New Belgium Fat Tire

Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Bottle. Nice deep amber color with a thick white head. Aroma is a blend of yeast and fruit that is more complex than what I remember from the draught at the pub. The flavor is the letdown - just a slightly hoppier version of standard brews but I have to admit it is very smooth and drinkable.

This malty amber has become the craftbeer of the moment in NWI, but I cannot understand the adulation. It is not bad by any means, just not special. Perhaps it’s lack of hops fills a niche not already occupied by Three Floyds in the local ale market. With their prices being comparable, why would I pick Fat Tire over Alpha King or Pride & Joy?

Yeast in the aroma. Flavor is very grainy malt, nothing special but better than other beers you can get often on tap in non-craft bars in the midwest

Strong malt flavor and aroma. Not much fruit in the nose or in the flavor. Nice head on amber colored pour.

On tap. Pours a golden or copper color. I got a yeasty aroma. Not much here, but very malty. A bit of a honey taste as well. I like this beer. May not be the best craft, but it is still a very solid beer.

Serving: 12 oz. bottle. Appearance: Amber with a sizeable, pillowy, white head. Good lacing all the way down the glass. Aroma: Bready, caramel, light spicy hops and some grass. Taste: Fruity malt, strawberries, a little dough, and a touch of honey sweetness. Just a touch of nuttiness emerges as the beer warms. Light but good. Palate: Medium carbonation with a light mouthfeel. Short, fruity finish. Overall: A little watery and candy like, I would consider it a training wheels beer for entering in the craft world. Not the most ambitious amber, it is still well put together and fairly tasty. I would like to see a little more body though. Would I buy it again: Yes. It is a good beer to have on hand for guests who aren’t into craft beers (or at least don’t know it yet) and it actually wouldn’t be a bad lawnmower beer. Reasonably priced as well.

From copper to light red depending on light. Brief head but a nice bishop’s collar up top. Clear and bright. Frosty & nice. A bit of a weak aroma but pleasant. Malt heavy (typically amber red) but with a mild flowery hop in the nose. Heavy, thick malt. A little roasted with German character. The Hops are secondary and mild. It’s solid, not mind-blowing. A bit more roasted as it warms up. Hops are of the hallertauer/German variety. It’s a thick, creamy amber. Good to drink on an empty stomach. Goes well with a juicy burger. A solid beer. Could use more hops, but fine overall.

Not really "amber" as much as a clear light orange, with a white head. Aroma is faint but flavor is solid. More caramel malts than hops. Has a very unique malt flavor. I think I could pick this out in a blind taste test of a 100 other amber ales. I enjoy the "toasty, biscuit like malt flavors." Not really strong in any department though, but very sessionable. Definitely not one of those "red IPAs" labeled as an amber ale. Light to medium body with a crisp finish. Refreshing.