After the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub we drove about 20 minutes to the New Glarus Brewing Co. In my opinion this is the best brewery in Wisconsin (and it seems the only one open for tours on the sabbath). While once you could buy New Glarus in Illinois (and I imagine the surrounding states) they have reverted back to their original decision to only sell in Wisconsin. Therefore, we stocked up.
We walked in to the store front and immediately partook in a tasting. $3.50 for about 7 oz. of three different beers and a nice glass to take home. Quite a deal. We then took the self-guided tour which is free and includes a headset with a recorded tour guide. You can wander around fairly freely. I regret that we had to go on a Sunday when people weren't actually working the brewery/bottlery, but it was still neat.
The first room has two large onion shaped stuctures. In one I believe the wort is made and in the other it ferments. (I like this picture because you can see Molly and I in the reflection.)
The grains are pumped outside to be recycled after they are they are used in the wort (correct me if I am messing this up anyone). The grains can then be used as livestock feed.
We then walked past the chemistry and microbiology labs and into a room with these two huge, gorgeous barrels, which I presume are for frementing (perhaps their lambics?). I didn't get the best picture because of the ceiling lights and the window between me and the room, but I thought they were very impressive.
Finally we walked through the areas where kegging and bottling occur. This portion took up more space then the rest of the brewery combined. Quite an operation. After our tour it was nearing closing time, but we decided we should go for another tasting round, which we did. We asked how many people have two tastings and the nice, but slightly unamused young woman replied, "It hasn't happened before." At that we purchased lots of beer and a few gift shop items and took our delinquent selves home. (Go to their website to learn more about their various beers).
Here is the birthday boy. I think we all had a really great time exploring Wisconsin. I also think John was happy to find himself stuffed with beer and mustard rather than abandoned in a rural Wisconsin field, as was his first guess concerning our surprise destinations.
Yes, I was definitely pleased to be full of beer and cheese and mustard and not left for dead somewhere.
The barrels are used for their lambics (you didn't listen to every minute of the audio tour, did you?). I believe that the two copper vessels were used for mashing and boiling, and that the fermenters were down below where we could not see them.
Amazingly enough, we were told that we were the first group ever to request multiple tastings. I thought people in Wisconsin loved beer. Lizzy, if you read this site, please explain.
If any of you find yourselves in Wisconsin, you should definitely pick up some New Glarus. It is among the best breweries in the US. The Spotted Cow, which seems to be their main beer, is not my favorite at all. Their lambics and their Sour Brown Ale are among my all time favorite beers.
Posted by: John | April 28, 2005 at 12:09
How fun to read about your trip to New Glarus. I've been dying to go there ever since I tried their raspberry beer a couple of years ago.
Posted by: splatgirl | April 29, 2005 at 11:24
It was a sad day when I had my last New Glarus Belgian Red from a tap (The Map Room) in Chicago.
I've got a bottle saved for emergencies, and I'm hoping it ages well.
Posted by: paul | May 04, 2005 at 09:30
John, I am glad you had fun. I definitely did.
Splatgirl, I agree, their raspberry lambic is superb and one of my favorites. Have you had their cranberry lambic? It is also great. I just saw your site. Your knitting is fabulous! I have tried my had at it but never got past making boring scarves.
Paul, the Map Room is one of my favorite places in Chicago! I may have bumped shoulders with you there. I don't know for sure, but I bet the Belgian ages well.
Posted by: gemma | May 04, 2005 at 10:39
Hi Gemma - their logo is beautiful. We have a brewery in our town too and I was going to make a post about them. Their ales are excellent!
Posted by: keiko | May 08, 2005 at 05:06
Hi Keiko
You should! I love hearing about small/local breweries. (My boyfriend brews at home, and he fantasizes about making it a more large-scale endeavor one day).
Posted by: gemma | May 16, 2005 at 14:25