By Herr Mike
To celebrate New Belgium’s 25th Anniversary they put out a variety 12 pack featuring 5 different versions of their flagship beer Fat Tire.
I love collaboration brews because it introduces you to a brand new beer, or in this case, another breweries interpretation of a familiar beer that has been around for years. So I had the chance to pick up this variety pack and review the original Fat Tire Amber Ale as well as the 5 different collab brews.
Here are the breweries that New Belgium teamed up with:
- Allagash Brewing
- Avery Brewing
- Firestone Walker Brewing
- Hopworks Urban Brewery
- Rhinegeist
Here are the reviews starting with the original Fat Tire Amber Ale.
Fat Tire Amber Ale — New Belgium Brewing
Style: Amber Ale ABV: 5.2% Overall Score: 8
Medium amber color. Fruit and some bread on the nose. Caramel, toast, nuts and dried fruits with a dry piney finish. Body was medium with medium carbonation.
Fat Funk Ale — Allagash Brewing
Style: Wild Ale ABV: 5.6% Overall Score: 8.2
Medium amber color. Nose was fruity and funky. Caramel,bread and some tart apple with a peppery semi dry finish. Body was medium with medium carbonation.
Fat Wild Ale — Avery Brewing
Style: Wild Ale ABV: 6.2% Overall Score: 8.6
Dark amber color. Yeast and tropical fruit on the nose. Pineapple, pear, caramel and bread with some cinnamon on the back end. Body was slightly chewy with medium carbonation.
Fat Hoppy Ale — Firestone Walker Brewing
Style: Amber Ale ABV: 6% Overall Score: 8.2
Light amber color. Bread, mango and grass on the nose. Cracker, orange, pineapple up front with some pine, pepper and grass on the finish. Body was light and dry with high carbonation.
Fat Sour Apple Ale — Hopworks Urban Brewery
Style: Sour Ale ABV: 5.9% Overall Score: 8.1
Light amber color. Some funky apple on the nose. Granny Smith apples, bread, white grapes up front with a light dry caramel finish. Body was light with high carbonation.
Fat Pale Ale — Rhinegeist Brewery
Style: Belgian Pale Ale ABV: 6% Overall Score: 8.3
Medium amber color. Belgian funk and spice on the nose. Apples, pears, caramel and spice with some toasted banana bread towards the end. Body was medium with medium carbonation.
That completes my review of Fat Tire & Friends Collaboration Variety Pack. I’ve seen prices as low as $18.99 and as high as $29.99 so if you like the style (and it’s variations) this is a good choice.
So I wish New Belgium Brewing a happy anniversary and raise my glass to another 25 more years of brewing craft beer!…..PROST!
Make sure to check out the hundreds of beer reviews done by Herr Mike here!