Late this summer I went camping with a group of friends in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Nicknamed Little Switzerland, this town of about 2,300 people is among the largest Swiss American populations in the country, proportionally. Chalet-style architecture, mom and pop shops, and Swiss flags line the small downtown area. All around a super charming place, and exactly what someone who has never actually been to Switzerland would imagine a small town there to look like.
What really puts this town on the map is the New Glarus Brewery. The brewery is outside of town on the gorgeous rolling countryside, very close to our campgrounds. It was a sweltering hot weekend so on the second day our group decided to take a field trip to the brewery for some air conditioning and cold brew. Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, Totally Naked, Moon Man, and Stone Soup are a few of their selections, and bonus, they use 100% vegan ingredients and brewing techniques. To go with the beer they were cooking up personal size pizzas in a brick oven outside. There were only about 5 pizzas to choose from, and I was pleasantly surprised to notice that one was vegan with no modification needed! Delicious and simple, a drizzle of olive oil, marinara sauce, and thinly sliced garlic. It was so warm and toasty out of the oven, a perfect accompaniment to the beer, not to mention a welcome change from the camping food!
Even though this was my first time to the brewery, I have enjoyed a cold Spotted Cow many a time in Wisconsin before. It is a special treat, because these beers are only distributed in Wisconsin. Visitors from Illinois often smuggle back cheese and fireworks, but you will only see New Glarus Beers in my back seat! So if you are ever in Wisconsin be sure to try some, and bring some back for me.
good pizza and good beer, perfect!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I didn't know they'd have vegan options there! I went to undergrad in Wisconsin (now I'm in Chicago) and miss walking to the local bar and having Spotted Cow on hand! Maybe I should make a trip up there some weekend soon.
ReplyDeleteDiscovering New Glarus beer was seriously one of the best things about moving to Madison! :P I love Fat Squirrel.
ReplyDeleteThe brewery is so fun, too - I've been twice, once with friends and once with my family. The view is lovely and the beer is cold and delicious - what more could you want?!
Nice! (now I want pizza!)
ReplyDeleteI love finding vegan options in unexpected places.
ReplyDeletea cold tasty beer on a warm, warm day is just heavenly! that's so awesome that the New Glarus Brewery had a vegan pizza on the menu. score! it's nice not to have to modify something to make it vegan when ordering. and that's one fine look'n pizza too. mmmmmmmmmmmm! also, mmmmmmm - your pumpkin chili! i saw Mihl had made it yesterday and i've already got it on my list o' yummies to make as well. thanks, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThose are some seriously awesome names for beer. I wish the companies here would be more inventive. Sam Adams Winter Ale just doesn't cut it after reading those.
ReplyDeleteThat pizza looks like thin crusted deliciousness.
ReplyDeletePizza and beer, what else do you need?
ReplyDeleteAli
Oh it warms my heart to see a shout out to New Glarus brewery! I am from Chicago, but I think I'm a Wisconsinian at heart. I did a cycle trip through there a couple years ago and New Glarus was one of my stops. Wisconsin so rocks the beer.
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