Lips Of Faith - Le Terroir - New Belgium Brewing

drizzam

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - The body is a hazy orange in color, topped by a very nice three finger off white head. Head retention is beautiful and leaves a gorgeous sticky lacing down the inside of my Tripel Karmeliet tulip.

S - This is a funky sour smelling number! Vinegar with a sort of lactic, yet earthy smell. I'm intrigued by this brew so far!

T & M - Big vinegar up front with a bunch of fruitiness complementing flavors. Grapefruit, orange rind, lemon zest...nice complexity between the sour vinegar and the sweet fruit that seems to appear halfway through and continues until after the swallow. A bit of funky acidic aftertaste let's you know just how wild this ale is. Medium bodied and smooth.

D - I'm on a sour beer kick and I'm not at all disappointed in this one. This probably isn't a brew for everybody, but if you enjoy something a little differentr every now and again you'll probably appreciate this one. I know I did.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 02:50:57 | More by drizzam

Butzen

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a somewhat hazy golden-straw color, with not much head to speak of. It has a nice, bright hop aroma mixed in with some stale, grassy funk. The dry hopping is really a genius application for a sour beer, since it adds a beautiful hop aroma and some desirable hop flavors without increasing the beer’s bitterness.

As far as the sourness, Le Terroir is just slightly sour, with tart peach and mango flavors on top of a light, inoffensive malt background. I tend to like a lot of sourness, but this beer is subtle, balanced and clean, and I like it a lot, as Forrest Gump would say. Le Terroir is cleansing and refreshing, with a light mouthfeel and a mild effervescent burn on the palate. Drinking it will inevitably lead to some tasty Amarillo hop burps, which make burping fun again (you know, if it’s lost its sheen).

Le Terroir is one of the most accessible sour beers I’ve had, and it’s a wonderful place to start for those interested in exploring the wonders of mouth-puckering brews. It’s not mind-blowing (i.e., it’s not La Folie, from the same brewery), but it’s an interesting and solid brew. As is often the case, it’s tempting to drink Le Terroir right out of the fridge (because it’s really good that way), but it really fills out – gets a little softer, a little more sour, a little more funky-smelling – with 20 or 30 minutes at room temp.

Read the full review at http://vittlesandbrews.blogspot.com

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 19:27:00 | More by Butzen

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Adapted from notes on 7/16/2011

Appearance: hazy amber. Head is bright-white. Some lacing. Slight chill haze. Thin cap of foam covers the top of the beer.

Smell: Lemons, earth, bread/biscuit. Touches of caramel. Big floral hit. Touches of citrus from hops and malts. Sour is present, but it's definitely not a Brett sour. It's more clean and less funky. It's delightful. This is definitely a bug-induced sour. Hints of oak, and slightly toasted malts. Loads of malts buried behind a strong citric sour note. Peaches, mangoes, and grapes. Seriously complex, fruity, and floral. This is a sour delight.

Taste: Malts are sweet, like grapes in the back. Oak brings a solid earthiness. Big fruity flavor up front and in the back. It's everywhere. Delightfully tart. Borders on a straight citric bite. Aftertaste is bright, clean, and fruity. So very tropical with big notes of mango, pineapple, and peaches. A fleshy fruit flavor mixes with a nice snappy tartness.

Mouthfeel: This is everything I want in a sour with the added dryness of dry-hopping. It's dry, but not over-the-top. A lively carbonation brings everything to life. Feels smooth going down but hits dry on the back of the tongue. Amazing.

Overall: This is right up there with Temptation and Supplication for me. The added aromatics and dryness from the dry-hopping set this apart from the rest of the sours out there, and definitely the rest of the Lips of Faith beers. Truly excellent.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 19:16:06 | More by Goblinmunkey7

DarthKostrizer

California

3.4/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Look: Golden yellow in color with no head and obviously no retention

Smell: Citrus hops with hints of lemon and coriander

Taste: It taste like a lemon head that was soaked in vinegar with hints of citrus hops on the back end

Mouthfeel: Dry right off the bat. Light body and high carbonation and leaves a nice sour burn in the mouth

Overall: Not all that intense of a wild ale so there is a bit of drinkability just not for me

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 23:28:43 | More by DarthKostrizer

BretSikkink

Mexico

4.22/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden orange in door with a decent whte head. Not too sticky, but the look is pretty good. Aroma includes notes of green apple, bubble gum, and pale malt sweetness.

Le Terroir is a really good wild ale. The sourness is assertive with notes of apple, lemon, and cherry. It is sweet, but balanced by a slightly peppery or herbal hop bitterness. Sour is definitely the leader, but it is balanced all around.

Light, assertive carbonation,but not enough to squash the lovely flavor emanating from those Brett bugs. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 02:31:59 | More by BretSikkink

kirkmichel

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-brownish amber, opaque, and a tall off white head. Served in a snifter.
S-ginger, white grapes, spices..pretty complex and I suspect moresoe as it warms up or oxidizes. I am not planning on giving it time for that.
T-Sour (of course) like sour or crab apple, but not overdone and with a ton of fruity cherry and plum on the finish.
M-Fine...sourness clings a bit but doesn't make my mouth water for 5 mins like some of my faves in this style...guess that doesn't really count as mouthfeel, but whatever.
D-probably ordering another after this, but 3 would be too much, so pretty drinkable as wild beers go.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2011 21:05:51 | More by kirkmichel

GPHarris

Alabama

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

shared this with some friends. my first dry-hopped sour and i loved it. big citrus aromas and flavors of grapefruit and oranges to go along with a lot of tartness but not too much that it overwhelmed the hops. mouthfeel was lively. a really great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 15:07:32 | More by GPHarris

mattvoid

Indiana

4.9/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

22 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass

appearance -- gold with hints of copper, and a large foamy head that stayed that way for awhile

smell -- fantastic! Pineapple, hints of toasted pine scents and little bits of mango in there too, and even in the smell the sourness can be detected

taste -- more complex than the smell but similar. Pineapple is again what seems to be predominant along with a mildly acrid pine taste, and mangoes and even peaches. The sourness is really strong though, almost like a sour candy and makes just taking a few sips tough, since you keep wanting more.

mouthfeel -- light to medium, but heavy carbonation

overall -- Great sour, probably the best of the lips of faith sours, and something i plan on getting often

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 23:36:18 | More by mattvoid

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Thanks to jl28r1 for this bottle!

Damn French and its crazy pronunciations... Anyway, this stuff pours a lightly murky golden amber topped by a finger or so of kinda fluffy white sea foam. The nose comprises lemon peel, orange rind, lime, pineapple, ruby red grapefruit, sour watermelon, currants, and a touch of peach. It's a tart, fruity wonderland in my nose. I believe there's also a hint of mild mint and pine in there too. The taste is pretty similar, but with the sourness pumped up significantly. It's not necessarily mouth-puckering but it's more than palpable, lemme tell ya. Still dominated by fruit, though a bit of hoppy goodness does make it through the produce stand and onto my 'buds. Unfortunately, it's not as easy to pick out the individual fruits now. Still pretty tasty, though. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry, sticky finish. Overall, good times all-around here. Thankfully this is one relatively readily-available sour that does not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 15:10:37 | More by TMoney2591

jamescain

Texas

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a White Birch flute glass

Appearance: Pours an orange-golden color with a fluffy white head about 2 inches thick and slowly recedes into a thin lacing that clings to the side of the class.

Aroma: Notes of peaches, citrus, tropical fruit, all intertwine with a nice barnyard funk to create a unique smelling beer.

Taste: Fruity up front with a nice tart lingering sour finish, with flavors of sour apples, peaches and citrus.

Mouthfeel: Pretty acidic, not as acidic as La Folie, with high carbonation and a dry tart finish.

Overall: This was one of the funkier sours I’ve had to date. I enjoyed it and as I was told when I first traded for some sours, they are addicting, damn it he was right!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 16:17:17 | More by jamescain

bashiba

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a nice slightly hazy orange/golden.

The smell is pretty nice with a light citrusy hop profile with a mixture of slightly sweet and tart belgiany sour notes. Great nose.

The flavor is massive, a slight bready malt, very big slightly sweet and tart wild yeast flavors quickly take over with some nice light fruit notes. Very sour dominated, but in a nice way.

The mouthfeel has a nice medium thickness and light oilyness.

Very solid sour.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 01:26:39 | More by bashiba

JLeege

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 1/30/11, Poured into a chalice

Appearance- Pours a clear orange color with about a finger of dense off white head. Decent retention and a little lace.

Smell- A discernable funk upon opening the bottle. Lots of citrus notes from the dry hopping. Grapes, a little cider, some grassiness. Tart and vibrant. Great aroma.

Taste- Acidic throughout, but not over the top sour. Good balance. Fuzzy peach up front leading into strong lemony and pineapple notes. Nice funk, with an earthiness popping up towards the finish. Slight vinegar, apple, and vanilla. A little bitterness from the hops is noticed at the end, leading into a dry, clean finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium/light body, medium carbonation. Fairly sticky, yet pretty refreshing. Sour, but it drinks almost too quickly.

Overall- Another nice sour from New Belgium, they seem to have this down pat! The Amarillo addition adds a nice extra dimension of citrus, creating a great balance of sweet and sour, juicy and dry. One of the more affordable sours out there too!

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 22:58:21 | More by JLeege

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Toronado, in San Francisco.

I might be tempted to score the appearance a perfect 5 if only I had some criteria with which to judge it. Of course, no real rules exist for these wild compositions; they are at the mercy of nature which, in this case, was evidently quite good to it over the past two years. It is a glossy, lovely papaya orange tone with a fine, mossy head.

You want funk? You got it! Trying to throw light upon the sour, funky smells of a wild ale to someone who's never tried one is like trying to explain the theory of relativity to a kindergartner - wild yeasts and bacteria are ingredients that make almost impossible things happen. A perfect score hardly does such an extraordinary bouquet justice.

Wild yeast is a gamble in the great casino of nature, but New Belgium seems to have hit the jackpot. Tasting like dried out grains, the maltiness is rather blank and expressionless but that yeast (or bacteria, or both) swoop in with the sweetest fruity flavours I've ever tasted. Where are the fruit flies? This emulates an authentic lambic quite well, but with an added vibrant hoppiness that endows soft floral notes and tons of peach-y, pineapple-y fruitiness.

Terroir is a French word and a French concept that denotes the unique characteristics that particular varieties of foods and drinks gain from the geography, geology and climate around them. It's appropriate, therefore, that this beer captures the terroir of a French-speaking place: the Senne Valley in Belgium. The brewery will tell you that it's a taste of "their" terroir, but sorry New Belgium, Cantillon and the likes got there first.

Biology students take note - this is a beer worthy of a thesis. How one can take wild yeast and bacteria, let them fester in beer for two years, and come out of it with something appealing is beyond me. But while this may be challenging to drink for some, for my tastes it is one of the most simultaneously unique and pleasant beers I've had the pleasure of trying.

I don't think it would be unfair to say of New Belgium that they are still tinkerers, rather than trained engineers, when it comes to wild ales and barrel-aging. But it must be said that Le Terroir is a masterpiece that doesn't just approach the best American sour beers, it actually surpasses many of them. A beer like this is worth paying whatever the asking price for.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 18:24:38 | More by biegaman

fsvan

Tennessee

4.85/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured into a New Belgium globe.

A- Clear, beautiful golden orange. Minimal head. Minimal lacing.

S- Acidic sourness. Lots of citrus...lemon, orange. I think a good bit of this is from the dry hopping, but it blends seamlessly into the sour notes. Maybe a bit of malty bread, but just a touch. The sourness makes the mouth water. This is a fantastic smelling beer.

T- An initial sourness that makes the tip of the tongue tingle, and washes over the palate. Lemon and orange citrus in the middle. Finishes with a sour and dry end. There was more of a hop bite in the end when this was fresher, which I preferred, but it is still there, just tamed a bit. Alcohol is hidden beneath the massive sour/citrus flavors. This a not an introductory sour for the uninitiated.

M- Light and unbelievably easy to drink considering the sourness of it.

O- This is a fantastic beer, and my favorite New Belgium offering to date. I prefer it to both La Folie and Eric's Ale, which would be 2 and 3 in some order of NB offerings that I've had. Funny how a brewery that seems to be known as the 'Fat Tire guys' puts out such amazing sours (albeit with a few missess....*cough Vrieinden cough*). I don't know if there are plans to brew/bottle this in the future, but it'd be a damn shame if there weren't.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 02:07:35 | More by fsvan

dbossman

Nebraska

4.22/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Golden hue with a bit of an orange tint; wonderful foamy, thick head; lacing is decent

S: Such an interesting, funky aroma: granny smith apples, cider, vinegar, as well as citrus like lemon and orange; also something funky like from an herb garden that I can't quite put my finger on

T: Great fruity sourness up front: lemons and apples for sure with a subtle citrus, herbal hoppiness on the back end--really nice balance of sour and hops actually

F: Beer is light/medium body with enough texture to stick to the roof of the mouth

O: Such a nice, complex sour with a bit of a hoppy kick; one of my 3 favorites from New Belgium--nice stuff!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 17:11:12 | More by dbossman

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.85/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was poured into a pint glass.

I was able to find a couple of bottles in a shop that I don't frequent.

The appearance was golden with a white head.

The smell was citrus and grass with notes of vinegar creeping in. The hops were only peeking through in places, but the amarillo was definitely present.

The taste was lemon and amarillo hops up front followed by a great ascetic acid profile that ended with notes of blood orange and more lemon zest. The tartness and sourness in this beer are great. This beer tastes heavenly to me.

The mouthfeel was crisp and refreshing.

Overall, this is one of my favorite beers. The complexity, balance, price point, and availability make this beer tops.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 15:11:30 | More by eyeenjoybeer

illidurit

California

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Burger. in Santa Cruz. POurs an opaque tangerine bronze color with a sticky white head. Aroma is lemons and unripe berries, blackberries in particular come to mind, seedy and tart. Flavor is acidic unripe fruits, citrus and berries, something subtly herbal, lemonhead candy, slight honey malts in the finish, very dry and tart. Palate is very nice but I'm somewhat underwhelmed by the depth of flavor. Reminds me a lot of unsweetened lemonade. Still a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 01:08:30 | More by illidurit

gregshead

California

4.03/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on 5/7/11. Reviewed from notes:

A: Pours a light orange with half finger of head that dissipates really quickly.

S: Strong tart/barnyard smells along with some tropical tones. Nothing overlwhelms the nose

T: Sour strawberries with some other tart and tropical flavors that remind me of a pale ale or IPA.

M: Oily mouthfeel and some good tartness that lingers in the cheeks

O: Can't wait to have it again and again. Includes a great sour taste along with some hop taste in there also.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 01:53:51 | More by gregshead

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A-dark golden with a very thin cream colored head

S-smells like white grapes. fresh baked italian bread, and olive oil. very unique.

T-wow this is sour! a great sour. it comes in with a beautfiully tart tastes of white grapes and olive oil. its a very strong and great taste that lasts and continues to the after-taste. the flavors are real strong and of good quality.

M-medium carbonation with fairly dry finish

O-well this is one of the most sour sours i've had. it comes in with great appreciation. the flavors are unique and tasty. i'll be craving this one for awhile. please seek this out!

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 07:44:57 | More by AdamBear

sidetracked

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a slightly hazy golden orange. Good initial egg-shell white head that lingers for a bit before dissipating to just a ring. No lacing.

Strong sour aroma. White vinegar, sour apples, earthy hops, and a hint of sweet citrus. Some hop bitterness on the initial pour and after it warms more. Interesting mix of sour and bitter.

Mouth puckering sourness upfront, but settles down towards the middle. Finish is a mix of sour yeast and bitter earthy and floral hops. Not a huge hop presence but seems to balance the sourness. Nice tart finish with a lingering hoppiness.

Medium body with higher carbonation. Clean finish.

Very interesting and unique flavor that keeps me wanting more. Good level of sour flavor. Really enjoyable.

3/3/2011

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 22:40:38 | More by sidetracked

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Heck of a beer. I'm immediately hit with a tangerine and clementine - big fruit citrus with even the peel and seeds in there. Seriously, it's like fresh fruit. There's there's a peppery-lime tang with a balanced (not too big, not too small) sour hit. This is a juicy beer, but not too thick and on the drinkable side of sours.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 20:47:42 | More by tempest

brdc

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Large capped bottle poured into a tulip. Unknown date.

Slightly hazy, dark golden, whiite head, good lacing and retention.
Aroma is quite funky, vinegar notes, some faint grass and hops, but a lot less than suggested by the bottle. You have to look for the hops.
Light to medium, very funky, tart and refreshing. Sour, tart fruits, very flavorful, but not puckering as some other reviewers considered - perhaps a little old?
A very nice beer, if not that sour or puckering. Too bad it is too expensive.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 00:55:37 | More by brdc

dgilks

Australia

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy light amber colour with virtually no head. Fine given the sourness.

Nice, tart aroma with notes of lemon, moderately intense funk and a hint of herbal character. Nice.

Served in a Rogue XS chalice this is one hell of a beer. Sour, funky and full of Brett character. The tartness presents as lime and under-ripe peach. There is also a hint of sweet cherry in the background that provides a hint of balance. Nicely crafted and very, very delicious.

Medium body with moderately-high carbonation. Spritzy but it works.

A really, solid Wild Ale. I love the balance combined with the intensity. Great.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2011 21:40:40 | More by dgilks

Swillbur

Arizona

4.4/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into chimay chalice

A- Pours gold in color with two fingers of head. Has an unfiltered look with no lacing.

S- Peaches up front on the nose. Im also getting a sour funk along with apples, lemons, mangos and fruity hops. I think the mango is comming from the hops.

T- Wow, super tart but good. Lots of citrus fruits, mangos, grapefruit. Nice bitterness in finish.

D> Light body and carbonation is spot on! This beer almost numbs the lips. The sourness goes great with the bitterness in the end. It almost locked my jam the first time i had it but im glad to say i have had alot more and its a great summer sour beer!

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 06:52:55 | More by Swillbur

TheWhiskerReview

Tennessee

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazed golden orange with a 1-finger white head. Weak retention and lace.

The combination of the intensely fragrant hops and the sour aromas make for quite a bright and delicious smelling nose- intensely tropical with leafy hints of green tea, very ripe apples, fresh apricots, tart red grapefruit and melon rind. A subtle touch of buttered biscuit malt as well.

The palate flips the hop-driven character of the nose with a big, sour delivery of tart mandarin orange, peach and mango flavors. There's enough bitterness to balance but it never once outshines the tartness, while some floral flavors and a bit of mid-tongue resin (or are those wood tannins?) join in on the long, tart finish.

Definately very clean for a sour ale, without those earthy yeasty tones, but the brightness and intensely tropical vibe make this so nice on a hot summer day. The flavors in this are simply out of this world.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 01:17:05 | More by TheWhiskerReview