New Belgium La Folie

Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Sour Ale
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Uber thanks to BDR for sharing this mana. Murky brown color with a very tall head that quickly collapses to nothing. Outstanding aroma of sweet, sour and tart cherries. Some oak and yeast, as well as toasted pie crust. The cherries merge into a primarily tart flavor. Plenty of oak and vanilla. Lots of sugar (brown, candi) and caramel. Very heavily carbonated. Pure, unadulterated deliciousness.

On tap at the brewery. Pours a dark copper color with a small head. Intial sour smell which fads into fruit aromas. Tastes immediatly of sour cherry and a nice oak flavor.

Finally, a decent beer from New Belgium. Bottle I’ve had for a couple months, let warm for about 10-15 minutes. Sour/vinegar aroma overpowers the fruit/sweet quite a bit. Little head with rich brown color and some sediment, not much. Immediate sour with cherries and a kind of smoky wood flavor.

Falling Rock 10th anniversary bottle from Ernest - thanks! Nice ruby red color with a fair size off-white head. Aroma is wonderfully oaky and sour with some cherry and vinous hints. Flavor is pleasantly sour with some cherry, smooth and plentiful oak, earthy grapes. Pleasant on the mouth, but not overwhelming. A fantastic sour that is deserving of its great reputation.

Tap @ San Diego Brewing. Highlight of the evening there. Visually gorgeous: hazy mahogany, small head. Vinous and wooded complexity in the bouquet. Mellow, sensual flavors that center on the core of its pleasant dry sourness, some cherry, grape, more wood, more wine, each sip offers something new to think about with this magnificent happiness beer.

3-24-08 bottle shared with lb4lb, aceofhearts, and fly thanks to session1979
Medium thick amber red pour with a white hurricane head. Smell is numbing sour tart flowers. Flavor is tart as hell but well balanced and wonderful. Tart and yummy and not overly sweet. Great balance. Very complex and interesting and enjoyable. Another I would love to try again.

Many a "thank" go out to chef201atc for grabbing this while in Colorado! Pours a tan/ruby color with a good sized tan, but slowly dissipating head. Aroma is noticably even while pouring not even close to your nose. Definite wood, cherries, mustard, light vinegar, old library books (you know the smell of those pages), and perhaps even some nuts. Well rounded. Pungent sour flavor is also surprisingly balanced upon inspection. Flavors of vinegar and mustard, oak, cherrys, nuts/dirt, and it finishes with a wonderful earthy oakiness that isn’t too dry, but is very flavorful. Palate is creamy for the style yet still a bit slick. Chewier than other sours, which I appreciate. This is excellent and has a lot to offer. Excellent sour!

Sampled at Hellbilly’s tasting. Thanks Hellbilly! Cloudy gold pour with a thin white head. Aroma of sour fruits and vinegar. Similar flavor, very sour, but sweetens a bit on the finish. Very good!