New Glarus Release Schedules Leaked

When I was at a liquor store in the Chicago burbs last weekend, my Wisconsin driver's license required a manager to input something into the register that the clerk could not. While this was going on, they gave me grief over being a Cheesehead but were jealous as I was wearing my New Glarus Brewing t-shirt. The manager said he really wished they distributed to Illinois.

Well, if NG did distribute south of the border, we now know what the FIBs would be enjoying next year as a tentative 2010 release schedule for New Glarus has leaked with the Unplugged schedule having snuck out in October.

The Unpluggeds:

Enigma
Apple Ale
Cherry Stout
Abt (reportedly something akin to a Belgian quad – uff da indeed!)

As for seasonal and year-round brews:

Brews not returning this year are Organic Revolution, Black Wheat, Coffee Stout, Snowshoe Red Ale, Yokel and Hop Hearty IPA. Next years year-round brews are Belgian Red, Raspberry Tart, Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel and Stone Soup. A new beer called Moon Man, which they're calling a "no coast Pale Ale" will come out in March and be available the rest of the year. It's a hoppy pale similar to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, with a bite up front but a smooth finish. It will contain an as yet unrevealed hop from New Zealand that has never been used by an American brewery. The first seasonal in January will be Cabin Fever Bock, a Wisconsin honey Bock that will obviously be on the sweeter side. February will bring the return of 2008's popular Road Slush Oatmeal Stout, then Cracked Wheat, Dancing Man Wheat, and Staghorn Octoberfest. The final seasonal of the year will be another new one, Back Forty Bock, which Jeff compared to Native Ale, a beer made by New Glarus quite a few years ago. Naked will also make it's 6 month summer run.

I am bummed that Yokel is being given a break as it's one of my favorite NG beers and one of the few lagers they still care to brew. Luckily there are two bocks to look forward to. I'll also miss Black Wheat as it was a real treat this year with which to welcome in the spring and bid farewell to Jack Frost.

I have to wonder why Organic Revolution won't be returning. Is sourcing organic ingredients proving impossible for whatever reason or does it just not sell? Perhaps Moon Man will be organic as well. Regardless of the reason, I am happy to see the pale ales cut down.