Widmer Brothers W08 Crimson Wheat

Bottle Date January 2008; Sampled March 2008
Pours with a frothy, almost two-finger thick, full tan colored head that sits on top of a rich, red-hued beer. When held up to the light the beer shows a brilliantly clear color and a bit of a full copper note is added to the red. The aroma is a nice mix of malt and hop notes, both being equally noticeable and aromatic. Aromas of caramel malts combine with citrus and berry hop notes. A touch of sharper, almost herbal hop character intermingles with malt notes of toasted grain, bread crust aromatics, and a biscuit like malt character that is noticeable in the finish. The nose of this beer is very nicely balanced between malt and hop and each provides enough character for this beer to be quite interesting.

A sharp hop bite greets my tongue from the get go; the bitterness continues on through to the finish, but its impact seems to be lessened by a touch of sweet malt character that lingers on in the palate after a sip is done with. Caramelized malt sugars and toasted grain notes combine to provide a solid malt character to a brew that is really more dominated by hop notes (at least in the flavor department). Light enough to almost be a session beer, yet it does have a light, but medium fullness to it from the grain character. It also has a fair amount of carbonation (a typical American level) that provides a zippy prickle as it flows across the tongue. The hop flavors contribute spicy tangelo-zest notes, flavors of lychee, a touch of metallic hop character and noticeable pine and herbal / peppery notes through the middle that morphs into the hop bitterness of the finish.

A very nicely quaffable brew that is quite tasty. While certainly not earth shattering or even anything new, this is a beer that is just well constructed and tasty. Straight forward hop character and a bit of malt complexity combine cleanly in this beer to create a beer that I could easily drink for an evening. I have a feeling this beer is going to go down hill pretty quickly as it really relies heavily on the fresh hop character.

Purchased: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=698>Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Bottle. Pours clear copper with a thin and fading off-white head. Sort of a surprising appearance for a wheat ale. It is nicely lacy. Just a wisp of spicy citrus hop aroma followed by dusty wheat. Body tends to medium, light carbonation. Lightly sweet taste, some caramel, fruit, peaches. Just barely crisp and earthy finish with a minor hint of lemony sourness. On the "glass is half full" side of the argument, there are a lot of subtle notes, and none of them clash with each other. On the "glass is half empty" side, it can be a bit bland. I think I’m in the half full camp.

12 oz bottle, via thooper41. An aptly named beer for sure, this pours a clear fiery ruby red body with a small fizzy off-white head that faded to a thin film. Fairly heavy lacing remained. The nose is citrusy hops with a slight caramel malt base. I don’t really smell anything that I would automaticly know is wheat. Reminds me of a very toned down SN Celebration Ale. The flavor is certainly more wheat-centric though. Nice citrusy hops up front fade to a grassy and hay like wheat flavor that has a bit more sweetness than the average Wheat Ale. Finishes is rather short, with light bitterness and a sweet candy like note. The mouthfeel is watery, yet soft, with nice soft fizzy carbonation. Overall, a little different from the norm, but nothing to really seek out.

Bottle. Head is initially small, frothy, off-white to light brown, mostly diminishing. Body is dark amber. Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (toasted grain, cookie, caramel), lightly to moderately hoppy (apricot, grapefruit, resin), with light notes of black tea and orange peel. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation. Pretty tasty, surprisingly enough. Not that exciting, but it’s got a pleasant aroma and good balance.

Bottle... Poured deep amber with a moderate head. Aroma of faint berries and earthy hops. Malt dominate the flavors with sugary, earthy tones and fruit & hops towards the finish. I thought this beer was going to be either really terrible or surprisingly great, but it ended up being quite mediocre. Either way, it is disappointing for a brewmaster release.

Wow - blown away with blandness. Very thin, red body with zilch head. Lemon tart with a moderate, misplaced sweetness and a touch of spice.

12 oz bottle from a variety pack case. A gift from my loving wife on our anniversary: Color is reddish-amber with a medium, fading off-white head. Aroma is lightly sweet and malty. Flavor starts light caramel sweet with some wheat and a hint of cherry followed by a light, somewhat dry citrus bitterness. Medium body is smooth with moderate carbonation.

12oz bottle: pours dark amber in color with quick fading white head. aroma of slighty sweet malt. flavor has a fair amout of malt to it what an added black cherry like taste not strong but there. not a bad beer but nothing special the 07 was much better. i like how the guy 2 down said he poured it down the sink, i wonder out of the 1173 beers he rated didnt get tossed? because this one isnt that bad.