For anyone who loves a good brew, there's a special spot on the edge of New Glarus, Wisconsin, that feels a bit like coming home. This isn't just any place; it's where the New Glarus Brewing Company makes its magic, a local favorite that has, you know, really made a name for itself, even though its delightful drinks are only found in one state.
The whole operation, you see, is run by a rather passionate pair, Daniel and Deb Carey. They've somehow managed to blend smart business sense with a true gift for making beer, creating something pretty special. Their story, how they started, and what they've built is, in a way, quite inspiring for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted drink.
This brewery has a big reputation, really, and it's quite something when you consider it's independently owned and keeps its delicious creations just for Wisconsin folks. We're going to take a closer look at what makes this place and its New Glarus beer offerings so talked about, from their unique beginnings to the popular sips they craft.
Table of Contents
- The Folks Behind New Glarus Beer- Dan and Deb Carey's Story
- How Did New Glarus Beer Get Started?
- What Makes New Glarus Beer So Special?
- Can You Find New Glarus Beer Everywhere?
- Exploring the New Glarus Beer Lineup
- What are Some Popular New Glarus Beer Varieties?
- Is New Glarus Beer Really Worth the Hype?
- Getting Your Hands on New Glarus Beer Merchandise
- Where Can You Find New Glarus Beer?
The Folks Behind New Glarus Beer- Dan and Deb Carey's Story
The heart of New Glarus Brewing Company, so, really beats with the dedication of its founders, Dan and Deb Carey. This husband and wife team brought their very different yet complementary talents together to create something truly special. Deb, with her sharp mind for getting the word out and understanding what people want, handled the business side of things. Dan, on the other hand, brought a remarkable skill for making beer, a real artistry in crafting flavors. Their combined efforts, you know, quickly pushed the brewery past its first small production limits.
They took what was once an old, unused building and turned it into the Riverside Brewery, which was the first home for New Glarus beer. This original spot still plays a very important part in how they do things today. It’s pretty clear that their vision and hard work, more or less, set the stage for everything that followed. They didn't just start a company; they built a place that feels like a true Wisconsin gem, deeply connected to its roots and community. It’s a story, in a way, of passion meeting good planning, which seems to be a recipe for success.
Name | Role |
Dan Carey | Co-Founder, Brewing Craftsmanship |
Deb Carey | Co-Founder, Business Management & Marketing Acumen |
How Did New Glarus Beer Get Started?
The story of New Glarus beer begins back in 1993, when Dan and Deb decided to make their brewing dreams a reality. They picked a spot, as I was saying, right there in New Glarus, Wisconsin. What they did was take an old warehouse that wasn't being used for anything and, through a lot of effort, transformed it into what became known as the Riverside Brewery. This was the very first place where New Glarus Brewing Company began making its popular drinks. It’s pretty cool to think about how they saw potential in an empty space and brought it to life with their vision for making good beer.
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From those early days, the company grew quite a bit, more or less because of Dan's skill in making the beer taste just right and Deb's knack for getting people excited about it. They managed to grow their production quite quickly, showing that there was a real desire for what they were creating. The Riverside Brewery, that initial spot, still holds a special place in their operations and, actually, keeps helping them make the New Glarus beer that so many people enjoy. It's a testament, you know, to starting small and building something significant over time, all while keeping that original spirit alive.
What Makes New Glarus Beer So Special?
What really sets New Glarus beer apart, you know, is its fiercely independent spirit. This isn't some huge corporation; it's a craft brewery that remains privately owned. That means they can really focus on making the kind of beer they believe in, without outside pressures. And here's the kicker: their products are only available in Wisconsin. This isn't a marketing gimmick; it's just how they do things, which, in a way, makes their beer feel even more like a local treasure for those who live there or visit.
Despite this limited distribution, New Glarus Brewing Company has built quite a name for itself. It’s considered, apparently, one of the biggest craft brewers in the United States, and even ranks high among all brewing companies when you look at how much beer they sell. That's pretty impressive for a company that only sells its New Glarus beer within one state's borders. Their reputation for quality and unique flavors, as a matter of fact, seems to travel far beyond Wisconsin, making it a sought-after item for beer lovers who find themselves in the Badger State.
Can You Find New Glarus Beer Everywhere?
So, can you just pick up New Glarus beer anywhere? The answer, actually, is a pretty firm "no," unless you happen to be in Wisconsin. This is a very key part of their identity. The company has made a conscious choice to keep its products exclusively within the state's boundaries. This means if you're outside Wisconsin, you won't find their beers on store shelves or on tap at your local watering hole. It's a unique approach, to be honest, that really emphasizes their connection to their home state.
This limited availability, in a way, adds to the appeal of New Glarus beer. It makes it something of a special treat for those who can get it, and a reason for people to visit Wisconsin if they're eager to try a particular brew, like the popular Spotted Cow or the much-loved Belgian Red. It creates a sort of local pride, too, knowing that this highly regarded beer is, like, truly a product of Wisconsin and for Wisconsin. So, while it might be a bit of a bummer for folks living elsewhere, it's a big part of what makes New Glarus beer, you know, uniquely New Glarus.
Exploring the New Glarus Beer Lineup
New Glarus Brewing Company makes a variety of beers, each with its own character and fan base. They've got a range of styles, from lighter, crisp options to richer, more complex ones, so there's usually something for different tastes. When you look at what people say about their New Glarus beer offerings, it's pretty clear they're doing something right, as many of their brews get high marks and lots of positive comments from those who try them. It’s not just about making beer; it’s about making beer that people genuinely enjoy and talk about.
Their selection, you know, includes some well-known names that have become staples for many beer enthusiasts. They focus on quality across the board, which seems to be why so many of their products get such good feedback. Whether you prefer something light and easy to drink or a beer with deeper, more intricate flavors, the New Glarus beer collection, as a matter of fact, has something that might just catch your eye. It’s a good example of how a brewery can create a diverse range of products while keeping a consistent level of excellence.
What are Some Popular New Glarus Beer Varieties?
Among the many delightful New Glarus beer options, a few really stand out and get a lot of attention. For instance, their Pilsner, which is a German-style pilsner, has received very good ratings from those who have tried it. It's known for being a reliable and well-made example of that particular beer type. Then there's their IPA, an American-style IPA, which also gets solid marks. These are, you know, pretty standard styles, but New Glarus seems to put their own touch on them.
Where things get really interesting, though, are with some of their more unique creations. The Wisconsin Belgian Red, for example, is a fruit and field beer style that has gathered an incredibly high number of positive reviews and a truly impressive rating. People really seem to love this one, which, you know, suggests it offers a very distinct and enjoyable experience. Similarly, Serendipity, another fruit and field beer, also boasts a remarkably high rating and a large number of positive comments. These two, in particular, seem to be big crowd-pleasers, showcasing the brewery's ability to create memorable and beloved New Glarus beer varieties with, perhaps, a bit of a fruity twist.
And then there's New Glarus Abt, which is a stronger beer with a 9.8% alcohol content. This one is described with some really rich details, almost like a story. It's said that Flemish monks made the first Abt, naming it after their monastery leader. This particular New Glarus beer is described as having a luscious, tempting quality. It gets its deep character from Belgian dark candi sugar, which helps bring out flavors that remind you of rum, raisins, dark chocolate, and even sherry-like fruit. These tastes, you know, all seem to come together happily in a very full-bodied drink. It's the kind of beer that some people might want to save for a special occasion, or, if you're feeling bold, enjoy right away. It sounds like a truly complex and rewarding sip, actually, quite unlike some of the others.
Is New Glarus Beer Really Worth the Hype?
It's pretty common for popular things to face questions about whether they're, you know, truly as good as people say, or if it's just a lot of talk. New Glarus beer is no different, and some folks wonder if it's really that amazing or if it's just, well, overhyped. When you look at the reviews for beers like Wisconsin Belgian Red and Serendipity, with their incredibly high ratings and thousands of positive comments, it's hard to argue against their quality. These numbers, you know, really speak volumes about how much people enjoy them.
However, the idea of "overhyped" can sometimes come from the limited availability. Because New Glarus beer is only sold in Wisconsin, it creates a certain mystique and desire for those outside the state. This can, in a way, build up expectations to a very high level. When someone finally gets to try it, their experience might be influenced by all the anticipation. But for many, the quality and unique flavors, particularly of their fruit and field beers, seem to live up to the buzz. It seems to be a case where the beer, for a lot of people, genuinely delivers on its promise of being a truly enjoyable Wisconsin brew.
Getting Your Hands on New Glarus Beer Merchandise
For the truly devoted fans of New Glarus beer, there's more than just the drinks themselves. The brewery also has an online store where you can find all sorts of merchandise. It's a way for people to show their love for the brand, whether they're in Wisconsin or, you know, somewhere else in the country. You can browse through a variety of items, which is pretty neat if you're looking for a gift for a beer lover or just want something for yourself.
It's worth noting, though, that while you can get merchandise shipped, there are some practical limits. They can't deliver to P.O. boxes, for instance. And a very important point to remember is that they do not ship beer through the online store. So, if you're hoping to order some Spotted Cow or Belgian Red to your doorstep, that's not an option. The online store is, basically, for all the other cool stuff that helps you celebrate your appreciation for New Glarus beer, like shirts or glasses, but the actual liquid gold still requires a trip to Wisconsin.
Where Can You Find New Glarus Beer?
Finding New Glarus beer, as we've talked about, means being in Wisconsin. But once you're there, where exactly do you look? The good news is that this beloved Wisconsin brew is available in a variety of places, making it relatively easy to pick up a bottle or a six-pack. You can often find it at local retailers, like your typical grocery stores such as Pick 'n Save. These are usually pretty good spots to start your search, as they tend to carry the popular varieties like Spotted Cow and Belgian Red.
Beyond the regular grocery stores, you might also find New Glarus beer at specialty shops. Places like Total Wine & More, for example, often have a wider selection of beers, including different varieties of New Glarus. These stores can be a great resource if you're looking for something specific, like a New Glarus lager, or just want to explore more of their offerings. You can also look for bars and restaurants that serve New Glarus beer, which is a nice way to enjoy it fresh on tap while you're out and about. So, while it's limited to one state, there are, you know, quite a few places within Wisconsin where you can get your hands on this popular brew.
This article explored the New Glarus Brewing Company, highlighting its location in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and its establishment in 1993 by Dan and Deb Carey. It discussed their unique approach as an independently owned craft brewery whose products are exclusively available in Wisconsin, making it the 15th largest craft brewer by sales volume nationally. We looked at the transformation of an abandoned warehouse into the original Riverside Brewery and the complementary skills of the founders. The article also covered popular New Glarus beer varieties like Pilsner, IPA, Wisconsin Belgian Red, Serendipity, and Abt, noting their high ratings. It touched on the discussion of whether New Glarus beer is overrated and provided information on purchasing merchandise from their online store and finding their beers at various locations within Wisconsin.
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