Have I ever told you I hate technology! Seriously, yea yea, I know there are those comedians (Louis C.K. as one for sure) out there that talk about this day and age the 'kids' are spoiled. Every generation seems to work this way. Yes, we are spoiled. Has any generation before us had it better than us? Many say no because back in the day I didn't have cell phones, or I didn't have a wireless phone, or I didn't have a phone. Back in the day, faxes didn't exist, television didn't exist, color or HD or anything! If we go WAY back th wheel wasn't even invented yet. Well, lets face it technology no matter how power it is, is frustrating. Everything is "buggy" these days. It is our "SPOILED-NESS" that continues to push technology to be better and better; but at the same time as technology gets better so do the bugs/viruses. This laptop that I sat down to write up this article tonight took 40 minutes of my life away that I'll NEVER reclaim by hanging. I still haven't found the problem - but I will eventually. I rebooted and things are "better" but I know - deep down inside there is SOMETHING wrong. I'm minutes away from wiping it out and reloading it from scratch. That is for another day!
One invention above really plays a key role in my beer of choice tonight, the wheel! The wheel was one of the greatest inventions of all times. I was going to research this and actually found a very found a funny but maybe to "political" site for my blog post about the invention of beer and the wheel. I think beer was probably invented first and the wheel a means to transport the beer to a friend's house; at least that is what I'm going with. Well after the wheel was invented, a name by the name of Jeff Lebesch decided to pick up a bike and travel through Europe on his journey to learn more about beer. What better purpose the wheel could server I'll never know. Anyway, this beer came from Jeff riding and thinking about the best beer he could produce. He came up with the recipe Fat Tire. Now, if I was writing this post 12 years ago this post would be completely different. It would be nothing but PRAISE that this is the best beer on the planet. It is incredible and oaky and hoppy and fresh and just down right goodness. This was my first trip to one of the most beautiful states I've ever visited - Colorado. And one of the neatest little towns I've ever stayed in Boulder Co, just north of Denver.
Well, phase in 10-12 years later, multiple different styles of beers later and many more traveled miles under my belt. Strike it up to my palate changing, experience, or an actual change to the brewing/recipe/style/qa, or whatever... either way, I just don't like this beer as much as I once did. I'm quite bummed as I've been waiting years and years for it to get to the east coast. Its getting closer and closer to PA and definitely on the east coast. As a matter of fact, I could travel just
2 hours down the road to Maryland and pick some up - but for Fat Tire, I'm not sure I'll travel that far any longer. I used to love it - I liken it to Yuengling. At one time, I LOVED Yuengling, I don't like it near as much as I once did. I blame it on MASS PRODUCTION and actual change in taste but it could just simply be me!
This beer still pours a nice amber red. I don't particularly like the smell on the nose. I personally think it has sort of an off smell to it. I think it probably attributes to the style of hops used in this recipe possible. I just think this beer sort of drinks like a beer out of a can even though it is straight of te bottle. The taste is OK, I definitely get the "toasty biscuit-like" taste the bottle describes. Maybe it is that 'biscuit' taste that doesn't appeal to me. Or it could be again the style of hops used. Either way, this beer is no longer my all time favorite. I have tried some of their other brews and look forward to reviewing the 1554 and hopefully a few other styles that I can get my hands on. I would say this is a beer to try if/when you get around to it - especially if you ar on the east coast and have never seen it before. I even read a few weeks back about the brewery expanding to the east coast. The talk was I believe Philly area (boo, wish they were thinking about Pittsburgh - but Philly is close enough) or I believe North Carolina. It sounded like the non-Philly city was looking more viable but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Either way - New Belgium Brewing has a great story on their site. Not to mention it seems like a great company and a great place to work. I found this post on their page and thought it says a lot about their style - this beer will get some pluses in my grading because of the company itself - can't wait to review their other brews:
Company Core Values and Beliefs
1.Remembering that we are incredibly lucky to create something fine that enhances people's lives while surpassing our consumers' expectations.
2.Producing world-class beers.
3.Promoting beer culture and the responsible enjoyment of beer.
4.Kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model.
5.Environmental stewardship: Honoring nature at every turn of the business.
6.Cultivating potential through learning, high involvement culture, and the pursuit of opportunities.
7.Balancing the myriad needs of the company, our coworkers and their families.
8.Trusting each other and committing to authentic relationships and communications.
9.Continuous, innovative quality and efficiency improvements.
10.Having Fun.
One invention above really plays a key role in my beer of choice tonight, the wheel! The wheel was one of the greatest inventions of all times. I was going to research this and actually found a very found a funny but maybe to "political" site for my blog post about the invention of beer and the wheel. I think beer was probably invented first and the wheel a means to transport the beer to a friend's house; at least that is what I'm going with. Well after the wheel was invented, a name by the name of Jeff Lebesch decided to pick up a bike and travel through Europe on his journey to learn more about beer. What better purpose the wheel could server I'll never know. Anyway, this beer came from Jeff riding and thinking about the best beer he could produce. He came up with the recipe Fat Tire. Now, if I was writing this post 12 years ago this post would be completely different. It would be nothing but PRAISE that this is the best beer on the planet. It is incredible and oaky and hoppy and fresh and just down right goodness. This was my first trip to one of the most beautiful states I've ever visited - Colorado. And one of the neatest little towns I've ever stayed in Boulder Co, just north of Denver.
Well, phase in 10-12 years later, multiple different styles of beers later and many more traveled miles under my belt. Strike it up to my palate changing, experience, or an actual change to the brewing/recipe/style/qa, or whatever... either way, I just don't like this beer as much as I once did. I'm quite bummed as I've been waiting years and years for it to get to the east coast. Its getting closer and closer to PA and definitely on the east coast. As a matter of fact, I could travel just
2 hours down the road to Maryland and pick some up - but for Fat Tire, I'm not sure I'll travel that far any longer. I used to love it - I liken it to Yuengling. At one time, I LOVED Yuengling, I don't like it near as much as I once did. I blame it on MASS PRODUCTION and actual change in taste but it could just simply be me!
This beer still pours a nice amber red. I don't particularly like the smell on the nose. I personally think it has sort of an off smell to it. I think it probably attributes to the style of hops used in this recipe possible. I just think this beer sort of drinks like a beer out of a can even though it is straight of te bottle. The taste is OK, I definitely get the "toasty biscuit-like" taste the bottle describes. Maybe it is that 'biscuit' taste that doesn't appeal to me. Or it could be again the style of hops used. Either way, this beer is no longer my all time favorite. I have tried some of their other brews and look forward to reviewing the 1554 and hopefully a few other styles that I can get my hands on. I would say this is a beer to try if/when you get around to it - especially if you ar on the east coast and have never seen it before. I even read a few weeks back about the brewery expanding to the east coast. The talk was I believe Philly area (boo, wish they were thinking about Pittsburgh - but Philly is close enough) or I believe North Carolina. It sounded like the non-Philly city was looking more viable but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Either way - New Belgium Brewing has a great story on their site. Not to mention it seems like a great company and a great place to work. I found this post on their page and thought it says a lot about their style - this beer will get some pluses in my grading because of the company itself - can't wait to review their other brews:
Company Core Values and Beliefs
1.Remembering that we are incredibly lucky to create something fine that enhances people's lives while surpassing our consumers' expectations.
2.Producing world-class beers.
3.Promoting beer culture and the responsible enjoyment of beer.
4.Kindling social, environmental and cultural change as a business role model.
5.Environmental stewardship: Honoring nature at every turn of the business.
6.Cultivating potential through learning, high involvement culture, and the pursuit of opportunities.
7.Balancing the myriad needs of the company, our coworkers and their families.
8.Trusting each other and committing to authentic relationships and communications.
9.Continuous, innovative quality and efficiency improvements.
10.Having Fun.
