New Belgium: Fat Tire

First off, I really have to say how awesome New Belgium is as a brewery in terms of it's energy conservation. It has water recycling, using natural gas, it is greatly wind powered and damn near self-generating power. The brewery really cares about the earth. That alone is worth checking out this brewery.





Secondly, the packaging is great. The Belgian style brown bottle with a ring around the neck, neatly labeled "New Belgium."





What can I say about the Fat Tire Amber Ale? It was named after Jeff Lebesch's (The founder and brew master) mountain bike trip through Europe, traveling from brewery to brewery. This was his original homebrew recipe, and his claim to fame. From basement brewery to a "mass" produced commercial beer, it has kept it's integrity and original recipe. Props!







This pours a crystal clear rusted orange that shimmers in the light, topped with a tight bubbled eggshell head, two fingers deep from the rim of the glass. It has wonderful retention as it dissipates to a fuzzy film over the beer and lacing rings down the glass with every sip. Well, I'm impressed. This isn't the kind of head you expect on an amber ale, Belgian inspired or not.





The nose is soft and very delicate with many subtleties. The spicy yeast sparks the nose and opens up for the rest of aromas to waft in. When I say "spicy", think of the essence of cloves or pepper wrapped in aromas of freshly baked rye bread and hints of sulfur. This is followed by lovely caramel notes, and almost buttery (not diacetyl). There are low levels of apple and an earthy pear skimming across the beer that finishes on the nose as a grassy hop finish for balance. The yeast and the munich malt sweetness are so crucial for this beers bouquet. Toasty, caramel, apple, and just the right amount of earthiness from the hops. It almost has a bit of shiitake mushroom note hidden in there. I will note the beginnings of oxidation present in the aroma, though it's not offensive, simply present.







As soon as this hits the tongue all of those very interesting characteristics in the nose are amplified. Not to 11, but they become fuller and round on the palate. There is a nutty flavour that dominates the back of the tongue and the upper part of my mouth and the tip of my tongue. The middle is holding that nice toasty sweetness of caramel, the pear and apple are not present, though that earthy, grassy hop simply tickles the tongue cutting the sweetness. The munich malt is giving this a lovely biscuit flavour. This is a semi-dry finish, a sweet balanced beer that cuts and leaves very little residual sugars on the tongue. The sweetness is there just long enough before you crave another sip.





The carbonation is moderate, a nice round body, slick and slightly filmy. Just balanced in the way it dances sweetly over the tongue.






This beer may not be mind blowing, but I think this is the kind of beer that defines "balance" when all the big shot critics talk about beer. I think round. I think of the way that Sibelius uses timpini parts in his Symphonies (particularly Symphony No. 1 in E Minor) so interwoven within the orchestra with an even known presence of moving things forward. A delicate touch of "wow... I'm impressed."






This is a beer I could party with...respectfully.





This is a beer I would love to pair with portobello mushrooms sauteed lightly in olive oil and rosemary on a bed of aromatic rice. I love the texture of mushrooms when they just get a little soft, the earthiness of the fungi, and the oil and rosemary would just blend beautifully with the sweet and toast of this beer.





Also, think Thai eggplant. The kind of sloppy, soft, buttery eggplant with spices to defy the sweetness. The beer then becomes a little over powered, but the beer will instantly seem a little sharper in the finish. This isn't a very acidic or bitter beer, so it will not cleans the palate, simply add some sugar in the mouth.



Also think lamb,a bit of black pepper and rosemary would do just fine to garnish the flavours within.


I picked up some semi-soft surfaced ripened Oka cheese with mushrooms and it's got a buttery, yet slightly soft chew that is very nice compliment. Not too sharp... balanced.






I'd ride this bike again.






Thanks to Lackey for the brew!