Fat Tire (1991-2022)
New Belgium Brewing Company

Fat Tire (1991-2022)Fat Tire (1991-2022)
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
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:
9,425
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by woodychandler:
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
I thought that by coming to Denver, I would have no problem finding this beer in a CAN. It turned out to be my quest for the great white whale. It existed, but just out of my grasp. I finally scored a sixer and have some for CAN-only trades.

I had just done a warm-up with Breckenridge Amber, but this is the gold-standard for an Amber beer. Let's see.

My bartender's pour created a finger-and-a-half of tawny head with good retention. The color was a really bright orangish-amber, translaing to NE-quality clarity. The nose was biscuity malty and I am so glad that someone explained that phrase to me. Again, this was the standard bearer for the style. Mouthfeel was medium and although the CAN mentioned "Toasty malt flavors in tandem [(har)] with hoppy freshness", I simply got the malt. This was eminently drinkable, especially in the amber style. The finish was smooth and slightly dry. I do not miss the sugary sweetness of some CANned beers which I have reviewed.

Shore/Beach: If you CAN find it, hell, yeah! It was an elusive beer in my estimation, but once I found it, I was glad that I had. Ten Fidy is NOT coming wih me to the Jersey shore!

Clearly, my CANQuest (tm) is above, but I am currently in the midst of winnowing down the Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody & as such, I am revisiting it in bottle form. Today is F, 07 April 2017.

From the bottle: "It's time to celebrate the beer that was conceived on a bike 25 years ago in Belgium. Fat Tire's perfect balance of bisquity [sic] malt flavor and hoppy freshness has always cruised with Belgian imagination and inspires us onward. Kickstand up! The future needs good beer."

I Pop!ped the cap & despite it being a fresh bottle, I have begun to embrace a gentle pour followed by an in-glass swirl. In this instance, I raised two fingers of dense, foamy, tawny head that hung around briefly and slowly fell away to wisps, leaving a lot of lacing in their wake. Color was Deep Amber/Light Copper to Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-quality clarity. Nose was sweetish with a honey-biscuity scent. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was very malty, definitely biscuity as advertised. The hoppiness was barely noticeable, more grassy than anything else. Finish was semi-sweet, malt-driven & just a nice, pleasant drink.
Aug 03, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by Mickeyharris from Alabama

Feb 19, 2024
 
Rated: 3.75 by chicagoish from Pennsylvania

Feb 18, 2024
 
Rated: 3 by AbeO

Dec 23, 2023
 
Rated: 1.99 by rexdeopp from Texas

Nov 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.59 by Iggy88 from Ohio

Nov 07, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Zachboyd3334 from Indiana

Jul 29, 2023
Photo of EdwardGallegos
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
Used to be the gold standard Amber Ale. Now it’s just garbage. Sad, RIP old homie.
Jun 26, 2023
Photo of Hmmmmm
Reviewed by Hmmmmm from Florida

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, 2023
Photo of Reedtimothy
Rated by Reedtimothy

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, 2023
 
 
Rated: 4.5 by headfullofacid from Maryland

May 01, 2023
Photo of burnstar
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
Photo of UWDAWG
Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington

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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by db9000

Apr 10, 2023
Photo of bspainhour
Rated by bspainhour

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
 
Rated: 3.94 by TP2MSU from Michigan

Apr 03, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by leinie13 from Ohio

Mar 24, 2023
Fat Tire (1991-2022) from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 9425 ratings