Winter means a fresh collection of seasonals. Usually, these are dark, heavy beers with plenty of spices. The kind perfectly suited for sticking into a snowbank to chill, and where "too cold" never applies. When you crack the lid on one of these icy winter lagers and take your first sip, the warmth stretches all the way to your toes and sub zero temperatures are forgotten. New Belgium's Accumulation is an outlier in this group. As a White IPA, it's a wheat beer seasoned with Belgian yeast and just the right amount of hops. Pouring it into your glass, it looks like champagne. |
Sipping Accumulation is like crushing the pulpy sweet fibers of a fresh ruby red in your mouth. It is thirst quenching, and then some. The hops are softened and balanced by the wheat, leaving me both satisfied and wanting more as I reach the bottom of the glass.
Accumulation White India Pale Ale is yet another reason New Belgium is one of my favorite breweries. Even if you don't like IPAs, it's worth a try this holiday season. I'm guessing it won't be around past December. That leaves a two month window to get your fill. If I can brave these sub-70 temperatures and make it to the store, I'll be huddled up under a blanket sipping some here in L.A. I suggest you do the same.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet ruby red grapefruit, hops.
Taste: Sweet ruby red grapefruit, hops softened by wheat and Belgian yeast.