New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hoptober Golden Ale
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Pale yellow and clear color.
Fruity, bright hoppy nose with grainy malt tones.
Fluffy bright white head.  Two finger high and draped lacing.
Tart, fruity taste of apple/pear with hops and malt.
Moderate carbonation.
Light, refreshing clean taste. Mild hops bounce at the end.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It's been quite some time since my last New Belgium beer. Too long.  This bottle depicts several silhouettes engaged in various activities from hula-hoops to unicycles to dancing.  They are gathered around what appears to be a bonfire.  'Hoptober' hints at "Oktoberfest" in the name, but it's nothing like an Oktoberfest brew. And perhaps that's just what they set out to accomplish.  Rather than embrace the coming of cooler weather with the seasonal fall change by offering a traditional maltier Marzen style, it would seem that the folks at New Belgium are holding on to the dog days of summer with a light, almost saison style beer.

The bottle states it uses five kinds of hops and four malts. Again, Oktoberfest beers are typically just a nudge on the maltier side.  All those hops only bring in a modest 40 IBU's and really round out this fruity flavorful beer.  I also noticed on this 12 ounce bottle, a neck ring bulge in the glass, reminiscent of Westvleteren bottles. Truly, in the end analysis, it is not an Oktoberfest but an American Blonde Ale.

I like the juxtaposition. If that's their aim, then they hit the bulls-eye.  Nice job.  Grab one before Indian summer runs out.