New Belgium Biere De Mars

Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Bière de Garde
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Very hazy amber with a fluffy head and a herby citrus aroma. It’s heavy on the spice and I’m not liking some of the specific spices that are standing out, too much coriander for example.

Golden orange without much fizzle. My first sample was out of a disposable plastic cup in a Las Vegas hotel room. It was good then. A couple of bottles made their way back with me. Shockingly, it tastes even better out of a glass vessel. Slightly acidic twang. Maybe a little thin as it slips down the throat. Nice notes of lemon zest and hop spice, not surprising for an American interpretation.

Damn, I hate liking New Belgian beers. How the heck does this brewery make a living from Flat Tire when they produce such good beers otherwise? The pour reminds me of Tang, only not quite as bright. Lots of suspended yeast. Not a whole lot or a head or lacing, though, but that's typical for the style. Scent is light malt with a bit of citrus. Taste is also light. Some citrus hints with some spices hide behind a delicate and crisp malt. I find this cleaner than most Saisons. Mouthfeel is a bit watery but not too much so, though it could use a bit more carbonation. Overall this is pretty good and a find complement to the rest of NB's offerings, if only they'd get rid of Flat Tire and a few others.

Not really much of a saison. Lacks the funkiness of a good saison. Very yeasty but no other flavors ever really develop.

A very spicey and wonderfully attractive beer. Pours a beautiful orange/amber colour with a robust lacing of white bubbles clinging to the glass. Lemon, ginger and hop laden. This is like a liquid flower.

On tap at Stone. Amber in the glass with strong lace that wouldn’t die. Lots of roasted malt flavor. Some hints of chocolate. Some sweetness, but overpowered by the rest. Not at all what I expected from the looks of the glass. Just OK.

Wet dough and felt pepper nose with some funk. Golden amber with a frothy large head. Honey wheat crackers, funky bitter balance--nice combination, Big carbonation, medium body, syrupy orange peel finish. Great combination of bready sweetness and earthy funky spiciness. Very enjoyable.

Lately I am incredibly unimpressed by this brewery. Draught. Opaque murky pour. Nothing but cloudiness and orange-straw viscuousness. Head dies quick. At first the nose was delightful. Sour grapes, bubblegum and a nice cracked and edgy malt flavor that was, to say the least, refined. This however quickly turned south. At first the funk that wafted from the goblet was palatable. Dead spiders, dusty corners and goats milk. But then...OHH...pure gym socks...over and over again nothing but gym socks. No subtleness only a nasty fungusy ripeness. This keg was brand new too. Flavorsare murky and confused. Too much bubblegum, malts are flat and sour like most of their brews and the funkiness penetrates everything in a decent but not impressive way. All in all this is an ok beer but just hold your nose when you drink it.