New Belgium Brewing Releases 2017 Transatlantique Kriek & Voodoo Ranger Passionfruit Imperial IPA
Arriving on store shelves are two beers from New Belgium Brewing. One is its annual 2017 Transatlantique Kriek and a new addition to its Voodoo Ranger lineup with Voodoo Ranger Passionfruit Imperial IPA.
This year’s Transatlantique Kriek is the first time that this release is a 100% wood-aged beer that contains an equal blend of New Belgium Foeder-aged Golden Sour and 50 percent Authentic Kriek Lambic from Brewery Oud Beersel in Belgium.
“This year’s beer is particularly iconic because it’s 100% wood aged,” said Andrew Emerton, New Belgium Specialty Brand Manager in a statement. “Because of our process with this beer, we actually had the incredible honor of having Transatlantique Kriek at this year’s Toer de Geuze in Belgium, the premier sour beer event in the world.”
“We showcased our beer alongside 12 other authentic lambic producers,” added Lauren Limbach (formerly Salazar), New Belgium’s Wood Cellar Director & Blender in a statement. “It was an incredible honor and a total dream come true!”
In the production of Transatlantique Kriek the beer blends a kriek lambic that is brewing only in Belgium at a few select breweries including Oud Beersel, New Belgium’s collaborative producer. Authentic lambic is spontaneously fermented beer that is soured in oak barrels. Oud Beersel then matures the lambic on Polish cherries for months to produce the kriek, which is then sent from Belgium to New Belgium to blend with an oak-aged sour golden.
New Belgium has a rich history of brewing sour beers and this year marks its 14th year of Transatlantique Kriek. The beer’s flavor profile is spritzy, mouthwatering and fruity, along with tartness from the cherries. The 2017 Transatlantique Kriek is 6.5 percent ABV and is available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.
New Belgium Brewing also just released its latest addition to the Voodoo Ranger line, a specialty brew called Passionfruit Imperial IPA. Tropical aromas and passionfruit flavors are backed by a strong presence of Citra and Galaxy hops. The double IPA’s crisp and refreshing taste is perfect for the summer weather. Sitting at 8% ABV, Passionfruit Imperial IPA is available in both 22 oz. bottles and on draft for a limited time only.
To find either of these beers, along with others from New Belgium, visit the libation locator at http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/locator.aspxor download New Belgium’s Beer Mode app.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.