New Holland Full Circle - New Holland Brewing Company

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: pours a clear golden yellow color with a 1" head that falls to a spotty surface foam.

Smell: light grass, citrus, and mild malt aromas are easy to detect but light overall.

Taste: slightly grainy malt profile with some grass, bits of lemon zest, a hint of a juicy overripe pear, and a light floral bitterness. Well balanced beer.

Mouthfeel: lighter in body. Very crisp throughout. Nicely refreshing.

Drinkability: this beer was very easy to drink had refreshing qualities. If you are looking for the style, there are better ones but this will suffice.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 17:29:11 | More by Gavage

Jesse13713

Ohio

1.6/5  rDev -55.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Appearance - A cloudy, musty sewer brown. Almost a sickly green. Lots of yeast floating around in the class after pouring. A finger and a half of head. Low carbonation.

Smell - An average, watery smell. Nothing specific stands out here.

Taste - Nothing special here. Tastes worse than a traditional American adjunct lager but with a slight spice on the finish. Slightly malty. Almost a fish-like aftertaste. It says to pair it with seafood on the bottle. I think this is an accurate suggestion, but also that the beer itself tastes slightly like seafood.

Mouthfeel - Very bland, no specific notes sticking out.

Drinkability. Easily drinkable. I didn't really want to finish the entire thing. It was just sort of there after I poured it and i said 'Eh, might as well.' Easily forgettable and very skunked.

Verdict - Disappointing in just about every aspect after the worker at my local shop hyped it up. Perhaps I got an older bottle that didn't age well. Very bland and dull.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 16:00:30 | More by Jesse13713

jrallen34

Illinois

1.85/5  rDev -48.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

On-tap at Goose Island... The body is an ugly pee gold, clear mostly, a little cloudy. The head is terrible, no retention or lacing at all. The aroma is light pilsner malt sweetness with some corn, floral finish. The right components just not executed right or enjoyable... The taste is utter garbage, reminds me of budweiser. Totally skunky from start to finish, bitter hops, light mouthfeel. No redeeming quality at all.

This needs to be avoided, horrible.

Serving type: on-tap

02-12-2011 19:44:06 | More by jrallen34

rings

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I could not accurately compare Full Circle (or Lucid, as it has also been known) to the kölsch beers of Der Vaterland. While Germany's versions are very light, pale and effervescent, Full Circle has a bit of color to it and it is not nearly as carbonated as its Old World brethren. The body has a nice malty sweetness to it and there's a hint of diacetyl as it goes down softly. There is a bit of bittering hop to clean up the finish. The balance is exceptional and it's a wonderfully complex, layered beer, particularly on a clean palate. Like its kölsch inspiration, this makes an excellent session beer.

In all, if you don't mind the style leeway, this is quietly one of my favorite New Holland offerings.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 19:27:44 | More by rings

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

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

A: Pale, yet full golden & bright yet a faint bit hazy. A few large lazy bubbles drift up to contribute to the okay size cap of white foam. Head falls fast, but does leave some pretty good lacing.

S: Grainy with a bit of husky sweetness and minimally malty and lightly toasty notes. But overall it is fairly clean and lager-like. Slightly floral estery something, and some vague noble/ spicy hops.

T: Muted grains that just avoid being husky. Minimal sweetness with a slight biscuity, toasted character. Towards the middle, hops come in and overpower - spicy, leafy/herbal, & even medicinal. Quite firm for the style. As is warms, even a little, it gets increasingly grating and rough with a bit of astringency. Flavor seems a bit too shallow and dry to really make it work.

M: Body is a bit thin on medium carbonation with a drying finish. Comes across as stretched & watery rather than soft or crisp.

D: More firmly bitter than many, and maybe as a result it is more quenching in a rustic way. It is more toward the lager end of the spectrum in a thin and shallow way. I do believe that I like mine to be softer, grainier, and more toward the ale end of things. This is supposed to be easy drinking style, but for me at least, this one is not.

(from notes - tasted Oct 2011)

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2011 12:45:08 | More by SickGnar

JizackFH

New York

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - This beer pours a pale straw yellow color. It has a decent sized white head, that left behind some wispy lacing. Some carbonation bubbles are visible.

S - The smell overall is pretty muted, but I am getting some citrus and grassy notes.

T - It tastes of pale malts, and also has a grassy straw flavor to it. There is also some hop and citrus presence, but mostly in the finish.

M - This has a light-medium body and good carbonation. It's smooth and goes down quite easily.

D - The drinkability here is good. I think this would be a good beer for warm weather. It is not one of my favorite styles, but I think this is a decent beer overall. I'd give it another try.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 10:00:08 | More by JizackFH

Erish

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I poured this 12 oz. bottle into a stenge glass.

A: pale golden color with the barest bit of cloudiness, the head is nearly non-existent, the cap is scant, and the lacing is weak. I am not familiar with this style, so I will give a "3."

S: a pleasant herbal hop character, faint, lightly sweet malt aroma, and a mineral character from the abundant carbonation.

T: more sweetness than I expected up front, like a nice fluffy white bread, the crispness is also easily apparent throughout, the middle has a gentle floral yeast note, and the long hop finish has a floral to herbal quality. Very pilsner like, but softer around the edges and a gentler hop finish.

M: light-bodied, creamy, ample carbonation.

D: I could throw back a few of these bad boys. A pleasant surprise for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 03:33:30 | More by Erish

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a aslightly hazy golden yellow color with a ver slight head which disapates quickly and leaves little to no lacing. The aroma is of grassy and floral hops with a hint of lemongrass and a slight sweet smell. The taste is of a weat backbone with a nice grassy and floral hop bite. The mouthfeel is full bodied and with good carbonation. The overall drinkablity is good, its a nice easy easy drink. There is nothing to dislike, not overally complex but
a good representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 23:21:57 | More by goblue3509

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap, served in a pint glass

Appears a golden straw yellow with a cloudy body and a thin paper white cap. Little to no lacing and only a thin collar of the head remains. The aroma is soft: grassy hops, light floral aroma and lemongrass. On the palate, this guy is almost exactly like the nose. Full bodied for such a light beer. Creamy and lush with high drinkability. A good example of the style, a little more flavorful than most, which is highly welcome.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 00:26:29 | More by ColForbinBC

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle served in a pilsner glass.

L - slightly clouded yellow color with a white head that left good lacing.

S - lemon zest and mild grassy hops.

T - lemon zest upfront with light bittering before becoming sweet on the finish.

F - light bodied with a crisp, clean feel.

D - very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2010 23:00:56 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

kneeland

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I asked for a full body, but lighter beer, and I got this. It was perfect for what I was in the mood for. It has light hop and a crisp finish. The type of beer that would go great with fish, you know?

The look was only average, but not bad. A yellow finish with a light head. Pretty much what I expected for a thinner beer. A little grassy,a little floral, and a slight wheatness.

So far, New Holland is one of my favorite breweries with what I've tried. They know what they're doing.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 22:45:20 | More by kneeland

DannyDan

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours nicely into beer mug with a golden body that has a white head that quickly disappears with not much retention and very little lacing with light carbonation. I do like the pleasant sweet smell from the malts that are in the beer and the fruitiness that seems present in the beer. The taste is a slightly sweet soft smooth easy drinking beer that has a nice soft mouthfeel and the soft light body makes it a very drinkable beer. This is a pretty decent beer if you like beer with a low malt character with very little bitterness, but I prefer beer to be a little bit more bitter myself.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 06:37:55 | More by DannyDan

Mora2000

Texas

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

Thanks to Cavie for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is wheat, fruit and some pepper. The flavor is wheat, oranges and some grassy hops. The fruit is the most dominant flavor. I don't really get any of the pepper from the aroma in the flavor. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2010 06:07:37 | More by Mora2000

Lillenk

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Grill One Eleven.

Appearance is great. Light golden color, clear with a nice white head.

Smell is a little lacking. Not too much going on but I suppose that's pretty typical of that style.

Taste is very good. Very crisp with some really nice hop bitterness going on, but nothing too overpowering. Very nice for the style.

Mouthfeel is very light but that makes it very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 01:06:58 | More by Lillenk

bushbeer75

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz brown bottle not dated

New Holland Full Circle poured a slightly cloudy/hazy pale gold that produced a 1-finger white head that dissipated to thin clingy lacing. Aroma and taste go hand-in-hand - floral/grassy, light hops, a little bready, and a soft malt character with a crisp clean, and drier finish. Carbonation is right on style, bubbly and lively.

Full Circle is very refreshing, a good session beer. New Holland continues to impress me with their stellar brews.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 15:27:10 | More by bushbeer75

KarlHungus

Minnesota

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

This beer pours a clear light golden color. The head is half an inch in height, and recedes quickly into no lacing. The aroma is of pale malt with a slight sweetness. The taste is similar to the aroma, but milder. Both the taste, and the aroma lack anything in the way of complexity. The mouthfeel is thin, and watery even for a Kolsch. I like that Kolschs are light in bodied, but this beer is lighter than light. Overall, this beer is lacking in all departments. I will not be drinking it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 00:46:23 | More by KarlHungus

Spiekerbox

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Light yellowish body with a pillowey white head that recedes in a few minutes and leaves a little lacing on the glass.

S- rather plain malty with a little hoppy aroma, nothing stands out much in this one

T- Malt flavor and a bit of a hoppiness at the finish, a rather light beer and has a flavor that is similar to the typical american pilsner.

M- Very little body, almost watery. Finish is crisp and clean, actually a refreshing beer that would go down well on an active summer day. Medium to low carbonation.

D- Compare to the MBC type beers this is great but falls into the same type of category, could easily drink this one all day with absolutely no issues. It is enjoyable but very mild, would be something I would not mind to drink out of the bottle

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2010 01:26:49 | More by Spiekerbox

Jpatrix

Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sampled at the brewery.

A - A light beer appearance. Slight head and light lacing.

S - Some light malt with faint hops.

T - Light, light light. Not a whole lot of flavor but a hint of hop bitternes at the end.

M - See above.

D - A drinable light beer but not what I would pay for from a micro. A good "starter" beer for Micro-newbies.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2010 16:03:15 | More by Jpatrix

RichieS2

Michigan

3.65/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a Czech pils glass.

A - Pours an odd yellow, a little too copper to be considered gold with some wit cloudiness, decent carbonation.

S - Some light malt with floral overtones.

T - Some slight maltiness, a bit sweeter than a pilsner. An equally subtle hop finish. My only complaint is that this beer is a little to subtle.

M - On the lighter side.

D - Very high.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 22:46:04 | More by RichieS2

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a light yellow color beer with a medium pure white foamy head with OK retention. Aroma of lightly sweet malt with light fruity ester is OK. Taste is quiet light with some notes of lightly sweet malt and light fruity ester and not much else. Body is about average with good carbonation. OK with no brewing flaws but not something to go for very often.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 13:38:20 | More by Phyl21ca

civilizedpsycho

Michigan

2.85/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured bottle into pint glass.

Appearance: Has a very pale gold color that is crystal clear. Has a small head that doesn't retain very well.

Smell: Has a slightly malty aroma, but in all honesty, it's a little bland.

Taste: Smooth and crisp with a decent hop bite at the very end. It reminds me a lot of a pilsner.

Mouthfeel: It's a little thin and watery.

Drinkability: It's okay. It works really well in the summer as being a drinkable, refreshing beer; but it's not knocking my socks off.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2010 20:34:47 | More by civilizedpsycho

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at my hotel bar (Grand Rapids, MI), poured into a standard pint glass.

Served with a thin layer of white bubble sitting on top of a hazy, yellow straw body. Tiny bits of foam cling to the side of the glass.

The nose is pretty typical for the style...yeasts, grains, flowers and fruits. Nothing outstanding jumps from the glass...

The flavors are more grainy and grass-like than expected. Some hops balance out the earthy flavors, but the fruity nose is lost in the taste.

The mouth feel is thin and poorly carbonated (I blame the bar for this though, not reflected in my rating).

Meh...I could take it or leave it...pretty nice for a summertime sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2010 15:14:10 | More by mgbickel

marcobrau

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with plenty of foam, forming a rocky head. The foam takes awhile to settle down. Smells a bit grassy; touch lemony. Fairly crisp toasted malt character with a bit of white breadiness. Very grassy bits of noble hop. Decent bitterness for a kolsch-style ale. A pretty straightforward beer, definitely a summertime quaffer.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 01:31:59 | More by marcobrau

DoppleJock

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

04/24/2010
12 oz. bottle poured into a 30 cl Hirter stange.

A: Poured a pale straw color with 1-finger foamy head. Good carbonation and lacing.

S: Comes off as a slightly-fruity pilsener. Picked up some yeast and grains as well.

T: Tastes like a champagne-y pilsener. Good balance between malts and hops. Semi-dry finish.

M: Light, crisp, and refreshing, with a mild hoppy aftertaste.

D: Had one of these after a long bike ride. Hit the spot. A good spring/summer session beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 20:24:57 | More by DoppleJock

wheatyweiss

Wisconsin

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 once bottle into a Pilsner Urquell pokal.

Pours a light straw, smallish head dies to a cap immediately. Laces nicely for the small amount of head.

Aroma is floral and perfume, strange and chemical, but not unpleasant. Pils malt and noble hop aromas dominate past the chemical aroma. Smells like a pils, I get none of the usual dusty malt aromas I get from a good Kolsch.

Flavor is pils malt and noble hops. Very clean, there is a slightly vinous flavor, but not as upfront as most Kolsch. I think the hop flavor overpowers the grape and chardonnay type flavors I usually associate with a Kolsch.

Mouthfeel is bubbly and lively. There is enough body for the style and the carbonation cuts the sweetness just as much as the hops.

Not bad, but I think there are some vital yeast flavors missing.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 23:58:14 | More by wheatyweiss