New Belgium Fat Tire

It was recently announced that New Belgium Brewing would soon be entering the Ohio market, before the end of 2012. This announcement has been much-heralded, so tonight, we bring you their seminal brew: Fat Tire Amber Ale. We picked this up on the trip to Illinois, where we also consumed several in the hotel bar (when the bartender thought we were asking for draft, not craft beer, and proceeded to offer us Miller Lite).

It pours a medium amber color, with a little chill haze and a light off-white head. The nose on this is faint but quite sweet, with a bunch of caramel and a hint of vague citrus. This is a very light brew, coming in at 5.2% ABV. It tastes of caramel, toffee, dough, and a vague earthy note, with that hint of citrus. It's malt-forward, with just a tinge of hops coming in to brighten the beer toward the end. The mouthfeel is well-carbonated yet creamy, not too heavy and not too light.

I can see where it would be a great gateway beer for people who are new to craft beer. As I've said before, I'm not a huge fan of ambers, as I find most bland and uninteresting. This is no exception. I mean, it's good, but it's nothing remarkable. It would be a great beer on a cool fall day, but alas, Nathan turned off the air conditioning and the thermostat is hovering somewhere around 80, the windows provide no circulation as they all face the same direction, and I'm having a hot flash like I just stepped into a sauna. I mean, really, who the hell builds an apartment with all the windows facing the same direction?!?!?! Oh wait... Looks like I'll be sleeping in the refrigerator tonight.

4/5 caps

-Jennie

It's not that hot in here- it's only 74 degrees (F), not 'hovering around 80. You make it seem like I run a sweat shop here. Well, at times I do, but this isn't one of them.

So, this has had time to warm up (not because of the temperature in here, like Jennie will say, more because our neighbors popped over and we were outside talking with them). The color is a medium amber, as previously mentioned, with a half finger of white head still remaining. The aroma is slight citrus with some caramel and biscuity tones. The flavor is light. Caramel, mostly,with toffee and very vague, nondescript back end that brings hints of both citrus and earthiness, but so faint, you have to dig in to really find it. Mouthfeel is creamy, yet smooth. Very drinkable.

Not bad for an amber, great gateway beer. I'm going to offer the rest to our neighbors who are just getting into beer. So far, they seem to be enjoying the Irish Red style, and since we can't have a regular supply of Flying Dog's Lucky SOB, I figure they might enjoy this.

4/5 caps

-Nathan-

Rebuttal: It was 78, not 74. Next time I'm taking a picture of the thermostat, you sweatshop-runner. -Jennie