Vrienden Collaboration Ale from New Belgium and Allagash
New Belgium Brewing
of Fort Collins, CO and Allagash Brewing of Portland, ME are pleased to
announce the release of their collaboration ale, Vrienden (Flemish for
friends). Brewed with caramelized endive and hibiscus, Vrienden is
inoculated with lacto bacillus and brettanomyces, creating a slightly sour
beer with a floral nose and a dry finish.
“We wanted a very simple sour so as not to compete with the hibiscus,” said
New Belgium Brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert. “When we ran tests using our La
Folie bretta, it was too intense and the hibiscus disappeared. The Allagash
microbes bring just the right amount of sour and elevate the hibiscus notes
where they belong.”
Allagash founder, Rob Tod, and brewmaster, Jason Perkins collaborated with
New Belgium brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert, and Assistant Brewmaster, Grady
Hull, at New Belgium’s Mothership facility in Fort Collins last September.
They started the day sautéing endive in New Belgium’s employee kitchen to
achieve caramelization. When asked what the endive would add to the beer,
Bouckaert thought for a moment, shrugged and said simply, “endive.” The team
later pitched endive into the mash and hibiscus into the kettle.
Vrienden is the second collaboration beer from New Belgium and Allagash and
the first commercially available through New Belgium’s Lips of Faith Series.
It is available on draft and in 22-oz. bottles now through February
throughout New Belgium’s area of distribution where Lips of Faith beers are
usually found.
New Belgium Brewing Company
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 eight 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 www.newbelgium.com.
Allagash Brewing Company
Allagash Brewing Company started in 1995 in Portland, Maine. Allagash White,
a Belgian style wheat beer, was the first beer brewed and the company
flagship. Today Allagash makes six year-round beers, a regular rotation of
seven yearly releases and an ever-changing selection of one-off beers.
Allagash have dedicated themselves to brewing creative, distinctive and high
quality Belgian-inspired beers. For more information, please go to
www.allagash.com.
