Spotted Cow - New Glarus Brewing Company

MikeAAL

Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Yellow, straw, cloudy body. A white head that dissapates quickly.

Smells a lot like a pilsener. Hoppy and a hint of citrus.

It tastes sweet. Very malty and hoppy. I can also taste corn.

Mouthfeel is light with medium carbonation. Has a dry finish.

Overall, it's good. It's a beer I could drink a lot of.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2013 21:57:23 | More by MikeAAL

UncleT62

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +34.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Personally, this is my favorite beer to date. I love the smooth taste of this Farmhouse Ale.
It is refreshing and goes well with a steak, Wisconsin cheese plate, or pizza.

We have been to the New Glarus Oktoberfest now two years in a row. Very nice town, with losts of New Glarus Brewery's finest.

I highly recommend touring the brewery, it's free. If you see Dan (Brew Master) or Deb (President), also married, talk to them and they will educated you on their product.

Spotted Cow is not filtered, which gives it the cloudy appearance. Take some for Tailgaiting sometime....especially at a Packer's game.

Go Pack!!!

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2013 19:35:25 | More by UncleT62

FosterJM

California

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1742nd Review on BA
Draft to Pint
16oz

@Brat Stop, Kenosha, WI

App- A bit of a AAL look in the color with a bit of a top fading orange/brown to a solid yellow gold on the bottom. A nice long lasting 2 finger head was there and stayed for a bit. Good cling lines and lace down the glass.

Smell- I didnt really get much off of this one. It was a bit light. With notes of hay, apple and some malts. Really just a step up from average, but I dont have the best luck with lighter styles anyway.

Taste- This was a nice beer. Crisp on the first sip and a bit bready/malty and a bit balanced out by some dominant wheat notes. A little bit of lemon and hay. I paired with a bratwurst and really rounded out the flavors on this one.

Mouth- A bit lighter in body with a smooth medium carbonation. The malts are the lasting flavors with a bit of lemon/hay and apples.

Drink- It was good. I thought would be better given the rep around her. Couldve been a off day for me. Will revisit when I open the bottle I bought.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2013 02:56:25 | More by FosterJM

socon67

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Safe House in Milwaukee

A - Hazy straw color, no lacing of note. Plenty of bubbly carbonation.

S - A bit of a tasted grain scent, but that's about it. Not much else of note.

T - Nice creamy flavor. I like the malt taste to this. Feels rich for a light style.

M - Nice hearty flavor and impressive thickness. Feels heavier than its style.

O - Enjoyable beer tha it true to its style. Right up there with Sixpoint Sweet Action which is my other cream ale favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 16:52:43 | More by socon67

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap into a shaker glass at the Old Fashioned in Madison

A- Poured a clear light pale yellow color with lots of streaming carbonation and soapy head that left some droppy lace

S- Grains, corn, some light citrus. Pretty aromatic

T- Big creamed corn and grain flavor with a nice citrus pop om the finish

M- Lighter bodied, prickly carbonation, a little watery on the finish

O- I can see why this beer is so popular, very drinkable and a unique session ale.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 03:43:04 | More by Hoptometrist

tyleeis

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance is light golden but hazy, one finger head....looks amazing!

Smell isnt strong, lemony and slightly bready....

Tastes great! Sweet nice banana aftertaste and malty.

Smooth mouthfeel, med carbonation.

Could drink this beer all day all year around but in the summer is the best. A must have for the fridge.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 01:53:48 | More by tyleeis

44ouncer

California

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A perfect example that a beer doesn't have to be dark brown, brewed with pumpkin seeds (or some other gimmick) or hopped to the point of being undrinkable to be good.

Pours like a lager -- although with a slighty cloudy appearance. Golden yellow with a bright white head. Nice clean smell with a nice hint of hops. Wonderful taste. Light, bright and clean -- not overly hopped -- with a nice citrus edge to it. Terrific creamy mouth feel. A wonderful product.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 04:38:42 | More by 44ouncer

Auracom

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

When in Madison, do as Madisonians do. On-tap at Monty's Blue Plate Diner. 16 oz. poured in a pint glass on May 3rd, 2012.

A - Hazy-golden pilsner coloring. One-finger of a soapy, white head reduces down pretty quickly. Very little retention but stirs up pretty good lacing throughout.

S - Touches of light, summer fruit and cracked pepper. Herbaceous with a clean malt bill.

T - Straightforward, no-frills farmhouse here. Less spice and more malt than the aroma. Bready rear-palate and short finish.

M - Light body, good carbonation, and a faintly-dry finish.

D - Why make things complicated? This is close to an ideal session Saison-esque brew. It's really what I wish adjunct brews could be.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2012 02:55:37 | More by Auracom

williamjbauer

West Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap in a pint glass at the brewery on 4/29/12

A - Slightly hazy straw yellow with 1.5 finger foamy white head with moderate retention and moderate lacing.

S - Low pungency of pale malts, a touch of citrus.

T - Pale malts, grain, oats, corn with a bit of floral hops.

M - Light body, moderate carbonation, wet finish.

O - Drinkable, crisp, but lacks complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2012 01:37:32 | More by williamjbauer

sleuthdog

Illinois

2.85/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap poured into pint glass

A: When this was brought to my table there was almost no evidence of a head but I did see a very slight white ring. The color is of a nice light golden hue. The lacing is minimal to none.

S: I have nothing to say here. I smelled absolutely nothing! I couldn't believe it so I jammed my nose way down in the glass numerous times but came up empty each and every time! It was served ice cold so maybe this is the reason?

T: Bready, and somewhat sweet and malty. There is a definite corn taste to this one and slight hop presence on the back end. Very smooth and mellow taste.

M: Carbonation is present but not much and this adds to the creamy mouthfeel. This is very smooth and creamy.

O: A good interpretation of the style and very easy to drink. I could easily drink a few of these or more in a sitting. Not one that will have you thinking about it too much in terms of trying to pick out taste and aromas, but nothing wrong with it either. Just a nice easy drinking cream ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 01:51:10 | More by sleuthdog

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at Wedges in Janesville, Wisconsin in Early 2012. It was a 12oz glass for $3.

This fan favorite from Wisconsin pours a golden amber color with a pillowy white head. Has a very grassy, grainy scent. Taste is smooth and mellow as you take in the wheat flavors. Taste is clean and refreshing. Go anywhere in southern Wisconsin and I’m sure you’ll be able to find it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 00:05:31 | More by Lemke10

willseph

Illinois

2.53/5  rDev -31.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured a very light, transparent, golden color with a healthy finger of head that only stuck around long enough for a couple sips. Lots of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. Not much of a nose, just a faint smell of lemon, wet wood, and other unidentifiable grains.

First taste is medium spiciness and vanilla but fades to a sweet grain taste as you drink it. Quite unremarkable, just a boring beer to me. It's a bit fizzy, burns the throat a touch on the way down. Overall, a passable beer but nothing to go out of your way for.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2011 02:48:20 | More by willseph

Dustysnail

Wisconsin

4.8/5  rDev +29.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As a Wisconsinite, this is a beer that you see in many taverns and restaurants. I've had this in bottles, in a keg, and on tap at many different places.

I must say, while it isn't my favorite beer, it is up on the list.

The finish is one of a wheat style ale, but drinks like a lager. While you have the taste, the texture and density of a thicker beer, the beer itself is light, but with a full body.

I highly recommend picking one of these up if you stop in Wisconsin.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2011 03:00:56 | More by Dustysnail

brew3crew

Ohio

2.7/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

On tap at uncle mikes for my first venture into wisconsin.

A-hazy yellow with a little bit of head that sticks around

s-pale malt and grain is all I get

t- follows the nose. Not really a whole lot here. Kind of upset I ordered it

m- light bodied and smooth. Only thing that's nice

o-decent lawnmower beer. That's about it

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 00:02:22 | More by brew3crew

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Notes from 7/27/11. On tap in Milwaukee

A - Poured a cloudy yellow colour. Hazy. One finger of white head.

S - Light citrus notes with bready malts.

T - Bready malts with a slight sweetness. Light citrus notes in the background.

M - Light body; light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2011 13:52:01 | More by TheSevenDuffs

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Took the family out for dinner the other weekend and jotted these notes down on the kiddie placemat. My options were mostly mass produced swill so New Glarus was a no brainer. Spotted Cow on tap. I could go 16 oz or 23 oz per the waitress, once again a no brainer.

A) Looks tasty, kind of thick looking. A hazy yellow, with a good inch of white head that faded pretty quick, nice lacing in the pilsner style glass.

S) No wow factor here. I'd say fresh bread, little bit of fruit scent.

T) Very creamy... Made me think of Sleeman's Cream Ale. I haven't had one of those Canadian beers in way too long. Good after taste is a plus.

M) I like it. This stuff just sticks right to my grill.

O) I really enjoy this brew, but how this is New Glarus's best seller is a mystery to me. They have many offerings that I routinely purchase in favor of it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2011 02:28:28 | More by RoamingGnome

chicagoabbot

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Emma's Bar in River Falls, WI.

I'm surprised that this is labeled as a 'cream beer'. Interesting. I've had this beer as much as any in my life, drinking it all through college in Madison. I'll do a bottle review soon too. I'm surprised that it's rated so low, but maybe I'm just partial to it from long habit, although they don't distribute in Chicago so I barely drink it anymore except when I'm up north. I do like it slightly more out of the bottle--it's cloudier.

Pours a bright pale golden cloudy straw body with a head that attenuates well. I've always liked the way this beer looks.

Not as much yeast character on-tap as out of the bottle, but still decent. Some malt sharpness. Not that hoppy at all, which is fine for the style.

Overall, I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 17:43:51 | More by chicagoabbot

kgotcher

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Med to low carbonation, very pale and opaque. Pretty light aroma. Taste is smooth and mellow vey very drinkable. Drinks more like a lager. Med body with easy finish.

Frankly not much depth but the taste is clean and good and it is extremly drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 22:59:19 | More by kgotcher

smm

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the bar in the Telemark Lodge, Cable, WI.

A- Straw yellow cloudy pour with a thin lacy white head.

S- Corny and sweet.

T- Sweet and a bit malty. Notes of whole grains.

M- Medium body and high carbonation. Creamy on the tongue.

D- Low alcohol, nice feel to it. A nice upgrade from an average adjunct... Price might hold it back though.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 00:24:32 | More by smm

chickenflea

Florida

2.93/5  rDev -21%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tried this in on tap in the airport on my way out of Wisconsin. I had heard it was good, so I anticipated a treat.

Poured a light straw color with a medium white head. Medium cloudiness. Looked like a wheat beer without the massive head.

Not much aroma, but what there was smelled of light crackers, wetted grains, and wheat-like malt. Herbal and grassy hops play lightly in the background. Lightly sulfury.

Flavors of corn, raw barley, and grain husk round out in a lager-like way. A bit more rich, the beer has a briney, yeasty taste that keeps the grassy hops in check. Finishes with that unmistakable corn taste.

Creamy, the beer holds onto its weight until the very last second when the subtle hop bitterness ushers in a mild crisp and dry finish.

It was OK, but I wouldn't call it a great beer by any stretch. It was refreshing, but I finished it unsatisfied. It drank more like a lager than an ale.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 18:58:34 | More by chickenflea

SkunkWorks

New York

3/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Review from notes.

Had on tap while on a layover in Wisconsin. Had on tap and served in a pint glass. This is my first cream ale so take this review with a grain of salt.

Look: looks pale straw colored, a bit of sediment but no haze, a thin eggshell head forms and leaves an incredibly small amount of lacing.

Smell: smells malty, with a bit of honey, a bit of caramel, but nothing in the way of hops and its certainly not complex.

Taste: tastes like a step up from an American Adjunct Lager, truthfully. A bit of maltiness but otherwise, nothing really here.

Feel: thin, carbonated thoroughly, a bit crisp without much bitterness.

Drink: obviously, this is meant to be sessionable and it lives up to that aim. I had quite a few of these and it could be a good substitute for BMC if you are out getting your drink on.

Overall, not really impressed. Perhaps its the style and this seems like a good representative of the style but there's not much flavor here. This is my first New Glarus beer and given the hype around the brewery, I was excited when I saw it on tap and disappointed when I got this in my pint glass. I dunno if this is just not a great beer by them or what, but this doesn't give me much hope for New Glarus.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2011 03:29:04 | More by SkunkWorks

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At the Milwaukee airport. Hazy, dull yellow with a large white custard head. Craggy lace aplenty despite so-so retention.

Aroma is light grains and a nifty spice of some sort. Upon further review I found that nifty spice to be corn. I'll buy corn. Taste is similarly led by light grains and corn chip with some lemon zest. Doughy drying in back gives this beer a saison-like refreshing quality albeit less dry and more lawn mower.

For what it's worth, one of the best cream ale I've had. That said I'm not a cream ale fan.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2011 01:45:25 | More by donkeyrunner

richkrull

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I absolutely love this beer. It has a great taste, a great name and it's brewed in Wisconsin. Just doesn't get much better than that.

Spotted Cow has a nice cloudy golden color with a bit of a citrus smell/taste. It's a really easy to drink beer, even in large volume.

I highly recommend this beer to everyone.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 21:34:24 | More by richkrull

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: straw yellow hazing body, very little head.

S: sweet slight malt, hint of citrus and hops...very faint.

T: slight sweet, malt, and hops. goes down smooth.

M: decent carbonation, light-to-med body, slight bitter aftertaste.

D: Great summer beer and session beer. Not the best offering at New Glarus, but I have started many new beer drinkers with this solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2010 21:30:05 | More by BeerLover99

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours yellow with a slight white head. The nose is pretty plain with some really light malt and some slight fruits. Very mild hops. The taste is just a tad bit of lightly-sweetened malt and really not much else. Body is light and somewhat creamy with good carbonation. Drinks quite well and I can see how it sells so much.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2010 02:49:07 | More by Thorpe429