Carlson Craft Brewery Vëte Öl

11-Aug-08 (22-oz bottle, Bottled June 2008: Obtained 01-Aug-08 in trade with jjpm74, thanks John!) At first pour, this beer doesn’t impress. Popping the cap yielded hardly any audible clue of carbonation release. It pours a hazy golden-yellow, but the off-white head is thin, almost filmy, quickly settling to a thin ring, and then nothing. The nose is hoppy, spicy and slightly tart, so it’s already clear that this isn’t your standard American wheat with no character. On the palate, spicy, herbal, lightly bitter hops have an extremely dusty and cobwebby flavor and mouthfeel, and the grainy, bready, and slightly wheaty base keeps the beer balanced. But more emerges: slight cookie dough, spicy, peppery, a hint of honey sweetness. The flavors of grain and honey give this beer almost a golden ale feel to it, but obviously far more complex. The medium body is heavier than what is normally produced for this style, but the heaviness does not impair drinkability in the least because the hoppy spiciness and the dry mouthfeel keep the palate clean and refreshed, despite the low carbonation. Overall, for an American-style wheat beer, the hops really do seem to drive this beer, as does the yeast to a lesser degree, and this of course is the ticket to standing out. It’s easy to drink but yet because of the complexity, it demands your attention.

i brought this to RBSG, but I opened it late, and dont think anybody else tried it. I could be wrong though. Pours a cloudy orange, with a small off white head. Smells of sweet orange peel and wheat. Nice citrus backbone here. The flavor is pretty smooth and creamy as the wheat takes center stage but isnt the traditional bubblegum flavor that I dislike in alot of wheats. Some decent banana and clove notes come through. Not world class, but very solid for a style Ive lost a lot of faith in brewers making well. Ive had so many shitty ones recently.

Hazy appearance with a hug head and lace. Aroma is pleasant with a hint of citrus/lemon. Taste is different than German style wheats with some hop bitterness and a toasted breadiness that almost leans sour. It is unique but refreshing and very drinkable.

Bomber. Pours a hazy amber with a nice white head. Smells of citrus, honts of bananas, some clove, sweet wheat, honey, some spice, perfume. Taste reveals hints of bitterness, nuttiness, toastiness, sage, grassy hints, a nice hoppy compliment. Mouthfeel is full bodied. Finish yields a nice bitterness. Very much a wheat beer with an American twist. Well done!