Tag: New Belgium

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Review – FOCO from New Belgium & Odells

Collaboration review day continues with this New Belgium branded release with Odell Brewing. Their partner in FOrt COllins brewing crime.

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The Prairie Dog labeled beer pours a darker shade of orange. And is pretty hoppy for a purportedly pale ale. The aroma is a strong medicinal with some woody notes to it. The taste is also strong but not in the muddled way that the Stone collaboration was.

There is quite a bit if bitterness here. Citra seems more background to this Centennial bomb which I would prefer a more even mix of for maximum efficiency. But the lighter hand and pale ale category does allow the hops to shine more.

And it may be one of the only ways to get even a partial Odell’s fix in Los Angeles.

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Video Review – Snapshot Wheat from New Belgium

Since I was bringing Belgian beers “Up from the Cellar” I thought it fitting to do video reviews of two new New Belgium beers in tandem.  Spring Blonde was in the headlights first and now we move on to the beer that got a really big marketing push, Snapshot Wheat.  It does have a cool, retro label….

But what do I think of it?  Watch on to find out….

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Video Review – Spring Blonde from New Belgium

Since I was bringing Belgian beers “Up from the Cellar” I thought it fitting to do video reviews of two new New Belgium beers in tandem.  And first up is Spring Blonde, which the brewery describes as “Brewed with pale and Munich malts, this golden ale pours bright copper and holds a strong, white head aloft. A nose of lemon peel, pepper, and fresh baked bread entice a sipping. Spring Blonde drinks malty, sweet and wonderful. And the easy Nugget hopping pedals towards a dry, lightly bitter finish.”

But what do I think of it?  Watch on to find out….

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Holiday Beer # 6 – Accumulation White IPA from New Belgium

New Belgium Accumulation White IPA

New Belgium Accumulation / Colorado

“This winter, IBUs start accumulating like snow in Colorado with our new Accumulation White IPA. Brewing a white IPA was not only a way to salute the white beauty falling from the sky, but a direct revolt to the longstanding tradition of brewing dark beers for winter. At least that’s what our rebellious brewer Grady Hull likes to claim as he shovels in plenty of new hop varietals and a bit of wheat for a smooth mouthfeel. Stack up a few cases of Accumulation White IPA to keep your long nights glowing blizzard white.”

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#LABW5 Pick of the Night – Thursday 9/26

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Each morning throught L.A. Beer Week, I will give you my Pick of the Night.  The ONE event I think rises to the top of the list.  Some days that choice will be harder and there might be 1A and 1B’s (if I get wishy-washy).  I will endeavor to pick events you can just head out to.  But if tickets are required, I will mention it.  But expect crowds.  Craft beer and craft beer in L.A. is popular.

Belgian Take Over w/Monkish & New Belgium at Village Tavern
Thursday September 26th 2013 7:00 pm-10:00 pm

Thursday Sept 26th New Belgium & Monkish Brewery Tap take over and Pint Night give away. Rare and Selective beers from both breweries on tap.

I have yet to visit the Village even though it is in nearby Atwater so this is a perfect excuse to see the decor and ambience.  And the beer too.  Those are two strong breweries paired together.

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Review – Rolle Bolle

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Ever since getting the Great American Beer Festival media tour of their brewery, I have been impressed anew by New Belgium.  And they have a new summer beer (Rolle Bolle) that I can’t pronounce but forthwith is my review….

Pours a light yellow with many, many bubbles flowing to the surface.  Tiny white film graces the top of the glass.  Aroma doesn’t reach out and grab you but gives you a gentle nudge in the Belgian yeast direction.  The taste heads that way too but is mostly influenced by the soursop and the Monk fruit.  The hop profile is next to nothing for me because the yeast and weird fruit are battling it out for supremacy.  I get a citrus tea overall note.  It works for me and I can see this as a nice summer sipper with a light salad.
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Here is what the brewery says about Rolle Bolle, “A delightful summer ale for easy sipping and a classic Belgian yard game for easy enjoyment, Rolle Bolle is how we roll. Brewed with monk fruit and soursop, this beer pours a brilliant blonde, with a fluffy, white head. Earthy and tropical tones carry the aroma and the taste follows accordingly. Rolle Bolle’s hint of tartness is backed with the citrus bite of Cascade and Centennial hops. Oats add some creaminess to the mouthfeel, and it finishes dry and clean. Time to get in the yard, crack a bottle and start rolling.”

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A French IPA from New Belgium?

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For awhile it did not look like New Belgium would play the hops game.  They seemed content with their sours and barrels and their lovely flagship Fat Tire but since the release of Ranger they have caught the bug and now they have an entire Hop Kitchen!

Out of the kettles of the Hop Kitchen first is Hoppy Bock Lager followed by the beer whose label you see on this post,  French Aramis that utilizes an under-used hop variety grown in the French region of Alsace. Still in “the oven” so to speak will be an IPA using Oregon hop varieties.  These unnamed hops will be certified by Salmon-Safe, a nonprofit “works to keep our urban and agricultural watersheds clean enough for native salmon to spawn and thrive.”  They have worked with Deschutes in the past.  A final Hop Kitchen IPA will take us time traveling to hops that were popular back in the day.  The days being the ’80’s and 90’s.

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Beer Search Party at GABF – Part 2


Started the day on a bus filled with New Belgium beer headed towards Fort Collins. BrewDad Mike secured us passes for a brewery visit and this is a tour like no other.

New Belgium is a huge campus. Really huge. Pipes everywhere. All labeled and all monitored by a computer straight out of Minority Report. And the place goes on and on. Our tour took us past three bars! And so much equipment. To wrap the kegs in plastic for shipping they used a big piece of metal that quickly encircled kegs in layers of plastic. There were labs and two story fermenters and foeders everywhere you looked.


And the lunch was awesome. Great classy food with no pretension. Grilled cheese wedges with tomato soup. Peruvian chicken wings and other little nibbles like Belgian waffles to go with the beer. I went back for seconds and thirds.

We headed home after another beer and on to Freshcraft a new (to me) gastropub on Blake street for the Taplister relaunch. Great beer and a contingent of Portland folk (bloggers and beermongers) plus Joe from Ratebeer. As we were departing, Jeremy and Ting from Eagle Rock strolled in. That is one of the great things about Denver during the fest. Everywhere you stop, there is usually someone you know.

After Freshcraft were stops at Falling Rock (short due to it being it’s usual packed to the rafters self), Breckenridge (for food and a place to rest weary legs) and to cap the night a taxi ride out to Prost Brewing to try their German styled beer. The Pils being my favorite of the taster tray.

The beers are starting to blur together but onward I march to Saturday.