The Best 9 Beers Like Spotted Cow To Try If You Like This Cream Ale
If you’ve ever tried Spotted Cow, then you know that this beer is quite unique. You may also know that it is quite difficult to find this farmhouse ale outside of Wisconsin. Luckily, there are some beers like Spotted Cow you can try if you like this fruity, satisfying farm ale. Below are 10 beers similar to Spotted Cow we recommend you try. First, let’s take a quick look at what Spotted Cow tastes like.
What Does Spotted Cow Taste Like?
Spotted Cow, brewed by New Glarus Brewing Company, is a farmhouse ale with a distinctive taste profile. It has a slightly fruity and sweet taste with a hint of corn which is balanced by a subtle hoppy bitterness. It has a creamy and smooth mouthfeel. making it incredibly drinkable.
Beers Like Spotted Cow
1. Sixpoint’s Apollo Summer Wheat
Similar to Spotted Cow in flavor, Sixpoint Brewery’s Apollo Summer Wheat is a refreshing wheat ale crafted in Brooklyn, New York. Available from April to September, this beer uniquely blends barley and wheat malt in equal parts, along with German hops, creating a hoppy aroma and a crisp taste. It features a light body and a citrusy finish, complemented by subtle banana and clove notes derived from its yeast strain. Much like Spotted Cow, Apollo Summer Wheat also boasts a cloudy appearance
2. Cali Creamin Vanilla Cream Ale
Mother Earth Brew Co.’s flagship beer, the Cali Creamin Vanilla Cream Ale, is a standout brew from their San Diego brewery. This popular ale is celebrated for its malty flavor, derived from flaked corn, and its subtly sweet profile underscored by pronounced vanilla notes. It’s a medium-bodied beer, versatile for enjoyment throughout the year.
For a creamier twist, try their nitro version. Infused with nitrogen instead of CO2, it offers a smoother mouthfeel with finer bubbles.
While not available everywhere, Cali Creamin’ has a wider distribution than Spotted Cow. The beer is available in 20 states across the U.S., as well as in the UK, Australia, and Mexico.
3. Genesee Cream Ale
First brewed in 1960, Genesee Cream Ale, often affectionately referred to as “Genny Cream” or simply “Genesee,” is a renowned cream ale that is similar to Spotted Cow in terms of flavor and drinkability. Compared to Spotted Cow, however, this ale is more carbonated and clearer in appearance. So, if you like the cream ale style but want something that looks more like a lager, give Genesee Cream Ale a try.
4. Little Kings Cream Ale
Little Kings Cream Ale is a beer with an interesting story; they sell their beers in a small, 7-ounce bottle rather than the standard sized 12 fl. ounce one. This was done, initially, out of necessity when the fridge broke down at the Montgomery Inn. The 7-ounce bottle was the perfect amount to drink whilst still cold.
Like Spotted Cow, this cream ale has a subtle sweetness and only a slight hoppy bitterness. This beer also has a biscuity flavor with a hint of vanilla.
5. Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema
This beer is referred to as “Summer In A Can” by the Anderson Vally. It is brewed in California and uses Chinook hops, as well as pale two-row and Crystal malts. This is a subtly sweet and malty ale, with a strong aroma. There are notes of caramel, as well as a hint of spice. Like Spotted Cow, it has a creamy mouthfeel and is very drinkable.
6. Sleeman Cream Ale
Next on our list is another cream ale, but this time one brewed outside of the US. This Sleeman Cream Ale is brewed in Ontario, Canada, and is a very drinkable cream ale. When you first see this beer, you might be confused whether it’s a lager or an ale. Although it certainly looks like a lager, it is definitely an ale. It has strongly fruity notes of apple and pear, making it a good beer to try if you like the fruity nature of Spotted Cow.
7. Cowbell Cream Ale
Urban Growler’s Cowbell Cream Ale is a little sweeter than the other ales on this list, and doesn’t have any bitterness. The founder calls it a transitional beer, one for those who are new to the world of craft beer but still want to try one.
So, if you like Spotted Cow but want a beer that’s a little less bitter, give Cowbell Cream Ale a try. It has a creamy mouthfeel and tasting notes of corn, bread, biscuit, and lemon grass.
8. Milwaukee Brewing Outboard
Outboard is a cream ale that has been made since 1997, and is brewed in Wisconsin, US, just like Spotted Cow. It is brewed with both malted barley and corn, which results in a lighter body and flavor, along with a pale golden color that is slightly hazy. There is a hint of hops, but this is definitely not overpowering.
9. Kiwanda Cream Ale
Kiwanda Cream Ale by Pelican Pub and Brewery is a great beer to try if you like the mouthfeel and sweet flavor of Spotted Cow. This brewery was one of the first to re-create the cream ale. It was first brewed in Pacific City in 1996 and since then it has received eight medals at the Great American Beer Fest.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it! 9 awesome beers like Spotted Cow to try! I hope you have as much fun trying these beers as I did. Have you tried any of these beers? Let us know in the comments below!