What's all the buzz over Fat Tire?

I have memories of a bachelor party in Scottsdale in 1999, where over the course of two spring training games for the SF Giants, we each consumed one plastic cup (16 oz?) of Fat Tire, per inning. The mascot (seal) came by our seats and mocked us around the 7th inning stretch. That was the first, and I think last time, I had it. Had those cups a long time though (we all took them home)...but once married they went in the trash.

 

I think Fat Tire is a decent intro beer for those not used to drinking full, complex flavored brews. It is nothing special, but still solid for the price.

 

I drink Fat Tire when there are no better alternatives, which is rare. If I drink enough of them (like 20), I get a buzz.

 

My experience says: "Some but not all", although in many instances it can also mean most but not all.

 

yeah, but...Prairie!!!

(I'd give up Fat Tire pretty quick for that)

 

I see people loading 12 packs of Fat Tire into their carts every time I'm in a beer store. I think in fact they ARE Fat Tire daily drinkers, just like my dad was a daily Bud drinker. They've found their beer and they're happy with it, and they know they can always find it, too.

They don't look that different from me, either, other than they're not wearing a Crooked Stave or Cantillon T shirt.

 

Yup, and some venture well past the gate, get burned one way or another (sometimes just from an 'expensive' beer they didn't care for), and run back to the safety of the gateway.

 

I still think Fat Tire is a pretty solid brew. Nothing earth shatteringly awesome, but I get it at the bar if there isn't a better alternative. I even buy sixers at the gas station if I don't feel like stoppin at the liquor store on my way home.

 

This is exactly what happens with me and Yuengling. I couldn't care less about Yuengling.

 

I've had it twice now. Once at a shiddy dive where it may have been good had it been cold. Once at home where it was cold and fairly good. Not something I buy though.

Yeah, that's it!

 

Really? I've heard of some stupid arbitrary beer laws that are out there, but I think that is the new leader in the clubhouse.

 

I agree, but thats not a fair comparison. One Prairie costs more than a 6 pack of Fat Tire.

Fat Tire was a Flagship beer for a successful Brewery (New Belgium) and a gateway beer for many who enter into craft beer. It deserves a little respect. No, you will never see it on BA's top 250 list, but its still a solid beer.

I think it does have a shelf life, as I've had some that was very good and others that were kinda flat. I agree with a few of the others, offer your customers something that you stock that is close to the style.

 

I prefer their Abbey.

 

Fat Tire = Meh.

 

Fat tire is a good easy drinking beer. Not too heavy, not too light, the kind of beer Goldilocks would've drank from the fridge. I like it from a can when I'm doing work in the yard or garage.

 

When does popularity stop and hype begin, or vice versa? New Belgium makes Flat Tire, and Flat Tire made New Belgium what it is today. I'm not so sure "hype" is the best term to describe the phenomenon that is Fat Tire.

New Belgium absolutely knocked this beer out of the park as it concerns overall marketability:
1. It's a well-crafted, consistently crafted, tasty beer
2. It's got a subtle but unique flavor that's very approachable
3. The Fat Tire logo is an easily recognizable brand icon - moreso than even the breweries name.
4. It's almost ubiquitous, which helps it get rarity hype in non-distro areas, and is ultimately a solid standby when other things aren't available.
5. It's relatively inexpensive.

That's what makes it so popular.

 

They won't ship it here because it is a "High Point" product, and must be sold in liquor stores at room temperature. No cold ones here.

 

Only a few good ones.... wow. Glad you left.

 

Yeah, that was me a long time ago when my first venture past the gate was with SA Triple Bock. I was a better runner back then, though... It was more of a sprint.

 

Uhh...I like NB, particularly La Folie and Le Terroir, and I even enjoy the occasional Fat Tire or Ranger, but let's not get carried away. Besides the two you mentioned, they're most certainly not better than Logsdon, the Bruery, Lost Abbey, Jester King, Crooked Stave, New Glarus, Russian River, SN/Ovila, SARA, Anchorage, Boulevard, Funkwerks, Jolly Pumpkin, Hill Farmstead, and probably some other breweries I'm forgetting that, like these, brew several or an entire portfolio of Belgian styles. They're a solid brewery for what they are, but one of the best American breweries that traffic in Belgian styles? Hardly.