Lips Of Faith - Biere De Garde - New Belgium Brewing

eclipse54

Idaho

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle split into tulips.

Pours a translucent orange/yellow color with roughly an inch of bubbly white head. The head dissipates a bit too quickly, but it does leave a healthy dose of sticky lacing behind. A nice bubbly ring hangs out continually around the surface. A good looking beer here.

The aroma is of orange citrus predominantly, with a bit of lemon zest and coriander hidden behind it. A fair amount of wheat and some delicate grass are noticeable, along with a bit of yeasty funk and white pepper. Reminds me a bit of a tripel or a saison in that regard.

The flavor is more complex. Orange citrus still leads the way, but there is a brine-like flavor and texture similar to a gose that really offsets it (in a great way). The yeast, white pepper, and wheat seem to bring it all together in a coherent backbone, and there is a much more noticeable grass/herb flavor than in the nose. Hints of lemon and coriander again.

The mouthfeel is smooth and almost sweet in the beginning, but it gives way to a more brine-like and tart astringency later. FInishes clean, and there is ample carbonation.

Overall, this is a complex, interesting brew. Refreshing and light-bodied, it's making a great compliment to this sunny afternoon. Definitely a strong member of the Lips of Faith series, in my book.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 19:36:05 | More by eclipse54

impending

California

4.15/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-

22oz into a tulip. Pours a crystal clear pale new penny copper, encouragement required for a minor off white head, minor lacing.

The aroma is a delight. Peaches mango pineapple encompassed in candied jelly orange slices. Slight mustiness.

Flavor surprises with pronounced undulations. Starts sweet and fruity then dips abruptly to a low earthy note, rolls to a dry finish which accompanies the orange pineapple herbal aftertaste that lingers pleasantly. Notes of Hi-C. Increasingly earthy with warmth.
delicious
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 06:34:56 | More by impending

harrymel

Washington

3.03/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Alright, shenanigans. This was supposed to be done with sour cherries as I recall - where'd these orange peels come from....

Pours a nice golden yellow with a solid sheet of whites - these falls away quickly leaving a central dome. Smells include an up front slap of orange peel, some seeds of paradise character, some dried apricots, belgian yeast and a bit of grain. Taste is rich, sweet and slightly citric. The juice comes thru, but seems just juicy and sweet, not tart or sharp as I like my citric juices. The grain is also more malty than I would have predicted, some bits of apricot here as well. Medium on chubby body with lighter carb. This beer is okay, glad it's a one and done though.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 05:37:13 | More by harrymel

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

22 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
9% ABV, numbers screened on bottle.

A - Carbonation lazily streams through the mostly clear goldenrod colored beer to the loose and fleeting white head. Delicate wisps of lace stretch up the glass in a sea foam-like pattern.

S - Stinky would be a good word to describe this beer. Pungent yeast spiciness throws caution to the wind and piles on coriander seed and lemongrass with a cellared, dry wood musty funk while a unique orange peel citrus aroma finishes up. Some pilsner malt sweetness collects in the background but the focus of this aroma is on the yeast's unusual characteristics.

T - Sweet malt erupts in the beer's flavor really changing what one might expect from this beer with a sniff. Dry crystal malt and light white bread toast notes blanket the more subtle yeast flavors of spice, earthy clay, and modest funk. Aside from the addition of orange peel which pops in faint citrus, light apricot and white grape fruitiness trickle in along the finish adding complexity to the already deep beer.

M - This Lips of Faith Biere de Garde is incredibly well-lagered with a velvet smoothness and complimentary soft water feel that's barely interrupted by light carbonation, though the beer never feels flat. High alcohol doesn't intrude either but offers a good dry balance because of the low hop level for an even finish.

O - New Belgium's newest Lips of Faith, a Biere de Garde collaboration, is quite intrepid, shining with a serious farmhouse nose and malty, deep flavor profile of mixed fruits and spice traits, all produced by the yeast. If you're looking for an escape from the seasonals; something new and unique, check this beer out! Additionally, it should be noted that this bomber drinks too damn easy for it's alcohol level. Check yo' self befo' you wreck yo' self!

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 00:12:35 | More by BeerFMAndy

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

i really liked this new lips of faith release. it poured a glowing orange color, clearish mostly, but with a few yeast floaters. a lacey and light white head rests on top. the nose is decidedly orangey, peel and juice, with some other funny fruit juice in there as well, and a really bright ale yeast. the flavor has a little sweetness from the fruit, but not sugary, maybe some corriander in here too. malt profile is sort of ambery sweet, but much lighter in body than that. finish is relaxed and peppery a little bit. mouthfeel is supercharged carbonation, not unpleasant, but really active. medium body, lots of character. this was a great bomber, and one i wouldnt mind seeing sneek into the regular rotation, its got a great punch without being boozy, its complex without being challenging, and its really different. i enjoyed this one a lot.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 16:51:25 | More by StonedTrippin

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer is a collaboration between New Belgium and Brewery Vivant.

Fresh bottle review.

It pours out a mostly-clear sunny yellow color with about two minutes of loose foam that fizzles down to nothing without any lacing left behind. Medium-light texture and carbonation levels.

Very strong dried apricots, medium levels of marmalade, yeast, and herbal tea aroma. The flavor follows suit, but only semi-drier than the sweetness implied by the nose. I also pick up on grassy and straw / hay with a squeeze of lemon and a mild Swiss cheese sort of flavor from the midsip through the finish as the beer warms up in the glass. The ABV is very well hidden.

I can tell that the yeast strain they used here was borrowed from Vivant, there's a certain "Farmhouse" level of mild funk (not an sour or acid kind of funk, but rather an expensive soft-runny unpasteurized cheese kind of funkiness.) This light, mild funkiness shows some potential to get bigger, raunchier, and more challenging with some cellaring time, so I'm going to be on the lookout for more bombers in the store to try and age in the basement for about six months to a year.

Summary: Dried apricot, orange peel, and herbal tea with mild Swiss cheesy-yeast profile.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 02:41:01 | More by WastingFreetime