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Fat Tire (1991-2022)
New Belgium Brewing Company
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- American Amber / Red Ale
- ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.6 | pDev: 14.72%
- Reviews:
- 2,195
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Feb 19, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 07, 2000
- Wants:
- 281
- Gots:
- 2,956
Fat Tire Amber is the easy-drinking Amber Ale born in Colorado from New Belgium Brewing Company, a certified B-Corp.
See: Fat Tire Ale for the relaunched/reformulated version.
See: Fat Tire Ale for the relaunched/reformulated version.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by woemad:
Reviewed by woemad from Washington
2.68/5 rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.68/5 rDev -25.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had this on tap in the bar at Denny's near Spokane International Airport (I work there - me and my coworkers went to Denny's because it was the closest open place at midnight). I'd never had it, and the remainder of the on tap selection was peopled with the usual suspects.
My pint was a pale gold color, with a miniscule white head. It reminded me of the disappointing Fish Pale Ale I'd recently had. There was no lacing to speak of.
Smell was rather weak. It mostly consisted of a vague malt sweetness. I detected a slight citrus note that might have been hops, but it was hard to say, it was so slight.
Taste wasn't much of an improvement on the smell. Very blandly malty, with a tiny bit of hoppiness at the end that provided for a little crispness. It didn't taste gross, it was just very, very bland.
Mouthfeel was a little thin, but then again I sort of thought it would be.
This is drinkable in repeated pints because it is very undemanding, though I personally found it too bland to be interested in more than one. This seems to be very popular amongst those who have very little experience beyond the big 3, so I guess it could be a decent gateway beer. I was once talking about beer with my brother. He says his fiance's favorite beer is Fat Tire, then added, "She's not really into flavor." From what I understand, New Belgium uses the profits from this to finance their other, far less commercial beers, so in that light, I'm glad to have helped keep them in business. However, unless I find myself in another place where this is the best choice, I see no reason to have another.
Apr 11, 2004My pint was a pale gold color, with a miniscule white head. It reminded me of the disappointing Fish Pale Ale I'd recently had. There was no lacing to speak of.
Smell was rather weak. It mostly consisted of a vague malt sweetness. I detected a slight citrus note that might have been hops, but it was hard to say, it was so slight.
Taste wasn't much of an improvement on the smell. Very blandly malty, with a tiny bit of hoppiness at the end that provided for a little crispness. It didn't taste gross, it was just very, very bland.
Mouthfeel was a little thin, but then again I sort of thought it would be.
This is drinkable in repeated pints because it is very undemanding, though I personally found it too bland to be interested in more than one. This seems to be very popular amongst those who have very little experience beyond the big 3, so I guess it could be a decent gateway beer. I was once talking about beer with my brother. He says his fiance's favorite beer is Fat Tire, then added, "She's not really into flavor." From what I understand, New Belgium uses the profits from this to finance their other, far less commercial beers, so in that light, I'm glad to have helped keep them in business. However, unless I find myself in another place where this is the best choice, I see no reason to have another.
More User Ratings:
Rated by EdwardGallegos from North Carolina
4.84/5 rDev +34.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.84/5 rDev +34.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Used to be the gold standard Amber Ale. Now it’s just garbage. Sad, RIP old homie.
Jun 26, 2023Reviewed by Hmmmmm from Florida
4.59/5 rDev +27.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5
4.59/5 rDev +27.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5
Harkens back to a time in America when beer was just tipping off into the GLOBO-SPHERE. Microbrews were new. Imports were great, but this was OUR version.
May 29, 2023Rated by Reedtimothy
4.6/5 rDev +27.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.6/5 rDev +27.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
A classic. RIP
May 28, 2023Reviewed by burnstar from Pennsylvania
3.58/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Pours a nice clear amber with a good sized persistent head. Nice caramel malt smell. Taste is rather watery. Toasted malt again. Pleasant. Very drinkable. A good session-able summer beer.
Apr 30, 2023Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington
3.55/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle marked enjoy by 4/30/23 into a tulip glass.
Look- Pale amber, white frothy head, clear, scant amount of smell visible particulate, above average lacing and head retention.
Smell- Barley, floral, wet grass, earthy, weak strength of scent.
Taste- Biscuit, barley, earthy, medium strength of flavor.
Feel- Medium body, average carbonation, moderately creamy, moderately bitter, crisp finish.
Overall- Found an in date bottle of the original recipe and I couldn’t resist revisiting this beer, that I served at my wedding in 2005, one last time. Look was pale amber with above average head retention and lacing, but I had expected it would be deeper amber. Bouquet was malt heavy with some wet grass character. Flavor was also malt forward with medium strength and some earthy notes. Feel consisted of medium body with moderate bitterness and creaminess. This beer provided me with a sentimental trip down memory lane. I would not be motivated to buy anymore of this should I see it, but it was nice to have the opportunity to say my goodbyes.
Apr 18, 2023Look- Pale amber, white frothy head, clear, scant amount of smell visible particulate, above average lacing and head retention.
Smell- Barley, floral, wet grass, earthy, weak strength of scent.
Taste- Biscuit, barley, earthy, medium strength of flavor.
Feel- Medium body, average carbonation, moderately creamy, moderately bitter, crisp finish.
Overall- Found an in date bottle of the original recipe and I couldn’t resist revisiting this beer, that I served at my wedding in 2005, one last time. Look was pale amber with above average head retention and lacing, but I had expected it would be deeper amber. Bouquet was malt heavy with some wet grass character. Flavor was also malt forward with medium strength and some earthy notes. Feel consisted of medium body with moderate bitterness and creaminess. This beer provided me with a sentimental trip down memory lane. I would not be motivated to buy anymore of this should I see it, but it was nice to have the opportunity to say my goodbyes.
Rated by bspainhour
4.53/5 rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.53/5 rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Nice smooth taste even as it warms.
Apr 05, 2023
Fat Tire (1991-2022) from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
9425 ratings
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