Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Product Review: New Belgium Springboard Beer
I'm kicking myself for not having remembered to review New Belgium Brewing's spring beer during the season, and it's probably off the shelves for the rest of the year at this point. But I'm mentioning it now because any regional brewer that can produce something this good bears watching - and addtiional tasting.
The company advertised Springboard in a way that usually puts me off - with the inclusion of Chinese herbs. By reflex I generally consider that a gimmick. But in this case, it's one that worked. The brewmaster added schisandra, gogi berries, and wormwood in addition to oats. The result was a full, rich fruity flavor with a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste, but one that was pleasant. I had an impulse while tasting and took a bite of some reheated spaghetti and my quick tomato sauce, and the combination was dynamite, so I suspect this would work with many acidic foods.
Now I just have to find some of the comapny's Skinny Dip summer offering.
The company advertised Springboard in a way that usually puts me off - with the inclusion of Chinese herbs. By reflex I generally consider that a gimmick. But in this case, it's one that worked. The brewmaster added schisandra, gogi berries, and wormwood in addition to oats. The result was a full, rich fruity flavor with a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste, but one that was pleasant. I had an impulse while tasting and took a bite of some reheated spaghetti and my quick tomato sauce, and the combination was dynamite, so I suspect this would work with many acidic foods.
Now I just have to find some of the comapny's Skinny Dip summer offering.
Labels: beer, brewer, Chinese herbs, gogi, New Belgium, schisandra, wormwood
