Lips Of Faith - Brett Beer - New Belgium Brewing

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

2.89/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

22oz split with my wife
Served in a Southern Tier tulip

A - Pours a cloudy golden straw with 2 fingers of mounded bubbles. Lots of suspended specks.

S - Sweet pale malt, wheat, hay, vitamins, citrus fruit, dusty grains, slightly astringent alcohol.

T - Spicy yeast, bittering and floral hops upfront, tropical fruit, lemons, limes, very sweet malts, finishes peppery with a lemon citrus kick.

M - Full doughy body, bulky and smooth feel.

Well this wasn't what I was expecting. The brett was there but very subtle. It was sweet with a semi-dry finish and a bulky mouthfeel. It had a rustic sense about it but was a little on the sweet side.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 01:59:36 | More by StaveHooks

falloutsnow

Illinois

2.6/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

From: Beertopia, Omaha, NE
Date: None on bottle, released in late spring 2012
Glass: Tulip

In both scent and taste, the LoF Brett Beer represents a fairly low standard for American Wild Ales, which I have, in the past, found to be quite complex, full of flavor, and fairly intense. I was hoping for a showcase of Brett characters, but what the bottle contains is a relatively middling amount of any character, be it Brettanomyces, malt, or hops. The overal beer is certainly drinkable, but bland and uninspiring to me.

Pours a tall, >3cm, white head, composed of medium to large-sized bubbles that has above average retention. As the head recedes to a thin cap atop the body, it leaves significant lacing in a variety of shapes along the sides of the glass. The body itself is a light yellow-gold color, semi-hazy from some poured in sediment. Carbonation is visible and appears quite active.

Aroma is surprisingly bland: a mellow and light Brett presence; flat, grainy malts; hints of lemon. I was really hoping for something quite Brett-heavy, as not only is this the name of the beer, but the bottle itself mentions some of the flavors from Brett-influenced beer I like the most, such as pineapple and acidic sourness/tartness.

Taste is similar to aroma, perhaps a bit bolder, but not by much: the same flat, grainy malts, mellow Brett presence, and mild lemon are apparent (there's also some breadines). Front of palate detects fairly boring pale malts, leading to a mid-palate with mild Brettanomyces-influenced basement must and wet straw. There's continued mildly sweet pale malts, hints of white bread, and a light fruit ester essence (diluted pear juice?). Back of palate notes bready, pale malts, dried lemon, and faint Brettanomyces characters.

The beer is medium in weight, with carbonation levels that are medium-high to high. This results in a prickly feeling moving across the palate at first, which gradually fades into a substantial foam: aggressive, then soothing. Not entirely disagreeable, but carbonation could be lower and more enjoyable. Closes semi-dry with little residual stickiness on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 04:57:03 | More by falloutsnow

Thorpe429

Illinois

1.85/5  rDev -44.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2

Served in a New Belgium globe glass. Metallic with some tropical fruit and light citrus. Quite off. Not a good beer. Some bready character.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:20:47 | More by Thorpe429

DavidST

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a goblet, unknown bottled date. This pours a very cloudy, brett or yeast filled (with lots of dregs) slightly golden but mostly yellow color with a small short lived off white head. The smells are light of lemon and brett. The feel is medium light with mid carbonation. The taste is lacking, I was expecting a funky brett filled experience, but instead I get only a very mild hint of barnyard funk, mostly a little grass hops and some doughy malts, what a disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 04:43:11 | More by DavidST

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 oz bottle into a couple of tulip glasses.

Pours a clear gold, with 1 ½ fingers of rich and frothy light white colored head. This maintains a ½ finger of creamy froth, which leaves back a sudsy cascade of thick lacing behind. The aroma smells fresh and Bretty, with notes of musty earth and a ripe tartness sticking out. A touch of sweetness mixes in, adding some twang to the nose.

The taste is earthy bitterness with a splash of zesty lemon. There is malt sweetness across the back that seems to get a bit cloying feeling at times. Brett finishes this with a dry and earthy feel on the tail-end of the profile. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and firm on the tongue but then spreads out into more of a sharp creaminess. Alcohol is at least well hid for the most part.

Yeah, I wasn’t overly impressed by this. The Brett character itself is fine but it’s just that there really isn’t anything here for it to play against here, expect a rather boring and overly sweet malt profile. This was just too cut and dry and plain for me to really get into it. I’m one and done with this Lips of Faith release.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 19:05:28 | More by Kegatron

match1112

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

a: body is golden yellow in color and pretty translucent, can still see many tiny particles floating in there, but not enough to make it cloudy. a towering four finger tall head slowly settles to a frothy cap leaving plenty of thick spotty lacing.

s: very citrusy and bready/doughy yeast. just a tad grassy on the nose.

t: syrupy sweet, bread, yeasty pizza dough, grass, lemon

m: a little too thick, kinda syrupy. dry, plenty of carbonation

o: not impressed, this is my second bottle, had them about six months apart and can't tell that the brett has addded anything to this. have one more bottle that i don't know what to do with.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 23:59:12 | More by match1112

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bomber into Flying Dog chalice. cant seem to find any "bottled on" date on the bottle.

A: very blond, hazy to very hazy depending on how careful you choose to pour. head is bright white and isnt necessarily too impressive. retention is meh, good lacing.

S: the citrus on the nose is definitely strong. a mild barnyard aroma. slightly stronger biscuit aroma. more and more sweet citrus as it warms.

T: starts with a vaguely creamsicle flavor. a citrus twang on the end of the drink can shock the palate a bit, but only at times. the sweetness of the creamsicle flavor pops out more and more as it warms in the vanilla aspect. sweet citrus lingers on the palate long after the drink is gone.

M: average carb on a medium body.

D: not a bad beer imo, but there is nothing about this beer that is screaming out BRETT to me. which is a real shame, especially coming from these two breweries. however, rating the beer itself, not to shabby.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:45:36 | More by Jimmys

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a 0.5L Duvel tulip. No date, but I guess it was brewed once, so no matter.

A: Light golden body, clear with some carbonation. Big white head, very good lacing.

S: Somewhat Belgian like yeast character, but with more musk and fruit. Blends with a noble hop aroma.

T: Hit by Belgian character up front, but it feels heavier. A little alcohol heat in the middle. A sweetness followed by slightly overripe fruit flavors on the finish. Quite an intense and interesting beer.

M: Mouthfeel is full, body is actually not very dry at all.

O: This is a very interesting beer considering it is solely brewed with brettanomyces. If you expect funk in everything brewed with brett you're mistaken. Anyone who has read the paper "A Horse of a Different Color" knows this. More than interesting, this beer is tasty, and unique enough for me to wish this was on rotating release.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 03:36:58 | More by 51mmz0rz

dpasotti

Indiana

2.3/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A very nice-looking beer. Golden honey color with solid head that bleeds lace. The aroma is light sweet pale malt, some floral hops, and peppery/fruity saison-like yeast notes. Zero brett.

Flavor is doughy malt, some yeasty spice, and not much else. Pretty clean flavor here. I literally got up and checked the bottle to make sure I opened the right beer. There is no brett element here whatsoever.

Medium body and carbonation. Mouthfeel is good. Overall, this is by far the most off-style beer I've ever had. It's somewhere between an American blonde, a saison, and a German helles; but it is in no way in the realm of a wild ale. The name Brett Beer does a disservice to the distinguished microorganism. To be fair, it's a good beer. But when you sell it to me as a "Brett Beer," you better bring the funk--and this is more of a Milli Vanilli.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 05:20:31 | More by dpasotti

mactrail

California

3.98/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a perfect amber in the narrow tulip glass. Not so much foam but it sparkles on the tongue. The carbonation floats up and fills the mouth with a spritzy marshmallow feeling.

So rich and mellow. Seriously fruity with a touch of old-fashioned postage stamp glue. Distinct tang of sweet apple juice. Like a Saison, it dries out toward the middle and leaves a modest bitter finish. Quite full of fruit flavors but rather elegant. A strong flavor that intensified as you sip, so a short glass at one time is plenty. It's also a nice lesson in brewing technology, and a surprise if you've had some really outlandish Brett beers.

This is so much better than the stinky, overly bacterial bottle version. Glad I tasted this version. On tap at Pizza Port OB.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 00:08:43 | More by mactrail

spoony

Colorado

3.28/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From notes dated November 16, 2012.

From a 22 oz bottle into a tulip.

A-The beer pours a cloudy, straw color. The head was 1.5 fingers of thick, white foam that dissipated strangely fast. The head did, however, leave a thick cap that never really disappeared.

S-The fragrance is strange...brett is there, but not terribly strong. Also some lemongrass and herbs. Slightly watery.

T-The beer tastes slightly sweet and yeasty, with only a minimal amount of funk. There is an herbal note that tracks the smell pretty closely, along with some dry straw and a light, light malty backbone. Again...watery.

M-Feel is slightly slick feeling with very little carb. Medium bodied.

O-Others have said this beer is confusing, but I would say it is just boring. Perhaps the name is misleading, because there is not much brett funk and the other flavors just don't seem to meld well without it. If I compare this brew to the last "brett beer" I had, Saison Brett from Boulevard, there is no comparison. The Saison Brett is exhaustingly funky, but interesting whereas this brew is just exhausting.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:34:33 | More by spoony

hdofu

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I wasn't really impressed by this beer. It poured blonde with a thin head. Had a thin head to it, smell was not particularly impressive with smell of citrus. Taste is like marmalade and lemon. It has a crispness but a sort of weak almost flat finnish. Not much excitement with this one although not alot to get offended by either. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it again although I wouldn't pass up a glass if it was offered to me either.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 05:50:43 | More by hdofu

ccrida

Oregon

2.93/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Bomber poured into my large Gulden Draak tulip, Brett Beer is hazy straw yellow with a white head

Smell is earthy, yeasty. Very slight tropical fruit, and a fair amount of chicken stock.

Taste is also big on the earthy taste. Extremely yeasty, really like a yeast starter almost. Flutter of pineapple, but the brett is really just dirty, horse blanket.

Mouthfeel is on the flabby, thick side.

Drinkability isn't super high, this is a sub-par belgian blonde. While the brett is the focal point, it's showcasing the least desirable attributes.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 04:11:37 | More by ccrida

bum732

Maryland

3.18/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

S: Bready, doughy malt, some grassiness, slight clove. Some daisies and slight stone fruits.

L: Cloudy, golden yellow, white creamy head that dissipates.

T: Grainy maltiness with some fruitiness. Quite floral throughout. Medium low bitterness, a kind of muddled graininess near the finish that clashes with the fruitiness. Finishes fairly clean and semi-dry.

M: Medium low carbonation, medium bodied.

Meh, pretty muddled throughout. A lot of the flavors clash, not a good combination.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:27:59 | More by bum732

tylerzander

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours a hazy straw color - classic kind of farmhouse ale - with a two finger white head that swiftly reduces to a minimal layer of foam atop the beer

S - pineapple-like aroma with a kind of white grape twist on it, and then a grassy/wet hay aroma with some barnyard funk to provide another layer on top of the fruitiness; as it warms, some more tropical notes: orange peel, mango

T - if there is a "funky" taste coming through, it centers more on the fruity and sweet side; a touch of tropical fruit hop bitterness lingers in the aftertaste that manages to be both fruity and woodsy

M - bright but surprisingly full bodied for an all-brett fermentation, almost like fruit juice; a medium level of carbonation with a little bite from that at the end

D - definitely a complex beer that withstands several close looks, and well-crafted given the difficulties of brettanomyces fermentations, yet still not as satisfying or drinkable as top-level saccharomyces beers finished with brett; anyway, I'd like to see more stabs in this direction, toward balancing yeast character with complementary flavors provided by newer hop varieties

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 03:52:03 | More by tylerzander

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a snifter at SmallBar - Division.

Another keg killed off...my day seems made. This stuff pours a lightly hazy golden-straw topped by over a finger of white froth. The nose comprises earthy greens, light brett funk, mild citrus peel, and a soft peck-on-the-cheek of dry honey. The taste mirrors things pretty closely, with the earthiness really taking charge, the citrus acting as an able lieutenant, and the brett shrinking increasingly as time passes. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a pretty solid brett-focused beer, but one that comes across as rather tame thanks to the "accidental" pasteurization. Still not bad, but likely a shadow of what it could have been.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2012 14:50:36 | More by TMoney2591

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

ST: 22oz poured into a flute.

A: Pale gold with a half-a-finger white, creamy head.

S: Lemon meringue pie, grapefruit, brett funk, spicy hops.

T: Very sweet lemonade with hints of sour grapefruit and spicy, green, metallic finish.

M: Medium and sweet

O: An unbalanced beer, Brett has too much sweetness that is not complemented by the green (not refreshing) sourness instead of crisp hops. The finish is a too cloying.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 23:02:07 | More by ianjsullivan

TheHoppiest

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle which I obtained in DC this summer. Pours a cloudy pale yellow, with a thin white head that lingers.

The aroma is full of stinky funk; Parmesan cheese, wheat, mild vinegar, wildflower honey, and a peppery nose-feel. Intense and aromatic, this does not seem to be a beer for the weak-hearted.

Taste is sweeter and less outrageous than expected. The clover honey taste presents first, followed by a pithy bitter that transitions to a subtle sour. Peppery and herby, this tastes a bit like a saison.

Light bodied, with a tangy peppery bite on the tongue, finishing slightly funky.

The smell tries to scare you off, but don't let it. It tastes much tamer than it smells, which is good if you don't want your Brett too funky. I find this to be a pleasant sipper, best served at about 55 degrees. I've not had a bad beer yet from New Belgium's Lips of Faith series; if you can get your hands on one (they don't sell here in Ohio) I'd recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 01:30:52 | More by TheHoppiest

Guden

Maryland

2.8/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A- A brilliantly clear light blonde color. No head to speak of.

S- Light citrusy hops. There really isn't anything else there, the yeast might be adding to the fruity citrus character but lemon and tangerine are the only smells.

T- Again light citrus hops seem to dominate an otherwise boring beer. Underwhelming, though not unpleasant.

M- Thin and dry with light carbonation, could use more carbonation but in a timid beer like this it doesn't matter that much.

D- This beer is boring. Why waste perfectly good Brett on an underwhelming lightly flavored beer?

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 02:04:52 | More by Guden

ngeunit1

California

4.23/5  rDev +27%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy golden-yellow with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of wheat, funky brett and farmhouse smells, lemon zest, tartness, vanilla, and some fruity esters.

T - Starts off with a mix of wheat, lemon zest, light spices, tart fruity esters, and a touch of vanilla. Through the middle, some funky brett comes through with some more funkiness. The finish is a mix of tart lemon, funky brett, farmhouse flavors, and some wheat.

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

D - Very drinkable. Nice sour beer with good brett flavor. Could have used a bit more complexity.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 06:11:50 | More by ngeunit1

ikantspel

California

3.2/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

bomber into a duvel tulip

pours a golden straw color with an average head and champagne bubbles. leaves some sticky icky on the glass

belgian yeast in the smell along with apricot and some slight funk

some malt, little bit of hop, and some citrus.

definitely different. a juxtaposition in mouth for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 04:00:31 | More by ikantspel

secondtooth

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cloudy yellow-opaque upon pouring. Thick and attractive head of fine, white carbonation. Lovely loopy chain-link style lacing.

Nose is fruity and funky. I get both wild berries and citrus tones. Quite enticing!

Taste is nicely fruity up front, even hinting at some pineapple. Body is heavy, though, and the Soriachi hops add to the tangy quality. I quite liked this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 00:33:35 | More by secondtooth

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

3.33/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a light, hazy, golden color into a Stella Chalice. Huge, foamy head, probably 4 fingers or more. Great retention and lacing. Lots of yeast floating and settling both in the bottle and glass.

S- Light and tangy. Some fruity notes of apricot, orange, and maybe a hint of banana. Spicy notes sneak in too with some coriander and clove-like notes.

T- Starts off with a slightly creamy, almost buttery flavor. Transitions into the traditional Belgian wild yeast flavor with a hint of funkiness on the way. Funkiness is only a hint sour, nothing to make you pucker or anything. The yeast flavor profile lingers, dampening out the light malt flavors. I pick up some wheat like flavor, and maybe a hint of hops bitterness towards the end. Finishes dry, with the aftertaste predominantly a wild yeast flavor.

M- Moderate carbonation and a medium weight body. Drinks much heavier than it appears in the glass. Has a slight alcohol bite towards the end, which is surprising for 7.5%. Nothing special here.

Overall, this is an interesting take using brett, but it is not really used to its full extent. Tastes and feels more like a yeasty Belgian golden ale than anything.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 00:04:19 | More by boilermakerbrew

mdaschaf

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Review from notes.

A: Pours a hazy golden/orange color with a one finger white head with decent retention and lacing.

S: A rather closed aroma, a bit of orange rind, pale malt, wheat, and hints of funky brett.

T: More of the same from the aroma. Bready malt, some orange and light citrus and again very faint funk.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, on the creamier side.

O: A bit of a let down, the Brett really didn't impart much on this beer...yet at least.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 18:02:11 | More by mdaschaf

DRyan

Texas

3.48/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy gold, reminiscent of a wit or a cloudy trippel. Has a very white head that receds quickly and leaves some lacing
S: Citrusy, fruity, without being hoppy, has a very “unibroue” yeasty like scent
T: Sweet, fruity, with a touch of bitter and sour on the end. Aftertaste again reminds me of unibroue’s releases, but without being much like unibroue. Ends very dry and champagne like.
M: Very crisp, almost champagne like with very fine bubbles, and not a whole lot of them.
D: Easily drinkable, could easily down to of these 22oz with little trouble.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 00:38:20 | More by DRyan