New Glarus Brewing Co.
New Glarus, WI
Available: WI
This beer is the result of brewmaster Dan Carey’s quest to capture the aromas of pale ales in a quaffable session beer. He spent over six months perfecting the hop blend alone, which finally utilized five varieties of hops, three of which are not commonly used in American-style ales. The beer is named after a “seriously cool cat,” who lives with brewery’s head brewer.
ABV: 5.7
ABW: 4.5
Color: 7
Bitterness: 35
Original gravity: 1050
A straw-colored beer with a massive citrus fruit nose of peaches, tangerines and mangoes allied to cracker-wheat maltiness and spicy hop resins. Bitter hops—there are five varieties used—burst across the tongue, balanced by creamy malt and a tangy fruit character. Rich, bittersweet fruit, creamy malt and spicy hops dominate the long, smooth, quenching finish. A beautifully crafted and impressive beer.
As the beer pours bright gold, I’m surprised—it looks just like a pilsner. I smell the beer and break into a smile. A very pleasant fresh hop aroma, full of sweet oranges, bubblegum and cut grass, wafts gently from the glass. The bitterness is crisp and light, the malt flavor is sweet and clean, the palate is dry without being thin. A final tickle from the hops and it’s gone, leaving behind a clean minerality. If you want to know what style and class taste like, here it is. This is a balanced, beautiful beer, and I’d be happy to drink it all evening. Food is optional.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
