New Belgium Somersault

4.2/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20

12 ounce bottle, best by 08/28/2011. I think this will be my first blonde ale. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice 2-3 fingers of fairly dense white head with fantastic retention that reduces to a decent sized lacing cap that lasts. A nice amount of lacing clings around the glass as well. Aromas of big lemon, pepper, biscuit, grass, spiciness, and other light fruitiness. Some very nice aromas here with good strength as well. Taste of lemon, pepper, spices, bread, citrus, grass, and a bit of tart graininess. Fair amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of lemon, bread, and spices that last for a bit on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a moutfeel that is a bit on the watery side, but not in a bad way. Drinks really easily as I would have expected for a beer brewed for the summer months. No alcohol presence at all as expected. Overall, some seriously great stuff here. Nice amount of well balanced flavors and super smooth drinking.

Surprisingly great offering from New Belgium, and my first Blonde Ale. Brewed with Centennial hops, with a bit of apricot and ginger. Very well rounded in flavor and good balance.