This is a beer that cries out for a good gravy-covered meatloaf!
In addition to overseeing a multimillion-dollar expansion of their facility, the wife and husband team of Deb and Dan Carey at New Glarus Brewing Company is currently organizing their brand schedule for next year. During the past several weeks, the Careys, via their brewery's web site, asked for opinions as to what New Glarus brews you would like to see, and when you would like them released. The brewery plans to continue an ambitious beer-making schedule of five year-round beers, seven seasonals, three fruits and four varieties of their limited-edition "Unplugged" beers in 2008.
New Glarus was named Small Brewery of the Year in 2003, and Mid-sized Brewery of the year in 2005 by the Association of Brewers. Their Raspberry Tart recently won a bronze medal in the fruit beer category at the 26th Annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado.
What is it? Fat Squirrel Nut Brown from New Glarus Brewing Company
Style: English-style nut brown ale. A style known for its drier, nuttier maltiness with little or no hop aroma. Overall, malty and sweet with a reddish-brown to dark-brown color.
Background: Fat Squirrel is one of New Glarus' most popular year-round brews, a close second in sales to the Spotted Cow. Made with six different Wisconsin malts and hops from Slovenia, Bavaria and the Pacific Northwest. The name was inspired by the local, real, fat squirrels of New Glarus, as observed by Brewmaster Dan Carey.
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: Malty
- Appearance: Deep copper to bronze color with a very bubbly tan head.
- Texture: Light- to medium-bodied and soft.
- Taste: Smooth, caramel, malty body with a light roasted background.
- Finish/Aftertaste: Malty with a soft roasted nuttiness.
Glassware: The basic shaker pint glass will allow you to appreciate this beer's color and large bubbly tan head.
Pairs well with: The malty body and light roasted hazelnut background will match well with steak. This is a beer that cries out for a good gravy-covered meatloaf!
Rating: Two Bottle Openers.
(I am using a one to four bottle opener scale: four is a great beer, distinctive, you'll have this over others; three is a beer you enjoy, reliable, close to its described style; two is problematic, lacks distinction, but worth having again; one is a beer that isn't true to its style, you would not recommend it to a friend.)
The Consensus: 85 (recommended) by Beer Advocate and 85 from
