Spotted Cow - New Glarus Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.18/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brightly foggy lemon-gold with ethereal swirls of liquid smoke. The soft, yet dense, head of bone white foam displays a rumpled, hummocked surface interspersed with divots as the larger bubbles burst. A small amount of wispy white lace finds its way to the glass.

Spotted Cow smells distressingly like a macro lager with sweetish grain as the focal point. It must be that 'little hint of corn' as noted proudly on the label. The nose isn't offensive, not even a little, but neither does it thrill me or make me excited about tipping the glass up. Let's hope the flavor picks up the ball and takes off running.

The flavor has indeed picked up the ball... and sets off at a slow limp. This is interesting beer to say the least. It tastes like a much more flavorful, sweeter version of a BMC lager in ale form. I've had a few other cream ales and none of them tasted like this; not that I can recall at least. It is nicely malted in a untoasted pale malt kind of way.

Again, sweet grain is dominant and is coupled with a mild fruitiness, although I may be reaching on the fruit. There's very little hop presence, either in terms of flavor or bitterness, just as the style demands. The finish is short and sweet and the mouthfeel is characterized by under-the-radar carbonation. Might this be a malt liquor in low-ABV disguise?

Spotted Cow is a rather unique brew. I imagine that New Glarus sells a lot of it, but as we all know, there's no correlation between popularity and quality (except, in many instances, an inverse correlation). I don't hate The Cow, but I don't really like it either. Thanks all the same to Skidz for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2004 22:15:39 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

Had the pleasure of getting a whole bunch of brews from New Glarus recently so I have been working my way down the line and this was the next one up. I am not normally a fan of cream ales, but I figured what the heck and decided to give this one a shot. It poured a very nice cloudy and very light yellow, almost a white color. A large three finger head of fizzy white lace formed on top and then it faded quickly leaving behind just minimal lace on the top, but adequate side glass lace. Lots of visible carbonation was apparent. The aroma was very light, and somewhat sweet. Not really too much to pick up, maybe some light malts and a touch of bread but that was it, the style is not really know to be very full. The taste was very light, and refreshing. A touch of yeast or light fruit graced the opening of a very carbonated and light bodied ale. This was more refreshing then anything and it served that purpose well. A somewhat muted taste, maybe a touch of sugar and almost a cola like flavor in the back. Overall this was not bad. As I mentioned I am not really a fan of the style, but this was the best I have had from it, with maybe the exception of the Terrapin Golden Ale. This was pretty good though, and I could see it used while mowing the lawn in July kind of thing. Not bad and give it a try if you get a chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2007 19:00:15 | More by mikesgroove

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

brentk56

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy light honey color with a rocky head that hangs around and leaves some lace

Smell: Vegetal; the touch of corn pays its dividend

Taste: Bready, almost like shortbread in its sweetness, with little flavor progression from start to finish; I will say this - it tastes as "creamy" as any cream ale I have ever tasted

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Sure, it's easy to drink and it is one of those crossover beers that develops regional popularity and lets a few more people experience craft brewing techniques

I cannot remember who sent this my way, but thanks, unknown BA

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2008 02:02:46 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

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

Appearance: Keeping it simple, keeping it real, this beer pours a yellow body with a small white head.

Smell: Aroma of pale malts, yeast, flowers. Why, there's even a few kernels of white corn in the nose.

Taste: Lightly sweet pale maltiness with a touch of corn. One drop of honey. A few flower petals. Very mild hop bitterness. Hint of yeast. Finishes watery and abrupt, but let's use the word "clean" instead, shall we.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A very easy drinking beer that's probably better suited to summertime temperatures in excess of ninety degrees. It's not often you see a cow-themed beer that doesn't turn out to be just another milk stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2008 19:23:01 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Bottle courtesy of Monger: Poured a bright golden color ale with a big pure white head with good retention. Aroma of corn with light diacetyl is not extremely pleasant. Taste is dominated by too much corn with a light buttery note which is again unpleasant. Body is pretty full for the style with some great carbonation. This is probably the worst beer that I had from this otherwise fine brewery.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2007 13:22:10 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

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

An easy drinking, pleasant enough light ale (quite lager tasting) with an underlying character of corn throughout.

The appearance starts with a medium froathy pour, releasing a light but dense white head with good retention and light lacing. The beer carries a modest haze.

Aromas of light crackers, wetted grains, wheat-like malt, and creamed corn. 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 and almost rich, the beer holds onto its weight until the very last second when the hop bitterness ushers in a mild crisp and dry finish.

Because Cream Ales are supposed to have a corn-like character, this beer fares reasonably well. But it's one of those mystery beers that have a cult following by swill drinkers who think they have the best beer in the world.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 04:12:34 | More by BEERchitect

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a shaker pint glass at Twelve Pines.

When in northern Wisconsin, drink as the locals do. Enter: New Glarus. This offering pours a clear pale straw topped by about a half-finger of white micro-foam. The nose comprises green apple, peach, mandarin orange, corn, and a slight yeasty character. The taste holds notes of red apple, orange zest, lemonade, hard water, and corn syrup. Honestly, I didn't see so much fruit being involved here. The body is light, with an active carbonation and a crisp, dry finish. Overall, a nice li'l brew, nothing all too special, but definitely a highly drinkable bit o' Wisconsin-y goodness.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2010 05:12:30 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Someonce once urged me to try one, and declared it "the best". So now I have, but that claim speaks more about them then it does aobut this.
Appearance: a clear pale yella hue, with a slight, soon vanishing white head.
Nose is mee, softly citric, a tiny bit sour.
Smooth on the palate, though not entirely without flavor. Practically no hops no speak of, just adequate enough malt, vestigal fruit notes whisper briefly.
Finish is brief, non-descript. Body is light to the point of invisibility. A very fragile, meek little beer.
Would be a decent choice for a "lawnmower" brew, maybe, when complexity and challenge are not in the order.
Not a bad beer, but not much, either.
Thanks to cokes for helping me try it out!

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2003 22:06:36 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

3.38/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a DFH snifter. Beer is yellow and hazy with a big white head that falls away quickly leaving some lacing on the glass. Looks good.

Sweet, creamy aroma with a little hops.

Beer is light in body and in flavor. There is a minimal sweetness at the lead off and it caves in to reveal....nothing. There is not a lot of anything going on in this beer. Interesting. The finish is bland and easy. Its like drinking sweetened water.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 03:49:05 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

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

Thanks to slasher007 for this bottle.

Pours a hazy straw color with a small white head. Aroma is malty sweetness with a little citrus and floral mixed in. The beer has a malty flavor with a slight corn flavor. There is also some hop flavor. This is a very tasty beer with a creamy mouthfeel that is easy to drink. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2009 03:50:19 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a fizzy, orange, golden/yellow color with a fizzy, small, white head. It left no lace.

S - It smelled of yeast, clove, gains and wheat.

T - It tasted of light caramel malt, grains, clove and some yeast. It really tasted like an american pale wheat ale.

M - It was crisp and very sharp. A light bodied beer.

D - This is a nice cream ale very sessionable and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 01:40:59 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.28/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Acquired via trade from ughsmash so a big “Thank You” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains light caramelized malts, grain and a touch of hops.

T: The taste likewise starts out bready with flavors of grain, light malts and a bit of corn. Then some malt sweetness comes in. The hops presence is very mild yet complementary and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly bready.

M: Smooth and crisp, light body, medium-to-high carbonation, finish is clean.

D: A little tasty, goes down very easily, not filling at all, mild kick, good representation of style, decent beer to pound down several of over a long period of time.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 01:54:14 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This poured out as a really nice clear yellow color with a bone white head on top. The lacing on this beer was quite impressive. The smell of the beer had some very light hop aromas but were mostly covered by the sweet malt character this brew has. The taste of the beer screamed cream ale right off the first sip to me. It's slightly sweet with a grainy malt flavor with just the lightest amount of bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel was light bodied, easy going, drinkable and nicely carbonated. Overall this beer is one that you could drink a lot of if you choose too. It's a refreshing brew and can be enjoyed just about anytime of the year.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 03:31:52 | More by Knapp85

emerge077

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Burlington. Ask for the "house beer" with the antler handpull.

Pale yellow tone, small thin head of foam. This settles to a ring soon enough. Slightly hazy due to the yeast content. Slight corn in the aroma, mixed with pale malt. Taste is light with malt and mild citrus, vaguely bready. Mild overall, not unpleasant. Slightly fuller feel than your average lager, not really "creamy" though. Easy to put back a couple pints. Having these drafts, it felt like being in a speakeasy...

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2007 02:42:50 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: pours a clear golden yellow color with a 2" fluffy head that lasts a while. Some spotty lace develops.

Smell: light malt sweetness and bits of grass are tough to pull from the glass.

Taste: mild grainy malt base with some grass, hint of lemon zest, and a mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp throughout with a relatively clean aftertaste.

Drinkability: this beer is very easy to quaff and has a decent flavor profile. For the style, this one hits the spot.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2009 13:09:01 | More by Gavage

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Spotted Cow is a nice beer, but I can't really say I'm impressed. It's about the same as Genessee Cream Ale. The flavor is sweet and bland. It's hard to make out the grains or any concrete flavor. You know, on a hot Wisconsin summer day, this would probably hit the spot, but that's about it.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2007 03:07:28 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 12 oz bottle courtesy of nflmvp.

A: The ale is a pale straw yellow, much hazier than I expected (it looks like a saison). The head was not large on pour and remained only as a small white pool of foam.

S: The nose is soft graininess with an evident pale fruit flavor (some dry pear, apple) and a hint of lemongrass.

T: The soft flavors of the nose continue into the taste. The grainy biscuit flavors and softer fruits, including a subtly sweet lemongrass flavor, make for a very easy drink. The finish of the ale brings back the grainy dryness and puts a nice exclamation on the beer.

M: The ale is very restrained, full of strong flavors that never overdo it, tastewise. Another please!

D: This is a real sessioner, light on alcohol without skimping on taste. The beer is going right back on my 'wants' list.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2007 21:43:05 | More by akorsak

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- The appearance is a hazy golden lemon-yellow body with a creamy white head. The carbonation is a nice full carbonation of tiny bubbles.

S- This beer has a light soft smell that gives a faint hint of yeast and maybe wheat.

T- This beer has notes of pale malt with a softness to it but it still taste crisp. There are some light wheat notes with a faint citrus punch in the finish. As it warms there is a light bubblegum flavor but is very smooth and soft.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a fizz texture at the finish.

D- This is a nice summer session beer and I had no idea what style it was until I read BA. I thought it was some kind of cream weizen beer but the flavors are soft but very pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2006 22:32:51 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to ThomasHardy for this brew.

Pours a slightly cloudy golden pale yellow color, nice carbonation, tiny fizzy white head, some islands and sticky lacing to follow. The nose is malty, sweet, yeasty, cloves, and a light touch of spices. The taste is sweet, malty, and yeasty. Medium body. Drinkable, a good session brew for a hot day, recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2007 21:05:09 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

My first impression was that this beer is a wheat - the nose hints of wheat, it has a light, cloudy amber color and it tastes like a wheat. Not as intense as a true wheat, carbonation is light, starts as a mix of malt and hops and finishes fairly smooth and sweet. Moderate head that leaves little lace. The brewer has barley and corn in it so I don't know where the wheat overtones come from.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2003 22:32:41 | More by jdhilt

mdfb79

New York

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 12/18/11 notes.

a - Pours a pale yellow color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bready malts, grains, spices, light fruit. Not bad, but a bit bland in the nose.

t - Tastes of bready malts, cream, light toasted malts, grain, light fruit and floral notes. Cream is definitely here in the taste and much better than the nose.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Super smooth and creamy, and very very easy to drink. Best part of the beer.

o - Overall an interesting beer. The nose is a bit bland, but than the taste is very bready and creamy, which is pretty nice. The mouthfeel is near perfect, and it would be very easy to have a few of these. Something I'd like to try again sometime.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 18:15:52 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce brown bottle, without freshness dating. Pours cloudy, apricot amber, light tan head, with a musty nose. Mildly fruity creation, notes of some Belgian type yeast and some peppery spice. This is a crisp, dry offering with a hoppy finish. Worthy, everyday, easy drinking ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2007 03:14:56 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with CRJMellor. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" white head over the slightly cloudy, light golden brew. Head,fades to an uneven layer of bubbles, and lacing is minimal. Aroma is light pale malt with a tinge of citrus. Taste starts with smooth pale malts, and closes somewhat crisply with a bit of citrus character. Mouthfeel and drinkability are good, but without easy access of this one, it falls into the "why bother" category for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2005 20:54:45 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to GV for this one! Shared w/ sckressler.

Appears nice and cloudy pale yellow as the last remnants of yeast pound into the glass. Pretty decent carbonation and a small white head.
Smells zesty with a hint of corn. Looks and smells almost like a wheat beer.
Tastes pretty good. Not a whole lot of hop definition going on in this one but I wasn't expecting that. Not really too sweet, or malty. Seems right for what they were aiming for. Definitely grabbed my attention with the lemony light taste that seemed just right after the sip. I could surely put back a sixer of these in the summer.

Finger licking good!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2005 13:28:15 | More by weeare138