Lost Abbey Witch’s Wit

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
San Marcos, California USA

Serve in Tumbler, Weizen

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An interesting feature of this wit beer and if done in an authentic way is that around half or to be conservative 3/4 of the bottle is a clear golden rich yellow. The other half or 1/4 is creamy due to the plentiful use of yeast. cork was easy to pull opt though with that said I can easily lift 150 pounds the carbonation felt completely natural- beer really should not have the carbonation of coke! The carbonation helps build the complex flavor of the beer. The flavors of the beer smelt like wheat -- no duh--, furthermore it smelt of citrus-- it seemed grapefruitish to me, due to the dryness. I like that this wit had had a touch of hops that was very mild, but added a kick that many wits are missing. The flavor was much richer than most wits; it tasted of vanilla bean. To me abbey has a tie with Avery for the best wit I have had-- I have only had American wits. A nice job from a brewery that choose to do what they want to do and not what the vocal clowns want them to do- there should be more breweries like them.

Cork popped and aromas of citrus and grasses was present. Cloudy yellowish in appearance. Taste of honey, oranges, vanilla made it a very refreshing wit. Light body, thin texture, average carbonation and quick tasty finish.

Bottle sampled at the RBSG hosted by Lost Abbey. This one is right up my alley. I love the style and you guys hit this one on the head. Very good. Very refreshing.

[On tap @ brewery] Densely clouded orange appearance, decent head formation. Excellent malt and spice aroma, a little bready, lots of clove and coriander as well as vibrant orange. More of the same on the palate, nice wheaty malt flavors, spice is a little peppery, a little minty, orange adds a subtle touch. Top class wit, very well balanced between complexity and refreshment.

Bottle from Stan @ Lone Hill. My friends thought this was weak, flat and unexciting; while I admit I was looking for more grapefruit indications, I interpreted this beer as greatly smooth for a Wit. Not lemony or raucous in the way that Hooegarden is, this beer contains very slight honey, and I think the grapefruit zest counteracts the tartness usually around in a Wit - maybe a bit too well.

750 ml. bottle- Pours hazy pale golden with a huge white head. Aroma is coriander seed and wheat, some apple. The flavor is spicy, wheat, coriander and pepper, and mild hops. The body is full, carbonation is mild and medium. Overall I really liked this beer, one of the best wit biers I have had.

750 ml corked and caged bottle into a Hoegaarden tumbler. Hard to believe this is a summer seasonal. The label is tailor-made for Halloween. Brutal! Pours a cloudy pale yellow with a medium white head that falls into a tenacious skiff of foam fairly quick. Aroma is clovey, nutty, wheaty. Taste is mostly sweet, but it turns briefly tart and bitter mid-palate and finishes dry and meaty, much like burnt witch flesh. Highly carbonated. Nice one to drink leading up to All Hallows Eve. Now I’m going to put The White Album on the turntable and listen to Revolution 9 backwards.

On draft at the City Tap House in West Philadelhia during Roy Halladay’s historic and amazing no-hitter. One of the best wits I’ve had. Crisp taste with the usual wheat esters present but not overpowering. Wit spices were in a good balance as well. Excellent carbonation level. Hope we’ll see more Lost Abbey beers on draft in these parts!

UPDATED: JAN 17, 2012 Bottle. Pours a very hazy orange body with small white head. The aroma is malt, sweet honey and coriander. The taste is very smooth, not too smooth - but great flavors of fruit and wheat.

UPDATED: AUG 3, 2008 On tap at brewery. Hazy yellow with a fluffy white head. Earthy and sweet aroma with some fruit and honey notes. Grainy taste with nice grapefruit and and mild honey tastes. Quite refreshing.