Jason Wagner
If you're looking for a beer that you can only buy in Wisconsin, look no further than Spotted Cow. This iconic, traditional farmhouse ale is crafted by the New Glarus Brewing Company and has developed a cult following since its launch in 1997. It's so popular, in fact, that it's been dubbed the Best Drink in Wisconsin and has even inspired smuggling across state lines. While you won't find Spotted Cow outside of Wisconsin, it's perfectly legal to take it out of state for personal consumption—just don't try to sell it!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Beer | Spotted Cow |
| Brewery | New Glarus Brewing Company |
| Beer Style | Farmhouse Ale, Cask-Conditioned Ale, Cream Ale |
| Ingredients | Yeast, Hops, Water, Malted Barley, Corn |
| Alcohol Content | 4.8% or 5.1% ABV |
| Taste | Sweet with hints of peach, apricot, strawberry, and breadiness |
| Appearance | Cloudy, Hazy |
| Packaging | Kegs, Bottles, Cans, Cases |
| Availability | Only in Wisconsin, not distributed out of state |
| Awards | Best Drink in Wisconsin in 2009 by Bon Appetit, Top 100 Beers of All Time by Cold Cans |
Spotted Cow
The beer is brewed by the New Glarus Brewing Company, which was founded in 1993 by Deborah Carey as a gift for her husband, Daniel. The company is based in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and is the 15th largest craft brewer in the United States by sales volume. Spotted Cow is the company's best-selling beer, accounting for about 40% of all the beer New Glarus makes in a year. It has been the best-selling draft beer in the state for several years and is considered one of the most well-known beers in Wisconsin.
The New Glarus Brewing Company brews about 45,000 barrels of Spotted Cow a year. The beer has an ABV of 4.8% and is one of the company's unfiltered brews, meaning the brewer's yeast is still in it. Spotted Cow has won a variety of awards over the years, including Best Drink in Wisconsin in 2009 by Bon Appetit magazine.
The New Glarus Brewing Company's philosophy is based on individuality, cooperation, and the use of 100% natural ingredients to produce handcrafted beers for their friends in Wisconsin. The company's hilltop brewery has become a destination for tourists, attracting visitors from all over the world.
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Moon Man
The company brews a variety of beers, with its Spotted Cow label leading in sales. Spotted Cow is a cask-conditioned farmhouse ale and is the company's best-selling brand. Other popular brews by the New Glarus Brewing Company include Two Women and Totally Naked.
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Two Women
The Two Women beer is a classic country lager brewed with Weyermann's floor-malted Bohemian malt and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops. It is the result of a unique collaboration between two craft companies led by women, New Glarus Brewing and Weyermann Malting. The beer celebrates the historical role of women in brewing, a tradition that dates back to ancient Sumerian and Norse societies, where women were often the brewers.
The Two Women beer is part of New Glarus Brewing's year-round lineup, which includes other popular brews like Spotted Cow, Moon Man, and Totally Naked. New Glarus Brewing is an independent craft brewery founded in 1993 by Deborah Carey as a gift for her husband, Daniel, an experienced master brewer. The company is based in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and its products are only available within the state.
The decision to limit distribution to Wisconsin was made in 2003 due to insufficient capacity to meet demand in both Wisconsin and Illinois. The Careys chose to focus on their local market, ensuring that Wisconsinites had plenty of their beloved beers in stock. This exclusivity has created a cult following for New Glarus beers, with some going to great lengths to get their hands on them outside of the state.
The Two Women beer is sold in 12-pack cans, 6-pack bottles, and 24-pack bottles. It is described as a graceful and tempting classic lager, reflecting the rich history of women in the brewing world.
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Wisconsin Belgian Red
The beer is part of the New Glarus Brewing Company's year-round lineup and is available in 4-packs and 24-pack cases of bottles. The company is an independently owned craft brewery located in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and was founded in 1993 by Deborah Carey as a gift for her husband, Daniel. The Wisconsin Belgian Red has won awards in beer competitions around the world and has ranked highly among critical beer drinkers.
The New Glarus Brewing Company brews a variety of beers, with its Spotted Cow label leading in sales. The company employs about 90 people and is the 15th largest craft brewer and 25th largest overall brewing company in the United States by sales volume. In addition to Wisconsin Belgian Red, the company offers other popular brews such as Moon Man, Two Women, and Totally Naked.
The New Glarus Brewing Company made the decision to pull out of Illinois sales in 2003 due to insufficient capacity to fill both the Wisconsin and Illinois markets. As a result, their beers, including Wisconsin Belgian Red, can now only be purchased in Wisconsin.
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New Glarus Brewing Company
The New Glarus Brewing Company began in an abandoned warehouse with used brewpub equipment. In 1997, the company acquired copper kettles from a brewery in Germany and brewed its first beer in October of that year. The New Glarus Brewing Company's best-selling brand is Spotted Cow, a cask-conditioned farmhouse ale. The name Spotted Cow was inspired by a trip to England, where Deb Carey was reminded of Holstein cows and thought it would be funny to name a beer after the animal. Spotted Cow has become a beer lover's staple and a best seller, accounting for about 40% of all the beer the brewery makes each year, which is about 45,000 barrels.
In addition to Spotted Cow, New Glarus Brewing Company offers a variety of other beers, including Moon Man, a "no coast" pale ale; Two Women, a classic country lager brewed in collaboration with Weyermann Malting; and Totally Naked, a Wisconsin farmhouse ale. The company brews five beers that are available year-round, seven seasonal varieties, and limited-release "Thumbprint" and "R&D Series" beers.
The New Glarus Brewing Company has received numerous awards for its beers, including being named one of the Top 50 US craft breweries by the Brewers Association in 2018. Spotted Cow has also won several awards, including Best Drink in Wisconsin in 2009 by Bon Appetit magazine. The company's beers have a dedicated following, with some going to great lengths to get their hands on them outside of Wisconsin.
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Frequently asked questions
Beers from the New Glarus Brewing Company, including Spotted Cow, Moon Man, Two Women, and Totally Naked, are only available in Wisconsin.
Spotted Cow was previously sold in Illinois, but the small brewery struggled to keep up with the demand in both states. The company decided to pull out of Illinois sales to ensure that locals in Wisconsin had enough supply.
Yes, it is legal to take Spotted Cow beer out of Wisconsin for personal consumption or to share with friends and family. However, it is not legal to sell it outside of the state.
Spotted Cow is a cask-conditioned, unfiltered farmhouse ale. It has a 4.8%-5.1% ABV and is known for its sweet taste with hints of peach, apricot, and strawberry, balanced by a crisp, tart finish.
