As the first snow starts to fall in the Colorado mountains, thoughts of “accumulation” are in the air. To celebrate the white of winter, New Belgium has released Accumulation, a seasonal White IPA that is all about hops and wheat. Accumulation pours unfiltered, with a white-gold tone, offering tropical aromas from the Mosaic and Amarillo hops. It also has a nice bitter bite balanced against the soft flavor of peaches and a hint of citrus.
“Typically the winter months bring darker beers, however we’re going against the grain this year by delivering an exciting White IPA,” said Grady Hull, New Belgium’s assistant brewmaster. “This beer is a hoppy wonderland. It’s big and bright, yet the addition of wheat gives it a unique twist and smooth finish.”
Accumulation White IPA shares the look of a wheat beer, along with the creamy and refreshing notes associated with wheat beers, but drinks like a proper American-style IPA. Accumulation White IPA is 6.2% ABV and 60 IBUs.
To celebrate the arrival of Accumulation White IPA, New Belgium has created a free game, which will run November 1 through December 31, called Accumulate Hops. The game rewards players for doing things they already do, like visiting NewBelgium.com, using New Belgium’s Beer Mode app and going to New Belgium tours and events.
To play, simply visit NewBelgium.com, login or create an account, then cruise the site, use the app or attend events to earn points and limited edition badges. Clues on New Belgium’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts will also reveal additional ways to earn points. The more points earned, the more badges you’ll get. Each badge gives you more chances to win the grand prize for an all-expenses-paid ski trip to Colorado. New Belgium will also randomly reward other users with New Belgium schwag.
To find out if Accumulation White IPA is sold near you, use the New Belgium Libation Location tool: http://www.newbelgium.com/
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.