What's all the buzz over Fat Tire?

I'd like to know as well. It literally tastes like dirt to me -- not to say it's an AWFUL thing, but it's not a beer I'm particularly fond of, and I don't get its popularity. I'm surprised people who don't normally drink craft buy it and drink it, because there are far more palatable craft beers out there.

 

I definitely see it as a gateway beer, too. It's probably the craftiest beer at their local sports bar. The people "in the know" at said sports bar rant and rave about how great it is, and look down on the "domestic" crowd... since they're craft-converts and all.

New people finally try it and their eyes are opened that SOMETHING can taste better than piss water. They've heard it's the best beer ever from their "craft beer elite" peers, and now they know. Boy, do they know.

They search it out, obviously at the most extensive bottle shop in town, because everyone knows it's the best beer out there. They're now "craft beer people", and as such, know that Fat Tire is it. Your store may carry 500 different beers, but that only means 499 Runners-Up to Fat Tire.

Sounds like you should stock more Fat Tire.






Edit: Just saw that you can't get Fat Tire at all. Haha.. but.. uh.. Hey, man... got any Fat Tire?

 

Jeez, and we had a whole weeks-long thread debating whether SABL was a craft beer!

 

My idea of gateway beers goes something like this..."I started out drinking fool fizz as a gateway beer. After that I moved on to more hoppy, malty beers."

 

I stayed out of that one. lol.

 

That's how I had my one and only (OK, two and only - I did get a second one) Fat Tire. I was at a restaurant in Cheyenne, Wyoming, it is was all they had other than Coors, etc. It was OK, actually.

 

One of my fondest memories involves copious amounts of fat tire and pheasant hunting with my father in law. I used to poo poo it as well, went back to it after years of stouts and ipas and I was actually impressed with it. It's now my go to when I'm out and about. It's a staple at even the most uncrafty places in CO.

 

Buzz over Fat Tire? Not so much. Its sour, older siblings on the other hand though...

 

That's probably the dumbest thing I'll read today. They have 34 beers on this site with an rAVG of 4.0 or higher, and La Folie & Le Terroir are among the best "easy to find" American sours.

 

There was a time I was one of those people that preached the glory of Fat Tire. I told anyone who was heading out to CO to try it. (Granted, that was 1995) Now, that I can buy it in Ohio, I rarely do. One thing I will say, it's not the same as every other amber ale. There's a biscuit malt flavor that few other beers have.

 

It's everywhere in Casper too. Well, maybe a couple of dives that I probably won't walk into.
Best glass of FT I've ever had was at the brewery. That delicate but lovely nuttiness that I can't seem to find in the draughts/bottles in town.

 

Easy on the OP. New Belgium and most recently SweetWater have made a huge splash here in Ohio.

That's fine and all, but I'm still waiting on Odell to open an Ohio account. Readily available IPA and Myrcenary would make me a very happy panda

 

Oh thanks for clearing that up. I stand corrected. I bet you are one of those look and see what it's AVG is before rating it yourself.

 

Boston Lager of the west. Nothing Great but pretty good

 

lol i love living in OK...

 

Exactly.

@irishpride - if you carry Palm Amber, definitely steer your customers in that direction. It's the beer that Fat Tire is based on, and is very similar for that biscuit malt quality. If they are a bit more adventurous, also recommend Blue Point Toasted Lager.

 

Solid craft beer for non-craft drinkers. Just like Yuengling. I remember the "buzz" that stormed through Atlanta when both of them showed up on the scene some years ago. You know--the people who think the company is called Fat Tire.

In all fairness, New Belgium lives up to its name by releasing some of the best American Belgian-style beers. Only a notch--and a small one at that--below Ommegang and Allagash.

 

I tried a Fat Tire on my Colorado trip a month ago. It was okay. Reminded me of a slightly less spicy SABL.