3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
UPDATED: APR 24, 2007 Bottle drunk on 8/12/06.
Moderately dense white head tops the lightly-hazed straw/gold colored body, with a good deal of carbonated activity in the liquid. Not as much head and without the caramelish-tint, but still similar to a German Hefe in appearance, with fairly strong retention, though not as much lacing as expected. Sediment left behind in the bottle.
Sweet fruits wrap around the nose, with rich honey and caramel drenched white bread. But a lightly-to-moderately acidic wheat note, some grassy hops and quite a distinct Belgian yeast dry things nicely and balance the aroma. I love the softness the blend of yeasts provides, adding light fruits, soft dough and, in general, a more fluffy nature. Most wheat wines are so heavily dry, sharp, acidic and alcoholic. Other than a touch of warming/esterization, I get almost no alcohol from the aroma. Furthermore, while one can expect and appreciate some sweet, chewy malts at this strength, I don’t find them overdone. Boisterous nectarines, smooth wheat and some definite clove/banana/bubble gum, though again, not overdone.
Initially sweet in flavor, the heavy honey/light-caramelized malts add a thick, chewy nature, that when taken with the low, natural carbonation, seem to spell cloying. But before I can even imagine this, the delightful yeast adds light phenol/ester activity and the lighter wheats cut an even path of dryness/nuttiness through the malts. Soft hoppiness is well-received and as the beer warms, I really am reminded of a Double Hefe Weizen. The malt sweetness is certainly a little more dominant than the balancing dry aspects, but a careful acidity helps mitigate. The low carbonation could use some tightening, to clear some of the syrupiness, but this is an adventurous beer and still quite drinkable for its strength. Some spicy phenols and alcohols on the finish, but not too much a problem. Another Bells beer that should continue to surprise and delight as it ages.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 2/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Bottle courtesy of Captain Cougar on 04/17/2010 at the 11th Richmond RateBeer Gathering. Clear golden amber body with a small frothy white head. Sweet apple and wheat aroma. Sweet wheat and pale malt flavor with a slight apple touch. Medium body with moderate carbonation.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
On tap, cloudy yellow orange pour with white skim foam, aroma is light ,
fruity peach and banana aromas, flavor is yeasty banana split with orange peel
and lemon, bitter finish
3.1 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Very little aroma. Nice golden color. Flavors of clove and light fruit. Lays a little heavy on the palate.
3.7 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Tap. Orange pour with a white head. Aroma is mild citrus. Complex flavor - orange and clove dominate. Really good stuff.
3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Tap at Bells City TAP House event PBW10. Pours a cloudy golden orange with a medium creamy white head. Aroma of some dark fruits, wheat, light Belgian yeast notes, fruit. Flavor of the same. A bit sweet.
3.8 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
12 ounce bottle from Captain Cougar. Thanks! Sampled at the 11th Richmond Ratebeer Gathering, 4/17/10. Pours a clear golden color, slightly viscous looking, nearly no head. Aroma of honey, bread, raisins and dry peach-like fruity notes notes. The taste is sweet honey, dry fruity notes, caramel, toasted malts. Medium-full bodied. Pretty good beer.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
Draft @ Eccentric Cafe. Hazy golden colour, medium off-white head. Nose is citrus, banana, cloves. Flavour of citrus and spices, cloves. Slightly bitter and sweet finish.
2.9 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 11/20
On tap at Eccentric Cafe. Pours a cloudy orange with a small white head. Aroma of Belgian yeast and sweet wheat malt. Flavor is sweet upfront, almost sugary, with a wheaty finish. Plenty of melon rind, spices, and yeast. This was just too sugary and sweet and very difficult to drink. Not a fan.
6/4/5/3/11 [2.9/5]
2.8 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 10/20
Sampled at the Richmond Eleventh. Murky dark mustard pour with ring of white head. Very sweet nose and flavor. Earthy. Yeasty. Wheaty. Okay, not particularly refreshing or anything.
3 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20
Light amber, slight head. Odd aroma - faint sour, faint wheat, bread, a bit of a sherry note. Flavor is lightly sweet, and not nearly as interesting as the aroma. Faint drying bitterness on the finish. A bit of a thick mouthfeel.
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