hopIQ
ENDE
Sign up freeSign in

New Belgium La Folie

New Belgium Brewing Company
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · Flanders Red Ale · One of 5 Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

Aged in oak barrels for 1–3 years. America's benchmark Flanders Red — tart, vinous and complex with cherry, plum and balsamic vinegar. 'La Folie' means 'the folly' — it was considered madness to make in Colorado when New Belgium launched it in 1997. Now a craft classic.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
deep amber20
See all Flanders Red Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp and dry.

A trim frame with a clean break — the beer says what it needs to and moves on.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Flanders Red Ale.
Fermentation & yeast
sour
funky
tart
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
berry
Hop character
earthy
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Sours

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for New Belgium La Folie

Appearance

Deep garnet to burgundy red with excellent clarity and a thin, persistent tan head. The color is characteristic of a well-aged Flanders Red, displaying the wine-like hue developed through extended oak barrel aging. Moderate carbonation creates a gentle, effervescent quality.

deep garnetwine-like claritytan headruby red

Aroma

Complex bouquet dominated by dark cherry and plum with prominent vinous notes reminiscent of aged wine. Oak aging contributes earthy undertones and subtle balsamic vinegar character, while bright citrus accents cut through the fruit-forward nose. The aroma is refined and inviting, showcasing the beer's sophisticated barrel-aged complexity.

dark cherrybalsamic vinegaroak agedvinous

Taste

The palate enters with pronounced sourness and tartness balanced by dark fruit flavors of cherry and plum. Mid-palate reveals layers of wood aging, earthy complexity, and citrus brightness, while maintaining a dry character throughout. Medium body carries all elements gracefully without heaviness, with mild bitterness providing subtle framework.

tart sournessdark fruitdrywood aging

Finish

Long, lingering finish with persistent tartness and subtle vinous notes. The aftertaste remains clean and dry with echoes of cherry and oak.

lingeringdrytart
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
87
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of New Belgium La Folie

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with New Belgium La Folie

About Flanders Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Flanders Red Ale?

Flanders Red Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Flanders Red Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dark fruit, sour, dry character as New Belgium La Folie will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Flanders Red Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find New Belgium La Folie? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →