Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Fat Tire American Amber Ale

There were so many good beers tested at the Craft Brewers Conference that it's difficult for us to pick out any one in particular -- so for our first review we'll stick with one of the basics:

 

(5.20% ABV) Fat Tire Amber Ale is a great example of what's happening in the beer world. Long held up by visitors to Colorado as "the" beer to seek out when traveling to the western part of the country, it's lost a bit of its luster over the past couple of years as the craft beer business has exploded. It's not so much that Fat Tire has gotten worse, or even that the beer is much more broadly distributed now -- it's that so much of the rest of the brewing world has gotten better, and the measuring posts have moved as consumers' tastes have evolved. A lot. Given all that, we recently revisited the long time New Belgium standard bearer to see if it still measured up.

After being poured on draft at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC, Fat Tire appeared a beautifully clear caramel color, with a thin head of white foam that left behind a surprising amount of lacing.

The beer smelled primarily of malt, but that was all; there was little else to notice about the beer's very mild nose.

When we drank it, we found the beer to be biscuity, alright, just like it states on the label.  But it was earthy, as well. This beer has a very particular taste that reminds us of no other amber ale we've ever encountered. It's highly carbonated, with a relatively thin mouthfeel for the style. We like it for its high sessionability, even if it does have some flaws.  But then again, don't we all?  B

Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Lips of Faith -- Peach Porch Lounger Saison

(9.4% ABV)  Poured on draft into a pint glass in Denver, Colorado. A limited one-off release from Colorado's New Belgium Brewery, Peach Porch Lounger arrived a murky gold color with very little head visible.  

Peaches lead the smell, but the sour funk of brettanomyces is also immediately evident. 

Whoah!  This beer really comes to life upon tasting.  Peaches dominate the upfront, while there is more than a bit of brett on the back end.  The beer was medium in mouth feel, and we found it very nicely balanced, given the yin yang of its sweet and sour taste. A-

Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Brewing Somersault American Blonde Ale

Photo by o_sam_o on Flickr

I drank this next beer while sitting in the Ajax Tavern at the world famous Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, Colorado.  Although the Little Nell didn't blow me away, the bar was cool and the beer was refreshingly cold on a hot summer day:

Beer: Somersault American Blonde Ale

Brewery: New Belgium Brewing

ABV: 5.20%

Color: Deep orange, with a slight white head. Plenty of carbonation noticeable.

Smell:  Faint. Maybe citrus.

Taste: Fresh, citrusy taste. Lemon first, followed by a surprising ginger spiciness.

Overall: A very good summer-y beer B+

Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Brewing Sunshine Pale Wheat Ale

photo by smadden	via PhotoRee

Beer: New Belgium Brewing Sunshine American Pale Wheat Ale

ABV: 4.80%

Appearance: Clear, yellow, bubbly.

Smell: Strong citrus, light yeast.

Taste: Strong carbonation, with lemon and slight spice and pepper.

Overall: Not a fan of unfiltered wheat beers, but this is a good -- if unexciting -- choice on a hot day. B.