Tasting New Belgium Flowering Citrus Ale

Flowering Citrus Ale is a collaboration between New Belgium and Belgium Brewer Brouwerij De Koninck as a part of the Lips of Faith Series. The beer carries a 7.4% ABV along with an IBU level of 30 making it more malt forward, although I was able to note citrus and piney notes on the back end. I would have liked to have received a stronger aroma than what was received, but the a good sniff did draw some of this out. The color of the beer poured a slightly hazy golden straw color that was topped by an off-white foamy head that did dissipate with some pace. That being said, the appearance was decent enough. As for the taste, the beer was well carbonated and did feature the citrus qualities to be expected. The surprise for me was more of the tartness that was in play which was well done and not overly tart by any means. The beer was not too heavy on the tongue and came across as a light to medium body one in my opinion. A pleasant enough beer, that for me earned an Untappd rating of 3 out of 5.

Brewer Notes:

Our second Lips of Faith four-pack collaboration is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to share this new beer with you. Called Flowering Citrus Ale and brewed with our pals at Belgium’s De Koninck, it is, perhaps, the most elegant beer we’ve brewed to date.

To celebrate our 25th anniversary, each Lips of Faith release this year is a collaboration with a Belgian brewery that holds a special place in the heart of New Belgium. So what’s the story with De Koninck? Here’s what New Belgium’s brewmaster Peter Bouckaert has to say:

“The brewery that brews De Koninck (old Flemish for “the king”), the inspiration for Fat Tire! We had to work with them for our 25th anniversary. Michel Moortgat (Managing Director of Duvel Moortgat) graciously accepted and Hedwig Neven (Duvel Brewmaster) and Dimitri Staelens (Quality Director of Duvel), longtime friends of mine, are the collaborating brewers.

From the get-go we established we wanted something different from our amber flagships, something aromatic, fresh and sour. Flowers came to mind for a beer to be brewed at New Belgium and at De Koninck for their summer seasonal 2016—the King offering flowers for our anniversary.

Through some decoctions, the flowers came in second place with rose petals and hibiscus adding to the complexity. First in aroma and flavor became the sourness: key limes with intense top notes of whole ground up lemons. From amber ale to royal flowery citrus is only a short distance, similar to the distance between Antwerp and Fort Collins.”

That’s right: Flowers and citrus (in case you hadn’t guess that by the name). We’ve got hibiscus for a cranberry-like floral flavor and rose petals for a gorgeous floral aroma. Then there’s key lime juice and whole pureed lemons to bring in that bright, biting acidity. It’s a tart beer without any of the usual micro-floral suspects. And it’s downright delicious.