California Route
New Belgium Brewing Company
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- California Common / Steam Beer
- ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 9.49%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 15
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 22, 2015
- Added:
- Nov 15, 2013
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
2013 marks 40 years in business for our Ventura, California-based outdoor clothing company. To celebrate, the good folks at New Belgium Brewing crafted a special lager beer made in the "California Common" tradition - tawny in color, medium bodied, with a malty character and earthy hops. Staying true to Patagonia's longstanding commitment to organic cotton, the beer is brewed with certified organic ingredients.
Fun fact: a recent study found that lager yeast originated in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina, in beech forests where the year-round climate is quite cool. Dubbed Saccharomyces eubayanus, it's perfectly acclimated to the cool temps in which brewmasters ferment their lagers. And while lager beer is said to have originated in Bavarian cellars, native Patagonians made their own fermented beverage with the same yeast back in the day.
The name of our beer pays homage to the California Route on Patagonia's Mount Fitz Roy. First climbed in 1968 by Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Dick Dorworth, Lito Tejada-Flores and Chris Jones, the California Route is considered a Patagonia classic, with good rock and fun free climbing in a wildly beautiful setting.
Fun fact: a recent study found that lager yeast originated in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina, in beech forests where the year-round climate is quite cool. Dubbed Saccharomyces eubayanus, it's perfectly acclimated to the cool temps in which brewmasters ferment their lagers. And while lager beer is said to have originated in Bavarian cellars, native Patagonians made their own fermented beverage with the same yeast back in the day.
The name of our beer pays homage to the California Route on Patagonia's Mount Fitz Roy. First climbed in 1968 by Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Dick Dorworth, Lito Tejada-Flores and Chris Jones, the California Route is considered a Patagonia classic, with good rock and fun free climbing in a wildly beautiful setting.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia
3.95/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.95/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce can - $1.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.
The bottom of the can is dated 23 MAR 2014.
Appearance: Pours a very lightly hazed, dark yellow body with just under an inch of white foam. Not particularly much lacing.
Smell: Agreeable biscuit nose, a thin, thin sliver of caramel sweetness, and hop notes scented of citrus fruit, flowers, and dried herb.
Taste: Lightly biscuity, lightly toasted grains with a thin layer of incorporated sweetness. Citrus, floral, spicy-edged herb hop notes. Medium-light bitterness. Soft yeastiness. Drying, modestly spicy finish with a mild, lingering fruity lemon flavor.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Refreshing, easy-drinking.
Feb 22, 2014The bottom of the can is dated 23 MAR 2014.
Appearance: Pours a very lightly hazed, dark yellow body with just under an inch of white foam. Not particularly much lacing.
Smell: Agreeable biscuit nose, a thin, thin sliver of caramel sweetness, and hop notes scented of citrus fruit, flowers, and dried herb.
Taste: Lightly biscuity, lightly toasted grains with a thin layer of incorporated sweetness. Citrus, floral, spicy-edged herb hop notes. Medium-light bitterness. Soft yeastiness. Drying, modestly spicy finish with a mild, lingering fruity lemon flavor.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Overall: Refreshing, easy-drinking.
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia
3.74/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
"To celebrate 40 years of fun hogging, New Belgium and Patagonia, Inc. have crafted this medium-bodied, unfiltered organic lager in the 'California Common' tradition." Brewed in the style of a California Common Lager/Steam Beer. One time collaborative canned release by New Belgium with Patagonia outdoor wear.
Poured from a 12 oz. can to a pint glass. Served above 54ยบ Fahrenheit.
(Appearance) Pours a foamy pearl-white head over a moderately hazy amber-yellow body. Retention is very good, lacing is light and spotty. 4.25
(Smell) Lightly sweetened pale malts with a clean caramel grain malt. Hop potency is very bold, with earthy, spicy hop aromas and a moderate bitterness. Balance is equally in favor of bitterness and sweetness, with high accessibility. The aroma is very sessionable, potent and appealing. 4
(Taste) Up front, expect a very light, mildly sweet pale biscuit malt, joined by a mellow earthy hop profile with a mild peppery bitterness. California Route finishes with a notable lager lightness despite some meager complexity from some muted lemon and biscuit. Very drinkable, although not all flavors come through as boldly as they do in the aroma. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) Lightly chewy, mildly acidic, otherwise clean. Carbonation generates some froth and fizziness. Body is shy of medium for the style, light+ overall. Alcohol presence is light. 3.75
(Overall) While I don't care about Organic endorsements, I found California Route to be an enjoyable, easy-drinking lager. Those looking for more flavorful lager options outside of the macro choices should consider trying the California Route. 3.75
New Belgium Brewing's
California Route Organic Lager
3.71/5.00
Feb 08, 2014Poured from a 12 oz. can to a pint glass. Served above 54ยบ Fahrenheit.
(Appearance) Pours a foamy pearl-white head over a moderately hazy amber-yellow body. Retention is very good, lacing is light and spotty. 4.25
(Smell) Lightly sweetened pale malts with a clean caramel grain malt. Hop potency is very bold, with earthy, spicy hop aromas and a moderate bitterness. Balance is equally in favor of bitterness and sweetness, with high accessibility. The aroma is very sessionable, potent and appealing. 4
(Taste) Up front, expect a very light, mildly sweet pale biscuit malt, joined by a mellow earthy hop profile with a mild peppery bitterness. California Route finishes with a notable lager lightness despite some meager complexity from some muted lemon and biscuit. Very drinkable, although not all flavors come through as boldly as they do in the aroma. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) Lightly chewy, mildly acidic, otherwise clean. Carbonation generates some froth and fizziness. Body is shy of medium for the style, light+ overall. Alcohol presence is light. 3.75
(Overall) While I don't care about Organic endorsements, I found California Route to be an enjoyable, easy-drinking lager. Those looking for more flavorful lager options outside of the macro choices should consider trying the California Route. 3.75
New Belgium Brewing's
California Route Organic Lager
3.71/5.00
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