So the other day I was driving along on my way home when I had the urge to hit up my local beer store for something new. I pulled up with light snow falling, climbed out of the ole buggy and found my way to the beer cooler. I knew I wanted something sour, and was honestly looking for La Folie. As luck would have it, they didn't have any of my sought-after beverages. So, after gazing at the bomber selection through the slightly foggy glass, my eyes found their way to yet another New Belgium option; one that has always been a fun 'leap of faith'. Actually, their Lips of Faith series has brought back an old favorite of mine, Biere de Mars, and I've seen a few others that I've never tried. Well, this time around, one particular selection had the words "Lactobacillus", "Brettanomyces", and "Hibiscus" emblazoned across the bottle, and I knew I had found the darling that would accompany me home that night. Brewed in collaboration with Allagash Brewing Company, Vrienden is the current Lips of Faith beer out in stores, at least here in Boulder County. So after a careful scan of the bottle, my excitement had increased a bit. After arriving home, I climbed up on the front deck, shook the snow from my jacket (careful not to disturb the 22oz of sweetness under my arm), went inside and prepared a proper glass.
After cracking open the bottle and pouring up a glass, the moment I'd been waiting for was upon me. The head poured nicely to about a half-inch think, and hung around a bit while I took my time to admire it's clear copper color.
I then shoved my nose down in the glass to get a dose of what the nose had in store. The nice flowery bouquet led to a sour character that is typical of sour ale (or sour-ish, in this case).
Now that I had successfully teased my 'see-er", and "sniffer", it was time to indulge in my "taster". At the first sip, the Brett sourness was the first flavor to register, but it was quickly overshadowed by a nice caramel backbone. Not long after that (actually super-quick), a fruity component from the hibiscus presented itself. The hop bitterness was present but not overpowering; it was the perfect balance for sure. With 12.2 IBUs (International Bittering Units for those who don't know), and 8.5% ABV, this baby is definitely not one to take lightly. If you're lucky enough to pick up one of these, consider pairing it with some creamy soft cheeses. Oh, and one more thing, vrienden means "friends" in Flemish, so share one with your best bud and enjoy!
