As promised before, here’s my review of our visit to New Glarus Brewing Co. Do check out the video and their website here, the owners Deb and Daniel Carey are exceptional entrepreneurs and their business shines to me as an example of a truly caring employee-owned company.
And very welcoming to their guests.
Their website has all the history as well as their story about the beer and why they choose the names they do. My favorite beer is Moon Man – named after an employee’s cat. How cute is that? I do like Spotted Cow as well. I wonder why their mascot isn’t spotted though?
The Carey’s truly caring business model is not only for their products (hello – their beer is awesome!!) but for their employees, buildings, grounds, manufacturing process, saving energy, and working with local farmers for barley products as much as possible, all while brewing over 100,000 barrels of beer sold only in Wisconsin!
They even grow their own hops!
We were fortunate to arrive early enough to see the place just after opening up.
What impressed me the most, besides how friendly the staff is, is the cleanliness – EVERYWHERE we went. Pipes, floors, maintenance and quality assurance and a few LEAN manufacturing techniques impressed the heck out of me.
We even talked to one of the employees who when I complimented him on how everything shined, he said, “Oh, yes, we are always cleaning, always.”
It shows. And I could tell by the smile on his face, he took pride in how the place looked.
I wonder if that is because of being employee-owned, or that they get free beer every month, or is it that it is a welcoming place where they are proud to share? Every spot and employee sparkles and shines.
I dunno? But I do know, the beer on tap in the tasting room, made right there locally, is super chilled. You get to carry your glass around with you while you take your self guided tour and then you get to keep the glass! They even have a spot for you to wash it when you’re done with drinking the tasty beer.
I bet the outside spots are gorgeous in the fall – Wisconsin trees are so colorful then.
All you have to do is go off the beaten path to New Glarus, WI and you’ll be smiling. You might wanna try that beer, too, while you’re there.
There are plenty of selfie spots to take advantage of. Wow – they’ve thought of everything to make you, their guest, feel welcome.
And you can even buy some beer to take home with you while you’re there.
Cheers, to Carey’s and their staff!
Their brewery shines in my book. I know I’ll go back!
Post Inspiration – Susannah Conway’s Month of Mindfulness – August Break 2019 Curved and Norm’s Thursday Doors
PS – Have you been to New Glarus? What’s your favorite beer. Did you enjoy my review of it? What do you think of employee-owned companies, do you think it makes a difference in the amount of pride they have in their employment?
Never been but I’ll try a couple beers!! 😎
Yay – you’ll have to stop in Wisconsin on your way to Michigan. They only sell in WI! 😉
It’ll be hard to do while flying into Chicago soon!
LOL – I guess so!
This looks like a great place to visit. Any self-guided tour that includes an adult libation is wonderful in my book. 🍺
You’d love it there then!
Looks great! Oh, I am a beer girl. Love a good brewery. Now I just need to make it up to WI one of these days!
Thanks – it is worth the trip. I think you’d get a hoot outta the town as well, it is very Swiss and quaint. Part of the brewery tour is a coin that is good for a free beer at an establishment in the town. We found awesome burgers at a great spot – perfect to go with the beer. It was like being transported to Switzerland for the day :-)!
Oh, how wonderful. Even a faux Switzerland sounds great–as does a good burger. The real Switzerland’s on my bucket list!
You’d love this town then! It’s probably cheaper than the real deal trip and much closer, and great beer nearby too! 😉
I never have acquired a taste for beer, I wont offed the beers drinkers with my thoughts of what it taste like to me. But then again, I feel the same way about coffee, so…But I do enjoy touring the places as the process is so fascinating. Great pictures and good memory maker with family.
That’s okay, it’s not for everyone. It is a family friendly venue, lots of little kids were running around too. The tour and the setting are worth the memories we made visiting there. 🙂
Looks like a fun place. I’m not a big beer drinker but it is interesting to see how things are made. You are right, it looks immaculate. Thanks for sharing!
It was fun. Growing up in WI – beer is plentiful, and an acquired taste kind of goes hand in hand. I bet Ally would appreciate the polishing techniques of the brewery staff ;-)!
What fun! There are a bunch of locally owned breweries around here (in New England) – and the owners are so (rightfully!) proud of their businesses. Great photos! I feel like I was on the tour with you 🙂
Thank you! My daughter visited a couple places like Sam Adams and something in Portland, Maine a couple of years ago. She said it was fun. Glad you enjoyed the review 🙂
Uff-Da Beaten Path… HAHAHAHAHA!
Clever, right! 🙂
Looks like a great place to tour. I think employee ownership helps support a better spirit – this is mine – and all that.
Thanks, Dan – I thought about you while there – wondering, “what would Dan think about this place?” The staff were more Cheryl like than Skippy like! 🙂 I’ll catch up reading your blog post soon………!
Cheryl like is good 🙂
You…..roadtrip to a brewery……well that’s unusual. Did they supply chips too 😂😂😂
LOL – no, but the gift shop sold some, which I didn’t buy, ‘cuz we drove to a pub that served deep fried pickle chips, burgers and fries! I ate chips later that night ;-)!
That’s good my faith in humanity restored 😂
LOL – :-)!
I’m not really a beer drinker but I certainly gulped down my coffee reading your post 🙂 Very pretty place!
Thank you, I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed the post. It really is a lovely place to visit. 🙂
Looks like a fun time was had by all. As you said, I’m sure employee ownership is a big part of positive attitude, atmosphere, and success.
Thanks for the tour Shelley 🙂
Thank you, Norm, yes, we had a great time. That’s my take on it too – employee ownership seemed to have created an extra special touch. Thanks for the opportunity to join in on Thursday Doors. Once I get back from my roadtrip I’m going to check out the other contributions! Happy Saturday!