Alchemist Sterk Wit

Brewed by The Alchemist
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Waterbury, Vermont USA

Serve in Tumbler, Weizen

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UPDATED: APR 7, 2010 The Lure:
Its perfume is boastful and colourful, with tons of curaçao, coriander, lavender and rose allusions. Really fruity and vibrant.

The Festivities:
Biscuity and bready malts withstand the devoted spices. Curaçao, coriander, orange pulp and cereal sweetness team up to offer assertive flavors. The big body is very comfortable, while clearly stating that this is not your typical, quenching Witbier.

En fût-Arôme de biscuit, bananes et de coriande, couleur jaune très trouble, très salé au début mais avec une finale sucrée, goût de blé et de miel.--On tap-Biscuit, bananas and coriande aromas, cloudy yellow, very salty at first but sweet at finale, taste of wheat and honey.

Pours more like a hefeweizen than a typical witte with a smallish head. Smells of citrus and piney. Taste is of cinnamon, allspice, and s few others. Not bad, but this one seemed forced. Still, it’s nice to see someone attempting Belgian styles.

Rather repelling flat yellow-gold murky looks. The first whiff tells you appearances matter not as a genuine honey and candyish maltiness unveil a rich spiciness, obviously leafy, milky coriander paired with bitter orange. Very spicy and wheaty, yet whispering a floral note that echoes in post taste. Bubblegummy banana esters also contribute to the Belgian character. Medium bodied, rather sweet and slightly sticky.

Aroma:wheat,banana..... Appearance:Hazygold,good head... Flavor:Sweet,fruit flavor,sugar.....

Verre de dégustation à la brasserie. Arôme: Odeur d’orange et de coriandre. Apparence: Couleur paille voilée. Mince col blanc. Faible densité des bulles. Saveur: Goût de zeste d’orange avec une légère touche d’alcool. Court arrière goût. Palette: Corps mince avec une texture huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Douceur en arrière goût. (Rating #139)

On draught at the brewpub, 4/16/2005. A lovely white-gold color with plenty of straw yellow highlights, quite hazy with a one-finger white head, low retention. Aroma of oranges, chewy malt and bubblegum, light sugar and angel food cake. Flavor of vanilla, lemon-poppyseed muffins and light curacao. Soft, but evident carbonation adds a pleasant texture, while the malt sweetness stays strong to the end. Not exactly a delicate example of the style (not that it’s supposed to be). Ample yeast flavor definitely signifies that these guys can make a real Belgian ale, but when comparing this to T’Ij Schaarel Wit (which I can not help but do), this one comes off as very juvenile and undignified. Could stand a bit more tangerine-like flavors and a finer-bubbled carbonation could add a more delicate feel to it. Still, a wonderful beer, especially considering its American descent.

Draft - Pours a golden yellow in color with a relatively thin white head. Nicely laced. Yeasty aroma with hints of the coriander and orange. Slightly sweet but with a dry bitter finish. Alcohol is present. Easy to see why this beer was awarded a gold medal at the Great American Brewfest this year. A very good witbier.

12 oz at the brewpub. Light yellow-gold, green-tinged, smoothly translucent. Lemony-orangy yeasty nose; lemon-banana, dry red wine in the intitial flavor; very sweet, mild alcohol presence, a bit Mountain-Dew like late, well carbonated, warming.