Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" New Belgium Belgo India Pale Ale

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Aug 27, 2010 8:30PM

Like Coors before it, New Belgium's Fat Tire ale lost a lot of its allure once it became available in local bars and liquor stores. Any beer geek worthy of the title will tell you that there's more to New Belgium than just Fat Tire.

For proof, check out their "Lips of Faith" series, dedicated to experimental beers that challenge the senses. The line runs tha gamut - sour ales, spiced beers, left-field excursions in barrel aging, and styles not commonly available anywhere else.

Which makes their Belgo India Pale Ale an intriguing candidate for the "Lips of Faith" line. It's an India Pale Ale, which is about as common around town as Mayor Daley malapropism. But look at the litany of hops used: Simcoe, Cascade, Centennial, and Amarillo are added during the wort boil, with more Cascade, Amarillo and Willamette added for dry-hopping. New Belgium is fermenting the wort using a Trappist ale yeast strain, much milder in aroma and spice than pale ale yeast. The resulting scents from the nose, flavor and mouthfeel is akin to lying in a field of wildflowers in the middle of summer. Meanwhile, the yeast brings out some beautiful soft fruit notes - peaches, apricots, apples.

Bars selling Belgo locally include the Fountainhead and the Pitch.