Spotted Cow - New Glarus Brewing Company

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

2.53/5  rDev -31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 1

12oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden color with two fingers of fluffy white head. Retention is great. I haven't had too many cream ales, but this looks nice enough.

S: Pale and sweet malts up front, though light, with slight citrus and spiciness that reminds me of AALs.

T: Very mild sweet malt up front with a spiciness and citrus flavor very similar to the smell. I also get a good amount of corn flavor that does not go well with the beer. The corn flavor along with a bit of a metallic flavor in the aftertaste is unpleasant.

M: On the thick side of what I expected from a Cream Ale with nice mild carbonation.

O: Reminds me very much of a AAL. Mild flavor with corn and a vague spiciness and citrus flavor and a terrible aftertaste. Not very good. I think I just really don't like Cream Ales.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 00:06:17 | More by coreyfmcdonald

Arno

4.78/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I was on holiday in the US and visited Wisconsin. In the first bar they already tipped me this beer. So ofcourse i had a taste.

And my first tasting impression was wow!

Appearance:
Light yellow, gold like. Bright and refreshing looking.

Smell:
Sweet malts, fruits, wheat, corn, citrus.

Taste:
A subtle, almost creamy, balance of fruit, malt, citrus and corn. Very light and easy going, nearly no bitter and yet very refreshing without getting boring at all.

Mouthfeel:
Light, thin and refreshing. Medium carbonation.

Overall:
Usually beers like these get a bit annoying after a while because they lack depth and are too easy going. But this one, i can drink any day, and all day :) It somehow manages to give all sorts of easy flavors and yet manages to keep it interesting. It's refreshing, easy going and has a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. It's the perfect summer drink.
One of my favorites in the "easy going and fresh" category beers.

Too bad it's pretty much impossible to get this beer over here (Netherlands). Maybe it need to import and distribute it :)

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 22:17:25 | More by Arno

Forb

Nebraska

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

Thanks Holmgren!!

Poured from a 12oz bottle; no freshness date...

Appearance: Pours a deep but bright yellow with a moderate white head that dissipates fairly quick.

Smell: Saison-like fruit esters come forward, malts, and citrus.

Taste: Grains, corn, minor malt, and serious fruity farmhouse traits.

Mouthfeel: Real light body here with almost no carbonation from this cask condition brew.

Overall: Delicious and highly drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 20:26:36 | More by Forb

TubaManJack

Illinois

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

Finally a New Glarus

The bottle yielded a full glass of a hazy deep yellow body. The head of the beer looks more like an adjunct cap of wispy white foam. The nose is full of yeasty bread and a bit of corn. There isn't a lot of malt in the nose or the taste. Perhaps the best part of this beer is its mouthfeel. The body is really smooth and lightly carbonated. A really enjoyable brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 01:21:10 | More by TubaManJack

ErinSpace

4.18/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Purchased at Riley's Wines of the World in Madison, Wisconsin (dozens of times). This beer is a great session beer. It has great taste and great balance. Lighter than many New Glarus alternatives, but brewed with the same care and attention to detail. The beer very flavorful, without overpowering. The beer also has a subtle, yet warming creamy mouthfeel - especially noticeable if served slightly warmer the typical serving temperature.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 22:02:53 | More by ErinSpace

suspect

New York

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish Head Signature glass. Thanks to jefeld for the hookup!

A: Hazy, straw to light yellow color. Aggressive pour leads to a one finger head that dissipates pretty quickly. Little lacing to speak of.

S: Nice smelling cream ale. Lots of sweet malts with a slight but present hop profile sneaking in later. Big biscuit notes and slight grain make up a pretty good smelling beer.

T: Follows the nose almost to a tee. Brings the malts but it's not as sweet probably as the nose as the bitterness of the hops probably stands out more here.

M: Mmmm...cream ale. Definite cream ale mouthfeel. Coats the mouth with creamy goodness. Perfectly carbonated.

O: A really nice cream ale. Doesn't quite stand up to my Genny Cream Ale but it's mostly due to nostalgia :). Regardless, this is a good beer. Easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 01:59:36 | More by suspect

pschul4

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz into fancy NG pint

A- Pours a straw yellow with a big fluffy white head that leaves some nice lacing

S- Nice fruit esters with banana and orange dominating

T- MMM just like the smell it comes through strong with banana and citrus. This is the perfect summer day beer

M- Light but what did you expect?

O- I wish I lived in WI just to drink spotted cow while doing lawn work. Excellent job NG

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 03:47:18 | More by pschul4

Viciousknishs

Virginia

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

A- pours a a pale straw color with a finger and a half of soapy bone white head. Ok head retention.

S- aromas of some sweet malt, slightly fruity with notes of fresh berry and a touch of grain.

T- cracked grain with a streak of corn sweetness. Some balancing herbal like hops in the middle with a hint of very light fruitiness on the finish.

MF- thin watery mouthfeel with a light body. Good carbonation.

D- very drinkable just not a very flavorful brew.

Overall a solid beer that would be great for hot summer days but so is water.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 02:25:11 | More by Viciousknishs

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

litheum94

California

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Clear, bright, pale straw yellow body. Frothy and sticky, bone white head. Settles slowly, leaving creamy lacing on the side of the glass.

Aromas of cut grass, lemon and pepper. Fruity esters dance around, but the aromas are mostly earthy.

Tons of fruit flavors at first with pears and blueberries. Cream of wheat flavors and mouthfeel mid palate. Dry and earthy, with flavors of cut grass and rustic yeast. Slight, creamed corn sweetness on the finish, with an off-dry ending.

Very easy drinking and tasty. Not a whole lot of complexity, but very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 20:59:46 | More by litheum94

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle with no date

Pours a semi-cloudy piss-yellow with a slight filmy head and a tiny bit of lacing. Good color. Smell is your typical grain and corn, but with added touches of fruit; apple, pear, orange, lemon. Taste is light corn and grain, hints of pepper and clove, bready malts, and a hint of bitter hops. Feels nice and creamy on the tongue.

This flagship beer from New Glarus is a fine one. If I lived in WI, this would be one of my go-to brews.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 04:30:25 | More by jimmah120

irrgalaxy

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass.

A: Clear, very light golden color. Lots of head, rather thin.

S: Lots of grains

T: Carrots, hops, bit of a sharp finish.

M: Light, but finishes well.

O: Very good for a cream ale, but I don't think it's my favorite style. Not many strong flavors to distinguish this from similar kinds, although the balance (as usual from NG) is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 02:40:26 | More by irrgalaxy

CuBuffsaNut88

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It is really hard for me to admit this, being a Bears fan but you cheese eating weirdos pulled it off with this one. New Glarus has a number of good beers and the spotted cow is as good as just about any of them. It is a very well balanced and medium bodied brew with a mildly lingering citrus taste and aroma. It pours a nice yellow and sits well in a pint glass. All-in-all, it is a well crafted 'back to the basics' beer, simply, it is what beer is supposed to taste, look, and feel like.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 08:47:17 | More by CuBuffsaNut88

BeerMeFitz

Illinois

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

I have this whenever I can grab some from WI. There is nothing like it !
A: Honey colored with a real creamy head.

S: You notice faint sweetness, no overpowering hops or malt smells.

T: Not complex - but a Very clean,crisp, sweet and simple beer done perfectly!

M: thin

Overall: This is a Fantastic beer and I wish they sold outside of WI. This is the perfect Summer beer, Fall Beer, Spring Beer and Winter Beer...ok it's the Perfect session beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 18:40:14 | More by BeerMeFitz

cagocubs

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally got my hands on a bunch of New Glarus on a recent trip to Wisconsin. NG's first test passed with flying colors.

A: Bright yellow/straw yellow with a fluffy 1 finger white head. Unfiltered with good carbonation streaming to the top.

S: Sweeter malts, grain, maybe some sticky fruit.

T: Really balanced. Has a nice malt and earthy corn taste, but it also carries a decent juicy hop with it. The aftertaste is far from adjunct as you get a nice sweet aftertaste.

M: Real smooth and creamy. Good mouth coating and carbonation.

O: I would have never picked this up if I knew it was of the cream ale variety, but man I would've been missing out. A real easy beer to drink with a nice balanced taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 03:11:24 | More by cagocubs

Holland

Pennsylvania

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

A: straw color with a thin head that continues to reproduce itself all the time.

S: sweet malt smell, slightly acidic

T: sweet malt, slightly acidic like the smell, and has a great light malty aftertaste.

M: best part - it somehow feels creamy and crisply carbonated at the same time.

O: not complex, but it's well made. There aren't any flaws in it. Thanks to Treebs for the extra.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:16:47 | More by Holland

KDawg

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured from bottle into a pint glass. Pours a clear yellow color with a little head

Nice and balanced aromas of grains, citrus and creams

medium bodied with good flavors of creams, citrus and a slight hint of cereal. Lacking a bit on the whole as there isn't that much depth

A nice and drinkable beer. It makes for a solid session beer, but is a bit plain all together

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 05:06:59 | More by KDawg

peabody

Kentucky

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

Pours out crystal clear with a yellow tint. 1/2 finger of white small suds and slight lacing.
Smell is lemony and creamy with some yeast coming through. Slight hop and creamy malts are the star here.
Taste is sweet at first then a tinge of bitterness. There is wheat and grass with a creamy texture. Almost too sweet.
Mouthfeel is a bit sticky but this one finishes very well.
Overall this is pretty darn good. Just not what I would like in a creme ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 05:49:09 | More by peabody

NuclearDolphin

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a 16oz Pint Glass. Picked this up while in Wisconsin last weekend after hearing about it through friends

Appearance - Pale Golden Yellow color with a slightly hazy look and some slight carbonation. Head pours around a 1 finger width with an aggressive pour. Lacing is very spotty here.

Smell - Bready-Biscuit/Yeasty scent with a very sweet smell to it. There are some corn notes in here, but in a good way that it makes it even more enjoyable to smell. There's also a pretty solid malty backbone here too.

Taste - Much like the smell, it's combination of yeasts, barley and sweetened malts and corn. Normally I associate corn with being an adjunct ingredient, but here it's openly a part of the beer and it fits very well with the flavor.

Mouthfeel - Carbonation is light as well as the body. This gives the beer a very creamy feel to it, which adds even more drinkability to what is already an easy drinker.

Overall - It's good enough in flavor without being too complex and it's an easy beer to drink that's perfect for any occasion. Put these two together and you have an excellent beer that manages to strike a balance between drinkability and flavor!

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 04:07:25 | More by NuclearDolphin

bjohn84

Minnesota

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

A - Pale yellow with a slight haze. The little head that was present dissipates quickly

S - Fresh straw and yeast. Sweet bread coming through a bit

T - Clean and bready with sweet malts. Corn. mellow hop along with banana comes in on back side.

M - Extremely drinkable with a slightly higher creaminess and mouthfeel than expected. Great sharp carbonation of tiny bubbles throughout

O - Great refreshing beer. I really enjoy the carbonation balance and just enough flavor to keep it interesting with the low ABV

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 03:20:39 | More by bjohn84

TheHoppiest

Ohio

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

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow, with a 1/2" white head that reduces to a thin skim.

Smell is minimal, slightly yeasty and bready with hints of straw. Hints of fruit as well, maybe peaches or grapes?

Clean and easy tasting, this is a very simple and clean brew. Bready with hints of yeast, mild hops finish this off.

This has an excellent mouthfeel, clean, smooth and easy, not too heavy even with the breadiness in its taste.

Probably my favorite creme ale that I've had, this is a true sessionable brew. Hoist one if you can get it!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 02:03:20 | More by TheHoppiest

fezmeister

California

3.85/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Bright, unfiltered golden-straw in color with a light, creamy head.

S: Mostly getting sweet malts and some grain scents.

T: Smooth, sweet malts, just a bit of fruity hop, and....corn! I'm so unaccustomed to drinking beers tasting of corn that I was caught totally by surprise. Even more surprising - it's good!

M: Creamy but way easy to drink, just like a nice summery cream ale should be.

New Glarus has done a great job creating a highly sessionable cream ale that is well-balanced and has a long, smooth finish riding on a sweet corn flavor yet dry in feel. Considering I don't normally chose this style, I enjoyed this one a lot.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 04:38:14 | More by fezmeister

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

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

The beer pours a slightly hazy dark yellow color with a cotton-white cap of foam. The bread in the nose mixes with a little corn. Malt on the palate moves into a tinge of metallic adjunct through the center. Just a touch of bitterness at the end. The beer goes down smooth and creamy. A drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 01:33:27 | More by BeardedBoffin

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy pale yellow with a white head. In the aroma, light banana and a sparkling like aroma. In the taste, sugary and a light dry banana. A small bite and a medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a light dry banana like aftertaste. Quite carbonated, light flavor, but more of a wheat compared to a cream ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 16:32:29 | More by OWSLEY069

facundoCNB

New Jersey

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

A - very bubbly, straw yellow, quickly disappearing head, sloppy lacing

S - VERY citrusy, mellow hops, a little caramel (?)

T - tangy, refreshing, crisp, fruity

M - fizzy, smooth, tarty

O - it's been about a year and a half since i last tasted this beer and it's just as good, although it can't beat drinking it while on tour with good friends!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 15:56:35 | More by facundoCNB