Broadening Our Horizons XXI

About a year and a half ago... in February, 2009... I put this up:

(Sigh)

This is why I sometimes wish I lived in Colorado... and one of the better things I've ever read about Valentines Day (apropos of nothing):

Dark Kriek

For many years we’ve celebrated Valentine’s Day at New Belgium Brewing by creating a special small batch beer for our family and friends. These beers tend to be a little funky, fruitful and straight from the heart. This year we decided to share the love.

New Belgium Brewing’s Dark Kriek is a limited edition Belgian kriek or cherry beer. Much darker than a traditional kriek with a dash of sour cherry up front, our Dark Kriek is actually a blend of two beers. We start with a light, dry, tannic beer aged two years in oak barrels and combine this with a heavier, dark ale and cherries to create one smooth cherry blast of love.  8% ABV

(ed note: "share the love" is rather limited... from a New Belgium Tweet: "lowdown on location for Dark Kriek (cases by state) CO 500, CA 500, WA 150, OR 150, IL 25 - and 25 cases to our Liquid Center")

But then again... Colorado has all that danged snow. Never mind. Priorities, yanno.

We no longer have to worry about all that danged snow as we enjoy a Lips of Faith.  Witness:

Lips of Faith, accompanied by an Acid Opulence 3

Apparently New Belgium has broadened their distribution channels this year; I picked up a couple of these 22-ouncers out at the Class VI Store earlier today.  A full verdict will be forthcoming but my initial impressions... after a couple o' sips... are good.  The cherry flavor is pronounced but in an oh-so-good sorta way.  This beer is more like a fine red wine than the run o' the mill brewery output.  And the deep dark red color is magnificent in the sunlight!

So it's back outside to continue as we've begun.