Holy Mole

It seems like peppers are “hot” in the brewing world what with 11-11-11 from Stone and this from New Belgium.
“Cocoa Molé combines chocolate, cinnamon and plentiful ancho, guajillo and chipotle chilies for a sweet and spicy burst of flavor. Brewed with pale, caramel-80, chocolate, dark chocolate malts and a healthy dash of chocolate rye, Cocoa Molé presents midnight dark with a subtle reddish hue, lifting a pillowy, burnished head. It starts on the tongue with a swirl of chocolate malt that dissolves into the warm embers of a peppery heat. Alcohol by volume is nine percent and it will be available on draft and in 22-ounce bombers.”

the December beer shopping list


Sean suggests for this grand, holiday month two beers from the snowy state of Colorado and one from the cold state of Oregon.
December 2011
Click on the link twice (maybe less depending on the computer you are on) and you will have a handy beer shopping list for the most wonderful time of the year. Holiday beer time!

Kick

Elysian is really branching out pumpkin wise. First collaborating with Stone and The Bruery and now this…..

Here is what New Belgium has to say about it, “Harvesting the creativity of Kim Jordan of New Belgium and Dick Cantwell of Elysian produced this ruby-hued, slightly sour, pumpkin, cranberry ale. It’s a treat that does the trick.”

I have started to see Kick in bottles (Portland) and on tap (Los Angeles)

Le Terroir

New Belgium is really pushing the envelope with their Lips of Faith series. Berliner Weiss to Eric’s ale and now this…..

“Le Terroir Dry Hopped Sour Ale is the second Lips of Faith beer now available in limited markets. Le Terroir is a French term meaning “of the earth.” Used to reference the environmental conditions that affect the brew, New Belgium prefers to think about the terroir of our foeders, the wooden barrels that age sour beers in varying temperatures, humidity and vibrations. Add in another variable by dry-hopping with peachy, mango-like amarillo hops, and Le Terroir changes every time it is brewed.”

UPDATE: I had this beer recently at the Library Alehouse in Santa Monica and it is really good. Better in small doses because of the acidity but this has great hops and mango taste. It is so balanced that the sour doesn’t take over. One of my best of 2011 so far.

Sahti from Colorado

new-belgium-sahti

Lips of Faith soldiers on with a variant of the Finland drink Sahti. I have had the Nogne O and thought it wasn’t bad. Gin qualities and pretty light without losing complexity.

Here is what New Belgium says, “a traditional rye ale brewed with juniper, Trip IV is a hazy amber ale with a sturdy mouthfeel and a crisp and lively ‘finnish.’ Brewed with Pale, Crystal, rye malts and whole oats, Trip IV is bittered with Cascade and finished with Cascade and Amarillo hops. Juniper boughs are added to the mash and juniper berries, orange & lemon peel are pitched in the whirlpool creating a festive olfactory of citrus and juniper notes.”

Improved glassware from New Belgium

08globe_2
New Belgium Globe Glass
*A narrow opening that benefits foam and enhances the beer’s bouquet.
*A globe shape that captures and directs the beer’s aromas toward your nose.
*New etchings inside create a continuous stream of bubbles to release and refresh flavors.
*A stem that keeps your hand from warming the beer and allows unobstructed viewing pleasure.
*Decidedly thicker, our new glass is more durable from the beaded lip down to the reinforced stem.

New Belgium news

New_Belgium_Brewery_LogoHeard this info through the hop vine…

Just in time for the coming Autumn, New Belgium Brewing Co. is back with a new brew. Hoptober Golden Ale is the brewery’s take on a fall seasonal, compete with crushed leaves, hoarded acorns, and a bit of squirrel fur. Or maybe not. But it does feature five types of hops:
The wide array of hops include Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette, and Glacier hops, while pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats. The medley of ingredients sparks a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers, and a bold finale.

also for you GABF’ers
New Belgium Hub @ the Denver airport Concourse B
phone: (303) 342-6650