Struise Witte

Brewed by De Struise Brouwers
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Oostvleteren, Belgium

Pours hazy golden with large head. Aroma has yeast, lemon and wheat. Flavor is sweet with lemon notes and yeast. Taste is strange and not my favorite witbier.

Very well carbonated, the beer pours with a frothy, easily four-finger thick, light tan colored head (the head is actually darker than one would expect in a typical Wit). Without the sediment the beer is an almost clear, full gold color. The aroma is lemon like up front, but has a grain-derived grassiness, a touch of bright coriander and a touch of crushed malt aromatics mixed in. Mostly the lemon-like citrus character is noticeable.

The beer is quite dry up front and it immediately foams up as it hits my tongue. The combination of the light body and ample carbonation almost make this beer seem airy. Tart, with notes of lemon zest being prominent throughout the flavor profile. A very soft spiciness (other than the citrus) is just barely perceptible; perhaps contributing notes of white pepper, Japanese pickled ginger, and a hint of earthy / grassy coriander, and something like stinging nettle that adds a touch of green / vegetal character around the edges. The light malt character also contributes a touch of hay or grass.

This is really the consummate summer refresher, it is so light and refreshing that I could almost see drinking this instead of water, which is a rare comment from me when talking about beer. This has very little palate impact, and I would guess that trying to pair this with any type of food would completely swamp the subtle flavors of this beer.

The label says the word "Struise" can mean robust well for a witte this beer does fit the term. A little more hoppy tan most wittes this beer drinks pretty well, but I will admit that there is a wee bit of a soapy flavor in the finish. I’m not a fan of the style at all but I’d drink it again.

Bottle purchased at Liquor Max in Loveland, CO. Pours clear dark yellow with a small, fizzy, white head, mostly diminishing, spare lacing. Aroma is average malt (straw, hay, meal), average hops (citrus), average yeast (horse blanket, earth) with notes of apple and coriander. Light bodied, sticky texture, lively carbonation and a bitter finish. Short duration, light sweetness, moderate acidity and bitterness.

Bottle picked up from Brewtopia on Omaha, NE
Pours sort of a dirty straw yellow with a big foamy white head.
Sort of a soapy lemon aroma. With maybe a twist of lemon peal.
The flavor is pretty tart. Sort of like half assed SweeTarts.
Very spritzy carbonation. Lets sort of a chalky film behind.
Its certainly interesting, but I’m not sure if I like it as a wit.

Hazy gold with a tall head. Spicy coriander aroma with a strong yeast and lemon addition. Definitely a tart quality right up front. A little banana and yeast. Very strong carbonation; more than soda or Champagne. Not much wheat and the coriander from the aroma just vanished.

[Bottle] Pours dark hazy golden with a white head. Aroma is weak, and although I have read a lot about citrus, I got more of a diluted tart apple and spice. Taste is roughly the same, with more of a sour taste and a little wheat at the end. High carbonation--far too high. Medium-thin mouthfeel. Not too good and my first disappointing Struise product.

(bottle, thanks olso2116) Pours a hazy gold with a small white head. Aroma is very citrusy with orange and lemon, and also somewhat of a soap-like character. Taste is quite sour up front with just a very weak wheat finish. Not that great.