 FlacoAlto (2142), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Jul 30, 2007
Pours quite hazy, with a yellowish straw color and is topped by a frothy, initially three finger thick, fluffy, off-white colored head, which dissipates fairly quickly. The beer is quite aromatic, with aromas reaching my nose as I pour this beer; at first aromatic notes of clove and banana reach my nose (like found in a traditional German Hefeweizen). In fact even when I go in for a better sense of the aroma, these notes are still the most noticeable. There is a solid, grain-like wheat character, a light tartness, which gives the nose a hint of an edge, as well as fruity notes of lemon zest, apricot and green apple. Once you start digging around in the aroma a distinct, funky note reminiscent of cheddar cheese becomes noticeable. In fact once noticed, this funkiness becomes quite apparent; funky cheese, but a musty cotton thing, and some mushroom like notes. The funk, as it were, remains fairly subdued; this allows the traditional yeast and grain character to come through quite well; though I could certainly wish for a touch more funkiness in the nose.
The taste is quite a bit tarter than the aroma would suggest; it is by no means hard, but has a nice lactic edge to it that is immediately noticeable. Wheat and lightly kilned malt notes come through quite well, supplying a bread-like note as well as some soda cracker notes. Despite the fact that the head disappeared quickly, the beer is still quite well carbonated; this adds a zesty textural note of fizz as it hits the tongue. The beer is quite light and drinkable, though it is on the heavy side for a modern style Berliner Weiss. It also has a bit more alcohol than the modern versions, but given the allusions on the bottle, it seems to be trying to be a stronger, earlier take on the style. I would guess that a traditional Hefe-Weizen yeast was used here as those flavors are here too; notes of banana and clove are definitely distinguishable and are a welcome addition.
The second pour yields a taste that is a touch more yeast, and thus bread-like and perhaps a touch less tart. This is a tasty beer; I would be really curious as to how this will bottle condition over the years; I certainly wish I had more of this right now, so I will have to pick up a couple bottles the next time I have a chance. I think that this beer might get considerably better after some age on it.
AgentSteve (850), SF Bay Area, California, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Pours pale golden with no head. The nonse is full and complex. The flavor is sweet on the tip of the tongue, with subtle mid to finish.
lithy (206), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Clear yellow with a fizzy white head and fervent visible carbonation. Dry acidic fruity character aroma. Lingering acidic taste some tart citrus notes. Smooth body and a strong lifting carbonation to a dry finish.
Bockyhorsey (2031), Mesa, Arizona, USA
Oct 4, 2008 Bottle, Aroma of grass sweet and sour. Yellow body with white head. Flavor is crisp and has a sour tart bite to start with. Sourness subsides for a tart dryness on the finish. Dry palate and good old fashioned beer belch to boot. Decent brew.
scrizzz (504), kirkland, Washington, USA
Sep 23, 2008 Milky yellow, lively head. Sweet lemongrass aroma. Wet, thin, barely tart, jiucy. I remember this as being incredibly tart the first time I had it, but this bottle wasn’t as dynamic.
mdm46410 (589), Griffith, Indiana, USA
Sep 22, 2008 Poured from a 500ml bottle and served in a tumbler. This beer poured a hazy golden with a thick, fizzy head of off-white foam and a ton of dancing carbonation bubbles. Solid retention, leaving behind some decent lace. The aroma of the beer was a simple blend of wheat, tart lemon, and grass. The flavor was similar but also displayed a nice crispness and a moderate sourness. Some lime and peach also show up in the finish. The mouthfeel was crisp and light-bodied. Highly carbonated. Fruity and refreshing. An excellent beer for a hot day.
|
