New look for New Glarus: $55 million construction project at Brewing Company

NEW GLARUS, Wis. (WMTV) - A massive construction project is underway at the New Glarus Brewing Company as part of a $55 million expansion at the brewery’s Hilltop facility.

Founder and President of New Glarus Brewing Company Deb Carey said it’s been breathtaking to watch the design plans come to life.

“A lot of what this construction is about is ensuring the success of the brewery for generations to come,” said Carey.

Carey takes extra pride in the work as her daughter, Katherine May, is the lead designer on the project.

“She is just so gifted as what she does,” said Carey. “At this point, she’s really carrying the load of this entire project.”

May said she’s the right person to cement the legacy of the brewery for the future.

“I grew up here, I know what the space needs,” May said. “I’ve thought about every individual space that’s in here and how a visitor will experience it.

The 60,000-square-foot expansion will include an extension of the current Brew Hall, allowing the brewing of even more beer.

“You get to be right next to the equipment and talk to the people who make the beer,” Carey said. “One of the things that’s unusual about our brewery is that we actually brew and bottle a lot of our own beer and nobody else’s.

The main attraction for visitors will be a tasting room with a historic wood-paneled bar and church stained glass. There will also be a European style beer garden on the hill top that honors the beauty of Green County.

“They’re going to be able to experience the farmland when they come in and then when they see the building, it should be a really great reveal, almost like a castle on top of the hill,” described May.

With all of the work being done, Carey is hopeful the hop filled destination will bring new people to the Village of New Glarus.

Construction is set to finish in the fall of 2026 with plans to welcome visitors in early summer of 2027.

“This is really a nice part of the world,” Carey said. “We’re incredibly proud of our space and we hope people come and see the beauty of Wisconsin and experience our little village.”

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