New Belgium - HomeBrewChatter.com Home Brew Forum

Niedermier · 07-20-2009, 11:16 AM

So we just got New Belgium in Atlanta last month. After hearing great things about Fat Tire I was pretty excited to finally get to try that one and whatever else they brought down here. So far I have had three of their brews: Fat Tire, Mothership Wit, and 1554. All in all I am thoroughly disapointed. The Wit wasnt too bad with it's requisite citrusy/coriander profile. The other two seriously taste like the same beer and were really not that great. Fat tire tasted like someone figured out a way to inject just a bit more flavor into a PBR. Very pedestrian. Anyone else think that the New Belgiums are highly overated?

PseudoChef · 07-20-2009, 01:37 PM

Overrated, possibly - but overhyped? Most definitely, in my opinion. I really like their Wit though, it's got a great balance with the spices, and the malt profile is great. It just may be a hard style to really impress someone with, ya know?

Fat Tire, I wholeheartedly agree - overhyped beyond reason. There's really not much special going on there beside, much like you said, a session style beer with a little more flavor that's somewhat drinkable.

The 1554, I disagree though. I've only had one bottle back when it first came out in Nashville last year, and I thought it was great. Different and innovative. I'll have to retry it sometime.

Niedermier · 07-20-2009, 01:40 PM

My impression of the 1554 could be a bit tainted as I tasted it over the weekend after I was already several tequilas into the night. I'll give it another shot in a proper environment.

blacklab · 07-20-2009, 01:57 PM

There is a common taste that runs through all of their brews that I don't really like. It's almost a Natty Light, moldy breadcrust thing.

rdwj · 07-20-2009, 02:05 PM

I think that Fat Tire is popular for the very reason you mentioned. It's got a TAD more taste than a domestic. It's for the guy that wants to spend $8 on a beer so he can look cool by not drinking something pedestrian, but doesn't make him cringe with that "yucky" heavy beer taste.

On the plus side, I think it acts as a gateway for some.

Niedermier · 07-20-2009, 02:08 PM

I guess I could see it nudging someone to the craft beer side but for me it's a gateway to shitty beer.

I think Blacklab made a good point about the common flavor in their beers. I cant quite put my finger on it but they all seem to be very similar to me.

Redweasel · 07-20-2009, 08:57 PM

I despise Fat Tire. 1554 is ok. Just had the Mighty Arrow Pale Ale and was impressed. It is just a solid example of Am Pale Ale. Not the end all but solid. It helps that they use a Cascade Amarillo combo which is my all time favorite combo for the style.

heinz57 · 07-21-2009, 05:32 PM

Look into their Lips of Faith line, La Folie was quite good. I picked up a bomber of the Dark Kriek too, but haven't popped it open yet. I hear the Biere de Mars isn't so hot, but they put out some fun stuff.

flyangler18 · 07-21-2009, 05:40 PM

Of New Belgium's line up, La Folie ranks near the top, as do both the Dark Kriek and 1554.

Niedermier · 07-21-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heinz57

Look into their Lips of Faith line, La Folie was quite good. I picked up a bomber of the Dark Kriek too, but haven't popped it open yet. I hear the Biere de Mars isn't so hot, but they put out some fun stuff.

I thought Biere de Mars was Ommegang.

07-20-2009, 01:37 PM	#2
PseudoChef Mmmmmmm...so meaty. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NashVegas, TN/Sometimes Forest Park, IL Posts: 5,383	Overrated, possibly - but overhyped? Most definitely, in my opinion. I really like their Wit though, it's got a great balance with the spices, and the malt profile is great. It just may be a hard style to really impress someone with, ya know? Fat Tire, I wholeheartedly agree - overhyped beyond reason. There's really not much special going on there beside, much like you said, a session style beer with a little more flavor that's somewhat drinkable. The 1554, I disagree though. I've only had one bottle back when it first came out in Nashville last year, and I thought it was great. Different and innovative. I'll have to retry it sometime. __________________ "Logic is not a reverend's strong suit." - adrock

07-20-2009, 01:57 PM	#4
blacklab Rocket Sauce Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,851	There is a common taste that runs through all of their brews that I don't really like. It's almost a Natty Light, moldy breadcrust thing. __________________ Meadow Camp Reduced Gluten Brewing Co. Primary: n/a Bottled/Bright: Kitchen Sink Sorghum IPA / O'Flan Standard Stout / Oud Bruin Barrel Brew / Old Vine Zin #1

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07-20-2009, 02:05 PM	#5
rdwj I like this alot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 870	I think that Fat Tire is popular for the very reason you mentioned. It's got a TAD more taste than a domestic. It's for the guy that wants to spend $8 on a beer so he can look cool by not drinking something pedestrian, but doesn't make him cringe with that "yucky" heavy beer taste. On the plus side, I think it acts as a gateway for some.

07-20-2009, 08:57 PM	#7
Redweasel FUCK THE MOON!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,823	I despise Fat Tire. 1554 is ok. Just had the Mighty Arrow Pale Ale and was impressed. It is just a solid example of Am Pale Ale. Not the end all but solid. It helps that they use a Cascade Amarillo combo which is my all time favorite combo for the style.

07-21-2009, 05:32 PM	#8
heinz57 Catchin' Up Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Altadena, CA Posts: 1,045	Look into their Lips of Faith line, La Folie was quite good. I picked up a bomber of the Dark Kriek too, but haven't popped it open yet. I hear the Biere de Mars isn't so hot, but they put out some fun stuff.

07-21-2009, 05:40 PM	#9
flyangler18 I IV V Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 3,342	Of New Belgium's line up, La Folie ranks near the top, as do both the Dark Kriek and 1554.