New Glarus prints a best-by date on every can and bottle in MM/DD/YY format. Use this page to decode your code instantly and check if your beer is still fresh.
Best by 12/31/26 — Wisconsin-only brewery known for Spotted Cow.Standard American date format: month, day, year. Slashes, dashes, and dots all work — e.g. 04/12/26, 04-12-26, or 04.12.26 all read as April 12, 2026.
New Glarus's code is a Best-by — drink before this date for full character.
On New Glarus cans and bottles, look on the bottom of the can first. If not there, check the bottle neck label or the back of the can for a small printed or laser-etched code.
If the code looks smudged, partially worn, or printed in light ink, try angling the can under a bright light. Phone flashlights work well. The Freshie camera scanner can read most codes even when they're partially obscured.
New Glarus produces a range of styles, each with its own drinking window:
These are guidelines, not laws — well-stored beer can outperform the curve, while heat-abused cans can stale much faster than expected. Storage temperature matters as much as age for hop-forward styles. Cold storage (under 40°F) extends every window meaningfully.
Wisconsin-only brewery known for Spotted Cow. Located in New Glarus, Wisconsin.
New Glarus is tracked by Freshie as an independent American craft brewery per the Brewers Association definition (less than 25% non-craft ownership, under 6 million barrels per year).
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