(New Glarus, WI) – In my work here over the past 18 months, I’ve observed that New Glarus Brewing is one of only a few breweries that has received virtually unanimous praise without much, if any, negative criticism. So I thought I’d highlight a project they’re doing this week that finishes today: the brewery is asking fans to vote on which beers they brew in 2010. Ultimately, dollars should speak louder than votes but the vote tally, available here, does give us some insight on what New Glarus might drop from its lineup or add to it next year. Here is how the beers are faring so far:

YEAR-ROUND BEERS:

Spotted Cow – 794
Wisconsin Belgian Red – 720
Fat Squirrel – 536
Raspberry Tart – 526
Crack’d Wheat – 428
Stone Soup – 332
Hop Hearty – 290
Organic Revolution – 226

The brewery introduced Stone Soup and Crack’d Wheat to the year-round lineup this year, kicking Uff-da Bock to the curb (if memory serves correctly). Uff-da Bock received 416 votes to bring it back though. Should it replace Stone Soup, Hop Hearty, or Organic Revolution as a year-round beer?

SEASONALS:

Dancing Man Wheat – 575
Totally Naked – 465
Black Wheat – 454
Staghorn Octoberfest – 398
Coffee Stout – 375
Yokel – 270
Snowshoe Red Ale – 187

Black Wheat and Coffee Stout were added this year and have been popular additions while Edil Pils and Road Slush took the year off. Edil Pils only got 221 votes to be brought back while Road Slush got 420 votes. Looks like Snowshoe Red Ale or Yokel should go but bringing back Road Slush would make it two stouts in the portfolio. Would that be overkill?

UNPLUGGED:

Iced Barley Wine – 261
Imperial Saison – 242
Old English Porter – 171

Those are the Unplugged Series beers released so far this year. As far as what people want to see here, it appears that the return of Apple Ale is the most popular choice with 606 votes. However, I can’t tell if Apple Ale refers to the Unplugged version previously released or a different beer released as a seasonal years ago. There are no reviews for a ‘regular’ Apple Ale on Beer Advocate so I’m not sure on that one. Other vote getters not previously mentioned:

Cherry Stout – 499
Enigma – 491
Imperial IPA – 436
Unplugged Belgian Quadrupel – 424
Bourbon Barrel Bock – 407
Alt – 373
Imperial Stout – 318
Berliner Weiss – 305
Sour Brown Ale – 285
Smoke on the Porter – 275
Norski Mai Bock- 222
Copper Kettle Weiss – 214
Bohemian Lager – 214
Imperial Weizen – 208
Celtic Stout – 186
Eisbock – 184
Hometown Blonde – 171
Unplugged – 163
Winter Warmer – 158
Smoked Rye Bock – 152
Tailwagger – 146
Solstice – 141
Dan’s Best Bitter – 133
Cabin Fever – 133
Zwickel – 119
Native Ale – 112