New Glarus Moon Man
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Tasting Notes
Moon Man pours with a hop-forward nose that leans tropical and citrusy — think grapefruit peel and a light piney undercurrent — without veering into the aggressive territory of a West Coast IPA. The body is medium-light, keeping things approachable, and the malt backbone offers just enough biscuity sweetness to balance the bitterness. The finish is moderately dry with a lingering hop presence that invites another sip without demanding it.
About the Brewery
New Glarus Brewing is based in New Glarus, Wisconsin, founded in 1993 by Deb and Dan Carey. The brewery is famously Wisconsin-only in distribution, a deliberate business decision that has made their beers something of a regional badge of pride and a source of out-of-state envy. They're best known for Spotted Cow, a cream ale that dominates Wisconsin tap handles, but their broader lineup spans Belgian-influenced ales, fruit beers, and sessionable everyday drinkers like this one.
Food Pairings
The beer's citrus hop character makes it a natural match for fish tacos, where the brightness cuts through fried batter and complements lime-heavy salsas. A classic cheeseburger works well because the mild bitterness scrubs through fat without fighting the beef. Roasted chicken with herbs echoes the beer's faint piney, herbal hop notes in a complementary way. Spicy Thai noodles are another solid fit, as the moderate bitterness tempers heat without amplifying it the way a sweeter beer might.
Style Guide
American Pale Ale sits between a session beer and an IPA in both hop intensity and body, typically landing in the 4.5–6% ABV range. The style is defined by American hop varieties — Cascade, Centennial, Citra, and their relatives — which push citrus, floral, and piney notes to the front while keeping the malt restrained but present. It diverged from its English cousin by ditching the earthy, biscuit-heavy hop character in favor of brighter, fruitier aromatics. Compared to an American IPA, the bitterness is noticeably softer and the hop volume is dialed back to let the beer stay balanced and drinkable across a full pint.