With a brewery name like New Belgium, it's a little odd that the Fort Collins, CO-based New Belgium Brewing Company's portfolio doesn't contain all that many beers that are stylistically similar to... well, beers from "old" Belgium. The company's flagship beer, Fat Tire Amber Ale, an American-style Amber which debuted in Augusta (and Georgia) with much hoopla back in 2009, is actually declining in sales; sales of the beer reportedly dropped 3.7% in the first quarter this year.
In recent weeks, though, a couple beers from New Belgium's portfolio that actually are Belgian in their stylistic origin found their way onto shelves in Augusta, and it's about time.
While New Belgium produces some rather praiseworthy beers in their Lips of Faith series, Augusta has thus far been wanting for brews from that series, and so has had to rely on a handful of the brewery's wares -- beers like Fat Tire, Mothership Wit, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, Ranger IPA, and the rotating list of seasonal brands. Now two more beers from the Explore series (from which Mothership and Ranger hail) are available, and both are flavorful Belgian styles: Abbey Belgian Style Ale (which falls into the Abbey Dubbel style) and Trippel Belgian Style Ale (in the style of an Abbey Tripel).
Affordable and widely available in the area (check out places like Toast Wine and Beverage in Martinez and Sundrees Urban Market and Aficionados in downtown Augusta, amongst many others), these two beers are pretty stylistically accurate and will likely introduce many fans of New Belgium to the two respective styles while serving as a good, easy-to-find alternative to pricier craft and import brands of the same styles.
Abbey Belgian Style Ale Review
Style: Dubbel
Alcohol content: 7.0% ABV
Package type: 12-ounce brown glass bottle
Serving vessel: New Belgium-branded globe tulip glass
Serving temperature: ~45 degrees F
Rating: B (3.53/5)
Pours deep ruby-amber and sparklingly clear, showing off a full two fingers of beige froth that settles down lazily into a thick, creamy collar. Just a few splotchy, broken rings of lace stick around on the walls of the glass as it empties.
The nose reeks of Belgian yeast -- of course, "reeking" doesn't necessarily have to be bad. Lots of spicy, clove-laced goodness, with some banana-like esters dancing in between. There's some more in there -- perhaps juicy ripe cherry and a hint of nutmeg? Difficult to place.
Very light in body, suggesting the traditional Belgian route of employing candi sugar in the boil. A moderate carbonation leaves the palate tingling.
On the palate, things seem slightly less complex than the nose suggests, though there's still plenty of interesting stuff in which to partake. Some hints of sweet bread up front mingle with black pepper, clove and some grassy, spicy hop notes in the middle. Things dry out a bit before reemerging juicy with faint notes of fig on the back of the tongue, leading into a peppery semi-dry finish with a lingering touch of caramel and ripe red apple.
The light body and spicy dryness make this one easy-to-drink brew. Perhaps less complex than some of the originals from the continent (as well as some originating here in the States); a bit of bottle-conditioning would also be welcome, though not really necessary to make it enjoyable. An easy-drinking interpretation of the style with a well-hidden alcohol content that keeps it accessible yet enjoyable.
Trippel Belgian Style Ale Review
Style: Tripel
Alcohol content: 7.8% ABV
Package type: 12-ounce brown glass bottle
Serving vessel: New Belgium-branded globe tulip glass
Serving temperature: ~45 degrees F
Rating: B (3.63/5)
Pours a crystal-clear deep sunny gold with a puffy three fingers of white foam, verging on rocky. The head settles into a thick crown that grabs onto the walls of the glass, holding on tight enough to leave behind fat splotches of lace.
A bit subdued in the nose, rather surprisingly -- spicy notes of white pepper and clove dominate, with some faint DMS (likely from the use of pilsner malt) peeking through at lower temperatures. Banana and pear nots hide in the background.
Light-to-medium-bodied with a moderate, prickly carbonation; sweet honey-ish malt notes intermingle up front with light toast, flowing into a rather complex middle with spicy peppercorn, white pepper, clove, hints of basil and oregano and juicy pear; finishes spicy-fruity and mostly dry, with a lingering impression of white pepper and herbal mint.
Not a bad Tripel at all and quite drinkable despite the alcohol content; as with the brewery's example of the Dubbel style, bottle conditioning would probably do this beer justice, but it's perfectly good without it. This would pair excellently with spicier dishes or even lighter fare like salads.
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