(NW) New Belgium’s Lips of Faith Belgian-style Golden Ale, Is A Should Try
Pacific Northwest – Traditionally, Belgian-style ales are copycats, inspired from visits to Belgium no doubt, the Belgian-style Blond Ale is traditionally a golden in color ale with noticeable “Belgian” characteristics, that finishes slightly sweet and with a dry finish.
Historically the style itself is relatively new (in the past 100 years), since it was created as an alternative to attract European Pilsner drinkers. Dry in finish, this Blonde colored ale, is deceptive in regards to the amount of alcohol that it contains. Closer to a Dubbel in alcohol, one would be wise to assume that you can have several of these inside a one hour stretch. With this information in hand we decided to review our first in the Lips of Faith series beers.
Lips of Faith Golden Ale, is a Belgian Golden that pours almost pale (but definitely golden) with a strong clarity from the filtering process. As the beer settles, an initial strong white foamy head appears before receding quickly leaving little behind in regards to lace.
Swirling the glass around you pick up hints of straw, banana, lemon, before noticing a sour dough (bread-like) aroma.
Pondering this one takes a sip, ingesting an initial peppercorn, phenols, and bananas, before noticing some sweetness almost pear-like), that is slowly moved aside by a noticeable dryness. Overall this beer leaves a medium weight on the tongue and but reminds people of its alcohol as medium burn lingers.
This strong golden ale is light in color, with moderate body and a crisp finish. Saaz and Styrian Golding hops offer a distinctive Nobel hop aroma. A Belgian yeast strain produces banana and clove notes for a remarkably crisp flavor profile. Belgian Blond is delightfully inviting and approachable with a decidedly adult 8.5% alcohol content.
ABV 8.5%
IBU 30
Hops/spicing: Saaz and Styrian Golding hops
source, http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/belgian-style-blond-ale
Our Thoughts
You Should Try, although light in color and fruity in its aroma, this 8.50% beer is one that should be enjoyed with food and not to drank right after some hard work or exercise.
What your colleagues had to say
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/57100
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/new-belgium-lips-of-faith--belgian-style-blond-ale/121169/
Note, for more information regarding the the Lips Of Faith Series beers, head over to New Belgium’s website, here.
Cheers
About the photos’ author
Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.
In accordance with new FTC regulations regarding bloggers and endorsements, the aforementioned company has provided me a free sample that was used for research prior to writing this review.
