2beerguys beer blog

Beer Advent Calendar – Day 5: Snow Day presented by Fermentedly Challenged

@chipperdave

Beer Advent Calendar – Day 5: Snow Day presented by Fermentedly Challenged
To celebrate the Holiday Season, 2Beerguys.com and Seacoastbeveragelab.com have teamed up with beer bloggers around the country to host the first annual beer bloggers advent calendar. This is the season of sharing and we intend to share our love of beer with you. 31Bloggers Blogging – click here for the running list of beers/bloggers.

• Blogger: Chipper Dave from Fermentedly Challenged
• Website: http://www.fermentedlychallenged.com/

• Beer: Snow Day.
• Brewery: New Belgium
• Website: http://www.newbelgium.com/

Commercial Description:

In 2003, we had a massive 37-inch snowstorm over two days in Fort Collins. Everything shut down for a couple days – no work, no school, no cars. The only way you could get around was by ski or toboggan. When we began brewing Snow Day, we looked to this one storm for inspiration. The dark characters of the malt bill reflect the dark stormy sky at the beginning of the snowfall. But on the third day, the sun broke through and everything was glorious! The name Snow Day evoked joyful freedom. Everyone remembers waiting for the school report as little kids. When you heard your school was closed, you suddenly had all day to play in the transformed, white landscape. Well, that’s the kind of emotion we put into this beer.

Pleasantly hoppy, Snow Day carries the subtle chocolate and caramel flavors of a new brewing malt known as Midnight Wheat. The Styrian Golding, Centennial and Cascade hops bring the backbone of hoppy bitterness to complement the roasty undertones. This beer is the deep garnet of a roasted walnut and presents a creamy tan head, floating artfully atop. Snow Day is bold and hoppy, drinkable and strong. It reminds you to enjoy the unexpected.

Details:

• Style: Winter Ale
• ABV: 6.2%
• IBU: 55
• Calories: 190
• Hops: Styrian Golding, Centennial, Cascade
• Malts: Pale, C-80, Midnight Wheat
• OG:– 17

Why I selected the Snow Day:

Snow Day’s aroma is exactly that of a Black IPA. It has a huge prominent hop nose, unlike any other New Belgium beer. This beer seems like a divergence for New Belgium, kinda like saying “We’re not just a Belgian beer company”. The combination of 3 different hops made for a pleasant spicy nose with a hint of citrus and floral. The aroma picks up some bread and nut from the malts and a hint of caramel. The hops, however, take center stage here, particularly the spicy Styrian Goldings.

The taste? Oh man, hoppy holidays indeed! That’s definitely what this beer is trying to say. Snow Day starts and finishes with a big hop burst mixed with a slightly roasted malt flavor. The malts were a bit nutty, with just a hint of sweetness. This was a full bodied beer that is nearly chewable. The hops will stick to your mouth and will leave a nice bitter finish.

About Fermentedly Challenged:
Dave Butler writes the beer blog Fermentedly Challenged and is based in Greeley, Colorado. Since 2007, Dave has visited dozens of breweries, tastes hundreds of craft beers and attended dozens of beer festivals. Visit him at www.fermentedlychallenged.com

About New Belgium Brewery:
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces seven year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Ranger IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases.

In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit http://www.newbelgium.com.