This is the first New Belgium beer I ever tried, and their flagship brew. New Belgium's Fat Tire is one of those beers that's reliably good, though I'm still hoping to try it on tap. When founding Brewmaster Jeff Lebesch began New Belgium, he was inspired by a bike trip through Belgium to create Belgian style ales, and Fat Tire, named after the bike he rode, was one of his first two brews. Jeff expected his second brew, the Abbey Ale would be the "Big" ale in terms of making his mark, but it's Fat Tire that's become one of the most widely recognized craft brews in America—in no small part due to the fabulous label art showing a Fat Tire cruisingbike, deftly created by watercolorist Ann Fitch.

Fat Tire is a light middle-of-the road beer; slightly malty, slightly bitter/citrusy hops. It's a golden brown in the glass, with a creamy head. There's an interesting caramel hint in the flavor, with a citrus hop finish. This really is a go-to beer for those spur-of-the-moment decisions to spend an afternoon at the park, or at the beach, or walking along a tree-covered bike trail. At a a nice light 4.2 % ABV, this is a super session beer. New Belgium Fat Tire goes with almost anything, and it very much affected by the food it's paired with. Believe it or not, I heartily recommend Fat Tire with oatmeal cookies, or oatmeal and fruit bars, as well as brats, Cajun-spiced chicken sausage on a grill, turkey burgers (regular burgers!), grilled portobello mushrooms, and fresh locally caught fried fish. For some other takes, see Robert Mancini's review, The Beer Snob, and The Drunken Polack.

I note that from now until September, residents of most states can enter a daily drawing to win a Fat Tire cruiser bike like those given to New Belgium employees after a year at the brewery. No purchase is required, though you must be over 18 to enter here.