Lips Of Faith - Fall Wild Ale - New Belgium Brewing

womencantsail

California

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The pour is amber in color with a slight cloudiness and an off-white head.

S: Certainly some tartness, leaning firmly in the acetic/vinegar direction. A mild sweetness with some vanilla and coconut? notes. Quite a bit of earth, which I suppose fits with the "fall" theme of the name.

T: A fair amount of complexity to the flavor, which is nice. Somewhat sweet, with contributions from the malt and maybe some dark fruits (cherries). The sourness is (again) primarily acetic in nature and works in an interesting fashion with the earthy and musty nature of the beer.

M: The body is medium with a fairly low level of carbonation. I tend to prefer my American wild ales with a bit more effervescence.

D: One of my least favorite New Belgium sours. A bit much on the vinegar and sort of muddled and quite earhty.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2010 22:37:40 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16 ounce pint - $6.00 at Taco Mac in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Clearish, dark brown body with a thinnish, off-white head.

Smell: Well, it's definitely fruity, even remarkably so, as I took it upon myself to blurt out "fruity!" at the bar. Everything from cherries to 'nanas. All with a strong sense of impending sweetness from the lightly nutty, sugary tones of a fine syrup. Sadly, I'm not picking up any of the wildness in the Fall Wild Ale.

Taste: A sweet, strongly sugary start of darkened treacle and a supplemental pinch of almond sugar to round out the dark maltiness. Additional nutty hints. The dose of Schisandra berries along with the Trappist ale yeast provides for a plethora of fruity tastes: Red Delicious apple, raisins, bananas, plums, and sweet, ripe cherries. Very minor hint of spice buried under all the sweetness and fruitiness. There's a touch of warming booze on the continually sweet, continually fruity finish with a slight, spicy herbal tone right at the very end.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: A passable brew! Brett always seems to be a stubborn, slow developer as, to be frank, I didn't detect one single iota of Brett character. So, perhaps, 'in the bottle' is the way to go with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2009 19:54:30 | More by ChainGangGuy

Halcyondays

California

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a medium brown with a firm white head, nice lacing and head retention.

S: Some cinnamon type notes, real light brett, brown malt.

T: A lot of brown malt, interesting spice characteristics. I don't know what schisandra is supposed to taste like, but there was cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg type flavours. Brett is really light I wouldn't know it was there except the fact it was listed as a wild ale. As a dubbel it's quite good.

M: Very smooth, medium-bodied, no trace of alcohol.

D: This is a very good beer from New Belgium, dangerously drinkable for its strength, check it out.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2009 02:43:48 | More by Halcyondays

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep dark mahogany/chestnut brown that is completely opaque with the slightest of mahogany edges. One finger beige head that quickly settles into a thin lasting ring that leaves streks of spotty lacing behind.

Slightly earthy and musty funk aroma with a strong malt presence and a prominent dark fruit character in the nose. Hints of sour cherry, raisin, grape and plum.

Softly carbonated up front with subtle earthy funk. Only slightly tart which is disappointing with a slightly toasted malt presence and some strong dark
fruit notes. This beer is pretty complex but the strong malt and dark fruit presence takes away from the tart/wild notes that I really like.

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2010 21:18:00 | More by corby112

glid02

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Leon's in Atlanta.

Pours a dark ruby color with a half-finger off-white head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of somewhat spicy dark malts with hints of dark fruits dusted with light cocoa powder and even lighter hints of funk.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though a bit more intense. Dark malt flavors up front are joined quickly by mild amounts of nondescript spices - nutmeg mostly if I had to guess with hints of allspice. Midway through the sip small amounts of dark fruit flavors enter into things along with some funk. The funk and fruit flavors carry through to a mildly bitter ending that leaves a bit of tang lingering on the palate.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I wasn't really sure what was going on in this beer as it seemed to be a combination of lots of small contributions. Certainly not a bad beer and even worth a try for the curious.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2009 05:39:13 | More by glid02

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had this on tab at Stubs.

Served in a pint glass.

1/2 finger of very light tan head. Color is a dark ruby copper red. Ok retention. Left nice lace rings.

Aroma: A lot of cinnamon and spice, a little nut meg. A lot of funky brett. Not the sour I was expecting. Not sure about this one.

Taste: All spice with brett notes. Cinnamon and nutmeg. The only non-brett wild note I get from this is at the finish where it has some nice wild cherry taste to it.

Mouthfeel: Some funkiness, but crisp for the most part. Medium bodied with a tad higher amount of carbonation. Ends with a huge brett aftertaste.

Overall, I had much higher expectations for this one. Not what I liked. It was simply ok. A lot of brett. I was hoping for something along the lines of la folie.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2009 01:02:26 | More by mothman

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed at Bittercreek Friday night..

I entered this review in a coupla nights ago... but the site crash got rid of it...

$4 for probably a 8oz pour... no real head.. lace if I swirl the glass.. the brew is lightly hazed deep chestnut..

Aroma is much more like a traditional dubbel.. with a fair dusting of brett...

Flavor is nice.. but not too much of anything that demands a "wild ale".. no real sour... maybe some weird cranberry... some random phenols and a sorta dry caramel and raison malty element with some cobwebs and hay.

nice body and carbonation.. I would think a whole lot of peeps are going to be disappointed with the lack of the overall wildness.

Instead, this brew is a nice practice in brett... lite funk and plenty of yeasty elements.. but still only okay.

One glass was about perfect... I would not have appreciated it anymore.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2009 07:30:02 | More by JohnGalt1

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, nearly opaque mahogany with a thick, fine-bubbled, light tan head. Aroma is strongly of fresh bananas and just a little sweet with a malty undertone. Flavor is fruity, mainly banana and rather sweet with an underpinning of malt. Texture is tingly and fizzy and just a little smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2010 01:09:17 | More by Cyberkedi

largadeer

California

2.3/5  rDev -36.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Draft at Stone. Tawny-colored, fairly clear. Arrives with no head, which may have been the fault of the bartender rather than the beer. The aroma is solventy, acetic and fruity. There's some pomegranate-like tartness, brown sugar, and a hint of funk. The taste is similarly uninspired, a mix of light sweetness and light tartness, vinegar, fruit and astringent graininess. A bit medicinal, phenolic. Very mediocre, I had no desire to finish this one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2009 22:27:45 | More by largadeer

jrallen34

Illinois

2.17/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I drank this on tap into a chalice.

The beer is dark amber with a light white head, lacing and retention ok.

The aroma is very light sour, not much there.

The taste is even worse than the aroma. There is a light sourness but its bitter and terrible. I had this after having bockor, temptation and consecration, and this beer just needs to go away.

Mouthfeel is bad, and this not drinkable at all. Even my girlfriend who knows nothing was like this sucks.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 16:11:44 | More by jrallen34

dirtylou

Washington

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

on-tap at brasserie V, paired with a bloody V burger

cell notes

appearance: served in the classic new belgium chalice - rather dark amber body, foamy tan cap but still a hearty pour

smell: herbal earthy nose - definitely malt driven, similar to a dubbel with brett

taste: This beer boasts the usage of Schisandra berries, the "five flavor fruit". This one reminded me of a bland trappist dubbel, with only a slight wild nature coming from the yeast...malt, tobacco, herbal. After a tasting of saisons and sours, this wasnt very memorable

mouthfeel: not as lively as i would hope from a wild ale

drinkability: fine

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2010 20:55:11 | More by dirtylou

Tone

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black color with amber coloring along the bottom of the glass. One inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of citrus, yeast, hops, slight tart malt, herbs, and slight spice. Fits the style of an American Wild Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and sharp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, spice, (cinnamon), slight hop, herb, and sligh grass. Overall, a complex body, good aroma, and great appearance.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2009 23:29:39 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in 160z goblet. Poured a very deep red with a lighter red tint near the edges. An off-white head had medium quick dissipation and left sheets of lacing.

There was a rich earthy, musty aroma that had such a mixture of scents I had trouble isolating specific tones. The flavor was mildly funky and had a slight fruit presence and a clean finish.

The body was very good, full and satisfying without being heavy. The drinkability was very good. I'm generally not a big fan of NBs beers, but this was a pleasant surprise. Try it if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2009 02:29:39 | More by beertunes

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

10 oz tap pour into a stemmed tulip glass. Poured at the New Belgium Hub in the Denver Airport.

A - The tap pour was poor. You'd think they knew better here. Filled right to the top it left no room for head so only a small tan right was the only thing there. The beer was a clear deep brown. A little bit of lace was left upon drinking.

S - This Wild Ale has a low nose right off the bat since it was poured right to the top. The nose was still tight even when half the beer was gone and I swirled it. What I do get coming out though is a touch of toasted bread and caramel malt with a blend of their sour brown ale astringency and some Brett yeast with a small funk finish.

T - It seems like this Wild Ale is more of a blend of lightly sour brown ale with a small, tart mouth-pucker mixed with a low level of Brett yeast. Toasted bread and caramel malts provide a solid base. No hops appear in this brew. A hint of Brett horse-blanket comes through in the finish.

M - This Wild Ale is medium-bodied and mostly malt-driven with a blend of tart and sour on the finish with lingering Brett aspects. Moderate carbonation livens it up a bit.

D - It dabbles in sour brown and wild ale enough to not be too heavy on either side. It's a good blend and nicely drinkable but I would have liked to see more Wild, especially since thats what it's called.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2010 02:52:06 | More by BeerFMAndy

champ103

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Pours a dark ruby/brown color. A small cap forms and a head, with little retention. No lace.
S: Yeast, banana, clove, caramel, and some alcohol.
T: Sweet malt with some banana and other dark fruits. A light spicy clove flavor and alcohol.
M/D: A medium body that is creamy and smooth. The alcohol is noticeable, and makes this a one and done. It is still a good beer to sip on.

Not really a Wild Ale. The website says this is a Dubble with Brett added. I don't get any souness or funkyness. This did not do much for me. Worth a try if you see it, but a one and done purchase for me.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2009 19:47:25 | More by champ103

GbVDave

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served in a snifter at Hopleaf. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Served a cloudy, dark brown with light brown highlights. One finger of creamy off-white colored head left a bit of lace.

S: Vaguely fruity (dark and tart berry) with some sweet malt.

T: See above. Add to this some bitter hops and/or dry roasty malt.

M: Sweet with a peppery/bitter/hoppy finish.

D: I felt a little mislead by the name of this. Where's the sour?

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2009 14:26:46 | More by GbVDave

atsprings

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a standard pint glass a crisp dark copper with a decent off-white head that diminishes to a ring and leaves slight lacing on the glass. Aroma is sweet fruit and Brett funk with a hint of spice. The taste is an enjoyably funky blend of slightly sour fruit and mild caramel malts, intriguing to say the least. The beer is medium bodied with decent carbonation and a hint sticky alcohol. This is a very enjoyable brew for a blustery fall day.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2009 19:23:22 | More by atsprings

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served dark brown, decent head. A little sourness on the nose, but not much amidst the brown malt sweetness. I was disappointed by the mildness of the tart flavor on the tongue; really hoping for more there. There's decent size for the malt backbone, enough sweetness to be an interesting take on the style, but the funk just doesn't quite work its way through the depth of malt. Easy to drink for sure, just not as pleasurable as I was hoping.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2009 02:50:27 | More by BretSikkink

rye726

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Not a bad beer, a soured version of their Abbey Ael I guess. Pours brown with a thin tan head, Nose is tart and Bretty. Not alot going on. Fairly dull and uncomplex. Good session beer though. Crisp and refreshing. Easy to drink. Go get soem, try it for yourself.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 04:16:11 | More by rye726

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass at Mangia in St. Louis, MO.

A - A nice dark cherry red hue that is almost brown in the darkness of the dinning room. I didn't see the pour but there was a thin film of off white head.

S - Smell of spices, nice malt sweetness and some nice flowery hints. Bread and yeast.

T & M - Candy and caramel come to mind. Some citrus and sour notes. Light bodied and refreshingly crisp and has a very nice after taste that lingers.

D - Refreshing and clean, not to sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2009 01:23:29 | More by JoEBoBpr

augustgarage

California

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This was described as a "dubbel," and I'm reviewing it as such. Don't pick this up expecting a sour. On-tap at the Library Alehouse in Santa Monica. Served in a New Belgium tulip.

Hazy carnelian body with ruby highlights and a snow-white cap of thinning suds. Excellent honiton-like lacing. Legs are like the edge of a finely honed razor.

The menu description was spot-on, with juicy waves of fresh green fig, dried Monmorency cherry, and light caramel malt forming the nose. Very fresh and inviting.

The palate follows the aromas to a "T," adding a little more complexity to the malt bill. Where a lot of dubbels have a raisin note mid-palate, this tastes more like cranberries. The Schisandra berries are the perfect addition to this ale. The fruit continues into the finish with fresh apricot, and the faintest hint of a fresh mildly funky (Brett.) kriek. Very well crafted.

Medium bodied, quite warming, and a touchy syrupy towards the bottom of the glass.

Juicy, fresh, well rounded - this is a creative twist on a traditional style that succeeds in every way. The first beer I've tried from New Belgium that finally reminds me of a true Belgian ale, but with a unique and meaningful twist.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2009 04:14:14 | More by augustgarage

katan

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at new Belgium at dia airport

a- pours a deep and dark amber color. Light dirty white head. Down to a film. Appears filtered.

S- sour with lots of wild Brett yeast notes. Tobacco and clove.

T - starts with a combination of 2 row and that wild yeast. Some caramel malts. Mid stream gets more sour - making it a bit funky. Finishes with a complex sour, tobacco and some currant notes.

M- watery and light. Finishes clean. Little carbonation bite.

D- sneaky abv, but well integrated with the flavors. This kind of funk isn't for sessioning. Not at all filling.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2010 23:47:29 | More by katan

hardy008

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reddish brown color with an off white head. Aroma of dark fruit and some sweet malt. The taste is also dark fruit with some sweet malt. Smooth, decent carbonation, medium bodied, and the alcohol is well hidden. I like the taste of this beer, but do not detect the sour that I would expect to find. It is sweeter, and has more malt, than I would have expected. A nice beer to drink, but not quite to style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2009 00:41:29 | More by hardy008

bort11

Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the KC Flying Saucer. Poured into a tulip glass, a tall white head clings to the lip of the glass. Very slow to recede, lace clings to the glass to the end. Color is a dark brownish red. Dense opaqueness lets very little light through.

Smell is a great mix of pumpkin spice with tart wild yeast. Taste follows smell very well. Lots of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, that finishes with a distinct brett sourness.

Mouthfeel is a solid medium body with a creamy texture. The flavor is so bold, it is a slow sipper. excellent

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2009 01:20:41 | More by bort11

KeefD

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had this on tap at The Happy Gnome in St Paul. Pours a clear brown color, small white head and good lacing. Aroma is very earthy, definitely smells like fall. Smells woody, light tobacco and leather, earth, and slight funk. Taste is mildly sour, in fact so little that I probably wouldn't have guessed Brett was used. Lightly sweet, bready malts, very light funk. Medium bodied. Not bad, but really wasn't overly impressed. Everything seemed a little muted in this beer and flavor was a little muddy.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2009 22:48:26 | More by KeefD