Spotted Cow - New Glarus Brewing Company

svraines

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Straw colored with good head that holds up well. Nothing much to note about the smell, can tell that you are in for a little sweetness. A summer thirst quencher, sweet and sour with no after taste to distract you. Sweetness is reminiscent of sweet corn. Just enough body to feel like you are drinking something decent. Goes down fast by the pitcher. Packs more of a punch than I expect and I always forget. Makes riding bike home from the Memorial Union terrace fun after work on Friday.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2007 17:26:20 | More by svraines

Atron67

Wisconsin

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

A- poured a foggy wheat light yello with a pretty frothy head, although it didnt last long

S- smells like wheat, slightly sweer but pretty malty, can smell the yeast and some light spices

T- has a really nice strong flacor as you would expect from above, malty creamy body with wheat and spice flavors

M- has a solid body but not as creamy as i would expect,

D- a solid beer easily drank multiple times during the night

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2007 13:00:23 | More by Atron67

diverdownrick

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is a great anytime of the year beer. Like all New Glaurus Brewery beers, it has a strong flavor, taste, and body...those cheeseheads know their beer! It has a smooth after taste that sits well in the mouth and is easy to down in summer or winter. I was also impressed that it tastes equally fresh in bottle as it does on tap...that is great aspect of this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2007 00:52:47 | More by diverdownrick

supercolter

Minnesota

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

An obvious choice to have when only BMCers are available to drink with. Appearance is ok with a small head and that unfiltered look.
Smell and taste are quite similar, they both resemble cream (obviously) and sweet malt with a touch of spice.
Mouthfeel is not as creamy as expected.
Drinkabilty is increased by the lack of creamy body.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2007 18:40:50 | More by supercolter

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

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

A: Hazy straw, white head, very little retention, some lace.

S: Fruit-bread (with candied tropical fruit).

T: Tropical fruit (mango, pineapple), slight spicy-grass hop flavour, hint of breadyness in the background. Very fruity. Certainly different.

M: Light to moderate body is smooth; moderate carbonation.

D: Very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-15-2007 03:02:20 | More by Derek

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

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

$8.00 / Pitcher
The Final Score Bar & Grill
Stevens Point, WI

Appearance - A hazy orange with 2 inches of head on the pitcher. This is a good looking and very inviting pour.

Smell - Theres a sweetness to the aroma. It's a citrusy sweet scent accompanied by a malty heaviness. The scent almost matches the color.

Taste - This beer doesn't taste as sweet as it smells. That's a good thing. To the taste the malt really comes through while maintaining the citrus just enough.

Mouthfeel - The feel of the beer is smooth with a suble grain of carbonation on the outer edge on each side of my tongue.

~ This is a good summer beer. Great on hot days when ya wanna sit outside on the porch and have a couple. Even better if you're out boating with friends. If the opportunity presents itself, Have a Cow!

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2007 03:03:18 | More by cdkrenz

mwagner1018

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pale amber/reddish color, slightly foggy (showing its unfiltered characteristic), very quickly diminishing thin head from tap.
S- Very nice subtle, refreshing, sweet and tangy.
T- Instant great satisfying, flavor, reminded me of several tasty Belgians that I have had many times in the past....fruity, light spice, bold, yet airy.
M- Full, yet light and nicely carbonated but not overpowering...good refreshing style.
D- Very drinkable, perfectly fit the nice mild/cool spring evening while I was enjoying this one!

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2007 01:57:32 | More by mwagner1018

TechMyst

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev -39.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

On tap at Diamond Dave's. Smelled like a lager actually, very faint aroma anyway. Hazy green-yellow color. Actually tasted like a lager also. I could not detect fruit-y-ness, vanilla, or 'fun'. There was some corn hints. It is a beer with a full character, not a character I care for, but it had a full character for what it was. no lacing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2006 03:15:33 | More by TechMyst

mynie

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Try this one again, now that my pallete has aged.

A lifesaver at Miller Park.

Pours dark dark gold with a decent head, in spite of the best efforts of the young pourer to remove all vestiges of head.

Smells like dark malt, cream, and cinnamon. An excellent, crisp combination.

The smell doesn't entirely come through in the taste, as the cinnamon and malt are both subdued by the beer's intense creaminess. It feels nice, yes--it feels great, actually--but it drowns out the beer's flavor.

A great example of a mediocre style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2006 07:48:24 | More by mynie

Generik420

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Had this on a pub crawl in Milwaukee last weekend and was very impressed. In fact, one bar was supposed to serve us Stella Artois, but had ran out and substituted with Spotted Cow and I was actually happy to miss out on the Stella.

Appearance: Pale and clear. Clean white head that didn't last long.

Smell: Sweet aroma and not hoppy. Very pleasant.

Taste/mouthfeel: This beer is on the sweeter side, and that may be a turn off to some. Very light on the hops. There is a bit of a twang to the backend of this, almost a hint of citrus. It is a little thin regarding mouthfeel.

This beer is a fantastic choice for a session beer or as a pallete cleanser between high hop beers. Great for summer as well. Wish I could get it where I live.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2006 13:25:10 | More by Generik420

murrayswine

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What can I say about the number one beer in Wisconsin right now.... Well, It's my go to when all else isnt available, and all I have left is BMCs.
Pours a very light gold/yellow with a minimal head.
The nose is light and nutty with a little hop, and some butter.
The taste is loose and light. Tastes like good bread, but as a beer, it's a session horse, no more, no less.
Not bad if you wanna drink A LOT.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2006 06:46:06 | More by murrayswine

aforbes10

Iowa

3/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

My wife and I stopped in New Glarus during their annual polkafest (which was extremely enjoyable) and the brewery had a couple of their beers on tap to try (and i course i hit up both). Spotted Cow poured (into a plastic cup) yellow to gold with an off-white head. Odor was kind of corny and vaguely malty, but overall not very strong at all. Taste was a thin mix of alcohol, corn juice, malt and extremely faint hops. Mostly it seems to just be a mildly refreshing, corn-based (which i verified with the guy manning the tap) hot weather beer. Nothing special IMO, but my wife thought it was darn good.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2006 12:53:37 | More by aforbes10

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

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

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

Pours a orangish straw gold with a half finger of head that lasts about 7 seconds, and little bubbles sticking to the glass which lend to the nice carbonated yet creamy mouth, but a little odd for looks. Not much aroma, grassy and malty with some corn, just enough to barely detect. Taste is a little odd, sweet malts are evident, but there is this wierd tart fruit in there, though I couldn't quite pin it down. Honestly, not really impressed by this beer, nor can I understand its populartiy. Oh well, more for you 'Sconnies.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2006 01:13:55 | More by objectivemonkey

strattor

Idaho

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

Came to me a cloudy golden yellow with a thin, white head that disappeared quickly.

Sweet, somewhat fruity aroma. Contains hints of malt.

Taste is of yeast and corn, and a little sour, almost like a Belgian Witbier. The flavor isn't bad, but there isn't much of it.

Mouthful is moderately creamy, without much carbonation, and in all a little too watery for my tastes. I think this also contributes to the sense that the flavor isn't very present.

This would probably be a great beer for a hot day, when you want something cold and thrist-quenching. However, it's not high on my list of beers to return to, as it lacks that complexity and fullness of flavor that leaves me wanting more.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2006 08:08:06 | More by strattor

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer is not a cream ale nor is it a Saison. It’s a Wisconsin Farmhouse Ale. Can we get that added as a style on BA?

Spotted Cow is available everywhere in Wisconsin and I dig that because it’s chill enough for my swill chugging friends to get into. It’s also a brew that is just adored by beer drinking females who might otherwise be drinking miller lite or worse…alchipops.

About 5 years ago bars around here started serving the cow with a lemon as if it was a Heffeweis. I don’t get it. I think that lemon ruins this beer and shy away rom it when possible.

The cow is sweet, the corn is just barely noticeable, there is absolutely no bitterness. Slightly bready, grainy, and with just a touch of lemon and orange.

Generally a great session beer but nothing too special. This has become the quintessential Wisconsin micro but don’t go expecting something spectacular from it. It’s really more of a micro for the masses then anything else.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2005 19:48:06 | More by DaPeculierDane

HopHeadKen

Iowa

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

Vacationing in Wisconsin, and this was available on-tap at a tavern across from a cheese factory (go figure) in Knowlton.

The pour was hazy yellow with thin lacing.
Smell was sweet and mildly spicy.
Taste follows the smell, sweet and mildly spicy; I cannot detect the hops and there is no lingering hop bitterness or aftertaste.

I am told that this is one of New Glarus' most popular beers; My wife loved it, so we found a 'sixer' to bring home.

It is a good hot weather summer beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2005 16:06:48 | More by HopHeadKen

francisweizen

Australia

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

On-Tap in Milwaukee. This one is light golden with a small head of white that dies quickly, leaving no real lacing. Aromas are pretty basic, cream ale aroms. A bit of malt, a tinge of adjunct sweetness, and some background hops. Taste is similar with no real standout flavors and mouthfeel is in the medium range. Nothing complex, just a simple good DD.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2005 17:20:54 | More by francisweizen

Golden2wenty1

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had a picher at the Silver Dollar here in Madison. Spotted Cow is pretty much an institution here in SW Wisconsin, the kinda beer that you bring out when relatives or Busch Light drinkers are around to seem cultured. I remembered it being better than what I had last night, probably because I haven't tried it since becoming a BA and enjoying so many great beers.

Pours a golden straw color with minimal to no head. In the bottle it's much more cloudy and interesting to look at. Smells surprisingly macro and adjuncty - mostly wheat and corn. Taste is disappointingly the same, lots of corn and with a hint of cooked vegetables. Really not impressed by this stuff anymore. Maybe I've just been ruined by all the delicious complex dark beers I've been enjoying of late, but the ol' Cow just doesn't do it for me anymore. It's not BAD, but not something I would pick up a sixer of on my way to a party anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2005 16:40:19 | More by Golden2wenty1

beveragecaptain

New Jersey

2.55/5  rDev -31.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer has a hazy yellow color with no head at all. The aroma is slightly malty, but not at all interesting. The flavor is sweet, with no bitterness. There is some fruityness, like lemon and pineapple. Not at all creamy. Low carbonation. If there were some bubbles, at least it would have been easier to drink. I did not like this beer very much. It's available at almost every bar in Madison. Who drinks this?

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2005 23:06:03 | More by beveragecaptain

brewQ

Missouri

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

Within its style, this is a wonderful beer.
NOTE- I had it on tap, which I think is much better than the bottle.

Color is bright and clear gold.
Poured with a 1.5 inch fluffly white head.
A sweetness and roundness of flavor that well exceeds the macro versions such as Little Kings and Genny screamers.

Really a nicely balanced brew- and I am not one to wax about basic pilsners. Clean finish and excellent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2004 21:30:02 | More by brewQ

brakspear

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A simple ale that is both an original craft beer and easy-drinking beerfor the masses. This is a great cross-over beer.

The beer pours a hazy orange-gold with decent head formation. The aroma is sweet and malty with a slight fruitness in the background, pleasant and unassuming. The taste is likewise sweet and malty, with a floral hop balance. Overall a very enjoyable ale that is also a very good session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2003 16:44:52 | More by brakspear

cfrances33

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a Three Floyds pint.

Pour: Completely clear, pale orange with two fingers of puffy, soapy white head. Decent lacing. Lots of effervescence throughout the glass.

Smell: Some bright citrus and heavy breadiness. A touch of clove and banana. Lightly floral and grassy, and some yeast.

Taste: Follows the nose with a light citrus and heavy doughiness. Lots of yeast, and some more banana and clove. Finishes doughy and refreshing with citrus.

Mouthfeel: Exceptionally drinkable, and highly carbonated. Light, and slightly watery, but good given the style.

Overall: A tasty, easy drinking beer. Good for what it is, but not exceptionally impressive in any category

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 19:12:05 | More by cfrances33

cradke

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: hazy straw yellow. thick fluffy head.

S: Floral. yeast and grain. light with honey and a distinct smell of daisys.

T: sweet grains. small hop profile. pleasant. esters and floral. clean aftertaste

M: light and pleasant. (a theme it seems) great carbonation. the taste profile spreads wonderfully over the palate.

O: a wonderfully pleasant beer. not mind blowing but great everytime.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:21:05 | More by cradke

KFBR392

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Appearance: Very slight cloudy haze. Average carbonation throughout drinking. Thin head on the pour which dissipated quickly. Pretty regular looking overall, nothing too interesting here.

Smell: On the front is some very slight nutty aroma, very light touches make you think faintly of a farmhouse ale (which is actually the style indicated on the bottle). Some wild yeast but not a lot. Not much depth at all.

Taste: Not bad here but again nothing really jumps out and distinguishes itself. The front is a slight yeast tingle which rolls into a pleasant tropical fruit, banana, and leafy greens taste in the body. Light yeast funk and sweet fruits left on the palette after drinking.

Mouthfeel: An easy drinker for sure, light airy feel on the palette throughout drinking.

Overall: The folk lore surrounding this beer far surpasses its actual enjoyability. I can certainly understand though why it is so popular, almost entirely with those unfamiliar with the craft scene. It drinks much like the big beer products but has much more flavor which any palette could take on. New Glarus makes so many other products which are by far superior to this brew, but this is the one I hear the most about. Overall, is this an average brew that is superior to any big beer products in enjoyability.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 03:00:08 | More by KFBR392