New Glarus Brewing Company- Snowshoe Red Ale: Thank You Officer, Next Time I Won’t Wait So Long!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 6:14PM | by Jason 
I have come to the realization that there are far too many neglected brews in the fridge that should have been reviewed months ago. The problem is that sometimes I just want to sit and enjoy a brew without having to think about it too much. Then there are others that I have to be in the mood to sit and review. What’s worse is that when you get gifted brews from friends that they want you to review and you just never seem to get around to them. It’s not out of desire but rather too many brews, too little time and mental energy. By my estimate, I believe that I have close to a dozen gift beers that are just sitting there waiting. I have decided that I need to get my ass moving and start knocking out some of these brews of which I speak. This next brew was a gift from my friends Tammy & Jeff. Tammy is a friend of mine from Jr. High that until this year I had not seen since 1988. Her husband, Jeff, is a Craft Beer enthusiast and we got together a few months for dinner and drinks at Finnegan’s Irish Pub in Plainfield, IL. We all had a blast and it was great getting to enjoy the company of friends who are also Craft Beer junkies. A few months after our dinner, Tammy contacted me and said that Jeff had grabbed a couple of beers for me and that we needed to get together for me to pick them up. What ended up happening was that the beers were dropped off at my second home and now reside in my fridge. I’ve had a few brews from New Glarus and so far my results have been mixed but I am pretty stoked to be trying their Snowshoes Red Ale as I love red ales and it was thoughtful of Jeff to hook me up.
New Glarus Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Red Ale and their website describes Snowshoes Red Ale as, “Settle in with Wisconsin's Snowshoe Ale. This beer is brewed with a blend of American and German malts. A complicated decoction mash process ensures a rich malty flavor. We also infuse generous amounts of Yakima Golding and Bavarian Hallertau Hops to add a special note of warmth for your winter evening's enjoyment.
Expect this beer to be a beautiful copper-red, with a fruity ale body and a spiced hop finish. Then sit back and rejoice in the season because it's these Wisconsin winters that keep the whiners out.”
Snowshoe Red Ale pours a copper color with a ½” flesh color head. The aroma is fruity, sweet caramel malts, bready malts and very faint spice.
Based on the aroma I was expecting a super sweet malty brew but New Glarus hit me with a left hook I wasn’t expecting. Wow, I’m really digging this unique take on a red ale. The spiciness in addition to the sweetness of the malts are a perfectly intertwined orgy of flavor heaven. Typically I like my reds citrusy and hoppy but this one is truly and original and opposite of what I love in red ales, which is a surprise. As Snowshoe warms the spice character in the aroma and flavor intensifies, I get hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Two things, looks like I’m going to have to make a trip to Wisconsin this winter and I cannot thank Jeff & Tammy enough for sharing this brew with me. There is nothing in the world like great friends but great friends that bring you great beer are simply priceless!
ABV: 5.4%
Consumed: Peace Tree Brewing Pint Glass
Verdict: Buy A Case
