Take the Blue Paddle to the Fields of Hops and Barley
by - Written: Sep 06 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extremely crisp, complex by stages (read the review, I'll explain)
Cons: Limited distribution area
The Bottom Line: If you can find this, buy it and drink it. You will not be disappointed.
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| remf2112's Full Review: Blue Paddle Pilsener |
New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins, Colorado has a number of brews, all more or less on a Belgian or European model. Blue Paddle, their "Pilsener Lager," is a very good entry into the world of pilseners. Pilseners and Lagers are separate types of beer. While this may have some affinities with lagers, one taste is all you need to conclude that it is a pilsener, and a very good one at that. My significant other has a brother who lives in Colorado and he introduced me to this stuff. He told me I would probably like it better than the Fat Tire offering, and I cannot break his crystal ball over that prediction (then again, he's known me for over 20 years). I associate this beer with holidays and good times with family groups, and it's even good enough to make me pick it up to open and leave the Beck's in the fridge. It's difficult for me to bestow higher praise.
This pilsener pours to a generous head, which is of moderate staying power. The color is of a deep yellow with a hint of a tan. It is not fizzy at all. Upon sipping the beer you're hit immediately with a very hoppy flavor. This changes in a couple of seconds to a very malty flavor with a hint of coriander throughout. There is an aftertaste, concentrated at the back of the tongue and roof of the mouth, but it is an aftertaste typical of this type of beer, i.e. inoffensive. No sourness at all. New Belgium is proud to use only malted barley and no other grains, and this attention to detail is appreciated, as it makes for only quality products in the taste pattern. While the taste is complex, it begins directly hops and ends directly malt. I don't know how they accomplish this, but when you try it, watch for this effect.
Believe it or not, the food I generally associate this with is either fast food, the result of a "roughage run," when we get the munchies, or the steak, hamburger, potato salad type of family meal. This beer can go with pretty much anything, though. Blue Paddle will really be the star of the show. Tonight I had it with Italian sausages and salad (Newman's vinagrette dressing). It wasn't intimidated by the vinagrette, so it probably won't be drowned by much of anything.
Any epicurean in or passing through the Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska areas should try this. If the only New Belgium product you've had is Fat Tire (probably most of you, admit it), you should definitely try this. It's usually found only in larger liquor stores.
Recommended:
Yes
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