Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Belgium Accumulation White India Pale Ale

New Belgium Accumulation White India Pale Ale, Brewed and bottled by New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO, and Asheville, NC. 6.2% alcohol by volume.

Clear, bright golden hued, slim ivory head.

In the nose: dry, spicy, yet delicately fruit-y notes in aroma. Already, I'm getting it, a nice blend of the best parts of a witbier and an IPA.

In the mouth: Big hop bitterness climbs on board the palate, followed swiftly by spices, clings to the mouth. Big citrus. Light-ish bodied, long, bitter, hoppy finish. Easy drinker. Very smooth, very tasty. Plenty to offer a hophead like me. Or you. I could take down a few of these with no problem at all.

Hey, there's gobbledygook on the label, let's check it out: "Flurries of mosaic and amarillo hops bring soft fruit and citrus flavor, followed by a layer of bitter, in our seasonally suited white IPA." Hm. I'm still wondering if it's a wheat beer, does it have coriander, like a witbier. Let's check the website....

"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 and winter seasonal beers . 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."

Okay, we've got the wheat, but no word about any spice or orange peel. I'm imagining that? Maybe. Is all the spice coming from the hops? Also, maybe.

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