Day 16 of the 5th Annual Advent-ure Calendar

Day 16: New Belgium Accumulation White IPA

We’re switching it up with a white IPA! When you think of Christmas ales, you’re probably not thinking of white IPAs. We usually aren’t. But New Belgium makes some pretty solid swill, especially if you’re talking about their seasonals. And we always like when breweries do something a little different. From the brewery, “This winter, IBUs start accumulating like snow in Colorado with our new Accumulation White IPA. Brewing a white IPA was not only a way to salute the white beauty falling from the sky, but a direct revolt to the longstanding tradition of brewing dark beers for winter and winter seasonal beers. At least that’s what our rebellious brewers like to claim as they shovel in plenty of mosaic and Amarillo hop varietals and a bit of wheat for a smooth mouthfeel.”

Reflections

Beard & Broad
Beard: Haven’t had this one in a while, but I’m a huge fan. It’s bitter, but it’s kind of a soft bitterness. Notes of grapefruit and pineapple are there and it finishes nice and dry. This is my perfect winter beer in between the heavier stuff. New Belgium seems to have gone through a huge rebranding recently (they’re also in the midst of being purchased), but I’m happy this one has stayed constant.

Broad: White IPAs are my favorite type of IPA and this is definitely up there on the list. It’s crisp, light, citrusy and oh so smooth. It’s a gorgeous light color and the smell is ever so hoppy. It’s not quite your standard “holiday ale” but I would happily add this to the mix to switch things up. This would be a good Christmas brunch beverage or baking cookies beer.

Adam & Alex
Adam: I was pleasantly surprised by this beer! It smells a lot like a mimosa with the citrus and bubbly carbonation. It’s much like than everything we’ve tasted and I get lots of grapefruit hops. I enjoy it but it lacks anything that says “merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!” To me personally. That said, I’ll happily drink it.

Alex:  New Belgium Accumulation is quite tasty.  It’s very light for a holiday beer, and doesn’t exactly taste like one, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  It’s also a nice change from the heavier beers we have been drinking.  It tastes slightly hoppy and very citrusy to me.   I would definitely partake in another one of these.

Scott & Christa
Scott: Accumulation by New Belgium is in my opinion, one of the most accessible and enjoyable holiday beers.  It’s not spicy, not too sweet and I’m pretty sure I drank my half in record time. New Belgium has a winner here for us that want a holiday ale…scratch that, 3-4 holiday ales…and not need a long hard sit for a few hours.

Christa: Huge SHOCK that I love this beer, right? A winter IPA? Me? But alas, I love this beer. It’s got a unique blend of hops, Mosaic and Amarillo, that combine to form its subtle citrus flavor. It’s a light IPA, white in fact, so it’s a nice little break from the more amber staples. Does this scream holiday to me? No. Am I sad it’s gone? Yes.

Tony & Megan
Tony: Thith tree is a thymbol of the thpirit of the Griswold family Christhmath. This one is quite bitter, almost makes you talk with a lisp. Unlike some of the beers in our lineup, this one is very light blonde in color. You can smell all the hops. I have warmed up to IPAs but maybe not quite this far yet. This one is very hoppy and very bitter. Its flavorful, but it just doesnt jive with my personal taste buds.

Megan: Knock knock
Who’s there?
Hops…..a lot of hops
I’m sorry guys, this is a little too bitter for me. I have liked some beers on the hoppier side during the beer advent-ure but this is a little too strong for me. That being said, I get the citrus and I think it pulls off what it’s trying to be. Unfortunately, it’s just not my personal taste. If you like the hoppier beers, you should check it out!!

Brad & Heather
Brad: I’m a big New Belgium fan. I remember the days I could drink their beers when visiting the Colorado office but couldn’t get it in Ohio. Accumulation is great. It’s a very good winter IPA but not too strong on the boozy or bitter side. I drink this beer often and will continue to do so.

Heather: Nope. Not my jam. A whole lot of citrus shoved into an IPA and I’m not here for it. I may be in a corner of my own here, but I can’t do it.