Lips Of Faith - Biere De Garde - New Belgium Brewing

vickersspitfire

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out a light burnt copper color and is topped off with a thin white head that sticks around for a while. The aroma is very pleasant, lots a citrus( lemons and lemon zest) come through. Mild grass and wheat smells are also present. Smooth and crisp as it hits your tongue, this ale quickly warms up your mouth with cloves, grapes medium wheat and banana flavors all wrapped around a semi tart and sweet body, which by the way is light to medium. The aftertaste is a bit more sweeter and almost reminds me of a sweet-tart. The alcohol is well hidden, this a very well brewed beer and it goes down very well. This is my first Biere De Garde and I gotta say I’m a fan for life.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 22:19:19 | More by vickersspitfire

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.11/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Good, solid, flavourful beer. What was odd about it was trying to decide whether it was refreshing or not. All of the flavours were very fresh and refreshing, so were very delicious, but the beer itself was yeasty to the point of frothiness in a very unrefreshing way. So, despite all those fresh citrus and hop flavours that were nonetheless delicious, I would have to find new scenarios in which to drink this because normally I only drink beers with those flavours in the summer when it's hot. This, I would never want to drink if it were hot. It would be cloyingly frothy and unsatisfying. This is definitely a late-night beer, but with a zesty, summery taste. An interesting meeting of worlds. Give it a try if you're in the mood for something new and interesting.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 04:16:31 | More by ElCommodoro

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into an Allagash cervoise glass.

A: Two fingers of stark white head top a mostly clear golden ale.

S: Lemon verbena and dry yeast.

T: An interesting bière de garde with fairly herbal flavours and a flowery finish.

M: Perfect. Creamy, thick, and delicate. Lightly carbonated with a hint of fennel spice and light cirtric zest.

O: Incredibly drinkable and highly recommended. I would have again and again and again.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 10:24:27 | More by AgentMunky

GRPunk

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

Birthday beer from my wife.

A- Clean, golden-blonde body shows just the slightest haze. 1-finger, off-white head falls to a light foam and leaves some awesome stick. Not much yeast, even with a swirl on the final pour.

S- Belgian funk with the crack of the cap threw me a bit. Candy sweet with some grassy hops. Apple peel. Dare I say "farmhouse" or "horse blanket?" Some cellar-like or corked quality even though I know this isn't necessarily aged or corked, especially as it warms.

T- Interesting. Belgian funkiness for sure. Almost corn-like at the beginning, then a rush of green apple. Light grainy flavors. Any citrus contributed by orange peel addition is subdued. Quite sweet throughout with a dryish finish. Any hint of higher ABV is fairly masked. Just a touch assertive. I really wavered between a 3.5 and 4.

M- Moderate-heavy carbonation. Dry.

O- Definitely on the blonde side of the Biere de Garde spectrum. Funkier than most I've had. Yeasty quality does remind me of Vivant's Farmhand and its variants. 9% ABV does make for robust flavor without any burn. I'd almost think it a Belgian strong ale if I wasn't told differently. I'd like to grab another bottle as I know my wife's Brie en croute is going to make a holiday appearance very soon. May be a good pairing.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 00:03:31 | More by GRPunk

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev +9.6%
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

eclipse54

Idaho

4/5  rDev +9.6%
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

russpowell

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent bronnze with a thumb of pearl colored head. Good lacing & head retention

S: Breadyness, hay, apple skins & raw booze once warm

T: Follows the nose, a touch of white grapes & rose water, along with pineapple up front. More pineapple, some lemons & green apple as this warms, a touch of grassyness & tartness too. Finishes with lemon zest, grassyness & pineapple & just a bit of phenols on the edges

MF: Medium bodied, fairly lively carbonation that smooths out as it warms, some warming notes as this warms, some stickyness

A nice Americanized take on the style, very drinkable, but way too clean to be a straight up reproduction of the style

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 04:25:55 | More by russpowell

SHODriver

California

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured into a duvel tulip to a deep yellow to light orange topped with a small white head with little retention
S: smells kinda barnyardy with some orange
T: a little toasted malt, fruity esters, a bit of yeast flavor and some spice notes, some orange and alcohol. boozy on the swallow with a bit more tropical fruit flavor
M: medium body with soft carbonation, drying on the finish
O: pretty solid beer. it seems to be true to style so it gets good marks. I've had a few beers of this style and I just can't get behind it. Worth a try though

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 00:53:24 | More by SHODriver

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, pale gold color with a one and a half finger of off-white foam. It left thin trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of orange, grains and floral notes.

T - It tasted of lots of orange flavor with a fruity bite. Nice sweet caramel with a subtle bitter bite of grasses and pine.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish and sneaky potency.

O - This is a very tasty Belgian style ale. It really doesn't seem to fit any style but it is tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 01:50:36 | More by zeff80

mastodonj

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very light amber with ample head, slightly cloudy.
Smell is interesting and complex. I get citrus, wheat, hops, coriander (?), yeast.
Taste is bitter on the tongue, almost buttery in the mouth and that citrus comes into play.
All very low key.
Mouthfeel is as complex as the smell. Really not to be missed.

Overall, it's a beer that doesn't get old. Also it needs to be said that the warming is noticeable, more so than any winter warmer (9% doesn't seem that much higher than most warmers). Dangerously drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 01:24:47 | More by mastodonj

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle a clear nectarine-orange color with a single finger of white head. Subtle lacing.

Nice aroma of citrus, banana, white wine, green apple, candy sugar and herbal notes with a hint of earthiness to them.

The citrus, candy sugar and earthy herbal notes from the aroma are present along with white pepper, and white wine. Finishes with a hint of white wine twang and booze.

Medium bodied and a tad sticky with a moderate carbonation.

I'll have this one again. The medley of flavors makes for quite the interesting beer,

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 23:10:00 | More by Monkeyknife

scottfrie

California

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a clear bright golden-yellow with a large, billowing, off white head that slowly faded into a fuzzy film leaving sheets of fine lacework down the glass.
S: To me this just reeks of apricots – in a good way of course. I can’t get the smell out of my head, but if I concentrate hard enough, I get notes of peach, golden raisins, clove and spiced apples.
T: Still lots of apricot mixed with clove and cinnamon-like spices, dry grains, yeast and orange peel. The finish is lightly bitter and the aftertaste is full of stone fruits.
M: Full body, heavy mouth, a bit syrupy, fluffy carbonation.
O: Pretty good flavor but a bit syrupy. Could be a little cleaner and dryer. Would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 03:54:13 | More by scottfrie

homebrew311

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy orange with a bone white layer of pillowy head. Quite a bit of lacing left behind. Nose is full of bright orange citrus, candied apricot, notes of white grape, grapeskin, clove among other spicy notes. The taste is extremely fruity with an emphasis on citrus. Light waves of tartness play along with plenty of fruity sweetness. The sorachi ace hops fit in perfectly and provides a slight bitterness. Mouthfeel is highly carbonated with light body. Overall, a nice refreshing brew with plenty of character. Abv is very well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2013 04:39:56 | More by homebrew311

rangerred

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Had on tap.

Appearance is a clear light gold with a one finger white head.

Aroma is quite citrusy with lots of pears and apples. Some light bready malt as well. There is a little bit of Earthyness but it is well restrained.

The taste is very fruity again with pear and apple being dominant. There is a very juicy quality this beer that is delicious. Some earth and wood along with a light bitterness leading to a slightly sweet finish. Mouthfeel is a bit of the heavy side, though, limiting drinkabililty.

Overall, a pretty good beer from New Belgium but far from spectacular. I would order it again, though, if I came across it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2013 20:58:46 | More by rangerred

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle into signature globe glass, bottled on 10/3/2012. Pours lightly cloudy golden amber color with a 1 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with some moderate streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of pear, apple, grape, orange peel, honey, bread, herbal, clove, pepper, light bubblegum, light funk, and yeast earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity/spicy esters with malt notes. Taste of pear, apple, grape, orange peel, herbal, honey, bread, clove, pepper, light bubblegum, light funk, and yeast earthiness. Slight earthy tartness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, orange peel, honey, bread, herbal, clove, pepper, light bubblegum, light funk, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice complexity of fruity/spicy ester flavors with good malt balance; and no cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium body; with a moderately slick and lightly crisp mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice Biere de Garde style. Good balance and complexity of fruity, spicy, and malt flavors; and quite smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:10:55 | More by superspak

n2185

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A: pours a clear golden yellow with two fingers of white head that fades into a thin cap with a little lacing.

S: sweet fermented fruit aromas up front with light Belgian spices, straw, and barnyard aromas.

T: Belgian spices up front with slight fermented fruit flavors. Slightly musty barnyard flavors bring up the finish with light bread notes.

M: medium-light body with lowish carbonation, this beer is a little watery for my tastes.

O: I'm not terribly familiar with the style, but this was an enjoyable beer overall. The watery body was the weakest part, but it's still tasty.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 00:51:19 | More by n2185

nickfl

Florida

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on top of a clear, golden body. The head settles rapidly and leaves decent lace.

S - Clove, pear, pineapple, and thick malt.

T - Lots of malt up front with pepper and clove in the middle. Finishes with more dense, bready malt and fruit.

M - Medium thick body, moderately high carbonation, and a somewhat sweet finish.

D - Not bad, but not especially good either. The alcohol is a touch hot in the finish and it could use a bit of hop flavor to balance things out.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 03:01:18 | More by nickfl

emerge077

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a fluted tulip glass it pours a high clarity orange, delicate lacing and white foam that lasts for a good while. Initially a few fingers of foam, and rapid streams of visible carbonation in the glass.

A slightly sulfuric note from the yeast at first, later the citrus and coriander take over.

Pleasant tart orange flavor, clover honey, vague pale malt, semi-complex yeast and hop character. Body is light to medium with a creamy feel to it. Somewhat overt alcohol presence as it warms, seems more and more like a screwdriver with some spices tossed in. Overall enjoyable, citrus forward and not too heavy on the spices or yeast. Leaning more towards Belgian IPA territory than Biere de Garde, hop forward and light bodied.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 03:04:05 | More by emerge077

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
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

Mgm54

New York

3.73/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from memory and a few notes

Serving Type - 4oz pour from the New Belguim "Ranger Sation" Brewpub in Snowmass Village

A - lighter than I would have expected, but the color well represented the cistrus taste of the Beer. It was straw yellow, similar to a Wit, but much less hazy (although not entirley clear either)

S - Citrus and yeast are the main elements of the nose, with notes of lemon along with it.

T - Again, Citrus and yeast are the predominant flavors, but there is a lemon zest to be found, likely caused by the use of the Sorachi Ace hop. The sutle but distint lemon citrus flavor in this beer give an ejoyable play of the orange. No decernable booze, which is surprising concerdering the flavor profile and that this beer is 9% ABV.

M - Average mouthfeel, quite light, although it does have some cloying effect to it.

O - enjoyable beer, I would recomend trying it once, as the Sorachi Ace is an interesting hop, and this is a good example of it.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2012 23:53:25 | More by Mgm54

flagmantho

Washington

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: medium golden hue with a touch of haze and a moderate effervescence. Head is a finger of frothy white foam with a nice lace on the glass. I like it.

Smell: toasty malt base with a tiny bit of funk and plenty of that orange peel coming out in the aroma. It almost smells like there's coriander in the mix as well, although the label doesn't say this. The mix of toast and coriander reminds me strongly of Froot Loops cereal. Am I wrong for liking this? I think it's playful and enticing.

Taste: toasty malt with a kind of wet sourness which isn't great. I think it's a remnant from all that orange peel. Not as lovely as the aroma, although the aftertaste has kind of a nice ring to it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a nice, creamy mouthfeel. I like it.

Overall: not the greatest beer in the world, flavor-wise; I think the orange just added too much acid or something. Aroma is weird but enjoyable, which saves it just a little bit. Still, I don't think I'll be going after this one again.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 16:59:30 | More by flagmantho

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a New Belgium glass because I can. This was an OK beer but was not a Biere de Garde in any sense of the style that I'm aware of, tastes like a Belgian pale ale with some orange peel.

Beer is yellow and clear with a big white head, good retention, lot and lots of lacing, moderate carbonation, looks nice.

Aroma is yeasty, bready, mildly citrus.

Beer is light to medium in body, a little citrus, a little biscuit, a little bitter on the end, grainy a little but not bad or detracting, an OK beer but I won't bother repeating this one. Not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 16:39:32 | More by drabmuh

Tone

Missouri

3.63/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a golden color. 1/2 inch head of a white color. Great retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, earthy malt, slight alcohol, floral hops, slight citrus (coriander?), and a hint of pale malt. Fits the style of a Biere de Garde. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of earthy malt, floral hops, spice, slight citrus, alcohol, and sweet malt. Overall, good appearance, blend, and body. A fairly traditional Biere de Garde and the standard New Belgium malt/yeast flavor is easily discernible.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 00:02:13 | More by Tone

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.61/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle from Champane's Cellars. Light coloured body with lasting off-white head. Mild orange peel and yeast aroma. The taste is a blend of the spices I normally get in a biere de garde, with the taste of orange peel out and above everything else. Decently drinkable. Booze definately in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:55:06 | More by northyorksammy

Kenzie

Utah

3.61/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I highly enjoyed this beer. The appearance had a honey golden hue, slightly cloudy. The use of orange peel was not overpowering but utilized perfectly. The taste was crisp with a clean finish but had some creamy tones as well. This is more of a light and perfect for summer beer and I would definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 17:23:03 | More by Kenzie