New Belgium Lips of Faith Collaboration with Brewery Vivant Biere de Garde. That's a mouthful. Fort Collins, Colorado, by way of Grand Rapids, Michigan, by way of France by way of Belgium. 9% ABV. (See link for more information.)
Clear, golden hued, full froth atop, gloriously snowy white, pillowy and lacey. An especially invited glass of ale.
Aromatics: Belgian yeast treats the nose first, with some fruit, some funk, and a flash of tart, a certain amount of wildness going down. Almost zero hops perceived, but plenty of citrus zest from yeast and malt, not mention grassiness, horse blanket-esque, and a touch of j'en c'est quoi.
Taste: Slides into the mouth citrus first, sweet malt in front, with funky flashes on the side. Rising in sourness as the drink continues, but never quit getting too anything. Very palatable, medium to light bodied, especially refreshing and delicious. Strength hasn't hit me yet, and I must admit to being annoyed again at a 9% brew that just doesn't need to be. Sure, this is an interpretation of a Biere de Garde that doesn't really resemble traditional versions, but this has the kind of flavor that would make me want to indulge in one after the next, but the alcoholic strength to prohibit it.
This is a slick and tasty ale that ends on the dry side, with a spicy kick floating on the flavor. It's fruity and fresh, and just wild and weird enough to entertain even the most discriminating Belgo-phile. Lemony, tart, with a clovey kick near the end to make it interesting. Another ingenious entry in the Lips of Faith series. If anything, these guys continue to take chances, and it pays off here.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
Wild Mind Registered Trademark DDH DIPA. Collaboration with Drastic Measures (Brett Doebbeling, formerly of Disgruntled). 8.3 % ABV. Amaril...
-
Wild Mind Skateboard Guitar Fruited Sour IPA. 6.3 % ABV. 20 IBU. Wild Mind Artisan Ale, Minneapolis, MN. Lightly clouded, bright golden ...
-
Venn Brewing Double NE IPA. 8.2% ABV. 55 IBU. Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. Lightly clouded, bright golden color sparkling ivory head. L...
-
Sorry, doubters, I got all that wax off with a minimum of effort. Surly Eleven . On Thursday, May 18, I was part of the final volunte...
-
Steer clear away when you see this sign. We bade reluctant farewell to Forager Brewery, and walked around the block to Kinney Creek Brew...
-
The breweries keep on coming. A few Saturdays past (December 16), Venn Brewing at 3550 E. 46th Street, Suite 140 in Minneapolis opene...
-
Junkyard Bustin' Surf Boards Kölsch. 5.3 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. As I've said many times, I've become bored and ...
-
This one, my friends, is a do-over. My first visit to Waconia Brewing was on April 21, which should be known to all Minnesotans as The Day P...
-
Six weeks ago, I sat down with a Drkness 2012. Three weeks ago, it was time for a 2011. And now, it's time for Surly Darkness 2010 . ...
-
Haze, haze, haze, haze is the craze, haze for days, the kids these days they all crave the haze, it's all the rage. Sigh. So, this has...
No comments:
Post a Comment