Welcome to another #WIBeerWednesday HopDuel! For this duel I picked up two beers from New Glarus Brewing. Each of the beers pictured is a limited release from New Glarus Brewing’s Thumbprint series, Break O’Day Juicy IPA and Scream IIPA. For further explanation on that, I visited the breweries website and discovered the following.
It is always flattering when less imaginative competitors copy our beers, packaging, and/or marketing. I usually accept this as a personal challenge to do something more. When our trademarked Solstice name was infringed on, I regrouped with Dancing Man. When lots of deconstructed 4 and 6 packs showed up I knew I was doing a good job. When another Midwestern brewer released a “Un*******” series. I thought I can do better.
Deborah Carey, the President of New Glarus Brewing
Thumbprint beers are still brewed with the beer enthusiast in mind. Thumbprint beers are brewed in small batches that are intended to be available for one time only. However, popular demand has caused some styles to return. This is my own thumbprint, to let everyone know this is a real New Glarus handcrafted beer! Cheers.
If you haven’t had New Glarus Beer before, I’d highly recommend making the pilgrimage all the way to New Glarus, WI (location). The brewery is worth the visit, but if you just want to try the beer you may still have to plan a little trek, because it’s only sold in the state of Wisconsin.
HopDuel Survey
| Better label | New Glarus Scream IIPA |
| Better aroma | New Glarus Scream IIPA |
| Better taste | New Glarus Break O’Day Juicy IPA |
| Better finish | New Glarus Break O’Day Juicy IPA |
| Winner | New Glarus Break O’Day Juicy IPA |
Tell us about it
Well done, New Glarus Brewing, each of these beers are fantastic! However, in a HopDuel a winner must be declared, and for me, the Break O’Day Juicy IPA was the clear favorite. I love its hazy blood orange color, and the cloudiness often found in juices. The one area it lacked for me was in the aroma, where I expected to find a pop of citrus. That citrus element was actually stronger in the Scream IIPA. The finish of these beers are a subdued bitterness in the Scream IIPA and a smooth juicy, mimosa-like flavor from the Break O’Day. In the end, it probably comes down to personal preference and what you’re looking for out of your beer in the moment you’re drinking it. I really enjoyed both of these beers, and would suggest trying each of them and deciding for yourself which one works better for you.
