New Belgium Brewing Company Lips of Faith Series La Folie (2016) Sour Brown Ale (Flanders Oud Bruin) at 7% ABV (C$22.25 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 28-May-2016, reviewed 14-Jun-2016)
Appearance: clear medium brown with a short loose light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: apple cider vinegar, sour cherries, toasty malt, hints of leather and musty oak. (9/10) Taste: moderate sour, moderate-low sweet, moderate-low bitter. (9/10) Medium body, moderate-low carbonation, dry building sour and warming finish. (5/5)
This has always been one of my favourite Flanders browns, and there’s a reason I currently have three different vintages of this in my cellar. This one, however, while excellent, is perhaps not quite the paragon that previous vintages have been. By comparison, this vintage seems a touch thin in the body, with somewhat less depth of flavour, even after warming – heck, even the head seems thinner. More time in the cellar might help, perhaps, so I’ll hang onto the other 2016 I have for future tasting in another year or so, maybe get it a colleague or two as well… (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
