Samuel Adams White Ale

10-Mar-08 (12-oz bottle: Purchased 25-Jan-08 for $7.49/six-pack at BevMo in La Jolla, CA) As too often happens with American versions of a Belgian Witbier, this beer is out of balance. The wheat base is heavy and bready, but it still manages to be overshadowed by the copious amounts of coriander and orange peel. Some banana in the background, and a moderate bitterness in the finish from the spices. Though very malty, the beer isn’t sweet. The medium body is pretty heavy for the style and results in the beer not being refreshing on the palate. The excessive use of coriander and other spices makes the beer a little astringent in the finish. The nose is fairly wheaty, but the coriander is most prominent. Dark golden color is darker than the typical wit beers. Off-white head pours to half an inch and shows pretty good retention. Several strands of lacing remain on the glass. Not a good example of the style, and even beyond that, I’m not enjoying the flavor either.

They put a lot of spices in this beer, and that’s the only thing interesting about it. Otherwise, it would be awfully boring. Not worth revisiting.

Pours a cloudy yellow color with an off white head. Aroma is pretty bland, mainly wheaty, not too much in the area of spices of fruits. Flavor was much the same, very bland and more like an american wheat than a belgian white.

Dry spicy taste. Nice golden color but tolerable in a variety pack butj ust not one of my favorites from Sam

Pale gold color and hazy with a small white head. Aroma is of citrus, spices, and a light yeastiness. Flavors are the same but are much more subdued than the aromas. High carbonation.