Loft - New Belgium Brewing

Dithyramb

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

One of the only good beers on tap at the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Had one of these and a Fat tire. They had it listed as New Belgium "Summertime" ale.
Half a finger of white head on top of a nice sunset golden ale. Had a little staying power and nice lacing. Grassy hops on the nose.
Sweet caramel malt and a crisp grassy/citrus hops were very enjoyable, though a bit average. Mouthfeel was a bit thin for the style, though this made it quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2005 14:47:32 | More by Dithyramb

Bcant

Michigan

2.55/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I have mixed feelings about New Belgum in general but am definatly not impressed by Loft. I was poured a pint by an excelant beer-barman but the Loft did not produce an adequate head. Its nose is very faint and slightly sour. The body is light, almost watery. Sweet grain flavor with strawberry notes. On the up side, its rather easy to drink, but thats mostly because there is not too much to it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2005 06:36:51 | More by Bcant

WesWes

New York

3.95/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a grainy pale malt scent. It's sweet smelling with some musty notes. The taste is good also. It has a pale and wheat malt flavor that goes down easy and refreshes. It's a bit grainy with a nice malty feel. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a low bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a fine seasonal brew and at only 115 calories, it's good for you.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2005 01:55:00 | More by WesWes

KoG

Nevada

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this with lunch at a sushi bar.

Nice very light amber color with a small head that leaves little lacing.


Smells of malt and yeast, very doughy.

Taste was nice and light with a bit of hoppyness, similar to Fat Tire only less sweet.

Mouthfeel was acceptable, seemed a little flat and didn't really have any pizazz, but it did leave me refreshed with a clean palate.

Drinkability is pretty good. Not too shabby for Mid-October but it would probably be better when it isn't about 45* outside.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2004 22:27:40 | More by KoG

Beaver13

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

The Loft poured golden-copper. It had an ample, creamy, white head that lasted for the entire pint and left some lacing.

The aroma was lemony citrus.

It was medium bodied, and a little too bubbly. The taste was malt with some zingy citrus. It had a crisp, grassy, slightly bitter finish.

Overall, this was a very pleasing and refreshing beer. Definitely the best "lighter" beer I've had...a great summer drink!

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2004 04:37:00 | More by Beaver13

BucannonXC5

California

3.69/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Firestone pint glass
From: VONS in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $12.97 (w/ VONS card) for a Folly 2002 revival 12-pack
Purchased: May 14, 20113
Consumed: May 20, 2013
Misc.: Best by Sept. 8, 2013

Poured a honey copper clear color with one finger of frothy white head. Sporadic spots of thin and thick foamy lacing. Good and thick retention on the top.

Smelled lemon zest, orange, caramel, faint toffee, faint chocolate, sour milk, grass, hay, bread and faint resin notes. Caramel is the long lasting whiff.

Tasted similar to the nose, mainly that caramel, sour milky malts and lemon and orange zest. Orange rind, a bit like an orange creamsicle, Also reminded me of a lighter version or orange cough syrup. Clean and refreshing.

Light body. Thin-to-creamy texture. Lively carbonation. Abrupt, clean, crisp, watery finish.

Surprised at how much this beer grew on me. It’s simple on the outside, but improves as it goes down.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 07:34:21 | More by BucannonXC5

bennett_loves_good_beer

Wyoming

3.45/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Throwback seasonal beer from 2002 new belgium brewery. It is sold in the summer folly variety packs from new belgium.
Poured a golden yellow with just a hint of amber. Solid two fingers of white head. Okay retention and lots of lacing. Aroma has fruit, lemongrass, and vanilla. A light tasting beer that is crisp and mildly fruity. Light hops. Has a very creamy mouthfeel. Overall, I really enjoyed this beer and look forward to trying a few more to see if it grows on me. Definitely one to drink on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 00:36:11 | More by bennett_loves_good_beer

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.25/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Vibrant golden pour, moderate amount of haze, good eggshell white heat that is large but not dense. Aroma was faint, not really belgian.

Taste, light, refreshing, good amount of low alpha acid hopping it seems. Carbonated, gets thin downbottle. Missing any belgian banana, yeast or clove flavors from it, really don't see it fitting there, its more like an underhopped xpa or a british mild almost.

A light, grassy and lemon beer for hot weather. Nothing spectacular, price point a little high for the lack of ingredients or process though. Would prefer something with a little more substance, regardless of the weather.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 18:35:42 | More by Beerandraiderfan

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a special brew meant to provide a light drinking experience basically. It delivers what it promises and gives an easy drinking, lighter brew - though it has to be one of, if not THE, lightest Belgian Pale Ales around. I was surprised at how light it really was and how it did kind of "lift" my palate up. Even though I tend to go for heavier stuff, I have to say that I still like this one because of it's even style, even though it is lighter.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 02:57:31 | More by RblWthACoz

Crosling

Colorado

2.17/5  rDev -39%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Light Orange. Clean, balanced but subtle aroma. The aroma is very spicy, hoppy and fruity. The flavor delivers a very nice citrus and fruit taste from the hops. The added lime leaves add a touch of lime flavor. A nice American wheat ale with a broad range of flavors but this doesn’t seem to be in the Belgian mold to me.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2006 04:37:07 | More by Crosling

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is definitely a summer brew. Since it is seasonal I'm rating it accordingly; I would not rate so high in a wider context.
Poured into pint glass.
Thin head. Straw color, with a bit of orange to make it look thicker. Lemon, grass, yeast in the aroma. Crisp smell.
Crisp taste as well. Citrus, some hops, flower, and a pinch of malt.
Nice summer beer, thicker than water with taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2006 16:59:01 | More by Mebuzzard

SkeeterHawk

Texas

3.65/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a mostly clear orange-golden color with a small 1/4" head at first that dissipated very quickly. There are a few bubbles rising, but do nothing to maintain the head. There is no lacing to speak of.

Aroma: Grassy hops are the most dominant part of the aroma profile. There is a toasty/buttery aroma that seems to be derived from British malts. As the beer warms a bit, there is more of a citrusy balance to the aroma. It is leaning toward grapefruit as it warms.

Taste: The flavor is very hop oriented also. It has all of the grassy and citrus notes that you get in the aroma along with a bit of floral that reminds me of honeysuckle. The beer has a pretty neutral balance overall even though there is quite a bit of flavoring hops. It has a light mouthfeel, and this is aided by mild carbonation. This makes it cross your palate with a watery feeling, and finishes with a very slight bitter balance.

Opinion: Well, this is a pretty tasty beer. It has some pretty good flavor, but it is obvious that this wasn't meant to knock you down. It would probably go pretty well with a cold basket of fruit on a hot summer day. I would rather use a Barley Wine for this purpose, so I probably won't be drinking this all too often...OK, I was just kidding about the Barley Wine, but it is still one I probably won't drink too often.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2006 01:13:49 | More by SkeeterHawk

dauss

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Standard New Beglium Label with a orange kite on the front. 4.2% ABV, and best before 23SEP05.

Appearance: Very cloudy tan orange color. A small white head forms to struggle. It is very effervescent though, lots of small bubbles streaming from the bottle.

Smell: Definitely maltiness, but the smell of mashing grain, not the graininess. Its got a touch of citrus too. Other than there, not much going on there.

Taste: A light bodied beer with good mouthfeel. Its light and clean like a lager. A overall light bitterness is good for the overall dryness of the beer. The flavors in this beer is very subtle. I get a light orange, lime, and some flowery hops.

Notes: A very good beer to be drinking over the summer or as a session beer. A very drinkable beer, but a little too bland for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 02:13:29 | More by dauss

ColoradoBobs

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I would call this New Beligum's entry into the "light" beer realm. However, it's much more flavorful than the macro lights we see so much of on TV.

Nice spcey blend of flavors, with a hint of citrus, grass, hay.

Very drinkable at 4.0%.

Not NB's best by a long shot, but not their worst. Give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2005 02:16:39 | More by ColoradoBobs

whynot44

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Light/medium bodied, pale orange color.

Aroma is mainly spicy hops with a trace of citrus - grapefruit?

Taste is more of the same - nice hops bite, then a little roasted malt and wheat with that citrus twist, the finish is dry and spicy hops again, makes you want another one.

This should be an excellent hot weather thirst quencher - but good anytime. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2005 07:17:07 | More by whynot44

Mitchster

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

4.2% ABV per the bottle. Pours out to a sparkingly clear light bronze, forming a rocky and soapy white head with amazing retention and wonderful sheets of snow white lace. Carbonation is moderate. The aroma is subtle...part euro lager evenly mixed with wheat with a touch of toasty pale malt, all covered in some subtely English style hops. I smell distinct orange, and perhaps a touch of coriander. The mouthfeel is very crisp and clean with a very easy to drink light body. The flavor is delicate with a recap of the above aromas, however, the orange and coriander in the aroma are barely perceptable. The finish is very crisp, lightly dry, watery in body (a bonus in this case) and clean. There is a nice lingering aftertaste of toast with delicately perfumed flowery hops. Bitterness is mild, yet very well balanced.

This is a very subtle beer and very well balanced considering how delicate it is. Very drinkable and refreshing, and it would make an excellent summer beer. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2005 22:23:47 | More by Mitchster

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle from nvsblman as part of BIF 19. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" eggshell head above the golden brew. Head lasts well, with delicate, prevalent lacing. Aroma is pale malt with citrus. Taste resembles the nose, light pale malt sweetness with a lemony twinge to it. Mouthfeel is crisp and smooth, with good drinkability. Nice crossover and/or summertime brew. Not all brews need to make you sit and think about flavors nuances for hours, some are just for drinking, esp at 4%abv.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2005 22:35:31 | More by ppoitras

hoffman

Nebraska

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Nice golden to amber color, thin one finger head does not last or lace particularly well. Very thin pour is unimpressive but not a clue to the beer as a whole, which is good. The smell is very herbal and organic some fruity undertones and hops ring through. The taste is very pleasent smooth, with a hint of fruit and some hop character in the finish, a bit over carbonated. The mouthfeel is unimpressive and watery...much like the pour. I like this beer as a drinkable one because I can give it to a fan of Boulevard or BMC and they might drink it and like it. This is a good beer and very drinkable in quantity and quality. Will buy again for stocking in the fridge for all occasions.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2005 01:55:26 | More by hoffman

soper2000

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First review in awhile for me.

Loft pours a crisp golden with a two finger white head that is thin, but does stick aroun for quite some time. Aroma is yeasty to say the least, but the yeast has some pleasant peppery/grassy notes that balance the slight hints of caramelish malt. The taste is a little too thin for me. Sweet malt slides right over the tongue leading to a grassy middle before being punctuated by a sharp hop bite that is without a lot of character. Mouthfeel is too thin for my taste as well. Usually I'm a fan of New Belgium's brews, but this one just doesn't do it for me. Bring on the Frambozen!

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2005 01:49:48 | More by soper2000

msubulldog25

Oregon

2.42/5  rDev -32%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a light amber color with minimal white head, but alot of carbonation. Smell is not particalarly enticing - a bit of malt/yeast but not much else.
Taste is a little hoppy but mostly a more unpleasant bitterness. Fortunately it doesn't linger long...
I've enjoyed other beers by NBB, but this is not a beer I'll be having for a while...may need to try at a later date

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2005 00:20:41 | More by msubulldog25

mntlover

Tennessee

3.68/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden color touches of orange mixed in with a finger and half white head that falls to a ring and leaves some decent lace behind.

Aroma is wheat malt and bready malt mixed, some light lemony aromas hints of sweet bananas that fades too soon.

Taste is light crisp bready malt with some wheat grain popping up here and there some fruit comes threw banana hints of pear/lemon zest. Finish is light spice and some lingering grassy hops. Overall a crisp clean tasting pale not as complex as some but it would sure go down good on a hot day.

Mouthfeel is good middle of light and medium nice carbonation about perfect feel.

Might not be world class but I like it nice enjoyable pale here. Thanks go to Dertbert for this sample.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2005 19:48:10 | More by mntlover

pjwilson

California

2.68/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

wow can a beer be more bland? i mean this has about as much flavor as olympia. or less. this beer is pointless. same your money and buy PBR which is more exciting than this beer. better yet buy a different new beligum. i can thank god i only got one bottle of this stuff and not a whole sixer.
ok so it's not a bad beer just really, really bland. the taste is a light sweet malt. if someone handed me this on a hot day i wouldn't say no. i'm just amazed by the complete lack of substance to this beer. come on new beligum ditch this dud.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2005 22:42:42 | More by pjwilson

orbitalr0x

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

The New Belgium Loft pours from the bottle a clear golden amber with a small light arid bubbly white head on top. Aromas of sweet yeasty, slightly caramelized grains along with a herbally hop in the background. Quite fruity with notes of pear, lemon and light cut melon. Touch of spice. Nice..but a tad bit boring at the same time.

First sip brings a light, somewhat bready caramelized grainy malt. Follows with a light yeasty profile and a bit of a herbal hop on the way down. Touch of sourness. Light fruits move in and out with hints of pear and a slightly toasty finish. Move along now...nothing to see here.

Mouthfeel is smooth and medium bodied with nice carbonation. However, this brew just really doesn't do anything for me. Much too non-descript. I don't think I'll be seeking it out again. Thanks to mentor for the sample!

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2005 02:42:16 | More by orbitalr0x

Boneheadmx

California

4.6/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a nice golden yellow orange. Very nice color. Head is very small and disappears quickly. The smell is excellent. Even though it is quite faint, I can smell the fruit. Kind of an orangey, lemony smell. It's great compared to Fat Tire's smell. I absolutely love the taste. Tastes kind of lemony at the first wave, and then turns nice and malty at the finish. The aftertaste is quite interesting because it leaves a taste like fresh, buttery corn-on-the-cob in the back of the mouth. the hops are quite light, and not overpowering at all. This, in turn, makes it very, very drinkable. It goes down very smoothly. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2005 22:52:03 | More by Boneheadmx

BigRedN

Nebraska

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz dated bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Coppery/Gold, nearly clear, thin 1/4-inch white head. Head dissipates quickly to form a ring around the glass. Minimal lacing, practically nonexistant by midway through the beer.

Smell: Mild aromas, slight malt, more hoppy. Floral hops with a hint of lemon zest.

Taste: Slight hop bitterness at the back of the tongue and throat. Soft flavors, nothing to grab ones attention. Minimal malt backing.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, light bodied, lightly carbonated. Slightly dry on the finish.

Drinkability: Light, refreshing beer, with low alcohol content makes this one a dangerously quaffable summer beer. I would not hesitate to have another. Worth trying, at least once.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2005 04:02:50 | More by BigRedN