 Nuffield (2532), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Jan 30, 2008 A "New-Zealand-style" wheat beer? I’ve never heard that one. Hmm... interesting. This has all the makeup of a yeast experiment--heck, you might even call this one a cherry lambic. I think if they did that it might get wider applause. Indeed, there are some nice qualities--big lacing off-white head, rich deep red body. The aroma is candy with a hint of cocoa powder, but the flavor is cherry with a cough syrup richness, though not too sweet for my tastes. The sour/tart dimension is strong and the carbonation keeps it alive in the mouth, though the flavor is a bit thin: it is more the sensibility of tart rather than the direct sensation of flavor that drives this. Still, it’s drinkable and if given a different style it might be moderately appreciated.
Busted_Flat (387), Edina, Minnesota, USA
Oct 1, 2007 12 ounce bottle. Shaker glass. Amber with a thin tan head. Aroma - hint of coffee and cocoa. Taste was tart and of sour fruit. No wheat, no yeast, no spice or anything like that. Not sure what the deal is with Viking and sour, tart beers. That seems to be a recurring theme with them.
BDR (1850), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Jul 21, 2007 Thankfully this batch of Viking brews I picked up in Hudson Last fall (old notebook rating) was entirely on. Faint wheat and strong caramel on the nose with a sweet thick body.
Skyview (2657), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Apr 21, 2007 Picked up a single bottle from Blue Max in Burnsville, MN. Pours a reddish caramel brew with a thin white head that leaves a nice lacing. Aroma is interesting with hints of tropical fruits, melon, butterscotch, and caramel. Taste is a bit watery with some caramel and grassy hops. Palate is light and watery with a slight butterscotch aftertaste. It’s a little challenging to pick up the wheat and yeast flavor in this one.
Ughsmash (2828), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Oct 29, 2006 Bottled. Poured a very nice shade of dark caramel with a minute’s worth of toffee head. The aroma is faint, with sour fruit, caramel, and coffee if you really strain the nose. Pleasant sweet caramel gives the first impression in the flavor department, but unpleasant sour fruit, cardboard, and tacky artificial sweetness come on strong.. and quickly. Dry chocolate showed up toward the finish, but couldn’t save it. Not very pleasant on the palate either.
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