La Folie
New Belgium Brewing Company

Poured from a 375 milliliter bottle dated 3-4-21 into a tulip glass at 55.4 degrees F.

Appearance- Mahogany, translucent, light brown creamy head, above average head retention, slightly below average lacing.

Aroma- Cherry, plum, caramel, oak, green apple, slight earthy funk, medium strength of scent.

Flavor- Earthy funk, oak, highly sour, green apple, slight cherry, slight caramel, medium strength of flavor.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, slightly above average carbonation, highly dry finish, moderately creamy, highly sour, moderately sweet, mildly mouth warming.

Overall- Mahogany and translucent with above average head retention and slightly below average lacing. The bouquet was a complex and pleasant mix of cherry, plum, caramel, oak, green apple, and slight earthy funk. The flavor was dominated by sourness that didn't allow me to pick up on some of the flavors that I believe were present due to the aromatics. The mouthfeel consisted of medium body with slightly above average carbonation, high sourness and a higher than desirable dry finish. Overall, this was a solid beer, but the overt sourness covered some of the nuance of flavor.

This is a slightly earthy brown Belgium aged sour. There is plenty of sour up front with a medium to full body brown ale taste and a bit of sweet fruity finish.

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at George's Local, Cedar Falls, IA; served in a "snulip" glass. Deep garnet-tinged brown in color, with a thin off-white head. Dark-bready malt backbone provides a backdrop for the notes of sour berries and cherries, with a little mild funk. Good carbonation, medium bodied, and a slightly woody finish with some tartness lingering on the palate. Outstanding beer, highly recommended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tasted from a 500 ml corked bottle in a red wine glass.

L - Beautiful ruby red color and very clear. Light tan head fades quickly to a thick ring around the glass and a few wisps on the surface. Swirling the beer reveals light lacing and "legs" on the glass like a strong wine shows.

S - Nose is an interesting blend of sweet brown ale with red wine and berry notes, and a sharp, acidic note with some barnyard funk at a low level.

T - The barnyard funk and sour acidity dominate the flavors, but is some depth that reveals other flavors. I get blackberry jam and oak, but the base of Flemish brown ale is not detectable to me.

F - Thin body with low carbonation. Hops bitterness is not detectable because the acidic sourness is so strong it masks any other sensation on the tongue. It also give a sharp bite in the throat. Alcohol presence is also drowned out by the acid, except for some esters detectable in the finish.

O - This is an unabashedly funky and sour beer, but totally over the top compared to the Belgian versions of Flemish Brown I've had. Still, this does have delicate touches that make it more than just a sour monster.

balanced, a little apple taste.

Straight down the middle sour. Funky apple, vinegar, oak and cherry. Good carbonation and finishes dry. Earthy with barnyard grass, malt, oak barrel vanilla, spicy caramel malt, red wine, hay, and grape. Sour but not overly so. The finish has a brown ale malty bluntness. I went to college in Boulder but this is my first time having this beer. I see why it it is an American classic of searching for European greatness.

 

La Folie

New Belgium Brewing Company

Sour-Flanders Oud Bruin

The classic sour. Produced way before it was mainstream popular. This aged sour had tangy apple, metallic sharp earthy funk, cherries and amber malt aspects. The French barrel flavor and feel is very mellow and provides an excellent subtle depth.

4.00