Sour Lips, Mystic Divide

New Belgium Lips of Faith Biere de Garde

Sampled: Dec. 20, 2012

 I’ve reached the point where almost every blond beer from the Lips of Faith series tastes mildly like Felix, the house sour ale that New Belgium uses in every sour blend they produce. I wish it didn’t, but it’s become inescapable. This one comes up with a light orange and slight influence of brettanomyces. Lots of herbs and a slight tang rise from the thick but ephemeral head and lace.

There isn’t any major funk here, just a proprietary yeast strain from Brewery Vivant in Michigan. It definitely imparts a little mustiness and a hint of cider character. A little slice of lemon influences the orange throughout the body. The finish’s firm citrus is all oranges, with navel, blood and heirloom fruits all emerging. 

Although there is an orange peel imprint on this Biere de Garde, it tastes similar to the Brett Beer that New Belgium and Lost Abbey produced during the summer. There’s a little less wild yeast, but the orange flavors run together a little too much. After a fall of biere de gardes that too closely resembled Belgian dubbel ales, I’m pleased to see a brewer land on the blonde side of the style.

Stash one of these in cellar. It might have something else to offer in a year or two. Beers with funky yeasts often do.

Great Divide Belgian-Style Yeti

Sampled:  Dec. 9, 2012

After many bottles of Yeti over the years, this introduction of this variant enticed me. Purchased in August 2011 at Omaha’s Beertopia, I let it sit, knocking out a lot of the malt heaviness that drives freshly bottled imperial stouts. Plus, it gave Great Divide’s Belgian yeast strain time to work its magic. A fair amount of residue in the bottle indicates the yeast has been busy. The nose is a beast of oil, nuts, chocolate, some alcoholic pepper and a slight smokiness. Snatches of anise, vanilla and other spices add new dimensions to the heavily roasted finish. The finish also sports chicory root bitterness.

For its wealth of flavor and 9.5 percent ABV, Belgian-Style Yeti’s oily wards off the heaviness and makes it entirely too drinkable. I do believe the Belgian yeast takes the edge off big stouts, and 18 months in a darkened stash did not hurt. But it has a boozy complexion that makes it a little unapproachable. Belgian-style Yeti might have Belgian quirks, but it is still a beast.

Mystical Jack Traditional Ale

Sampled: Nov. 20, 2012

Done in tribute to the legendary jackelope, this Wisconsin brew falls somewhere between dark English ale and a Belgian dubbel. Served in a Grimbergen chalice, Belgian notes don’t dominate, and no roasted character emerges, although some hints of chocolate and chicory arise. The flavor profile covers a sassafras and spearmint combination, dark fruits, a little banana bread. Aside from a little leafy texture on the finish, the hops barely appear.

Mystical Jack tastes like imperial brown ale, or a high-alcohol mild. I enjoy a dark ale at 7 percent that doesn’t go as heavy as a porter or stout. Dark and bitter, Mystical Jack is a winter bargain for $4/bomber.