New Belgium
Winter Potential: New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa
When the weather eventually turns cold, you might be sipping this new release. New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa.
“Frambozen” (Flemish for raspberry) is the beautifully red fruit forward beer brewed with a touch of chocolate malt; a seasonal that hit the market around Thanksgiving. For us at Beer Street Journal, there literally was no better beer to pair with turkey. Whether or not we see the base seasonal release again in 2017 remains to be seen. In the meantime, a new edition has popped up on the release radar.
RELATED: New Belgium Frambozen
New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa increases the dessert-flavored aspects of Frambozen with both roasted and ground cocoa husks, and fresh northwestern raspberry puree.
Frambozen, Flemish for “raspberry” is our big, luscious celebration of the ruby red fruit found in Belgium’s Framboise ales. Our version is fermented with northwestern raspberries and a special addition of single-origin Ghana cocoa husks freshly roasted and ground by Nuance Chocolate in Fort Collins, CO. A Colorado holiday tradition from our brewery to your glass. Cheers!
New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa is touted a limited release in 22 ounce bottles. The brewery has not yet announced this release.
Style: Imperial Fruit Beer (w/ Raspberries. Cocoa Husks.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Debut: TBA
8.5% ABV
Hazy & tropical. New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Mandarina IPA
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Mandarina IPA is now hitting shelves nationally this month.
In late 2016, New Belgium signaled a few lineup changes with the addition of the Voodoo Ranger Series. Initial releases include Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, and 8 Hop Pale Ale.
This month, New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Mandarina will be available for a limited time, perfect for warm weather drinking. The base beer is an unfiltered wheat based IPA that is big on trop hops including German Mandarina Bavaria and Australian Galaxy. Translation: juicy.
TASTE. Juicy is a great description. This new glass of haze plays jump rope with citrus flavors (like orange, lemon and grapefruit) and a touch of pine. This new Ranger finishes slightly sweet and smooth thanks to a blend of wheat. It’s like New Belgium bottled a sunny day.
Drink up now, because this summer a Passionfruit Imperial IPA is headed to the series.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Mandarina IPA is available in 22 ounce bottles and draft for a limited time.
Style: IPA
Hops: Mandarina Bavaria, Galaxy, Cascade, Calypso
Malts: Pale, White Wheat, Red Wheat, Dark Wheat.
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: Mid-April, 2017
6.5% ABV
PIC: Beer Street Journal
New Belgium’s Fat Tire series is expanding with Fat Tire White Ale
New Belgium Fat Tire White Ale, a new addition to the brewery’s “Fat Tire” family, debuts in August.
Later this summer, ordering a Fat Tire won’t be limiting your choices to just the iconic amber ale. For the first time in 25 years, New Belgium is putting a true Belgian-style white ale into full scale production.
The authentic white ale will feature Seville orange peel and coriander from Fort Collins, Colorado based Old Town Spice Shop, less than a mile from the brewery. New Belgium selected Seville oranges over Valencia oranges because thanks to their ‘brighter” aroma, and less cloying sweetness.
“Fat Tire Belgian White captures the spirit and flavor of a truly authentic Belgian White beer” – Peter Bouckaert, New Belgium’s Belgian Brewmaster
New Belgium Fat Tire White Ale will be available in 12 ounce bottles, 12 ounce cans, and draft starting August 1st.
Style: White Ale (w/ Orange Peel, Coriander)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Cans, Draft
Debut: 8/1/17
5.2% ABV
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New Belgium Sour Saison
New Belgium Sour Saison
New name: New Belgium Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale returns
New Belgium‘s watermelon lime ale is back in the brewery’s seasonal lineup for a second time. This year, you’ll see it called New Belgium Juicy Watermelon.
The base recipe is basically the same as before. New Belgium tells Beer Street Journal that “Heavy Melon” didn’t really capture the essence of the beer. When deciding on whether or order or purchase, “heavy” anything might be a turn off. Juicy on the other hand, is much more palatable.
Watermelon and lime are the stars of this beer, that finishes at 5% alcohol by volume. New Belgium loves their seasonals, and this one might be the most crazy (non Lips of Faith) offering to date. If beer was fruit at a hot summer picnic, this beer would be it.
Cool off with this refreshingly fruity summer beer brewed with watermelons and limes.
New Belgium Juicy Watermelon is a 12 ounce bottle and draft seasonal release.
Style: (w/ Watermelon, Lime)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, 12oz Cans, Draft
Latest Return: Early Spring, 2017
5% ABV
Image: Beer Street Journal
Hoppy taste explosion. New Belgium Whizbang joins spring seasonals
New Belgium Whizbang joins the Colorado/North Carolina powerhouse brewery’s lineup this month.
In case you missed the trend, New Belgium loves seasonals. So much so that new seasonals on average only stick around for 2 to 3 years. It’s not spring yet, but spring seasonals don’t pay attention to temperatures.
Billed as a “sessionable spring alternative”, New Belgium Whizbang is a hoppy blonde ale brewed with a heavy dose of Mosaic hops.
“Whizbang offers a blast of hops, thus the name, yet it’s still crisp and quaffable, It’s hoppy complexity and balanced drinkability makes it a great go-to beer for the late winter and early spring season.” – Bryan Simpson, media relations director for New Belgium.
New Belgium Whizbang, aka a “full flavored taste explosion”, is a 12 ounce bottle and draft offering from January to March, 2017.
Style: Blonde Ale
Hops: Nugget, Simcoe, UK Admiral, Mosaic, Centennial
Malts: Pale, Caramel 80, and Munich
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Jan-March
Debut: January, 2017
5.7% ABV
From the foeder: New Belgium French Oak Saison
New Belgium French Oak Saison is slated for bottles in the near future.
The Fort Collins, Colorado location is home to one of the largest wood cellars in America. You can thank New Belgium’s brewmaster Peter Bouckaert for that vision, and his past work with Belgium’s renown sour producer, Rodenbach. The brewery’s foeders are responsible for American sour favorites like La Folie and Tart Lychee.
Soon, New Belgium French Oak Saison will emerge from the wood as well. The base farmhouse ale is a sour blend that been foeder matured for 14 to 19 months.
French Oak Saison is our unique take on the original 18th Century saisons brewed along the Belgian and French countryside. The dry and refreshing tartness created by oak barrel maturation. Amusez-vous bien!
New Belgium French Oak Saison will be a 22 ounce bottle and draft release.
Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Oak Aged)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: TBA
7.5% ABV
Overhead view of New Belgium’s wood cellar. Image: New Belgium
