Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Wheat Beer & Ale Tasting - July 2012

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 1, 2012

  For July's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting wheat beers and ales. Wheat beer styles include Weissbier, Dunkelweizen, Weizenbock, Wheat Wine, Witbier, Berliner Weiss, Hefeweizen, American Pale Wheat Ale, American Dark Wheat Ale but any other craft beer where wheat is used as an ingredient is fine as well.
  
  Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: Allagash White, Funkwerks White, Blanche de Bruxelles, Ommegang Witte, Avery White Rascal, Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Schneider Weisse Weizenhell, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Ayinger Ur-Weisse, Franziskaner Dunkel Hefe-Weisse, Mahr’s Der Weisse Bock, Victory Moonglow Weizenbock, Capital Weizen Doppelbock, Bahnhof Berliner Style Weisse, Southampton Berliner Weisse, Bethlehem Berliner Weisse, Three Floyds Deesko, Bell’s Oberon, Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen and Three Floyds Gumballhead.

  For July's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting wheat beers and ales. Wheat beer styles include Weissbier, Dunkelweizen, Weizenbock, Wheat Wine, Witbier, Berliner Weiss, Hefeweizen, American Pale Wheat Ale, American Dark Wheat Ale but any other craft beer where wheat is used as an ingredient is fine as well. Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: Allagash White, Funkwerks White, Blanche de Bruxelles, Ommegang Witte, Avery White Rascal, Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Schneider Weisse Weizenhell, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Ayinger Ur-Weisse, Franziskaner Dunkel Hefe-Weisse, Mahr’s Der Weisse Bock, Victory Moonglow Weizenbock, Capital Weizen Doppelbock, Bahnhof Berliner Style Weisse, Southampton Berliner Weisse, Bethlehem Berliner Weisse, Three Floyds Deesko, Bell’s Oberon, Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen and Three Floyds Gumballhead.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 1, 2012

  A big thanks to Mark for sending me this truly enticing Witbier...
  
  Funkwerks "White"
  Funkwerks - Fort Collins, Colorado USA
  Belgian White (ABV 6.8%)
  
  [Best served in a Tulip glass]
  
  Rating: 3.8/5.0
  
  The pour was a murky pale yellow with an average sized (1-2 finger) white creamy head that reduced to a thin cap, which produced excellent sheets of lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a mild bread malt with a strong presence of a funky horse blanket Belgian yeast and had notes of citrus (lemon peel), coriander and some light fruity esters (banana and apple).
  
  The taste was rather yeasty with a mild hint of a fruit from the onset and finished with a strong wheat flavor that had notes of coriander and a mild citrus peel bitterness. The flavor lasted only a short while after the initial swallow with a nice spicy yeast taste that hung on a bit longer.
  
  Mouthfeel was light in body and somewhat watery in texture with a solid medium carbonation.
  
  Overall a fantastic Witbier that possessed a nice mild spicy citrus presence along with a light and enticing fruitiness. Simply enjoyable...
  
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  A big thanks to Mark for sending me this truly enticing Witbier... Funkwerks "White" Funkwerks - Fort Collins, Colorado USA Belgian White (ABV 6.8%) [Best served in a Tulip glass] Rating: 3.8/5.0 The pour was a murky pale yellow with an average sized (1-2 finger) white creamy head that reduced to a thin cap, which produced excellent sheets of lacing. The aroma was of a mild bread malt with a strong presence of a funky horse blanket Belgian yeast and had notes of citrus (lemon peel), coriander and some light fruity esters (banana and apple). The taste was rather yeasty with a mild hint of a fruit from the onset and finished with a strong wheat flavor that had notes of coriander and a mild citrus peel bitterness. The flavor lasted only a short while after the initial swallow with a nice spicy yeast taste that hung on a bit longer. Mouthfeel was light in body and somewhat watery in texture with a solid medium carbonation. Overall a fantastic Witbier that possessed a nice mild spicy citrus presence along with a light and enticing fruitiness. Simply enjoyable... http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 1, 2012

  Triton Fieldhouse Wheat
  Triton Brewing Company, Indianapolis, IN
  American Wheat Ale, 5.4% ABV, 25 IBU
  
  Thanks to Mike for sending this American Wheat Ale my way. The Fieldhouse Wheat Ale from Triton brewing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana pours out a pale golden yellow in color with a good deal of cloud and is topped with a two finger white head that hangs around briefly. On the nose, wheat bread, grains, mild yeast and a little candy. In the mouth, wheat and grains at first with sweetness kicking in and following through all the way. Some spice and leafy, grassy hops keep things in check. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Clean mouthfeel. Some lacing on the glass. Moderate length finish with good flavor.
  
  A nice craft beer with good flavor. I'd buy this for a hot Summer day. Recommended.

  Triton Fieldhouse Wheat Triton Brewing Company, Indianapolis, IN American Wheat Ale, 5.4% ABV, 25 IBU Thanks to Mike for sending this American Wheat Ale my way. The Fieldhouse Wheat Ale from Triton brewing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana pours out a pale golden yellow in color with a good deal of cloud and is topped with a two finger white head that hangs around briefly. On the nose, wheat bread, grains, mild yeast and a little candy. In the mouth, wheat and grains at first with sweetness kicking in and following through all the way. Some spice and leafy, grassy hops keep things in check. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Clean mouthfeel. Some lacing on the glass. Moderate length finish with good flavor. A nice craft beer with good flavor. I'd buy this for a hot Summer day. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 1, 2012

  Cold Storage Florida Avenue Ale
  Cold Storage Craft Brewery, Tampa, FL
  American Wheat Ale, 4.7% ABV, 11 IBU
  
  Thanks to Ken for sending me this bottle of Florida Avenue Ale from Cold Storage Craft Brewery in Tampa, Florida. Florida Avenue Ale pours out pale yellow in color with good clarity and is topped with a one finger, white head that quickly reduces down. On the nose, sweet, fruity, a little grain and a touch of grassy hops. In the mouth, candy like sweetness with some grain and a little spice. Light bodied. Well carbonated. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. The finish is quite short and on the sweet side.
  
  Different from most wheat ales I have tried in flavor and a bit too sweet for me. If you like a clean wheat ale that is on the sweet side you'll like this one.

  Cold Storage Florida Avenue Ale Cold Storage Craft Brewery, Tampa, FL American Wheat Ale, 4.7% ABV, 11 IBU Thanks to Ken for sending me this bottle of Florida Avenue Ale from Cold Storage Craft Brewery in Tampa, Florida. Florida Avenue Ale pours out pale yellow in color with good clarity and is topped with a one finger, white head that quickly reduces down. On the nose, sweet, fruity, a little grain and a touch of grassy hops. In the mouth, candy like sweetness with some grain and a little spice. Light bodied. Well carbonated. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. The finish is quite short and on the sweet side. Different from most wheat ales I have tried in flavor and a bit too sweet for me. If you like a clean wheat ale that is on the sweet side you'll like this one.
• CraftBeerLove619

  

  Member
   

  July 2, 2012

  Shock Top Wheat IPA
  American Pale Wheat Ale | 5.80% ABV
  
  (full disclosure: I am drinking this after pouring out 3/4 of a Kona Brewing Wailua Wheat, which to me was too pasion fruity.... so my palate may have been wrecked.)
  "Interesting" mix of wheat beer style and a tart hop character. Lemon character comes through and lingers after the tartness. Poured orange in the glass, though I would have preferred to leave it in the bottle. Would give it a 2.5/5 only for uniqueness of style.

  Shock Top Wheat IPA American Pale Wheat Ale | 5.80% ABV (full disclosure: I am drinking this after pouring out 3/4 of a Kona Brewing Wailua Wheat, which to me was too pasion fruity.... so my palate may have been wrecked.) "Interesting" mix of wheat beer style and a tart hop character. Lemon character comes through and lingers after the tartness. Poured orange in the glass, though I would have preferred to leave it in the bottle. Would give it a 2.5/5 only for uniqueness of style.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 3, 2012

  Estes Park Stinger Wild Honey Wheat Ale
  Estes Park Brewery, Estes Park, CO
  American Pale Wheat Ale, 6.0% ABV
  
  The Stinger Wild Honey Wheat Ale from Estes Park Brewery in Estes Park, Colorado pours out a cloudy, golden copper in color and is topped with a half finger of fizzy, white head that reduces quite quickly. On the nose, aromas of honey, spice and some floral. In the mouth, slightly sweet from the 6 pounds of honey added per barrel, a little grainy and some decent coriander like spice. Light bodied. Low carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Honey outlasts all other flavor on a good length, slightly dry finish.
  
  A good wheat ale. My bottle seemed to have little carbonation so it might be a little old (no bottled on date) but other than that the flavor was very good. Recommended.

  Estes Park Stinger Wild Honey Wheat Ale Estes Park Brewery, Estes Park, CO American Pale Wheat Ale, 6.0% ABV The Stinger Wild Honey Wheat Ale from Estes Park Brewery in Estes Park, Colorado pours out a cloudy, golden copper in color and is topped with a half finger of fizzy, white head that reduces quite quickly. On the nose, aromas of honey, spice and some floral. In the mouth, slightly sweet from the 6 pounds of honey added per barrel, a little grainy and some decent coriander like spice. Light bodied. Low carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Honey outlasts all other flavor on a good length, slightly dry finish. A good wheat ale. My bottle seemed to have little carbonation so it might be a little old (no bottled on date) but other than that the flavor was very good. Recommended.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  July 4, 2012

  Magic Hat "Circus Boy"
  Magic Hat Brewing Company - South Burlington, Vermont USA
  Hefeweizen (ABV 4.5%) (IBU 15)
  
  [Best served in a Weizen glass]
  
  Rating: 3.2/5.0
  
  The pour was a hazy pale yellow with a large white frothy head that dissipated quickly down to a thick film with a medium collar and had some fair spotty lacing.
  
  The aroma was pretty basic for a Hefeweizen, with a mild grain malt and a soapy yeast and having notes of citrus (lemon), banana and a bit of coriander.
  
  The taste was light and mildly sweet with a slight banana wheat presence early on, then became rather yeasty with a hint of lemon, a moderate dose of spice and a slight bitter citrus peel finish. The flavor was very short lived with the slight spicy yeast taste fading quickly after the swallow.
  
  Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a unusually mild carbonation.
  
  Overall a pretty basic Hefeweizen with a nice taste, a refreshing feel and a great drinkability. This is a brew that is light in alcohol and refreshing in taste, making it a great addition to any summer outing...
  
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Magic Hat "Circus Boy" Magic Hat Brewing Company - South Burlington, Vermont USA Hefeweizen (ABV 4.5%) (IBU 15) [Best served in a Weizen glass] Rating: 3.2/5.0 The pour was a hazy pale yellow with a large white frothy head that dissipated quickly down to a thick film with a medium collar and had some fair spotty lacing. The aroma was pretty basic for a Hefeweizen, with a mild grain malt and a soapy yeast and having notes of citrus (lemon), banana and a bit of coriander. The taste was light and mildly sweet with a slight banana wheat presence early on, then became rather yeasty with a hint of lemon, a moderate dose of spice and a slight bitter citrus peel finish. The flavor was very short lived with the slight spicy yeast taste fading quickly after the swallow. Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a unusually mild carbonation. Overall a pretty basic Hefeweizen with a nice taste, a refreshing feel and a great drinkability. This is a brew that is light in alcohol and refreshing in taste, making it a great addition to any summer outing... http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 4, 2012

  Odell Easy Street Wheat Beer
  Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
  American Style Wheat Beer, 4.6% ABV, 15 IBU, Best by 10/4/12
  
  The Easy Street Wheat Beer from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a pale gold in color with a good amount of cloud (unfiltered) and is topped with a thick, two finger, white head that slowly reduces down to a film. On the nose, yeast, grain, spice and a little wet towel. In the mouth, slightly fruity with citrus (lemon-lime), some graininess, yeast and a little peppery spice. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Thick splotches of lacing on the glass. Long on the finish and quite mouth watering.
  
  A very good wheat beer with good flavor that really refreshes. Ideal for warm days to quench your thirst. Recommended.

  Odell Easy Street Wheat Beer Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO American Style Wheat Beer, 4.6% ABV, 15 IBU, Best by 10/4/12 The Easy Street Wheat Beer from Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado pours out a pale gold in color with a good amount of cloud (unfiltered) and is topped with a thick, two finger, white head that slowly reduces down to a film. On the nose, yeast, grain, spice and a little wet towel. In the mouth, slightly fruity with citrus (lemon-lime), some graininess, yeast and a little peppery spice. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Thick splotches of lacing on the glass. Long on the finish and quite mouth watering. A very good wheat beer with good flavor that really refreshes. Ideal for warm days to quench your thirst. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 4, 2012

  River North Unified Theory Oak-Aged Imperial Wit Ale
  River North Brewery, Denver, CO
  American Imperial Wit Ale, 22 ounce bottle, 8.5% ABV
  
  The Unified Theory Oak-Aged Imperial Wit Ale from River North Brewery in Denver, Colorado pours out a pale gold in color with good clarity and is topped with a fluffy, finger tall, white head that slowly dissipates. On the nose, oak, butter, apples, Belgian yeast and a perfumed floral aspect. In the mouth, the oak comes through quite strongly. I'm not sure which oak River North uses for this craft beer (they have a whiskey and a chardonnay barrel aged version of their saison) but from the taste I'm thinking chardonnay barrels. I could be wrong though. Flavors of apple, pear, slightly yeasty, vanilla and toast with just a hint of honeyed sweetness. Medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel with a lot of vinous qualities. The finish is very long and slightly dry with the toasted, oaky vanilla flavors enduring all the way through.
  
  A different take on a wit beer that works. The flavors are phenomenal. The oaky flavors are a delight to savor. If you're a wine drink that loves a big, buttery, Napa Chardonnay you will like this beer. If you're a craft beer drinker that likes a well crafted beer you'll like this beer. The only caveat I'll give is, throw out any conception of a particular beer style prior to drinking this and judge the beer on its flavor and harmonious balance. Highly recommended.

  River North Unified Theory Oak-Aged Imperial Wit Ale River North Brewery, Denver, CO American Imperial Wit Ale, 22 ounce bottle, 8.5% ABV The Unified Theory Oak-Aged Imperial Wit Ale from River North Brewery in Denver, Colorado pours out a pale gold in color with good clarity and is topped with a fluffy, finger tall, white head that slowly dissipates. On the nose, oak, butter, apples, Belgian yeast and a perfumed floral aspect. In the mouth, the oak comes through quite strongly. I'm not sure which oak River North uses for this craft beer (they have a whiskey and a chardonnay barrel aged version of their saison) but from the taste I'm thinking chardonnay barrels. I could be wrong though. Flavors of apple, pear, slightly yeasty, vanilla and toast with just a hint of honeyed sweetness. Medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel with a lot of vinous qualities. The finish is very long and slightly dry with the toasted, oaky vanilla flavors enduring all the way through. A different take on a wit beer that works. The flavors are phenomenal. The oaky flavors are a delight to savor. If you're a wine drink that loves a big, buttery, Napa Chardonnay you will like this beer. If you're a craft beer drinker that likes a well crafted beer you'll like this beer. The only caveat I'll give is, throw out any conception of a particular beer style prior to drinking this and judge the beer on its flavor and harmonious balance. Highly recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  July 5, 2012

  Tommyknocker Jack Whacker Wheat Ale
  Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub, Idaho Springs, CO
  American Unflitered Wheat Ale, 4.7% ABV, 15 IBU, Best by SEP 24 12
  
  The Jack Whacker Wheat Ale from Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs, Colorado pours out a cloudy, golden yellow in color and is topped with a two finger, white head that reduces down to a film after a few minutes. On the nose, grain, lemon and a little sweetness hiding in the back. In the mouth, this is a lot different than the nose. The citrus is more pronounced with a lovely lemon and lime coming through. This makes the brew almost tart with very little sweetness. The graininess gives the beer a nice body. Light side of medium bodied. moderate carbonation. Thin sheets of lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Nice citrus on a fairly long finish.
  
  All in all, a very good wheat ale that is really refreshing. I'd be happy to buy this again. Recommended.

  Tommyknocker Jack Whacker Wheat Ale Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub, Idaho Springs, CO American Unflitered Wheat Ale, 4.7% ABV, 15 IBU, Best by SEP 24 12 The Jack Whacker Wheat Ale from Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs, Colorado pours out a cloudy, golden yellow in color and is topped with a two finger, white head that reduces down to a film after a few minutes. On the nose, grain, lemon and a little sweetness hiding in the back. In the mouth, this is a lot different than the nose. The citrus is more pronounced with a lovely lemon and lime coming through. This makes the brew almost tart with very little sweetness. The graininess gives the beer a nice body. Light side of medium bodied. moderate carbonation. Thin sheets of lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Nice citrus on a fairly long finish. All in all, a very good wheat ale that is really refreshing. I'd be happy to buy this again. Recommended.