Idle speculation based on not much but it's more entertaining that way... Picked up a New Belgium variety 12 pack this weekend (just appeared at the local store). I couldn't help noticing that you have to dig deep into the government required fine print to find the words "New Belgium" on the Fat Tire can. Voodoo Ranger still has it on the label but obviously not the focus. This made me wonder if a rename or split (a la Stone's Arrogant Brewing for the Bastard) is in the offing. Maybe Fat Tire? I would have guessed Voodoo Ranger. Haven't really kept up in recent months so maybe this is old news.
I don't think there is a thread on this topic, but I recall a short discussion about this in another thread. It was suggested there that the brewery may (should) be moving away from the "Belgium" part of their name with its marketing since their Belgian ales are no longer a large part of their product line, plus Belgian ales aren't much in demand nowadays. But that's just my memory, and I think that prior discussion was just speculation.
Perhaps it's a regional thing. Here in CO New Belgium prominently markets their Trippel [sic], 1554, and Honey Orange Tripel beers in Belgian inspired bottles. They're in virtually every grocery store beer section, with "New Belgium" prominently displayed on the label. La Folie is also still available. The most notable Belgian inspired beer from their portfolio to be dropped was their Abbey Ale (which was also the best beer they brewed). It's true that their (former?) flagship, Fat Tire, no longer prominently sports the New Belgium name (it's there if you look hard for it), and (as a beer) there's nothing particularly Belgian about it. After the early days of craft-consumer interest in Belgian styles (cf. Ommegang), they've obviously mutated to expand their market--and they've been very successful (with the Voodoo Ranger line).
I love the 1554 but do not see it often around here. Seems to be available in other states though. Enjoy
We still have the 1554 and Trippel available out here. Still in the same packaging. We don't see much else from NB outside the tall cans of the voodoo line and fat tire 12 packs
I have a feeling they'll end up rebranding to the "Voodoo Ranger" brewery at some point. At least unless Belgian beers suddenly make a huge comeback in popularity. They obviously still brew a few of their core Belgian beers, but their availability is way more limited. I still wonder if that GABF gold Trippel got 2 years ago prolonged the life of that beer beyond what they intended, too. While a lot of places their size of struggled, they've absolutely thrived over the last few years. The path they're on might not always line up with my personal tastes, but it's hard to fault 'em for it.
I'd like to see NB bring back RANGER IPA. Remember that? The bottles with the green labels. I loved that beer.
They can drop the voodoo ranger all together as far as I am concerned! 1554 and Trippel are readily available here in AZ and these are my favorites.
They have a new CEO now so it wouldn't surprise me if it were on the table, as the VR line is their bread and butter: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-belgium-brewery-announces-new-ceo.674902/
Yes, used to drive to Wyoming to get Abbey Ale when I lived in Utah. I'd personlly love them if they made nothing but Trippel and Abbey.
They're always tweaking something with their branding. The recipe of Fat Tire was changed from an amber to a golden ale, much to the ire of some of the old-school fans. But I think it's still selling well. That, and their Voodoo Ranger series is now their main focus and moneymaker. The 9.5% artificially fruity IPAs in stovepipe cans are available in every convenient store now and fly off the shelves. They're usually 2 for $5 or something like that. Which is an absolute steal if you're just looking to get hammered. New Belgium are geniuses. They figured out a way to sell beer to Four Loko customers. Having said that, I'm actually not bashing them. I still buy and drink some of New Belgium's other offerings quite regularly. I love the trippel and a lot of the rotating IPAs.
Yep if you can undercut the competition you will sell like hotcakes in that format. Troegs put their 7.5% Perpetual IPA (and I have heard Sunshine Pils also but I have yet to see that one unfortunately) in 19.2 oz cans and it sells for $2.99 in many places, which is cheaper for here. That beer has been moving so quickly that I can now find it within weeks of canning regularly.
Yes and no. They no longer call it "Lips of Faith," but they still bottle limited wood-aged sours like La Folie, Transatlantique Kriek, Le Terroir, etc. They don't put out a ton of 'em, but they're still as good as ever when they do. Their taprooms generally have additional items, too. They are a little pricey, though. As in more expensive than comparable efforts from much smaller producers.
The voodoo has taken over the market in okc. The imperial ain't shabby but compared to trippel and others that were always available in Wichita...not vibrant (you know, like a solid ale) enough.
I'm a little surprised NB does not market their "Trippel" in stovepipe cans--that would be a big seller, like Golden Monkey in PA.
I have thought about this also but GM has been around for a long time and has a cult following at this point; it was one of the first local craft beers to really hit it big and pretty much everyone has a GM story At least here NB's Trippel would basically be starting from scratch and it would be tough to compete with the Monkey line, as you can now get GM, Sour and Berry in stovepipes for under $4.00.
