New Glarus Totally Naked: A Guide to the Beloved Wisconsin Craft Lager

An Introduction to New Glarus Totally Naked Beer

New Glarus Brewing Company's Totally Naked beer is a beloved American lager that has developed a cult-like following. With its clean, crisp taste and balance of flavors, it's easy to see why Totally Naked has become so popular among craft beer enthusiasts. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into what makes this beer so special.

The History of New Glarus Brewing Company

New Glarus Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in the small town of New Glarus, Wisconsin by Deborah Carey and Daniel Carey. The company quickly made a name for itself by focusing on crafting classic beer styles with top-quality ingredients. Their beers emphasize balance, drinkability, and avoiding artificial additives or shortcuts in the brewing process.

The brewery's flagship beer, Spotted Cow, put them on the map. Released in 1997, this easy-drinking farmhouse ale became a hit in Wisconsin. However, New Glarus beers were only available within the state due to the brewery's focus on quality over quantity.

Totally Naked first launched in 2006. As a classic American lager, it complemented Spotted Cow as a crisper, lighter option. While Spotted Cow relies on wheat and corn, Totally Naked is brewed with just barley malt, hops, yeast and water.

What Makes Totally Naked Unique

There are a few key things that set New Glarus Totally Naked apart:

• Ingredients - It's made with 100% malted barley, with no adjuncts like rice or corn. This gives it a malt-forward flavor and pleasant sweetness.
• Balance - Despite being full-bodied for a lager, it maintains a crisp, easy-drinking taste. The malts and mild hops balance perfectly.
• Lagering - True to style, it's cold-fermented and lagered for weeks, allowing the flavors to meld and mellow out.
• Local - From the wheat grown nearby to the Wisconsin-only distribution, Totally Naked is crafted to showcase its terroir.

In essence, New Glarus makes Totally Naked in the traditional American lager method but takes things up a notch. There are no shortcuts or cost-cutting measures. The brewmasters perfect their recipe without concern over mass production or expanded distribution.

Tasting Notes on Totally Naked's Flavor Profile

So what does Totally Naked actually taste like? Here are some of the notable flavors and aromas in this beer:

• Appearance - Deep golden, clear, with a frothy white head.
• Aroma - Light floral and grassy hops, graham cracker maltiness, grainy sweetness.
• Flavor - Balanced maltiness upfront, leaning bready and toasty, medium hop bitterness toward the finish, crisp aftertaste.
• Mouthfeel - Medium to full-bodied and smooth with ample carbonation.

While some might expect a lager to be thinner and less flavorful, Totally Naked defies these expectations. There are no adjuvants or shortcuts used in brewing this beer. The result is a flavorful lager with pleasant malt complexity and hop balance.

Enjoying New Glarus Totally Naked Beer

Here are some tips for enjoying Totally Naked beer:

• Pour it into a curved beer glass to appreciate the color and allow head formation.
• Smell the malty, slightly floral aromas before the first sip.
• Serve chilled, around 42-45°F, to optimize crispness.
• Pair it with cheese, sausages, pizza, roasted chicken, or fish.
• Savor the bready, toasty malt flavors and grassy hops on the palate.
• Appreciate the super smooth, crisp lager finish.

Totally Naked deserves careful attention to pick up on all of its subtle flavors and textures. Don't be afraid to let a pint warm slightly to coax out the malty notes.

This beer also pairs excellently with food. The malt profile and restrained bitterness allow it to complement everything from brats to cheese curds. Try it with Wisconsin favorites for an ultra-local experience.

Where to Find Totally Naked Beer

Since New Glarus distributes their beer exclusively in Wisconsin, enjoying Totally Naked requires visiting or trading with someone from the state. Here are some tips for locating it:

• Visit the New Glarus Brewery to buy beers straight from the source. Free self-guided tours are available.
• Check beer stores and major supermarkets throughout Wisconsin for New Glarus inventory.
• Look for New Glarus variety packs for a sampler lineup including Totally Naked.
• Ask for Totally Naked at Wisconsin bars and restaurants that serve local beer.
• Trade with Wisconsin beer aficionados online or in beer communities.

Demand often exceeds New Glarus' limited supply, so be prepared to act fast once a retailer gets a shipment. Following the brewery's release announcements can help anticipate potential Totally Naked arrivals.

Why Beer Fans Love Totally Naked

It's easy to see why New Glarus Totally Naked has earned such avid fans:

• World-class craftsmanship using old-world techniques
• Perfect balance of crispness and malt complexity
• Distinct sense of place from the local ingredients
• Masterful lager brewing skill on display
• Refusal to compromise, even to expand distribution

Behind Totally Naked's popularity lies an incredible American lager honoring Wisconsin's brewing heritage. Each sip sings with malt nuance balanced against a clean finish. All without a single shortcut or artificial additive.

For many beer lovers, part of the joy also stems from the effort required to acquire this small-batch beer. The limited availability and distribution fuels its cult following. While getting ahold of Totally Naked may require planning, the payoff of enjoying this world-class lager is well worth it.

New Glarus Totally Naked exemplifies how a focus on quality and tradition can create something truly special in modern craft brewing. This beloved Wisconsin-exclusive beer will likely only continue growing in acclaim among discerning beer drinkers.

FAQs

What type of beer is Totally Naked?

Totally Naked is an American lager. It is amber in color with a malty, slightly sweet flavor profile and crisp finish.

What ingredients are used in Totally Naked?

Totally Naked is brewed using just four ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and water. It does not contain any adjuncts like rice or corn.

What is the ABV of Totally Naked?

Totally Naked has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4.2%. This is pretty standard for an American lager.

Where can I buy Totally Naked beer?

New Glarus beers, including Totally Naked, are sold exclusively in Wisconsin. Your best bet is to visit the brewery directly or trade with someone from Wisconsin.

What food pairs well with Totally Naked?

The malty, crisp taste of Totally Naked pairs very nicely with cheese, sausages, roasted chicken, pizza and other pub-style foods.