New Belgium Brewing celebrates 20 years of brewing in 2011. Their biggest beer – Fat Tire Amber, is getting a makeover for the occasion – to Super Cru. Super Cru is a “double” version of Fat Tire, with double the hops & double the malts. Not stopping there, NB added pear juice and a saison yeast. It weighs in at 10%, and will be available in 22 oz bombers.
In addition to Super Cru, Abbey Grand Cru will be returning as well. Abbey is brewed after every 1,000 batches. It’s New Belgium’s Abbey Ale with increased hops, malts & fermentation. Of course the finishing touch is a Belgian yeast addition, and some more bottle fermentation. Cellars well. 9% ABV.
Read on for the full press release
Arrival: May-June 2011
Full Press Release
As Part of the Lips of Faith Series, Super Cru is Released with Abbey Grand Cru
Ft. Collins, CO, April 28, 2011 — In honor of New Belgium’s 20th anniversary celebration, the brewery’s flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale is getting a makeover. The result is New Belgium Super Cru, which is part of New Belgium’s esteemed Lips of Faith Series. This special creation, along with Abbey Grand Cru, make up the second rollout of Lips of Faith beers this year. The quarterly program taps the creativity of New Belgium’s brewers and delivers unique, short-run batches.
Super Cru is a big, beautiful double version of Fat Tire Amber Ale, doubling the malt bill and hop profile of the traditional version. To accentuate the fresh apple ester of Fat Tire, New Belgium added Asian pear juice and tweaked it further with a saison yeast. Super Cru opens with a big bready nose, rolls from floral hop to earthy malt and finishes with a touch of clove.
Super Cru is 10% ABV and is available in 22-ounce bombers and draft.
Abbey Grand Cru is not new, but is making a long-awaited comeback. Abbey Grand Cru is a New Belgium ritual, where it is traditionally brewed after every 1,000 batches. Abbey Grand Cru honors the award-winning Abbey Ale, taking that celebrated recipe and increasing the hops, malts and fermentation time. It is fermented with an authentic Belgian yeast strain and is refermented in the bottle to produce natural carbonation.
Abbey Grand Cru continues to improve and age deliciously. Optimal storage is a cool (40-55°), dark place where the bottles can remain undisturbed. It is best served at cellar temperature in a New Belgium globe.
Abbey Grand Cru is 9.5% ABV and is available in 22-ounce bombers and draft.
For more information about the Lips of Faith series, New Belgium or the 20th anniversary, http://www.newbelgium.com
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit http://www.newbelgium.com
