Fat Tire is my staple beer! I got hooked on it when I lived in Colorado and was overjoyed when I found it here in Chicago after I moved. I don't know if it officially meets the criteria for a "session" beer, but it is mine!
I've got my first stab at it - northernbrewer.com's clone (phat tyre) - going into a keg any day now. Their kit recommended 1056/WL001/Safale-05... makes sense, I figure, given that it's closer to an American Ale than a Belgian beer, really (despite being brewed by "New Belgian Brewing").
One thing that struck me about their recipe is that it lacked Biscuit Malt. It only called for steeping Victory Malt and Caramel 60L... To me, the toasty, biscuity aroma and mouthfeel of Fat Tire is it's most outstanding characteristic! I followed the recipe to the letter since it was my first run at it. We'll see how it turns out and I'm sure to mess around with it next time. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to stay away from the biscuit malt.
EDIT: I meant to ask; Wyeast released a specific Fat Tire yeast?!?!
Is it actually any good?? Seriously, I will happily compensate you for mason jars, shipping, and for your trouble. If you're successful in washing the yeast from that last bottle,
please let me know!!!
Also, I should comment that when I opened up the secondary to add the clarifying agent, it smelled PERFECT. Based on the smell, I think northernbrewer.com's Phat Tyre hop schedule is damn close, if not spot on! (1oz Perle 60min, 1oz Hallertau Select 15min).