New Belgium La Folie

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

(11/4/08) Draught at Hamilton’s in San Diego. Dark reddish-brown color. Aroma of barnyard, citrus, some sour cherries, a bit of other fruits and sweaty notes. Sour flavor with brett, some cherries notes, lemon and a bit of malt. Rounded mouthfeel. Wonderful stuff.

On tap at Father’s office in LA. To sum it up, this is Rodenbach Grand Cru but better -- thanks to the head brewer being originally from Rodenbach! Great stuff. Probably better bottle conditioned with some age, but still great on tap none-the-less. 2009 Batch. Bomber into snifter. THANKS SKINNYGUY!! Pours a really really dark reddish brown. Not sure if its muddy or not because it is so dark. Descent off-white -- very light brown) head that fades to a ring without leaving much lace. (Appearance down from 4 to 3.) Aroma is beautiful! Sour cherries and oak and vinegar, and funk. Very pungent and aggressive. I like! (Aroma up from 8 to 9). The flavor is great with an awesome barnyard funky finish that is truly outstanding, However, there is a weird momentary wateryness that shines through in both the flavor and the palate almost as if this were gravity brewed to at a higher abv and diluted down. Still outstanding though. The waternyness is beginning to subside the more I drink. Very spicy with acidity with a dry long finish. (flavor staying at 8). Meidum to full body with minimal carbonation, but enough fine bubbles to tickle the tongue. (palate up from 4 to 5, and Overall up from 17 to 18). A classic for sour lovers, no doubt.

Big thanks to my neighbor Matt. Pours a lovely dark ruby-brown with tall and lasting tan head. Nose is something like a blend of tart fruit, vanilla and flowers. Really damned interesting. Tastes intensely tart but never harsh... Faint bitterness. Backdrop notes of sour cherry, balsamic, and that vanilla wood. Far exceeded my expectations.

Poures a coppery brown. Aroma or sour fruit, and apples. Flavor is bitter, sour, apple and cherry, somewhat light and refreshing. Interestingly complex.

Courtesy of a wonderful MrBunn. Nose of caramel apples and apple cider. WHA! rather sour at first sip! gooooood stuff though. strong flavor of apples. Palate is crisp with white grape juice on the backside. Winner.

C&C 750, #07-3171. Clear copper red with a small tan head. Very woody nose, sweet but tart malt, black cherry notes. Flavor follows, and adds some light funk. SO drinkable, which is a quality more of this style could use. Excellent.

Draft at Jerry’s. Amber with good, creamy tan head / Sweet, malty, smokey nose / LIght to medium body, tart, with good finish / Sour flavors of dark cherries, apples, grapes, oak, and a touch of brett / Very good, not on a par with Jolly Pumpkin, though.

Bottle obtained from the local Safeway, of all places. Distinct "wine" aroma upon uncorking. Cloudy dark amber in color. Thin mouth feel with a distinct sour bite at first. Lots of fruit flavors. This would rock with a serious ploughman’s cheese board.