Lips Of Faith - La Folie - New Belgium Brewing

mobius387

Wisconsin

4.04/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 vintage, poured into deschutes snifter

appearance: dark burgundy, opaque, vanilla rim of bubbles around the edges but bare in the middle, few bubbles reside on sides and bottom of glass. looks awesome, very unique looking beer.

aroma: musty bready nose, can really get the brett smells out of this one, leathery malt backbone, soft black cherries

palate: sharp bite to it, pretty thin feeling but still retains a medium body, overall nice

taste: starts out very sour and sharp, cherries dominate, and its got that classic, stale funky lingering aftertaste that is so great about this style.

overall: one of new belgium's best year in and year out. very enjoyable, everyone should try

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 20:56:10 | More by mobius387

jvillefan

California

4.11/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A: A ruby brown body with a lace white head.

S: A sweet caramel aroma that is tinged with a pleasant sour aroma.

T: Not a lot of sour present. Very mild flavors. There is some grape and toffee in the background.

M: A little thing but great carbonation.

O: Great refreshing beer. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2013 05:21:10 | More by jvillefan

falc0n2600

California

4.46/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Nice reddish color with a small head. Intense-smelling fruity smells with incredibly tart but slightly sweet, and a whole lot of sour. I had this during a sour beer night with sixteen sour beers and this one was definitely one of the most memorable of the night.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 06:30:29 | More by falc0n2600

beerdhabelly

Nebraska

4.83/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Clarification: this is not based on the style, as I know little about the style, but my own interpretation of this particular beer.

I loved this beer! A uniquely rust red color that in itself was intriguing to me (given have only had a few sours). Smells sweet, but not like it was, I would not have guessed it to be so sour based on the smell. A wildly sour taste that converted me from thinking sours taste like vinegar to sours being highly enjoyable. The feel was a nice medium body with spot on carbonation.

Really loved this beer and it opened up sours for me. Have one!

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2013 19:22:28 | More by beerdhabelly

rangerred

Tennessee

3.05/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Had on tap.

Arrived a clear ruby red with no real head to speak of.

Aroma of dark fruit with a definite tartness present. Some wood and tree bark as well.

Immediate dark fruit on the flavor reminding me of cherries and figs. Lots of tartness along with vinegar and some funk. A little bit of lighter citrus in there as well. Mouthfeel is very watery, unfortunately, and detracts somewhat.

Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by this beer. It seemed to lack some complexity and the mouthfeel was terrible.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2012 19:57:31 | More by rangerred

BucannonXC5

California

4.05/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Type: Draft
Glass: Half pint glass
From: URGE American Gastropub in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.)
Price: $6.00
Misc.: N/A

Poured a dark red, plum color with about a finger (when I got it) of marshmallow white head that initially had good retention. Nice spider web lacing on the sides as the beer went down, averaged out on the top.

Smelled sour cherries, green apple, rum, black cherry, plum and Cherry Coke.

Tasted sour cherries, black cherry, tart, Smarties and still that sour green apple. Some sour grape as well.

Medium body. Oily texture. Average-to-lively (above average) carbonation. Extremely long smooth finish. Definitely the best part of the beer.

Very good beer overall. I’m still learning the sours and Flanders’, but this seems to be one of the better ones I’ve tried. Would definitely try it again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2012 00:22:54 | More by BucannonXC5

tectactoe

Michigan

4.26/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at the Oak Cafe. Pours a deep copper-ruby red hybrid letting spotty amounts of light shine through; tan head, decent retention, minimal lacing. Aroma lifts up heavily from the glass with tart apples, strawberries, and a large assortment of sweet and tart fruits popping everywhere. Slight wet-wood and funk scents around the edges, however its very light and certainly overthrown by the cornucopia of fruit.

Taste is initially tart and sour on the very tip of the tongue, pucker inducing; ripe strawberries, green apples, sour cherries, and a huge assortment of other berries dance around the palate. Tart and sour flavors mellow out within a few seconds and turn into a lasting sweetness. Some mild yeast in the background, if nothing more than a foundation for the fruits to build in, it works well. Lots of carbonation, crisp and surprisingly dry, thin-medium body, more on the medium side I would say.

Great sour ale from New Belgium. It's hard to get great sours in the US sometimes, especially ones that are readily available. La Folie isn't cheap, but it's worth picking some up each year when it's released. Authentic fruit flavors are the key - this one nails it. I happen to like sour fruits, and this hit the spot.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 12:40:42 | More by tectactoe

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at Beachwood BBQ during their sourfest last year. A darker burnt copper kind of color, thin head on it, beige it appears. It doesn't do much in the lace department, there was never a substantial head formation to measure how well it made lace, much less discussing retention beyond that.

A mildly tart, acidic aroma permeates the nose. Enjoyable, you get some minimal intrusions of wood barrel in the aroma as well.

Flavor profile leans towards cherry tarts. Notes of apple come on as well. There is some sweetness, but nothing approaching Lindemans territory here. Funkiness doesn't seem developed, this one comes off all modernized and clean. I think I heard they pastuerize this stuff now, so it won't be growing in the bottle, this may explain the lack of funk, I don't care, its not something I went in hoping for either way. Some brown malt/ale type of leanings when you look beneath the fruit flavors and sour/tart aspects of the beer.

Its a good flanders brown, the cost seems to keep going up, but I don't mind picking up one of these every year.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2012 21:43:49 | More by Beerandraiderfan

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draught at HopCat for the Wood and Wild Ale Festival 2012 (several times over), into a tulip.

Deep ruby red, no head, no lacing. Nose is brilliant once warm, darker cherry notes and Flanders Red type malting predominate. Taste is acetic, dark cherry, sweetish malts with some mild vinegar notes in the finish. Tartness hangs around for a while. Lighter medium feel, medium high carbonation. An excellent Flanders ale, super drinkable and something I'll revisit any time I catch it on draught.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 18:03:38 | More by liamt07

rodkin

Missouri

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Pi on Delmar for SLCBW.

I didn't realize this was a brown ale base. I'm not sure what I was expecting it to look like I guess, but definitely not what I got. Dark caramel-cola brown, some visible bubbles running up it but basically no head to speak of. Nothing special.

Smell is some earthy funk, some oak, granny smith apple, some citrus. Smells really nice. A bit of cherry - actually more cherry than the Kick.

Taste is a lot of acidic tartness upfront. Some apple, funk, hay, cherry, bit of earthiness. Really similar to the nose, but man is it acidic. I felt like I needed to eat a Tums after drinking that. Very tasty, but that acidity is a bit much.

Mouthfeel is excellent. On the lighter side, bubbly carbonation, pretty smooth. Very good.

This is a solid sour, decent complexity and great taste. Great tartness. I just wish it wasn't quite so acidic!

Serving type: on-tap

08-01-2012 03:00:22 | More by rodkin

WMEugene

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Reddish, brown color with a thin head and great lacing.

S - Sour notes, some dark fruit, something apple-ish perhaps. Some malty notes as well.

T - This is one sour beer. Dark fruit and spice flavors. I pick up some apple and maybe a little cherry. A bit tart in the finish.

M - Pretty smooth and drinkable despite the sour finish. Nice low levels of carbonation.

O - La Folie is a very enjoyable brown sour ale. It's a great beer when you want something different. Sour fans should definitely try this one out.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 18:07:21 | More by WMEugene

PopeXXIII

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 release on-tap in a tulip glass

A: Reddish, amber.

S: Muted, slightly yeasty.

T: Tart! Very mild, yeasty flavor. Fruity. Sweet.

M: Lots of carbonation, crisp. Leaves the palate clear.

Pretty good sour ale. I'd like to try a chilled bomber of this one later in the summer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2012 19:58:22 | More by PopeXXIII

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Tyler's in Carrboro. Pour is translucent red with a very small white head. The smell is well, wow. Tart cherries, vinegar, and lactic acid. Its balanced, but bold. There is a balance between all of the flavors, it even pulls some stuff from Gueuze, Flanders Red/Oud Bruin. Its upfront with sourness, vinegarness, and acidity. Lots of oak as well, could use a little less of everything and more balance.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 00:59:56 | More by VncentLIFE

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: "picnic tap" at Monk's, Philly, PA

Served as part of the PtY charity event at Monk's, with the proceeds going to charity. This one was poured into a pitcher, kept on ice at the bar, and then served in a 8oz. wine glass. Dark, ruddy, reddish-brown color, nearly translucent; a few stray bubbles on top, but otherwise no real head to speak of. Aroma mostly of sour grapes, sour cherries, and a dash of vinegar. Taste was similar, with sour fruit notes, causing the salivary glands to tense up a bit; underlying that were notes of wood and nutty malts. Medium body, prickly and drying, pretty enjoyable in a session of sours and wild ales.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 14:04:54 | More by Rifugium

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At Max's. This is one that I never expected to have on tap on the East Coast. Very excited for see it (and the bottles too) in the Old Line State.

A: Dark, murkier and muddier that I remember La Folie being, the ale sits thick and sediment-filled. An off-white head blankets the ale, lasting for a few minutes.

S: The nose is vinegary, acetic with a strong dose of acidic sharpness. A nose like this doesn't come around often, puckering me up before I even have a sip. The Flemishness can't be denied, but the beer isn't a vinegary mess ala Duchesse (my beer nemesis).

T: More vinegar with a great pucker up factor. Sharp lacto, ample lemony citrus adds acidic bite. The wildness is very nice, scalding almost with each sip. Oak, vanilla, is plentiful, relaxing the lemony acidity. Vinegar returns for a swansong, a last blast of puckery sourness. Quite good.

M: Sour and tart, but very vibrant. Bracing at time, thin at others, the ale nicely straddles the middle of the road.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2012 02:12:45 | More by akorsak

UCLABrewN84

California

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a clear dark brown with a fizzy tan head that fades to nothing. No lacing on this one. Smell is of sour cherry and malt vinegar aromas. Taste is very much the same with a very tart finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good sour beer that is tasty and very easy to drink. This is definitely a beer I could drink all day and not get tired of it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 05:12:50 | More by UCLABrewN84

denver10

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really can't say I am much of a fan of New Belgium but I absolutely LOVE this beer. Pours a dark, dark brown with a reddish hue with a bit of a head. Smells tart and sour with a touch of some thin malt sweetness underneath. Taste is tart, dark cherries, fruit and the brown ale base serves its purpose quite well. Not sure I detect any direct flavor from it but its a great base. Very crisp, with a enjoyable amount of carbonation to it, and lighter in body. I absolultely love this beer and if it was even somewhat affordable I would have this as a staple in my fridge during the duration of its release period.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 22:57:05 | More by denver10

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

4.68/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this little treat at the Barley Tap room in Tenn. I would have never been able to find it in Denver where I live at this time of the year.

The beer was a nice red brown color with ruby highlights at the edges. The head on the beer did not last but soon turned into a ring of bubbles that formed a silky skirt as the beer was consumed.

The aroma was failry sower with little hints of caramel underneath.

The beer started off sweet but soon turned into a tangy sharp tart sour finish. Present were the flavors of cherry pie, sour cherries, and some dark malt.

Overall I really enjoyed this beer and it compared very well to the other flandes red ales that I have had. It was a wondeful sour beer and I would recommend it to anyone who asked.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2011 21:23:56 | More by LeeryLeprechaun

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a snifter.

Appearance: La Folie has a deep brown color with a cherry tint. As the glass wanes, a fuller cherry color is noticeable. A simmering white head is slowly reduced over time and leaves some light sticky lace.

Smell: The aroma is fairly light on any sugar of malt presence. Tart cherries, a burst of lemon, and a bit of orange all provide a tart aroma. A lot of woody oak comes through as it warms up a bit.

Taste: A dirth of true malt presence really lets the sour flavors come through right away. Lemon juice and zest come through strong, with tart cherry adding a bit of additional zing. The sour flavors grow into a climax midway through, and slowly come down as a fierce woody oak flavor steps in to close out each sip.

Mouthfeel: This is definitely on the dry side for what I have had in the sour arena. There is not much malt sweetness, although the intense sour flavor does create some salivation, giving an illusory mouthfeel presence of a sweeter beer. The carbonation is fairly standard, with small bubbles neither being too crisp nor creamy. For how sour it is, it is not that acidic and even less vinegary.

Overall: This was the first sour I had a long time ago, and it threw me off. Now I would say it is a great addition and one of my sour standbys.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 20:03:24 | More by KickInTheChalice

quaybr

Colorado

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass and sits a copper / dark amber. A small bubbly head that dissipates quickly.

Smells of fruit, sweet sweet fruit - a bit of green apple and sour cherry. Or maybe a lot. The aroma gives you a heads up regarding tartness.

Wow. Welcome to tart city. This is remarkable. The initial flavor is nearly overwhelming, but as it subsides pleasant fruity esters dance on the palate. In fact, the difference is so great I am surprised by every sip.

This beer moves efficiently across the tongue. A wonderfully clean finish aided by impeccable carbonation.

I'm not a huge fan of the brewery, but I absolutely loved drinking this beer. Well done, New Belgium.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2011 03:45:52 | More by quaybr

Pintofbrown

Iowa

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the Sanctuary with a tulip-flute glass.

Appearance- This beer has a dark ruby body with cranberry highlights. The cap is one-finger in width with an off-white, red tinge. There is lots of spot lacing on the glass.

Smell- This has some sour apple and earthy hops. There is some tart fruit sweetness, raspberry and cranberry. It is very nice.

Taste- Incredibly sour drink with the tart fruit notes being strong in the finish. This is also where the drink sweetens up from those same fruit flavors.

The earthy notes from the hops are big mid-drink. The sourness really rides hard all the way through the drink. Sour apple is kind of distinguishable in the mix of flavors.

Mouth feel- The feel is bordering on the medium and light line. There is a dry quality to it from the sour notes. It does seem a little watered down.

Overall- I really enjoyed this sour beer. The fruit profiles are spot on. The mouth feel is a little off. Otherwise, enjoy this wonderful sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 20:33:30 | More by Pintofbrown

beerandcycling88

Washington

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Collins Pub.

A pours a nice brown color that looks Ruby when held up to light. The head is fairly light and dissipates fairly quickly leaving a bit of lacing behind.

S the nose is funky with some vinegar notes. Also a faint cherry smell.

T lots of sour cherries with a subtle malty note. But the sour cherries are the dominant note here.

M kind of thin but its quite bubbly and carbonated. Reminds me of drinking that sparkling cider stuff on holidays.

Normally I'm not much of a fan of new Belgiums work, but this is an excellent sour that is well worth seeking out and drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 18:52:45 | More by beerandcycling88

corcoranjc

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap this past Saturday at the Town Hall tap....i'd already been to the Acadia and the Triple Rock with a friend beforehand so i was half in the bag by the time i got to this beer. However, even in my inebriated state i realized i encountered an exceptional beer that evening. So, i went there tonight to give it a second go. this is a wonderful beer....i may go back again tomorrow.

appearance. dark, reddish brown. little t no head initially, but some lacing on the sides of the glass as the beer is consumed.

smell. sour. cherries, vinegar, wood. so nice.

taste. sour. cherries, vinegar, some sweetness. very sour...almost puckering.

mouthfeel. nice and full. not overly thick or too thin. perfect for style.

overall. i love this beer, and i think that while i would struggle to drink more than two of these in session...i could drink this beer daily. it's a wonderful beer that i will definitely seek out again soon...like tomorrow soon.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 05:42:39 | More by corcoranjc

perilsofrosella

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap at Tyler's Taproom as a New Belgium Lips of Faith rotation. Served in New Belgium's own globe glass. The glass has a lovely etching of the Fat Tire logo at the base of the globe like many belgian style goblet and tulip glasses to create a more vigorous and lasting head. This was one of the first flemish/flanders red/brown style sour ales that I had ever tried.

A - Dark reddish-brown with a tan head. Very inviting. Strong lacing as the volume depletes.

S - Sour cherries, vinegar, toasted wood

T - Very well rounded sour cherry, sweet vinegar acidity.

M - Mild/Moderate carbonation, very smooth

O - By far, my favorite sour brown ale out of the bunch due to how balanced it is between sweet/sour - above Rodenbach, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Duchesse De Bourgogne, Bourgogne de Flandres, etc. I'm very impressed how well New Belgium has pulled this one off and hope they continue making it. If only it was available in more than 22oz Bombers!

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 20:43:57 | More by perilsofrosella

hwwty4

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Tap at the Flying Saucer KC. Presented in a 12oz globe.

This beer pours a caramelized sugar brown with a 2 inch cap that leaves soapy lacing all the way down the glass. The aroma comes off as pie cherries mixed with oak and vinegar. The flavor is much the same with sour pie cherries leading the way. A little raspberry with woody oak and a nice vinegary bite. Tartness hits you at the base of the jaw with grapefruit. The mouthfeel is light and mildly prickly. Overall, I think this is the best American easily accessible sour.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2011 23:34:04 | More by hwwty4