New Belgium La Folie

La Folie. The Folly. And what tremendous courage they had in Fort Collins to pull of a beer like that, so many years ago. For a long time, it was spoken of only in whispers and legends, a Flemish sour red/brown, sold only at the brewery. Eventually, distribution picked up, and bottles got out. These days, it's being made in mass quantities, and sold year-round, and we can get kegs whenever we want. It's also part of the Lips of Faith series, that has brought us some very interesting entries over the years. I have to admit, unfortunately, I haven't kept up with them very well, but I made up for it by putting six of them on tap today for a special event. All of them released so far this year, except for the best-received, La Terroir,...oh, well. And for good measure, a 2009 keg of La Folie. I take this opportunity to share my notes from my first ever bottle, had back in May, 2005. Here we go...

The cage and cork are off, the bottle poured into glass and immediately the nose is hit with a tart cherry/berry intensity. But let's look at this first: 
Lush, deep crimson color, cherry red, really, with active carbonation, and an impressively stable pinkish head. 
Aroma: sour, and a touch sweet. soft fruit. Perfect balance, though, and at times angelic. Something sublime there. A poetic, eniticing aroma. 
Taste: Acidic bite leads off, then the serious pucker, the mouth twisting sour, saved by a blast of sweet berryish flavor. Very nice. 
Solid mouthfeel, excellent texture, full body, with a long, fruity, ultimately dry finish. 
There is some serious refreshment happening in the mouth, here. 
Just gorgeous, really. Easily the match of any Flanders Red I've met, and the better of many more. A pity it's so rare, but easily this fine brewery's best work. 
So mellow, but jam-packed with flavor, oozing character. The wood did well with this one. 

Impressive. 

I think I'm in love.