M - Moderate body, highly carbonated, effervescent.

O - So complex and satisfying and easily among the most drinkable fruit beer. Pairs well with a nice creamy Wisconsin cheese.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 01:29:59 | More by williamjbauer

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Im sampling a 750 bottle wax sealed and cellared for a year. The beer is poured into a snifter and exudes a cloudy orange-red color with some bright cherry red highlights when held up to the light.
Very minimal fizzy, off white head after the pour that is nothing fairly quickly after the glass settles.
Aroma is sweet candi sugar and cherries with a bit of tartness hiding out in the background.
First sip reveals a light crisp body with minimal fine carbonation that gives just enough texture to this brew.
Flavor is sweet candi sugar and cherries almost like a ludens cough drop. Nothing but sweet fruit and a bit of tartness on the finish. No booze, no hops anywhere. Sticky on my lips and sweet but still fairly good drinker, next time I will split the 750 though.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:06:09 | More by sulldaddy