Belgian Collection Grows

New Belgium’s, well, Belgian Collection seems more a historical afterthought now in VooDoo Ranger 19.2oz times but the Colorado and North Carolina breweries are adding to their namesake with the new Belgian Style Pilsner.  It may not be hip like the Italian, hoppy or Czech dark pilsners but it is a welcome addition to me.

5th Corner

Readers will know that I like beer names that are a little deeper than pun level. And if there is a anecdote or story about the name, even better. With that…

New Belgium has some prize barrels there. You can tell just from the video playing on the Leopold website that they go extra.

A 30th Ride

30 years of craft brewing I saw certainly a wild ride so New Belgium is hopping up “Wild Ride Amber IPA: a hop-forward tribute to our OG Fat Tire.” Since it is Flagship February, would be a good time to have Fat Tire and compare it to Wild Ride.

Post Valentines Day

If you need to make up for last Sunday or if you just want to keep that party going, maybe some truffles are in order..

New Belgium has teamed with Enstrom Toffee and Confections on a line of truffles. Tripel, dark ale and Fat Tire and since it is Flagship February, you should probably get red wrapped treats.

Review – VooDoo Ranger 1985 Hazy IPA

Ahh, 1985. Let’s see if New Belgium can make the past and/or future hazy.

‘85 pours a well hazed yellow color with hints of orange. That aroma is big. Just opened a can of sliced pineapple big. Super juicy. The beer itself is pretty soft and fluffy. There is a streak of solid bitterness that I like as well as some berry notes. Leaning towards strawberry. But it is the pineapple that sticks all the way through.

Of the VooDoo’s, this is my favorite.

Cantwell has Landed


Seems like two lifelines have been extended to Magnolia Brewing of San Francisco. One from Belgium. And one from New Belgium.

Magnolia has been struggling in a crowded San Francisco (for that matter, California market) and will now have both more financial power as a triumvirate of majority owner New Belgium, with Elysian Founder Dick Cantwell and Belgian lambic producer Oud Beersel as minority partners take over the rein.

Cantwell will take over the brewing tanks in his first gig since Elysian was sold despite his objections.

Magnolia has two brewing locations on Haight Street and Dogpatch from which Cantwell will brew. Oud Beersel will add their spontaneously fermented beers from Belgium and plans for an SF coolship are in the works.

I can see how New Belgium and Oud Beersel would play well together but I don’t quite know how Magnolia’s line-up fits into the puzzle.

no. 65

I don’t know what is so special about foeder 65 but apparently it must have some good Oscar in it.

I do wonder what Missouri White Oak imparts into this upcoming New Belgium release.

And to add to the bounty, some single foeder Felix too….