Laughing Fox - New Glarus Brewing Company

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle.

IT pours an interesting color for a kristalweizen, it is not a traditional one because I haven't seen any Kristalweizen that has looked like this. It is nice and clear though.

Smells like a kristal weizen, thought the banana is perhaps a bit overly intense.

The flavor is very kristalweizen-y. It has a slight bit of lemon to go with the banana and clove.

Not super duper true to style, but for the style it isn't bad.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 01:58:30 | More by crossovert

homebrew311

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: pours a amber/brownish red color with good clarity, dense pillowy white head, a thin layer sticks around decent lacing

S: nose is full of fruity notes of banana and orange, lots of spicy notes of cloves, cinnamon, and coriander, hints of wheat malt mixed in as well, very fragrant, some creamy notes of vanilla as well

T: taste starts with creamy banana, very fruity, before becoming sweet..malts and spice come through, finish is malty with touches of clove and a dash of tartness on the finish

MF: creamy, smooth. mellow carbonation

O: this is a well balanced and flavorful weizen beer. This is my first Kristalweizen so I don't really have a point of reference. I imagine its not much different from a hefe or dunkelweizen, just somewhere in between with the color

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 05:04:11 | More by homebrew311

jera1350

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Copper in color with lots of active carbonation that produces a massive cap of thick foam.

Lots going on in the smell. Lots of clove and banana with spice notes behind. Very inviting.

Not as big on the flavor as the nose suggested, but still more than satisfying. Kind of a light bready/biscuity taste with subtle nuances of the clove and banana. Hints of spice and hops in there as well. Very flavorful for such a low alcohol beer.

The feel just has too much carbonation going on in it, otherwise it would be fine. Has a light to medium feel, which makes it feel much bigger than what you would expect from a lower abv beer.

A very drinkable beer with lots of flavor. I could see myself drinking several of these easily and doing so nearly year round except for the bitter cold winter months. Another solid beer by NG.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 00:09:42 | More by jera1350

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Clear golden reddish color with a creamy white head.

S - Wheat, clove, light breadiness and some fruits.

T - Light bready malt, wheat, clove, banana. Has hints of an amber lager mixed with a wheat beer.

M - Light body with lively carbonation.

D - A solid beer that would make a nice summer thirst quencher.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 01:06:10 | More by brewcrew76

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Another great bottle sent down from BeerFMAndy. Thanks!

Poured into a tall weizen glass. This beer pours with a massive amount of foam, which dissipates to leave a thick beige head capping off a clear dark amber beer. This is darker than I had anticipated, but it's a good color to go with the 'Fox' moniker. Sweet aromas stand out. Banana, clove, sugar cookies. Mellow feel. Carbonation is low-to-moderate. Sweet banana bread, mild caramel, clove, bready finish. This was an easy drinker. Sweet beer that was refreshing and uplifting. Not a go-to for me, but a pleasant beer anyways.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 14:11:50 | More by Onenote81

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Poured into a Duvel glass a clear, dark copper color with a very large 3 finger foamy, frothy white head. Very fruit, belgian yeast aroma in the nose with bubblegum, banana, pear, and clove. Medium mouthfeel with lively carbonation. Sweet fruity upfront flavors with a more than expected bitterness popping in. Caramel notes as well. End dryly with a linger bubblegum and bitter aftertaste. Laces the glass.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 23:02:41 | More by kbutler1

birchstick

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a light caramel brow color with a huge billowing head that settles down nicely to for about a 1/4" head that remains throughout

S - the nose is cinnamon, loads of bubblegum, and some spicy nutmeg

T - the taste is very similar to the nose. Sweet bubblegum flavors all over the place with a touch of toasted and caramel malts through the middle. On the back end the cinnamon and some spicy clove come into the mix. Spicy bubblegum is on the finish with ever so soft hops.

M - nice and creamy with a full body taboot

D - solid wheat beer. Packed with lots of flavor in all of the right places with a nice look and aroma as well. Too bad I only have one bottle of this as I would love to drink some more of this.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 02:51:02 | More by birchstick

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle tried 20 Nov 2011. Courtesy of R&S, thank you! Served in the Saint Arnold wheat glass.

Huge tan head fills most of the glass. Medium carbonation. Clear golden brown in color. Aroma is quite bready and sweet, faint herbal-orange quality. Starts with a lot of wheat, light clove and banana. Becomes slightly tart in the middle. Medium body, light ethanol. Finish is wheaty with a mild astringency.

Might need another sample of this one. Seems out of character for NG.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 04:55:52 | More by htomsirveaux

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: amber/tan body, finger head, little lacing

S: wheat, spices, faint ripe fruit (dates/figs), banana

T: sweet wheat, spices, banana dry finish

M: light/med body, big carbonation,
prickly tongue, crisp, dry mouth

O: Never had this style before, but
I really like it. Nothing to compare
it to, but would get it again and recommend
this to others.

VERY REFRESHING, PICK THIS UP!

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 17:28:42 | More by BeerLover99

younger35

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The little lady picked this up in Bumfuct Wisconsin. I haven’t heard of this little guy so I’m excited to try it! New Glarus is by far my favorite brewery. Drank from my Surlyfest pint glass.

Appearance- Pours a fairly dark reddish orange with a decently small bright white head. The beer maintains a nice head the entire time along with zero lacing.
Smell- Definitely sort of a hybrid Hef like nose with a decent amount of banana and clove right from the get go. The beer smells quite a bit sweeter than a normal Hef as the crystal adds a very different sort of smell with that yeast. Maybe a touch of toast but for the most part it’s just doughy and wheaty.
Taste- Nothing like the smell. The beer is actually sort of dry and not all that flavorful. Some bread crust toastiness to start followed by a light (I stress light) dose of spice. Just a hint of clove and a hint of banana. There’s a twang of something lighty sour and a touch of bubblegum in the finish.
Mouthfeel- Sort of thin but nothing terrible with a light zesty carbonation.
Drinkability- Not bad but the smell is much better than the taste. I feel like it’s sort of boring. Almost like it’s washed out – one flavor needs to shine a bit more than the other but neither does. Glad I tried but not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 01:47:32 | More by younger35

gatornation

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from a 12 oz bottle

A- pours a clear light amber with a 2 finger off-white head

S- was fruit like apples and bananas with clove and yeast nice malt and bread smells

T- very nice clove and bananas up front with a wheat and bread middle some spices
with such a smooth hefe like texture very good
M- delightful and creamy with hefe characteristics, very smooth with fruit and bread

O- like a hefe this is delicious very session able, a great brew from NG

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 23:35:11 | More by gatornation

Urbancaver

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear yellowish orange. A bit of light head. Smells wheaty and yeasty. Smells very sweet. Tastes sweet and yeasty. Love the taste and aroma! Clean and very enjoyable. Good mouthfeel. Overall quite enjoyable. Thanks LeAnn for bringing this one!

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 15:14:29 | More by Urbancaver

Duff27

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Into a weizen glass, huge four-inch, light tan head on a clear, darker amber/ruby red body. A dozen or so carbonation streams float upward. Excellent head retention and above average clumpy lacing.

S- Fresh banana notes.

T- Subtle banana/clove characteristic at the tail end of each taste. Hint of lemon zest in the mix as well. Very easy drinking as 4.5%abv fits the taste perfectly.

M- Well carbonated...tiny bubbles on the tongue here. Medium mouthfeel.

D/O- Highly drinkable beer but not enough flavor to drop everything and seek-out. Refreshing and quite-enjoyed a lot. Not well-versed on this style so take these ratings with a grain of salt.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 02:39:47 | More by Duff27

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours out translucent and definitely tilted towards the reddish end of the amber spectrum in color (the bottle label describes the beer as the color of a red fox's coat) with a two finger head in my weizen glass that stays solid for a good fifteen minutes worth of sipping.

I keep getting a very distinct aroma of fresh cut green apple slices hovering under the heavy blanket of clove/cinnamon spiced weizen wheat-bready goodness. Also noted, this one is not nearly as heavy on the banana notes in the nose as New Glarus's other weizens typically are. Taste is solidly wheatey and medium-low in yeastiness but really, that is plenty enough to compliment the delicate dry mead and apple tones I keep picking up here and there. In some beers, I understand apple flavors and scents are considered to be an off-flavor, but it fits so well in this brew that I cannot imagine it wasn't done on purpose. Finish is not particularly long per se, but it is enjoyably dry while it lasts. Light in body, really easy to session at 4.5% ABV, but one should take the time to appreciate the tiny subtleties held within.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 06:08:16 | More by WastingFreetime

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear amber with a massive off-white head.

Huge bubblegum aroma. A little bit of banana, spice and clove, but I've never smelled a beer quite like this.

Taste follows the aroma. Loads of bubblegum flavor. Just a touch of clove which is my personal preference. Just a little bit of caramel sweetness.

Fairly light mouthfeel with good carbonation.

I love a good take on a more traditional style and New Glarus usually pulls it off better than anyone and this is no exception. Very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 00:11:50 | More by jmarsh123

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

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

Appearance: Pours a deep copper amber orange with a lot of rising bubbles. Big four finger off white head which slowly recedes into a thin creamy layer. Leaves a lot of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A very yeasty, spicy, and fruity aroma. Wheat grains and bready malts with a mix of spices including clove, cinnamon, and a little coriander. Bready hints of hay, grains, biscuit, and crackers. Nice mix of fruity esters with some bananas, lemon, apple, orange, and some bubblegum. Subtle hints of earthy hops in the background. A pretty good mix of wheat, spices, and fruit.

Taste: Like the smell hints, a solid mix of wheat, spices, and fruity esters. Bready wheat and malts with tasting notes of cereal grains, biscuit, hay, crackers, and yeast. Nice mix of spices with some clove, cinnamon, and a tad of coriander like spice. Complex mix of fruit undertones with some notes of bananas, apple, lemon, orange, and bubblegum. Mild earthy hop presence that provides a little bitterness towards the finish. A solid mix of flavors. Well balanced.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Nicely creamy, spicy, smooth, and fairly drying.

Overall: A very solid take on the style. A good mix of wheat, spice, and fruity esters.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 09:28:03 | More by MattyG85

beagle75

Iowa

3.55/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

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

A: Clear, light amber color with over one finger of parchment-tinted foam head. Heavy lacing remains on the glass.

S: Similar to a spiced baked good, it is very bready and smells of cloves, nutmeg, and a trace quantity of cinnamon.

T: Begins barely off-dry, with early soft malt which seems dulled by the presence of wheat. Acidity is minimized into the middle, where esters become fairly aggressive with mixed fruit and bubblegum while also revealing a delayed citric acid peak. Complexity, though never noteworthy, is most developed in the finish where malt shows a hint of brown roast and fruit turns toward banana.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, wet and creamy on the palate, with low carbonation.

D/O: This amber-weizen beer smells convincing enough, yet never really is able to build much momentum in its flavor profile. Certain features stand out, such as the slight savory roast at the end, but no part really wows. It could be a really worthy beer for cooking, and its sessionable nature means that it is easy on the palate, if not particularly compelling.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 17:32:44 | More by beagle75

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - clear copper with a nice large amount of fluffy white head, tons of lacing

S - sweet caramel, fruity hops, flowers

T - initial bitterness/sour fruits which only lasts about a second before it's taken over by sweet malt. lightly hopped.

M - a very pleasant on the palate beer, nice and crisp with a zesty feeling left behind

O - a really nice surprise of a beer.. never really had anything like it before so i'm very partial to it. great flavors, great looking/smelling. no complaints in any department.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 22:12:32 | More by facundoCNB

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Clear light reddish orange body. The head is pale tan and foamy with nice stamina at around an inch tall.

S - Banana and subtle spice.

T - Banana and mildly roasted malts. This is a beverage that has sessionable written all over as far as the taste goes.

M - Soft and smooth throughout this beer goes down well.

~ As I mentioned above, this is a beer that I would certainly sit down and session. I recommend any beer fans give this a sampling.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 00:24:21 | More by cdkrenz

schoolboy

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

OK, I'm not sure what a Kristalweizen is supposed to be. I suppose a filtered wheat maybe? Kristal would be clear. This fits.

We are in Wisconsin, criss crossing the southern tier of the state, and trying lots of beer. Unfortunately, there isn't going to be enough time to try as much as I would like. I think I am getting acclimated to the beer here. I liked this immediately. It's clean and crunchy with a great yeasty taste, loads of hops without going overboard, and a great wheat taste. It's a little dark. Very nice.

I'm impressed.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:34:33 | More by schoolboy

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

poured into a sam adams pint glass.

Appearance: A light orangish amber bodied beer with a massive white head. Heavy sticky lacing. At least 3 fingers head after a gentle pour.

Smell: As soon as you pop the cap off this beer the smell of sweet bananas are everywhere. When you put your nose in the beer you get a decent amount of clove and yeast and wheat notes. Smells good.

Taste: Clove is the first thing you taste followed by some wheat and spicy yeast notes. A touch of cinnamon. Although the banana have a decent presence in the nose they are quite faint in the taste of this beer and only appear for a short time in the beers finish. Has a clean and fresh taste to the beer.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Crisp, clean, refreshing beer.

Overall: New had a Kristalweizen beer, but I trust that new glarus did this beer style the right way. Enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 01:44:08 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Winter

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, dark copper in color with a thick light khaki-colored head, that eventually settles down. The aroma consists of bananas, with light chocolate or cocoa, clove, and spicy yeast. The mouthfeel is full-bodied. It has a softness to it with a tingling carbonation. Although, if you push the beer around your mouth, it still maintains a light airiness to it.

Flavors of wheat malt, banana & some slight chocolate, followed by a dusting of cinnamon. The satisfying flavor of the wheat malt really emerges in the middle. Cloves linger in the finish.

When I think of Fall, wheat beers like kristalweizens don’t tend to come to mind, but the combination of 50% Wisconsin red wheat seems to work here and gives this beer a little heartier feel in both taste, and certainly appearance to match the cooler weather. Impressive Autumn release!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 22:38:03 | More by Winter

samie85

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear copper color with two fingers of thick white head.

Smells of big clove notes with some banana and cracked wheat.

Big clove with some wheat and slight drying, clean bitterness on the finish.

Mouth is light bodied with ample carbonation and a drying finish.

I really do understand why people like wheat beers, but they're just not my cup of tea especially the German style examples that feature the estery yeast notes.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 02:13:34 | More by samie85

brew3crew

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- amber transparent body with a white whispy head

S- almost like banna bread with a little but of cloves

T- follows the nose. Great subtle bannana taste. Very drinkable and makes my mouth water

M-medium body and smooth

O-nice beer that I didn't expect to like. Would have again

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 00:37:53 | More by brew3crew

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The aroma of this brew is appetizing with notes of clove and banana bread. Some fresh fruity notes are deposited on the palate as the lively copper-hued brew moves through the mouth. The flavors are nice and fresh with orchard fruit and spice. It's earthy and refreshing at the same time. Another nice beer from the folks at New Glarus.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 00:15:26 | More by BeardedBoffin