Lips Of Faith - Biere De Mars - New Belgium Brewing

harrymel

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tap @ Flying Goat

Amber hued orange ale with solid cream foam. Pretty. Smells of sweet grains and some hints of hay, a hint of cream. Flavor is lighter malts, some herbal hops which are subdued and a slight sharpness like there is a hint of lacto or something - tasty. The flavor is pretty light and easy overall for drinking on a hot day. Medium on full bodied (almost like an amber to me) with moderately hi carb. Decent beer, maybe a little too subtle for my taster to appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 00:28:13 | More by harrymel

Gatch

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Cloudy, golden-yellow with a white, fluffy head. Little lace and retention.

S: A bit of funk, fruit, and must. Pleasant.

T: A very smooth, slightly, funky, bready, fruity, and easy drinking beer. First I've had of the style.

M: Smooth and delicious.

O: Seems to be a good example of the style. A good introductory beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 03:24:51 | More by Gatch

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz into tulip. Pours a great copper color, nice thick foamy head and sticky lacing. Very malty and fresh yeast aroma with hints of spice. Taste is very crisp malts, a bit of warming spice like cinnamon or allspice with a touch of fresh yeast. A bit dry mouthfeel but still crisp. This if my first of the style and its quite intersting and good. Cant compare to another, but I do like it. It has alot of intersting characteristics and I wouldnt hesitate to have again.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 00:03:10 | More by DrinkSlurm

marlinsfan4

Maryland

2.95/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A rare style you don't see around too often, but let's give it a try. Medium bodied, very tart taste. Kind of hard to describe, some honey and funkiness, maybe some apples in there. Bit of an odd finish too. I know it's a different style, but it just seemed to be kind of a mess and didn't work too well for me. Appreciate them trying something new, but too unbalanced for my liking.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 16:24:40 | More by marlinsfan4

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

clean honey yellow pour with 2 fingers foamy white head and nice lacing. smells of fruits (orange, grapes), cinnamon, nutmeg, jasmine. very floral odors. the taste is very floral up front (again, jasmine) with a mild citrus rind bitterness up front, and a sweet citrus/floral tea-like backbone. it is light bodied with a medium carbonation.

this is a pretty solid beer and very unique. never had a beer this floral. i think they could try adding a heavier malt backbone to balance it out a bit, but this doing the job on a rainy spring day AS IS!

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 22:11:16 | More by facundoCNB

CLAUD

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle

A - Pours sort of amberish with a hint of penny. Minimally hazy. Fizze head that disappears quickly and leaves no lace and only a wire ring of foam around the edge.

S - Lacking in aroma. A little fruitiness and the weakest tickles of malt or hop. The yeast is sort of present if you search for it.

T - A little lackluster. The bottle promises Brett and, while it's technically there, is subdued. Like Brett in a straight jacket. Otherwise standard flavors. Low malt and hop, most flavor coming off the yeast. Pretty balanced esters and phenols. Sort of a chalky sweet tart flavor in there too.

M - Lighter body and good carbonation. No complaints.

O - Decent. Unsure if it's something I'd return to but it's definitely an easy drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 22:28:59 | More by CLAUD

rfbenavi80

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into a New Belgium Goblet.
An aggressive pour.

A- Pours a very hazy, orangish yellow, with 2 fingers of white head that is leaving some moderate lacing on the glass and a thick film on top of the beer that remains the whole time.

S- Some Bretty wildness up front. Pleasant earthy smells. Fresh baked yeasty bread.

T- Follows nose well, there is a subtle funk from the Brett, but not overwhelming. Solid malt backbone. Very drinkable, and enjoyable.

M- Solid medium bodied, not overly carbonated, but it has moderately high carbonation. Crisp and slightly dry finish.

O- A good beer from the Lips of Faith Series, but New Belgium does have better ones. At 8 dollars for a bomber, it might be a tad overpriced. This is good, just not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 08:07:42 | More by rfbenavi80

daledeee

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 22 oz bomber

Pours dark gold and clear. A head that is fluffy and white with decent lacing

Nose is wild. Brett?

Taste is full bodied and malty. Some strong fruit such as apples and apricot and spice built in. A nice dose of malt.

This is a unique beer that is reasonably priced and readily available.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 01:12:37 | More by daledeee

Arborescence

Finland

3.23/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Cloudy, yellowish/golden. Pours a light head.

Aroma: Fresh, mild spices, citrus. There's a hint of caramel as well.

Taste: Floral and orangy flavours, mixed with mild hops, yeast, and malt. Some bitterness in the aftertaste. Nothing particularly interesting; the added spices are mild.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, some light carbonation present.

Overall: I'm not overly impressed. It's a nice light ale with some promise, but it lacks depth. Easy enough to sip, and would fit a warm spring day, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 21:02:28 | More by Arborescence

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.1/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the brewery. Hazed, rusty orange with an elegant dollop of white foam sitting on top. Great balance. Toasty and grainy with an impression of sourdough bread. Bitterness is mild and flavors of flowers, lavender, dirt, and black pepper liven things up. Clean on the swallow with perfect dryness for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2012 22:25:34 | More by bump8628

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.23/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a New Belgium globe. The beer is just barely hazy, with an off-pumpkin orange hue. I'll call it golden orange. A nice creamy head sits on top and dissipates to a thick film. Moderate lacing coats the glass. The beer smells bubblegum sweet up front, then a plethora of spices follow. Very aromatic. The taste follows the smell, as a sort of pumpkinesque clove, ginger, allspice sort of thing hits the palate, but this is definitely not a pumpkin or Autumn beer. Maybe a more floral, grassy undertone keeps it that way. There is a sweet, sweet bubblegum finish. For 6.2% the mouthfeel is medium bodied and very drinkable.

Overall, this was a nice beer to drink, but definitely not worth the price. Great dessert beer, as it is dominated with spices and sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 12:14:57 | More by JuicesFlowing

Pencible

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a hazy light copper with moderate white head.
S: It smelled like fresh cut hay and lemon zest, with some apricots and creamy yeast and roasted barley.
T: It tasted like earthy caramel and fresh cut hay, with grassy hops and creamy yeast. It had a mostly clean and mild bittersweet aftertaste.
M: It was fairly thick with moderate carbonation. Pretty full body.
D: This was not a terribly exciting beer, but fitting scent and taste and body for the style. Mellow character with very smooth finish, so quite easy to drink. Nice to try, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 20:17:22 | More by Pencible

Murrhey

Montana

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a growler into an oversized wine glass. Reviewed live.

A- Two finger white head with large, frothy bubbles. Retains head surprisingly well. Sticky white lacing. Beautiful translucent copper color.

S- Earthy yeast tones, caramel malt with a distinct funkiness to it. Some pungent hops add to make this a strong smelling beer.

T- Solid malt backbone with earthy tones. Very drinkable with some sweetness and sweet hops. Nothing extraordinary.

M- Smooth and medium bodied, finishes sticky and wet.

O- Good beer. Not great, I just found the taste bland and too earthy.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 03:46:59 | More by Murrhey

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.65/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pleasing, if a bit soft, bretty Golden Ale.

Presentation: 22oz brow capped bottle. Screen printed label with floating orange dots-bubbles falling to rest at the bottom noting the name of the brew and series. Side learning notes the general intent and characteristic of the brew. Shows 6.2% Alc. by Vol. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Deep to medium amber pour, light haze in the final serving, with a fair frothy head and retention, good surface memory and some lacing.

S - Softly bretty and funky, very softly so… light touches of lemon, hint of spice...

T - which is pretty much what one finds in the taste. The nicely generic brett is there, touches of funk, light sour apples, some citric notes, hints of fruit and spice, mellow and generic if pleasing.

M - Medium to medium-light body and carbonation with a nice crisp sense in the finish and a light dryness.

O - Nothing too profound but it ultimately comes together rather nicely and offers a nice flow.

Notes: A bit too generic or soft for a brett brew, I guess. But this might be a good entry point to some funk? Good brew in any case, even if a tad unremarkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 01:34:27 | More by Daniellobo

deebo

Minnesota

3.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer served up had a hazy light golden/copper color with a little bit of sticky white head. Belgian fruity esters, some lemon and a fair amount of clean malt is detected in the aroma. The taste is like the aroma. I wouldn't have guessed there was any Brett added. The mouthfeel is very soft with very light carbonation, pretty light mouthfeel with a quick crisp finish. Alcohol is very well hidden and this beer is high on my drinkability scale.
Overall, a really easy to drink beer with subdued spicing, a soft mouthfeel and quick finish. I enjoyed this quite a bit for $3 for 13 oz pour that I got at HH, but don't think it would be a great value for $5-$7 for a 22oz bottle off the shelf.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2012 17:03:16 | More by deebo

rand

California

3.1/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From 650 mL bomber to D'Achouffe tulip glass

A: Attractive orange-apricot in color, forms a sharp, tightly bubbled head that leaves little lacing as it cascades down the glass. Lots of suspended yeast, almost clouds the beer.

S: A subtle bouquet yields hints of honey, coriander, crackery bread. Subdued nose, takes some effort to actually smell anything.

T: The flavor profile is largely honey-orange notes that bend phenolic mid-sip. Earthy spice is noted, maybe some sage and coriander, but just barely. Palate is slightly more layered than the nose, but not by much. Finishes sweet with lingering medicinal residue.

M: Nicely carbonated, breaks through the oily complexion. Medium-bodied.

Kinda torn here. The brew is smooth and easy to drink, but I've already forgotten about it, and that's not what I'm looking for from the style, let alone the Lips a Faith series. I had Jolly Pumpkin's Oro De Calabaza recently so my expectations are a bit skewed.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 07:41:16 | More by rand

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer pours a wonderful orange color with a whitehead. The beer is very brilliant in color which makes it look very enticing to drink.

Aroma is fairly clean, I am not detecting much of anything from the yeast. There is some lightly roasted malt aromas more like an oktoberfest. I smell a little bit of citrus aroma in the back ground but it is very subtle.

The beer tastes sweet with a nice crisp finish. I can taste the brett funk right at the end. It is a nice earthy finish without any barnyard or goat. The beer finishes dry. Some malt flavors are present very similar to an oktoberfest.

The mouthfeel is medium, the dry earthy finish makes it seem like a red wine almost.

Overall a great seasonal beer. It is crisp, refreshing, and unique. I would never drink it year rounds but it is a nice way to kick of the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 01:14:02 | More by LeeryLeprechaun

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Voluminous four fingers worth of crisp whipped airy yet densely packed pure white head... Excellent retention... The color is a pale amber with an ever so faint haziness... Mostly still though some carbonation can be seen when gently rocking the glass back and forth... A bit of lacing clings to the sides of the glass...

S - Excellent aroma... Loaded with ripened fruit... Light Belgian yeast notes... A touch of candied sugar... Some faint grassy notes... A very subtle tartness lies beneath the surface... Sophisticated with rich complexity...

T - Lots of grass and hay notes... Orange zest... An unexpected spiciness highlighted by white pepper... The complexity from the nose is nowhere to be found on the palette....

M - Light bodied... Thin and watery... Very limited carbonation... Very blah...

D - A tale of two beers... Excellent appearance and aroma... Disappointing taste and mouthfeel... The end result is a so so beer, that I'll neither seek ouit again nor recommend... It's a shame, because this one had lots of potential...

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 00:44:47 | More by philbe311

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.68/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz 2012 bottle, poured into a New Belgium globe.

A: Pours a beautiful gold, mostly clear until the yeast hits, with a huge sticky white head that leaves great traces of laces throughout the glass.

S: Fruity and earthy Belgian yeast, spices...citrus zest, lemon & orange peel, hint of banana (there is wheat in this)...more malt presence than I thought there would be...caramel sweetness, grassy, dusty hay, and a bit of Brett funk but not much.

T: Pretty bready on the taste too, spices are evident, faint banana, coriander, clove, grassy dryness, lemon, caramel, faint traces of Brett sourness, some woody creaminess.

MF: Refreshing, crisp, lightly sweet, light to medium body, with some creamy notes.

O: Decent...not exactly what I was expecting, this definitely isn't overly funky or Brett-ed out...pretty balanced. Couldn't drink a lot of this.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 14:50:15 | More by Scotchboy

videofrog

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 22oz bottle into Duvel Tulip. No apparent bottling or best by date.

A: Cloudy orange with 2 finger rocky white head. Sporadic lacing down the glass as the head dissipates after a few minutes.

S: A lot going on here. Lemon & orange stand out the most. Faint bitterness and lots of spiciness. Coriander, maybe?

T: Taste follows the nose. Citrus up front with some funky yeast. Spices in the middle and slightly bitter hop finish.

M: Juicy and medium-bodied. Carbonation is good for this lighter style.

O: My first Biere de garde; I really enjoyed it. Easy to drink, but has nice complexity. Like New Belgium often does, it encourages you to go seek out more of a style.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:30:36 | More by videofrog

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 release purchased in South Bend on our recent vacation.

A- Slightly hazy vibrant orange pour with a two finger white head. Lacing is decent.

S-Orange and lemon stand out that a nice yeast spice than a mouth watering dose of Brett. there is a touch of sweetness that compliments everything properly.

T- Nice mixture of orange and Brett with a dry yeast finish. This is balanced and complex. It's not overly Brett and not lacking in it either. There is a touch of funk but not so much that a unsuspecting drinker would be offended by it.

M- Medium bodied, good carbonation and a little chewy.

O- I like this style (Jolly Pumpkin and Ommegang being my favorites) but this one puts a nice spin on it with the citrus. Well put together and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 17:45:01 | More by korguy123

schwaeh

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber sent by scotchboy, it's a 2012 bottle.

A: Pours a bright, juicy orange color with a large foamy white head. The carbonation is high like most other brett inoculated beers. This guy is real hazy.

S: This smells really good. Very bright citrus, namely orange peel, coupled with some spicy yeast and funky brett. Light bits of lemon juices, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.

T: Very clean and refreshing. I think 'ginger/spice' and citrus go together fantastically here, actually standing right alongside brett. Funk intermixes here slightly. Maybe some nutmeg. Real dry with some slight bitterness.

M: Crisp light-medium body. The carbonation really tickles the tongue. The warmer it gets, the creamier it seems.

O: I enjoy this one just as much as I initially thought, when I first heard of them releasing it. I'm glad I got the "BA lowered expectations" before I had this, I didn't expect much after reading the reviews. Highly recommended and so far the best biere de garde I've had.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 20:30:27 | More by schwaeh

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a fairly clear amber-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down slowly leaving behind some thick lace.

S - Aroma is a mix of funkiness and sourness with some Belgian yeast, lemon zest, spice, touch of grain.

T - Starts off with some tartness and funkiness with some Brett, Belgian yeast, and a bit of light spice. Through the middle, some lemon zest, wheat, and a touch of bready malt. The finish is a mix of tartness and sourness with some lemon zest, spice, and funky Brett.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry, sour, and funky finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nicely balanced with a good balance of tart and sour flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 05:40:25 | More by ngeunit1

mactrail

California

3.93/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Almost like I remember from years ago when New Belgium bottled this stuff in 12 oz six packs. That fruit and fragrant taste is almost unique. The best example of the "umame" flavor in a beer, I think. A meaty and oddly rich flavor with the hops de-emphasized.

Medium amber in the tall tulip. Modestly carbonated. Malty sweetness with pear cider is the taste. Nice nose of roasted malt and apple pie. Some acidity, some funky Belgian flavor, but all very smooth and friendly.

On tap at Slater's 50/50 in San Diego.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2012 05:30:27 | More by mactrail

draheim

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a tulip. Pours a glowing orange w/ lots of microscopic particulates in suspension. A frothy 3-finger off-white head settles slowly, leaving sticky lace.

Aroma is Belgian yeast and pale malt, maybe some bubblegum and a vaguely citrusy, musty spiciness. There's also a slight green apple tartness, probably from the Brett yeast.

Taste is similar to the aroma. Clean pale malt, orange peel, and hops. Has a pretty sharp bitterness. Tastes good for sure but nothing outstanding. Smooth mouthfeel.

Overall this is a good beer but a week from now I doubt I'll remember much about it.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 04:09:59 | More by draheim