New Belgium Brewing La Folie
What the brewers say
“La Folie is sharp and sour, full of green apple, cherry, and plum-skin notes. Pouring a deep mahogany, the mouthfeel will get you puckering while the smooth finish will get you smiling.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Clean apple cider vinegar twang, hint of raspberry seeds. Strong fruit notes—cranberry? Slight cracked pepper phenolic note. Mid-level sour intensity with a light fruity sour aroma. Finishes with a touch of grainy sweet malt aroma.”
Flavor: “High fruit up front similar to a fruit leather. Strong dark fruit sourness and dark malt character that doesn’t give much sweetness but complex bread and toasty bits in the background. Tart cranberry-like astringency. Very earthy and funky Brett character, finishing with a slightly sour bite. Finish is dry and crisp with a lingering tartness.”
Overall: “The funky barnyard flavors and acidity blend very well together. The malt is just enough to support those complex flavors, resulting in a fairly light-bodied beer. Fruity characters with a moderate amount of sour as it warms. Balanced with a good level of carbonation to support it. Sour and astringent.”
