Lips Of Faith - Grätzer
New Belgium Brewing Company
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Smoked Beer
- ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 80
- Avg:
- 3.54 | pDev: 14.97%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 96
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 24, 2019
- Added:
- Jun 07, 2014
- Wants:
- 26
- Gots:
- 147
SCORE
80
Good
80
Good
Collaboration with 3 Floyds Brewing Company
Its not dead. But Gratzer is definitely a long-buried style from Poland. Together with 3 Floyds we unearthed its robust smokiness with oak smoked wheat and midnight wheat. Polish Lublin hops for a bitter bite and lacto for a slightly sour finish, this pours out a billowing, foamy mouth worth indulging.
Its not dead. But Gratzer is definitely a long-buried style from Poland. Together with 3 Floyds we unearthed its robust smokiness with oak smoked wheat and midnight wheat. Polish Lublin hops for a bitter bite and lacto for a slightly sour finish, this pours out a billowing, foamy mouth worth indulging.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by kemoarps:
Reviewed by kemoarps from Washington
3.81/5 rDev +7.6%
3.81/5 rDev +7.6%
4/3.75/3.75/3.75/4
Pours much darker than I expected. I have no idea why, but I had it in my mind for some reason that this would be a much lighter colour. Not sure why. Anyway, nice cola dark body with a massive cappuccino foam head that sticks around, eventually caving in on itself, like the foam from a root beer float. The foam has HEFT!
Not quite as smoky as I was expecting, though there’s still smoke there, so fear thee not. Aside from that I’m getting some sweet... grains? Almost a hint of candy sweet underneath, but it’s illusive and may not really be there at all. Manifests with the dark grains and the smoke to have a hint of chocolate to it, though not in the full fledged way that a stout might.
Taste brings a considerably stronger ashy/smokey presence than did the aroma. Acrid like black coffee. Whatever that subtly sweet note on the nose was comes in the back end here to give it a crisp fresh feeling. Dominated by the charcoal/ash/smoke. I... really enjoy that? Kind of amazing that it’s only 4.5% as well: it seems uncommon for brews of that ABV to have this level of flavour and heft to them. Don’t know why that would be, but it seems to be the case. If I were medieval royalty just drinking beer all day instead of water, I’d drink this.
Aug 31, 2014Pours much darker than I expected. I have no idea why, but I had it in my mind for some reason that this would be a much lighter colour. Not sure why. Anyway, nice cola dark body with a massive cappuccino foam head that sticks around, eventually caving in on itself, like the foam from a root beer float. The foam has HEFT!
Not quite as smoky as I was expecting, though there’s still smoke there, so fear thee not. Aside from that I’m getting some sweet... grains? Almost a hint of candy sweet underneath, but it’s illusive and may not really be there at all. Manifests with the dark grains and the smoke to have a hint of chocolate to it, though not in the full fledged way that a stout might.
Taste brings a considerably stronger ashy/smokey presence than did the aroma. Acrid like black coffee. Whatever that subtly sweet note on the nose was comes in the back end here to give it a crisp fresh feeling. Dominated by the charcoal/ash/smoke. I... really enjoy that? Kind of amazing that it’s only 4.5% as well: it seems uncommon for brews of that ABV to have this level of flavour and heft to them. Don’t know why that would be, but it seems to be the case. If I were medieval royalty just drinking beer all day instead of water, I’d drink this.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada
3.57/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.57/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
What an interesting beer. This is basically a smoked berlinerweisse as I understand it.
Comes in an almost grey like dull brown color. 3/4" also brown head. Aroma was smoked lemons.
Taste, interesting for sure, this works though. Little lacto bite, decent carbonation, tart, sour, mild smoke. I wouldn't necessarily call it complex, but it is definitely unique. I think this is decent stuff, especially on a hot smoky night around a campfire or swimming pool. That's where I drank it. Would bang again if in 12oz format 4/6 packs for ~$10. I dunno about the bomber format pricing structure.
Dec 30, 2016Comes in an almost grey like dull brown color. 3/4" also brown head. Aroma was smoked lemons.
Taste, interesting for sure, this works though. Little lacto bite, decent carbonation, tart, sour, mild smoke. I wouldn't necessarily call it complex, but it is definitely unique. I think this is decent stuff, especially on a hot smoky night around a campfire or swimming pool. That's where I drank it. Would bang again if in 12oz format 4/6 packs for ~$10. I dunno about the bomber format pricing structure.
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.85/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Draft at PreFunk - Boise. Dark and woody, smokiness doesn't kick in until the taste. Light beige head and some slick lacing. Bitter and dry finish. Nice rauch accents on this.
Dec 30, 2016
Rated by Alishax
2.55/5 rDev -28%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
2.55/5 rDev -28%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Very smokey flavor
Dec 13, 2015
Reviewed by jmills3 from Texas
3.8/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Found this at a local grocery store and didn't realize it was labeled "best enjoyed by May 2015." So in all fairness, this may not taste as intended. Despite that, it was pretty good. Beautiful to look at, but I didn't get a strong whiff of anything on smelling it. I picked up a smoke and chocolate taste that was pretty decent. If they were brewing fresh, I'd try it again.
Nov 11, 2015Reviewed by egrapplesberg
3.79/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
22oz best by May so it's out of date. Poured into sniffer. Pitch black with light brown thick one inch head. Nose is chocolate, coffee, and slight smoke. Taste is same. Light in finish. Good beer Cheers!
Nov 04, 2015
Reviewed by dfillius from Iowa
3.93/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Reviewed on 10/29/14
A: Moderate pour yields 3/4 finger brown head with great retention. Very dark brown liquid.
S: Like clothing the day after a campfire, slight tart lactic acid edge, slight chocolate
T: Smoky opening subsides to a full nutty brown ale flavor with lactic acid undertones.
M: Simultaneous full roasty mouth and bright light feeling. Some creaminess in the mouthfel as well. Has a finish like sour porters. Unfortunately, this beer has the (unidentified to date) unpleasant red/amber ale off-flavor that I don't enjoy - starchy/metallic.
O: Fun beer to drink due to its blend of flavor profiles.
Sep 29, 2015A: Moderate pour yields 3/4 finger brown head with great retention. Very dark brown liquid.
S: Like clothing the day after a campfire, slight tart lactic acid edge, slight chocolate
T: Smoky opening subsides to a full nutty brown ale flavor with lactic acid undertones.
M: Simultaneous full roasty mouth and bright light feeling. Some creaminess in the mouthfel as well. Has a finish like sour porters. Unfortunately, this beer has the (unidentified to date) unpleasant red/amber ale off-flavor that I don't enjoy - starchy/metallic.
O: Fun beer to drink due to its blend of flavor profiles.
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia
3.67/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
"It's not dead, but Gratzer is definetly a long-buried style from Poland. Together with 3Floyds we unearthed its robust smokiness with oak smoked wheat and midnight wheat. Polish lublin hops for a bitter bite and lacto for a slightly sour finish, this pours out a billowing, foamy mouth worth indulging." Brewed in the style of a Gratzer Smoked Ale, available in 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft. Collaboration between New Belgium and 3Floyds.
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass.
(Appearance) Pours a frothy foam head of a toasted mocha brown color over a very dark brown body with dark maple highlights. Retention is very good and lacing is light and stringy. 4
(Smell) Slightly smokey with a creeping tartness. Malt aromas of caramel bread, peat smoked grains, chocolate and light syrup malts, with undertones of stone fruit, lightly tangy and mildly sour. Potency is moderate. 3.75
(Taste) Lightly sweetened smokey and soft bread malt blend with a lightly soured undertone. Thin and light body overall with a reserved sweetness, plenty of specialty malt character, smoke and a lightly tart flavor. Enjoyable and highly drinkable. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) Texture is silky, smooth, clean, lightly tangy, mildly dry. Carbonation is light, generating a mild frothiness and a mildly crisp finish. Body is light/medium for the style, shy of medium overall. Balance is slightly more smokey and tart combined over sweet with a certain lightness to the body. Alcohol presence is very light and there are no off characters. 3.75
(Overall) With an increase in the popularity of the smoked ales and soured ales, a beer like a Gratzer seems like it could inevitably go mainstream in the craft beer market, if the costs to produce are reasonable. Despite a fairly shallow body and a reserved sweetness, the drinkability of this ale is quite high and interesting from beginning to end. Unless the drinker finds the lightness of this beer disappointing, I feel that this is a fairly good ale and one worth seeking out. 3.75
New Belgium Brewing's
Gratzer Ale (With 3Floyds Brewing)
3.67/5.00
Aug 31, 2015Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass.
(Appearance) Pours a frothy foam head of a toasted mocha brown color over a very dark brown body with dark maple highlights. Retention is very good and lacing is light and stringy. 4
(Smell) Slightly smokey with a creeping tartness. Malt aromas of caramel bread, peat smoked grains, chocolate and light syrup malts, with undertones of stone fruit, lightly tangy and mildly sour. Potency is moderate. 3.75
(Taste) Lightly sweetened smokey and soft bread malt blend with a lightly soured undertone. Thin and light body overall with a reserved sweetness, plenty of specialty malt character, smoke and a lightly tart flavor. Enjoyable and highly drinkable. 3.5
(Mouthfeel) Texture is silky, smooth, clean, lightly tangy, mildly dry. Carbonation is light, generating a mild frothiness and a mildly crisp finish. Body is light/medium for the style, shy of medium overall. Balance is slightly more smokey and tart combined over sweet with a certain lightness to the body. Alcohol presence is very light and there are no off characters. 3.75
(Overall) With an increase in the popularity of the smoked ales and soured ales, a beer like a Gratzer seems like it could inevitably go mainstream in the craft beer market, if the costs to produce are reasonable. Despite a fairly shallow body and a reserved sweetness, the drinkability of this ale is quite high and interesting from beginning to end. Unless the drinker finds the lightness of this beer disappointing, I feel that this is a fairly good ale and one worth seeking out. 3.75
New Belgium Brewing's
Gratzer Ale (With 3Floyds Brewing)
3.67/5.00
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