Our Story

New Glarus Brewing Company wasted no time establishing itself as a world class operation. In 1992, Daniel Carey passed the Diploma Master Brewer's Exam at the Institute of Brewing, London. Deb Carey raised the capital for the start-up as a gift to her husband, establishing herself as the first woman to found and operate a brewery in the United States.
Dan and Deb Carey converted an abandoned warehouse into New Glarus Brewing Company's original Riverside Brewery. The first barrels rolled out in November of 1993 - the fastest micro brewery start-up ever. Daniel and Deb successfully combine their business management and brewing professionalism with their philosophy based on individuality, cooperation, and use of 100% natural ingredients to produce world class, hand-crafted beers.

In 1993, The New Glarus Riverside Location was Founded.

Dan and Deb Carey transformed an abandoned warehouse into what is now known as the Riverside Brewery, the original location of New Glarus Brewing Company. With Deb's marketing acumen and Dan's exceptional brewing craftsmanship, the duo quickly outpaced the brewery's initial production capabilities. Today, the Riverside Brewery continues to play a vital role in our operations, serving as the production site for our specialty Thumbprint, R&D, and Splash series beers, which reflect our commitment to innovation and quality in every brew.

In 1997, Spotted Cow reshapes the Craft Beer Industry.

Following their triumph at a prestigious beer competition in England with their Belgian Red, Dan and Deb took a reflective drive through the picturesque English countryside. Amidst the scenic views and abundant sheep, Deb contemplated the experience of tourists and mused, “I bet when people visit Wisconsin, they must feel the same way about the cows.” Inspired by this thought, upon returning home, Deb urged Dan to immediately begin production on Spotted Cow, their signature beer. This innovative brew would go on to redefine the craft beer landscape, solidifying New Glarus Brewing Company's reputation for quality and creativity.

In 2006, The Hilltop Brewery Was Completed.

Our Riverside Brewery reached its production capacity, prompting owners Dan and Deb to seek innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for their beloved beers in Wisconsin. Driven by their passion and entrepreneurial spirit, they envisioned Dan's "dream brewery," leading to the establishment of Hilltop Brewery. Nestled in a picturesque setting, Hilltop Brewery has become a sought-after destination for beer enthusiasts from around the globe, showcasing Wisconsin's finest brews. Today, New Glarus Brewery proudly produces approximately 230,000 barrels of beer annually, ranking 12th in total sales volume among craft breweries nationwide.

"Big was never our goal. We just wanted to pay our bills and be fair to the people around us. We hoped we might sell 10,000 or 15,000 barrels one day." -Deb Carey

Deb Carey Co-Founder/President

One of life's entrepreneurial spirits, she raised the capital for the start-up as a gift to her husband, establishing her as the first woman to found and operate a brewery in the United States.
She is a native of Wisconsin. She attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana majoring in marketing and graphics. An entrepreneur at heart, she started her first business at the age of sixteen.
After studying Business with the S.B.A. and Clackamus College in Portland, Oregon Deb met the challenge of establishing the New Glarus Brewing Co. in 1993. As Founder and President of "One of the Top Ten Breweries in the World" she does everything—except brew the beer!

"Brewing a beer is an artistic expression; its a marriage of science, engineering, and art." -Dan Carey

Dan Carey Co-Founder/Diploma Master Brewer

Dan Carey has worked in the Brewing Industry since the age of 20. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Food Science with an emphasis in Malting and Brewing Science from the University of California at Davis in 1983. He served his apprenticeship at a small brewery near Munich, Germany and has operated and constructed numerous breweries throughout the United States. He was valedictorian of the 1987 Siebel Institute Course in Brewing Technology.
He passed the Institute of Brewing and Distilling Diploma Examination in 1990 as well as their Master Brewer Examination in 1992. Before starting New Glarus Brewing Company with Deborah Carey, he was a Production Supervisor for Anheuser-Busch.
Dan won the Association of Brewers 2003 "Small Brewer of the Year" Award, the 2005 and 2006 "Mid Size Brewer of the Year" Awards, as well as the 2006 "Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing."

Tale of the Spotted Cow

"These People are important to me and I know what it's like to work hard and not be treated fairly. The decisions we make can impact them. They can send their kids to school, they can buy a house, they can go on vacation, those are the things that make life bearable, and rich. This allows them to give to others, and that's a great honor." -Deb Carey