New Belgium - Trippel

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Trippel
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy bright golden color.
Lemon and spice aroma with some sweet apple notes.
Delicate foamy, bright white, one-finger head.
Slightly spotted lacing on the glass.
Light spice taste with touch of apple-like sweetness.
Moderate carbonation.
Light to medium bodied. Alcohol is masked.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
We don't get this one around these parts, so when offered a chance to try, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so. New Belgium's Trippel is on the mark for the style, but not as bold or brilliant as other Belgian Tripel's that I've tried. It lacks the more typical banana note elements, but does impart a nice bouquet that includes a sweet apple fragrance. Although there is a definite spice component, it is just not as punctuated as other Belgian Tripel's I have sampled.


I have had the opportunity to enjoy a few of these at the New Belgium Brewery on a couple of occasions, in Fort Collins, CO. From the tap, this is a very refreshing and delicious Tripel. Sadly, it seems the bottle conditioned version wasn't what I remembered it to be from those past tap room experiences.


I have been spoiled by drinking too many of this style that are direct from Belgium lately. But on the other hand, the thought of how my palate has developed over the past several years has shown me how to discern the nuances. Still, this is a solid Tripel to enjoy and I would not hesitate recommending it to someone who has yet to try the style.

New Belgium - 2010 La Folie Sour Brown Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

2010 La Folie Sour Brown Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 (3 oz. sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Caramel brown color.
French oak barrel aged; formerly used for wine.
Leaves distinct wine aromas; oak figgy and wine.
Minimal tan head.
Spotted lacing on the glass.
Sour taste that doesn't get too harsh.
Bits of plum and fruit in flavor.
Moderate carbonation.
Full taste. Medium bodied. Easy to drink for a sour.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 


Round #1

Justin Patti

First up is New Belgium's La Folie Sour Brown Ale from their Lips of Faith series. Now mind you, 'sours' are an acquired taste and certainly not my favorite style, but this one was rather good. I guess that the sours I've tasted were a little too over the top.  La Folie doesn't overpower with too much fruitiness, nor does it have the pucker power of others.  It is sour, but just enough to make you want to come back for another taste.  Quite interesting, indeed.

All in all, it changed my perception of what sour ales can be; not by knocking out my taste buds, but by tantalizing them.  Love to dig some of this up in Florida someday, but til then I will learn to try more sours. I didn't expect that!

New Belgium - Ranger India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Ranger India Pale Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper to amber in color.
Mostly floral hops and pine in aroma.
Nice off white two finger head.
Distinct rings of of lacing on the glass.
Grapefruit and spruce piney hoppiness in taste.
Moderate carbonation.
Light, clean taste. Medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Glad to see that amongst the other fine beer that New Belgium produces, they have a nice India Pale Ale too.  This has a very nice body and character for an IPA that can hold up against others in its class, for the most part.  I never would suspect anything half-done from New Belgium.  You can enjoy this one straight from the bottle or savor it from a glass.  It's sure to please the IPA drinkers in your entourage.

Don't be put off by the simple logo and label branding. While that may be in need of an upgrade, there's no denying this IPA will be a winner in your book.  A unique and zingy bite of hops is there all the way through, but it won't crowd out your taste buds.  Enjoy one today.

New Belgium - Blue Paddle

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Blue Paddle Pilsener Lager
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear golden yellow color.
Dry, grassy smell with citrus twinge. Some hops on nose.
Tightly bubbled, white foamy two finger head.
Spots and streaks of lacing on the glass.
Grassy flavor with slight lemon and slighter biscuit dryness.
Moderate carbonation.
Light, clean taste. Tight, dry and refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Truly a unique and refreshing pilsener beer from here in the U S of A.  This is a no brainer replacement for any other yellow beer you've tried from the big three.  There's more flavor, twists and turns of some citrus and much better finishing hops than in other yellow pils. The only thing better than this one in the bottle would be to visit them at the brewery in lovely Ft. Collins. Try one fresh off the tap.

If you are not a fan of pilseners, I urge you to try this one.  It is crafted as well as any European pilsener and you'll wonder why others lag on such clean and refreshing taste.  Well done, New Belgium!

New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hoptober Golden Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale yellow and clear color.
Fruity, bright hoppy nose with grainy malt tones.
Fluffy bright white head.  Two finger high and draped lacing.
Tart, fruity taste of apple/pear with hops and malt.
Moderate carbonation.
Light, refreshing clean taste. Mild hops bounce at the end.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It's been quite some time since my last New Belgium beer. Too long.  This bottle depicts several silhouettes engaged in various activities from hula-hoops to unicycles to dancing.  They are gathered around what appears to be a bonfire.  'Hoptober' hints at "Oktoberfest" in the name, but it's nothing like an Oktoberfest brew. And perhaps that's just what they set out to accomplish.  Rather than embrace the coming of cooler weather with the seasonal fall change by offering a traditional maltier Marzen style, it would seem that the folks at New Belgium are holding on to the dog days of summer with a light, almost saison style beer.

The bottle states it uses five kinds of hops and four malts. Again, Oktoberfest beers are typically just a nudge on the maltier side.  All those hops only bring in a modest 40 IBU's and really round out this fruity flavorful beer.  I also noticed on this 12 ounce bottle, a neck ring bulge in the glass, reminiscent of Westvleteren bottles. Truly, in the end analysis, it is not an Oktoberfest but an American Blonde Ale.

I like the juxtaposition. If that's their aim, then they hit the bulls-eye.  Nice job.  Grab one before Indian summer runs out.

New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Fat Tire Amber Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
True amber coloration.
Nutty maltiness and with hops you can taste.
Rich, frothy head pour with rings and clumps of lacing.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Ironically, yours truly is reporting "live" from the Rocky Mountains in these upcoming episodes. Oh, I know you hate the droll pun as much as I, but here's my report.

Fat Tire is a brew from these parts that is a local phenomenon. According to the website, the brewery was born from a passion for home brewing. So much passion, that it grew into a business. You can read the passion at their website. You can see it in the labeling. But where it shines best is where you taste it in the brew.

Along with several other brews, this ale is the 'signature' of their craft. Since I'm in town for another day, it will be worth a trip to see their brewing in action. I wonder if we can get some on the east coast? It's good!