Snowshoe Red Ale - New Glarus Brewing Company

Florida9

Illinois

3.66/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Deep brownish red in color. Fairly clear. Forms a large light tan head that slowly reduces to a thick surface coating. Lots of lacing.

S: Aroma is full of caramel malts and European hops. A bit bready and a bit grassy.

T: As to be expected, the taste is rather malty. Deep caramel malts dominate, but don't overwhelm. There are some grassy, slightly spicy hops on the back end. Finishes with a cleansing dose of seltzer.

M: On the heavier side of medium in body, but carbonation is fairly heavy, which helps to "lighten" this beer. Mild bitterness. A mildly spicy quality on the back end.

O: I could be fooled into thinking this one was a Marzen, as it is a bit lighter than most red ales and is certainly hopped in the German style. Not a bad beer, but admittedly not my style of choice.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:26:17 | More by Florida9

kojevergas

California

3.59/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with branded gold pressure cap acquired from the very gracious, very kind Duff27 in a trade and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given the brewery - which makes some great beers that I really adore. This is my first time trying this one. Not paired with food. Brewed with a blend of American and German malts. Uses hops from Slovenia and the Pacific Northwest. No ABV is listed.

Served straight from the fridge - as I think beers in the style should be. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours an audibly fizzy light khaki colour head of fair cream, nice thickness, and great (~8+ minute) retention for the high ABV. Body colour is a gorgeous vibrant rich amber-copper; now that's what an amber should look like! Rich and inviting. Light lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head slowly recedes. It's looking great. No yeast particles are visible in the transparent translucent body. No bubble show. Near ideal for the style.

Sm: Caramel malt, bready notes, evocative floral hops, light candi fruit, toffee, and delightful graininess. Malts/grains are perfectly sweet here, with a delightful caramel undertone. A bit of spice, maybe clove or nutmeg. A subtle, appealing aroma. A bit light in strength - its main problem; I want more of that aroma to come through.

T: Ah. Bready caramel, caramalt, floral hops, bready grains, bright fruit, and light spice. The hops have faded a bit with age, but they still feel nicely balanced with the malty focus. I bet it'd be perfectly balanced fresh. No alcohol comes through, but I do get a bit of biscuity yeast. Crisp, clean, and pleasant to drink. A bit crackery, stopping short of graham cracker fullness. It's subtly executed, and boasts impressive complexity for a style so often simple. Never feels too sweet. I get more of the toasted fruity character as it warms, reminding me of a Belgian ale. Clove, crackerbread, and notes redolent of cherries. Tasty stuff.

Mf: Smooth, with a growing dryness as it approaches the climax and finish. Perfect coarseness, with a light scratchiness complemented by the refreshing wetness in a push-and-pull with the palate. Unfortunately, it's a bit thin - that's this beer's biggest flaw by far. It comes off weak. However, the full body yields a satisfying presence on the palate, allowing the full flavour profile to come through as much as possible. It's nice and clean. Carbonation is perfect. Constructively, it could be a bit more crisp.

Dr: A highly drinkable amber. Very enjoyable. Hides its alcohol well. Very sessionable. I'd love to try this fresh on-draught for a fuller hop flavour. Balance is key to the style, and New Glarus brings a lot to the table. I'd definitely have this again. I'd recommend it to amber lovers as well. A solid beer in the style that rises above the many pedestrian ambers out there to deliver a memorable experience. Lovely stuff.

Low B

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 04:54:33 | More by kojevergas

jimmah120

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, no date into pint glass

Look is a clear amber, slighly dark, small head with good lace. Smell is warm sugary malts, wheat, barley. Taste is wheaty, with some amber-tasting malts, some slight roasty flavor, touch of fishy hops at the end...

Second NG beer that has disappointed (cherry stout was the other). Still, not a bad beer (like cherry stout was).

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 09:44:49 | More by jimmah120

weonfire

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A- Amber ale brings...and Amber color!! 2 full fingers of white head. dissipates slowly. Very nice lacing covers glass to top. Tiny little bubbles trickle from bottom. Head never completely dissipates.

S - Carmel and roasted nuts. Malt. Froth.

T - Frothy carmel. German hops. leaves a small bite of crispness. Carbonation hits the back of the throat at the very end.

M - Frothy but feels a bit thin.

O- Its alright. German hops are prominent. Smooth brew but a slight bite at the end. I dont think i would purchase this again tho.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 23:37:58 | More by weonfire

Treebs

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle served in a Haymarket Goblet. Thanks to BeerMeFitz for the extra!

A: Pours a clear ruby color with a white head forming on the pour. It recedes slowly to a rocky collar that leaves some sticky, soapy lace.

S: Light caramel malt body with some light piney hops and some spiced Euro-style hops.

T: Light caramel malt. Some bready sweetness and some light fruity hops. A little spiced grassy hops reminiscent of German style hops as well with a sweet finish.

M: Medium to light bodied. Medium low carbonation with a sweet, malty finish.

O: I liked the addition of the European hops to this (Scandinavian after reading the label). I wished it was a little more malty, but overall it was nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:30:53 | More by Treebs

MattyG85

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tall New Glarus Signature Pilsner Glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber with some ruby red. Lots of rising bubbles and about two fingers of off white head that slowly recede into a thin creamy layer. Leaves a good amount of creamy lacing on the glass.

Smell: A bready, toasty, and fairly sweet aroma with some floral hops. Toasted malts with a good hint of caramel, toffee, biscuit, yeast, toasted bread, and a slight hint of chocolate. Subtle apple and cherry fruit undertones. A little brown sugar scent. Hops are subdued but there is a earthy and floral scent. A solid red ale aroma.

Taste: Like the nose hints, a bready malt driven red ale taste with a solid backing of hops. Sweet toasted malts with a good taste of caramel, toffee, toasted bread, biscuit, yeast, and a slight note of cocoa. Some apple and cherry like fruit notes along with a bit of brown sugar sweetness. A decent balancing presence of floral and earthy hops rounds out the finish. A solid taste for the style.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a medium to high level of carbonation. Sweet with a fairly drying finish. Creamy and very smooth.

Overall: A solid take on the style. Nicely bready and sweet but with a nice balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 07:37:17 | More by MattyG85

TheSSG

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a HUGE, off-white, frothy head with great persistence and a good amount of lacing. Soft, sweet malt with a touch of floral hops in the nose. Stunning ruby color. Starts with a surprising bitterness, then drops into a deep malt, which somehow intensifies and blends with a touch of floral hops for a truly epic finish.

Wow, this is great. It's like two malt finishes in one.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 02:58:56 | More by TheSSG

czfreeman

Michigan

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beautiful copper red color. Head is light tan, medium thick and really has a nice density. Light streams of carbonation throughout. Really a pretty brew.
Upfront I'm immediately hit with a whiff of Douglas fir, pine, ..making this a great winter ale. Toasted bread,musky oats, amber malt, hops to boot, pepper, toast and maybe a tea character in there as well..all things warming and great when its cold out like it is tonight.
Flavor is exceptional..full disclaimer I am not a fan of red ale by any stretch of the imagination. But this brew actually includes things I would(and do) like in a red ale..Spice, hoppy, bread, light caramel, spicy warming on the finish. Lots of flavors despite the low ABV.
Crisp, peppery, bready, nice balance of hops and body. Warming in a sense of the slightly spicy finish and good bready body...well done.
I think that some of the negative reviewers were expecting a super strong ale for winter, but when its super cold up here everyday for months on end ..you need something that is warming and comforting and is a daily drinker, much like the refreshing beers of summer..I think Mr. Carey achieved his goal in this brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 06:52:45 | More by czfreeman

barczar

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant amber with a dense one inch khaki head that dissipates slowly, leaving thick sheets of lacing.

Floral hops, toasted malt, and a light fruity character form the initial aroma. Bready caramel malt is more pronounced as it warms.

The fruity character is present throughout the flavor, somewhat reminiscent of artificial cherries and citrus, with toasted, bready malt forming the backbone, leading to a somewhat bitter finish. Floral hops surface in subsequent sips.

Body is moderate, with moderate carbonation and a noticeable alcohol warmth.

Overall, the fruity character dominates the aroma and flavor. Wish the malt was more bready. Becomes somewhat one note.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 04:08:00 | More by barczar

Braseltonage

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, standard pint.

Pours a brilliantly clear copper with a 1/2" pebbley off-white head. Lacing clings very well.
Malt forward aroma. Thick, crusty bread. Very small hints of toffee.
Taste is just a little underwhelming. Very clean, almost lager-like. Some toasted malt flavors, but not as complex as I would have thought. Little to no hop presence, though adequate bitterness exists in the beer.
Overall, not what I expected. Not at all a bad beer, but for a winter ale it seemed to lack a certain kick.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 02:29:52 | More by Braseltonage

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

3.35/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a Lakefront Brewery pint glass

Appearance- A tea like color with 1 finger of off white head that mostly dissipates and leaves a very tiny amount of spotty lacing.

Smell- Just the slightest tart hop and carmel smell.

Taste- Nothing to special, just a bit of a tart flavor with not much else going on.

Mouthfeel- Medium body with pretty high carbonation and a pretty crisp finish.

Overall- Probably one of the weakest NG offerings. Tastes a lot like a macro Red. On the lines of Killians.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 05:31:03 | More by BrownAleMale

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Served chilled...

A) Red/deep amber with a finger of frothy off white head. Excellent retention and some light lacing noted.

S) Light roasted malt and caramel. Mainly a malty sweetness. Faint fruity/floral aroma in the background.

T) Again the maltiness is main component of the flavor, so this follows the nose. There is adequate balance with the hops in use, as this came across to me as a little earthy and just a little grassy. Finishes nicely with an aftertaste of lightly roasted malt.

M) Medium body with spot on carbonation. This was smooth and easy drinking.

O) A very solid red ale. I could see myself enjoying this one right out of the bottle while shoveling some snow. No bells and whistles here, but it's well crafted and tasty. Glad to recommend....

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 13:36:25 | More by RoamingGnome

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

3.43/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into pint glass

A- Clear copper red with ½ finger white head that fades to a rim around the glass. Decent retention

S- Typical red ale characteristic; sweet and malty. Could not pick up a hop presence

T- Not a whole lot of distinguishing flavors. Malty, sweet, bready, and faint spicy hop finish

M- Light body and creamy. Very drinkable

O- A lot like many of the Red Ales I have had. Malty, sweet taste and spicy finish. Pretty straight forward with the style

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:51:51 | More by wiscokid920

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

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

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a copper color with a relatively stable two finger head but poor lacing. Medium body and carbonation levels. Smells and tastes of a simple yet clean-cut combination of bready / caramel malts and a light floral garnish. Although it has the typical New Glarus stream-lined cleanliness, this approach backfires somewhat in the category of an amber ale, because it creates a typical, boring, average brew with nothing in particular to distinguish it from other offerings on the market.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 23:06:32 | More by WastingFreetime

drabmuh

Maryland

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

Shared by Thorpe at Easter dinner, thanks! Beer served in a snifter.

Beer is amber / red and clear with small bubbles and a little lacing, off white / tan head, nice retention.

Aroma is weak but has all the classic hallmarks of a red ale, mild and sweet. A little malt, simple. No hops.

Beer is medium in body with a nice finish, overall this is a fine local red but there is nothing interesting or special about it at all. It is just a malty, unhoppy, sweet, medium beer with a clean finish. I'd have it again if I find myself in WI and it is on draft with nothing else to drink otherwise I think I'll just skip it.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 16:38:57 | More by drabmuh

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to BeerFMAndy for getting a box of New Glarus out to me. Served in a New Glarus taster glass.

Pours a nice reddish-amber with an off-white head. Pretty good retention but not much lace on the way down. The nose has some soft bready and amber malt with some light citrus hop notes coming through afterward. Flavor is fairly subdued, but easy-drinking, with a combination of bready malt and American hops. Medium body with good carbonation and a semi-dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 10:05:54 | More by Thorpe429

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.48/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Shared by Thorpe429. Thanks Mike.

The beer is mostly clear, appearing honey orange colored. The aroma is mild, with only hints of lightly sweetened malt and perhaps a touch of fruity biscuits. The flavor is fruity and malty. Decent. Light bodied and fairly creamy. Overall, this was ok.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 22:03:06 | More by Huhzubendah

Brent

Kentucky

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

Not quite as hoppy as the American amber ale, but certainly more substantial that an Irish red ale. Malt-forward, with some vague unsweetened chocolate in the background. Slightly citric hops in the mid-range, with some acidity movign in toward the finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 19:28:06 | More by Brent

fisherlandon

South Dakota

4.33/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Snowshoe is my favorite offering from New Glarus Brewing
I poured the beer into a nonick pint, it purs a nice amber color that is very clear and bright.
The aroma has toffee and roasted pecan quality the aroma is quite faint in this brew which is my least favorite part of this brew. the taste is reminiscent of a great german bock it has the roasty flavors that come with a decoction mash and it really is pleasing which leads into the mouthfeel which is very silky the beer is quite carbonnated and crisp on the tongue. Overall I think this beer is a proud offspring of an american amber ale and a german bock the flavors are subtle but perfectly represented

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 15:28:32 | More by fisherlandon

Mora2000

Texas

3.68/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to thirdeye11 for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours an amber color with an off-white head. The aroma is full of toffee with a little bit of dry cocoa mixed in. The flavor is similar. I get some toffee and chocolate notes, as well as some caramel and some grass from the hops. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

I liked this beer, I just didn't have too much to say. A fairly straight forward amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 00:37:32 | More by Mora2000

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought this in a 12-pack variety pack in late Spring 2011 for $13.99 from Woodman's in Janesville, WI.

Pours a medium dark amber color with a decent head. Some roasted malts and carmel malts are the most evident in the scent. There is also a certain spice to it that is hard to describe. Has a good roasted taste to it that isn't too heavy or too light. Has a nice volume and a taste with such good ingredients that it's hard to pick out individual ones. Overall the taste is kind of bready with some nut flavor hints. All 4's across the board from me but in my heart this is an all 5's kinda beer haha.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 04:28:21 | More by Lemke10

beagle75

Iowa

3.23/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Very clear medium amber color with under one finger of diminishing off-white foam head. Light lacing remains on the glass.

S: Dates, cooked apples, and lesser raisins make for a fruity smell. Malt is largely hidden or transformed and spices are not evident, either.

T: Begins barely off-dry, with assertive crystal malt character that delivers a combination of heavy grain and caramel. Acidity is strongly carbonic, causing early malt flavors to dissipate prematurely. Weak flavors of ripe stone fruit, and equally weak brown sugar, show delayed development in the middle. Earthy and herbaceous flavors, but almost no bitterness, round out the finish.

M: Thin viscosity, wet on the palate, with moderate carbonation that is particularly lively on the palate.

D/O: This malt-forward amber ale has few qualities that would identify it as a holiday beer. In fact, it shows few distinctive qualities of any kind, but remains drinkable as it warms in the glass. This beer might be what Anchor's holiday special would be like with all of the seasonal cheer taken away from it.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 03:17:03 | More by beagle75

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Purchased just over the Wisconsin state line and driven back to my home in the NE.

Pours reddish tinged amber. Touches of white foam that settle into a fine layer. Malt smell, caramel notes.

Taste opens caramel/toffee and moves into a medium hop and then closes thin. Light bitter remains. Carbonation comes through in the middle. Good brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 11:18:22 | More by KTCamm

tapman

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown with flecks of red in the light. Head is medium off white and less than a finger, and leaves a decent lacing. Bottle conditioned, but yeast strain proves highly flocullent as the brew itself is very clear.

Rich, malty aroma with a minty, earthy hop character; aroma of this brew reminds me of a california common. Stone fruit sweetness also comes through.

Super rich malty flavor, like eating a not-too-sweet German pastry. Moderate bitterness and a very pleasant fruitiness that combines surprisingly well with the german malt profile and decoction brewing process. I do think that the decoction mashing adds greatly to the very rich maltiness. Like eating a peach cobbler made without sugar.

Rich, smooth and full bodied, though not sticky or syrupy. Bitterness gives a slight bite in the end, but nothing cloying.

Another winner from, in my opinion, one of (if not the best) brewery that there is.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2011 04:14:34 | More by tapman

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle.

It pours a nice deep amber color with a foamy off-white head. There is a bit of lacing left behind.

It smells like fruity caramel, pretty much straight up.

The flavor is sweet and caramally with a hint of raisins and some breadcrust. The hops provide a mild citrus pine note.

It is a really basic beer, but not in the most pleasant way.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 19:15:39 | More by crossovert