New Belgium Lips of Faith (Erics Sour Peach Ale)

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

Pours a soft peach color from the tap at Papago with a trim white head. Smells and tastes of unripe peaches, strawberries, and slightly citrus. Not as overwrought with yeast and lemon juice as other sour’s I’ve had, so this might prove to be a great transitional beer into the style.

24 oz. handbottle, CO2 evacuated, beer gun filled from the keg. Graciously gifted to me by FlacoAlto. The pour yields a hazy golden straw color with a minimal, clear-bubbled head that fades quickly. A swirl of the glass reveals a soapy wash that slowly drips back down into the body. Aromas of tart peach and nectarine initially resemble something along the lines of a dry New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc profile, but as time passes, some sweet, perfumy, tree fruit notes and smoothing lactose enter the nose. Flavors show a similar profile, sweet-tart peach, apples, apricots, and various other soft, golden fruits each showing subtle nuances. The lactic profile is more prominent than I expected, lending a creamy, balancing element that works incredibly well with the peaches. Smooth and lightly carbonated, this drinks incredibly easily for a 7% ABV brew. Again, the lactose calms much of the tannic acidity that initially strikes the tongue. This is just a fantastic, highly drinkable, wonderfully balanced creation. It’s one of those "desert island" beers that you’d want an endless supply of.

Tap @ Falling Rock, in wine glass. Color is hazy, dark golden . A few bubbles can be seen shooting around the beer. Aroma is very peachy, very fuzzy peach, lots of bretty sweet cobwebs. Sourness in the nose is calm, a bit of a muddy sourness gets caught up in the fuzziness and a rather thick maltiness. Taste is a bit of a disappointment. Still nice but not as good as the aroma. The sourness is lost a bit, a lightly muddy sweetness and fruit caught up in there. Some acidic-like quality. But I could keep smelling it for hours.

G.A.B.F. 2008: Hazy light golden pour. The aroma has some light grainy pale malt, and just a tad of tart fruity/apricot skin. Has a light feel with a citric and mildly tart flavor. Soft sharp peach and mild grains as well. It’s very crisp and clean, but lacks funk and complexity of better examples. I’d want to revisit this with age.

Thanks to YobDoog for sharing a growler of this at my tasting. Orange in color with a small off white head. Aroma of tart peaches, slightly funky, with some yeast must and a touch of wheat. Taste is moderately tart and sour, with peaches, slightly funky, with some mild to moderate wheat in the background. Just a touch of sweetness- tart, fruity finish. This one kept growing on me as I drank it.

Big thanks to FlacoAlto for a handbottle. Clear orange color with a small to medium head, which isn’t too bad for a handbottle. Aroma was lemony-tart funk, clean malt, peaches with a bit of balsamic vinegar. Taste was very sour and fruity, some dry honey with a bit of wood. Crisp and dry finish.

Objectively speaking: Another strike by New Belgium in the niche sour ales market.
I like: Large white-bubbled head lasts forever despite the beer being sour. You can smell the sourness straight out of the glass. The fruit is well integrated among a vinous medley. Strong lactic side, this has quality written all over it. Lingering puckering acidity is higher than anticipated. Surprisingly sour even, but the gently juicy peaches are never out of sight. Expressive tight, refreshing wheat base. Medium-full bodied. No rough edges and while full-carbonated, the bubbles do not bite.
I dislike: Almost impossible to find. I’d try this recipe with a whole range of different fruits with pleasure.

Courtesy of FlacoAlto handbottle. Pours a orange golden color with a small white foamy head. Aroma is tart, fruity, peach is light but apparent, touch of funk and salt. Initial taste vinous, sweet fruit, peach moving into a salty, tart funk. Mid palate is touch yeast, tart continum. Finishing dry, fruity and touch of warmth. Refreshing and highly drinkable. Acidity is well balanced. Active carbonation and good head retention and spot lacing of the glass. Palate duration is average. Interesting brew.