How to Fix a Flat: A Review of Fat Tire Amber Ale by New Belgium Brewing Co

Nietzsche once said, "I searched for great men but all i found was the apes of their ideals." and well...I've searched for great amber beers and found only that which tastes as if it poured from an ape's entrails! Okay, I didn't really search (and no apes were involved) but meandered around and bumped into a few which were half-way decent. I count this beer among the fortunate few.

Amber ales are more or less synonymous with red ales and are distinguishable by their very dominantly biscuity and maltly taste profiles. A simple and smooth beer without much complexity or bitterness. The latter half of that quotient strikes me as very agreeable but the former quality is what makes this style strike out more than it hits the proverbial homerun.

Most ambers tend to be straight-laced ales with a very malt-heavy accent and this one follows suit though it does offer up a flavorful triumvirate of hop spicing which gives it character but more of the b-movie variety than a leading man who can not only kick some tail but also reel some in when he needs to.

A winning brew by default of the weakness of the style but otherwise a decent, drinkable beer without much fanfare or striking abilities.

ABV - 5.2%
IBU - 18.5
Calories - 155
Hops - Willamette, Goldings, Target
Malts - Pale, C-80, Munich, Victory
OG - 12.6
TG - 2.2

-Wörtwurst