Fat Tire Amber Ale $7.99 a six-pack
Fat Tire is one of the heavy hitters among Colorado craft brews, given that it’s been brewed commercially since 1991 and is distributed in 18 states.
Next week is American Craft Brew Week, as good a time as any to celebrate the wealth of brewers in our fair state or turn a friend on to beer with character. Fat Tire is a standard and a good starter for anyone looking to test-drive something outside the mainstream.
This amber ale pours clear light copper with an off-white head and a sweet, malty-bready aroma. The head has nice body and staying power and leaves a good trail of lace on the glass. On first sip, Fat Tire separates itself from most amber ales with a strong layer of cocoa that may well be the secret to its enduring popularity. It’s a flavor that’s more associated with porters or stouts but perhaps should be introduced in lighter brews, given the character it imbues here. The malt foreshadowed in the aroma is evident, along with the expected caramel. Not a lot of hoppiness here. Mouthfeel can be smooth to slightly coarse. Alcohol by volume is 5.2 percent.
New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins;
Marcus Chamberland,
