New Belgium Accumulation: A Wheat Beer Or Not?

New Belgium Brewing Company's Accumulation beer has been described as a White IPA, a Winter Hazy IPA, and an IPA. It is brewed with wheat malt, which softens the mouthfeel, making the beer smoother and creamier. The beer has a powdery-soft body and a fruity taste, with hints of citrus and earthy notes. While some people consider it a wheat beer, others categorize it as an IPA due to its prominent hop characteristics.

New Belgium Accumulation is a White IPA

The New Belgium Accumulation White IPA is designed to be a light-bodied beer for colder weather. It is inspired by the white beauty that falls each winter from the Colorado sky, with flurries of Mosaic and Amarillo hops bringing soft fruit and citrus flavours, followed by a layer of bitter. It has an ABV of 6.2% and approximately 220 calories.

The beer pours orange-yellow with a fluffy white head and has a powdery-soft body. It smells of earthy and citrus hops and tastes of citrus hops with earthy notes. It is light-bodied and easy to drink, with good carbonation. Overall, it is a very good beer, perfect for those who are looking for a lighter option during the colder months.

The New Belgium Brewing Company is based in Colorado, United States, and is known for celebrating the visibility of LGBTQ+ communities. They offer a range of beers, including the Accumulation White IPA, the 1554 Dark Ale, and the Voodoo Ranger IPA variants.

It has a new label and description

New Belgium Brewing Company's Accumulation beer has a new label and description. The beer, previously described as a white IPA, is now labelled as a "winter hazy IPA". The new description suggests a change in the hops used in the brewing process, with the inclusion of Strata and Lotus hops, in addition to the Mosaic and El Dorado hops used in previous years. The ABV has also increased from 6.2% to 6.5%.

The new label and description of Accumulation reflect a shift in the recipe, moving away from the traditional white IPA style. White IPAs are typically brewed with a large amount of wheat malt, giving the beer a softer, smoother, and creamier mouthfeel. The original Accumulation recipe likely included wheat, as it is a common ingredient in white IPAs, contributing to the smooth mouthfeel.

The new description of Accumulation as a "winter hazy IPA" suggests a change in both the appearance and flavour profile of the beer. Hazy IPAs are known for their cloudy or hazy appearance, often with suspended yeast or hop particles contributing to the haze. This style of IPA often has a more pronounced hop flavour and aroma, with a focus on fruity or citrusy notes. The new label and description indicate that New Belgium Brewing Company has made changes to the Accumulation recipe to appeal to fans of hazy IPAs, which have gained popularity in recent years.

The change in the label and description of Accumulation has sparked mixed reactions among consumers. Some drinkers have expressed disappointment, noting that the beer no longer stands out from other IPAs on the market. They attribute this to the loss of the unique spice and orange peel and coriander flavours that were previously present in the beer. Others have noted that the beer still tastes good, but it is no longer a favourite or a standout choice.

The new label and description of Accumulation reflect an effort by New Belgium Brewing Company to adapt to current trends in the craft beer market. By changing the recipe to appeal to fans of hazy IPAs, the brewery risks losing loyal customers who favoured the unique characteristics of the original Accumulation white IPA. However, the change also presents an opportunity to attract new drinkers who prefer the hazy IPA style.

It's a winter beer

New Belgium Accumulation is a winter beer. It is a winter hazy IPA, dry-hopped with Strata, Mosaic, Lotus, and El Dorado. It has an ABV of 6.5% and 180 calories. It is only available during the winter, with a limited-time release.

The beer was inspired by the snowy Colorado winters, with its name referring to the accumulation of snow and the IBUs (International Bittering Units). It is described as having a "powdery-soft body" and a "mountain of fruit-forward hops". The wheat malt in the beer gives it a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. The Mosaic and Amarillo hops add soft fruit and citrus flavors, with a layer of bitterness.

While it is a winter beer, some have noted that it also works as a summer beer due to its light and refreshing qualities. It has been described as a "solid beer when fresh" and "easy drinking".

The beer has received generally positive reviews, with ratings ranging from 3.39 to 4.64 out of 5 stars. Reviewers have praised its taste, describing it as "very well balanced" with "good carbonation" and a "smooth mouthfeel". The citrus and earthy notes have also been highlighted as inviting and enjoyable.

It's brewed with wheat malt

New Belgium Brewing Company's Accumulation is a beer that has been described as a winter hazy IPA, a white IPA, and an IPA. It is brewed with wheat malt, which gives it a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. The wheat softens the mouthfeel of the beer, making it easier to drink.

The beer was inspired by the white beauty that falls each winter from the Colorado sky, and it is designed to be a light-bodied beer that is perfect for colder weather. It is brewed with a large amount of wheat malt, which gives it a unique flavour and texture. The wheat malt also adds to the mouthfeel of the beer, making it smoother and creamier.

The Accumulation White IPA is piled high in IBUs, which will make your winter brighter. It has a soft fruit and citrus flavour, followed by a layer of bitter. The beer is available seasonally in 12-ounce bottles and draft.

The Accumulation beer has undergone some changes in recent years, with some people noticing a difference in taste between the 2023 and 2024 versions. Some people have speculated that the recipe may have been tweaked or changed entirely, as the hops listed on the can for the 2024 version were different from the previous year. Additionally, the ABV increased from 6.2% to 6.5%.

Overall, New Belgium's Accumulation is a unique and flavourful beer that is perfect for the winter season. The use of wheat malt adds to the smoothness and creaminess of the beer, making it a delightful drinking experience.

It has a smooth mouthfeel

New Belgium Brewing Company's Accumulation is a winter hazy IPA with a smooth mouthfeel. The beer was originally described as a white IPA, brewed with wheat and unfiltered, similar to a Belgian White. The addition of wheat gives the beer a smooth and creamy mouthfeel.

The Accumulation White IPA is designed to be a light-bodied beer perfect for colder weather. It is brewed with a large amount of wheat malt, which softens the mouthfeel and makes the beer smoother and creamier. The wheat malt also adds a bit of sweetness to the beer.

The beer has a fluffy white head and a hazy, golden appearance. It has a well-balanced taste, with initial fruitiness followed by malts and a touch of hops and bitterness on the finish. The tropical fruit and light malt flavours blend together nicely, and the beer has a silky smooth mouthfeel with medium carbonation.

One reviewer described the mouthfeel as "silky, resin-glossed, light-medium body; whisper-soft finish with a little back-end bitter twang and boozy ting to tantalize the senses". Another reviewer noted that the beer had a "very smooth" mouthfeel and was "very drinkable". The smooth mouthfeel of the Accumulation White IPA is a result of the wheat malt used in the brewing process, which softens and smoothes out the beer.

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