Wittekerke

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Harelbeke, Belgium

Serve in Tumbler, Weizen

Sampled at Vineyards in Ottawa, Ontario sometime in March 2006. Pours a cloudy golden-yellow colour with a white frothy head. Good lacing overall and medium retention. A small corriander line is formed on the top of the head and sediments are all over, and of different size and shape. The aroma is very strong with orange scent and some notes of other citrus fruits. The taste, on the other hand, is very light. The start is slightly sweet with a honey flavour and then.... nothing. Just a big fat void into the aftertaste. It gets a bit better as it warms up, but not much more. Watery mouthfeel. Good appearance and aroma, but then, it is a let down.

The appearance of the beer is very light yellow, with much head at first that dissipates quickly. The aroma is of some wheat with a hint of citrus.I taste more grain as I sip. There is a medium sourness in the taste. As I drink, I notice that this is slightly fuller bodied than I expected. Generally, I’m ok with this beer, I’d consider it a pleasant change of pace for those who drink lots of macrobrews but want something new. Not a personal favorite, though.

Che farsene di una wittekerke? pare acqua e limone. The best selling wheat beer in Belgium però due balle.

Pours a light yellow cloudy color with a small white head. Notes of wheaty lemon dominate the taste but it’s definitely not overly fruity...slightly above average for the style but not quite in the same ballpark as Hoegaarden. K-3.6 S-3.3

12 oz bottle, Poors a pale yellow, with a pure white head on top. Great retention level with an even more impressive amount of lacing. Light carbonation. Aroma is very weak. Light citrus, with a very yeasty nose. Some coriander and some light clove. bananas, clove, and light hints of bubble gum. Not as flavorful as many other brews of this style. If I’m buying Imports, I would pass this up.

9/12/10. 11.2oz bottle. Cloudy and very light yellow pour with a thick white head that lasts pretty well. Looks decent, but the aroma is faint and grainy, reminding more of a pils or lighter lager. Plain pale malt/grainy taste with a touch of spicy hops... I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to guess this was a wit if handed to me blindly. Meh.

25cl bottle, hazy pale yellow color, lasting small white head, citrus aroma (mostly lemon), coriander, grass and bubblegum notes, sweet taste, watery body, finish with some yeast and soapy notes, not good (aggiungo in italiano perche’ in inglese non ho voglia di cercare come si dice: sembra un po’ troppo un detersivo per i piatti aromatizzato al limone, il che non va esattamente bene per una birra...gli hot dog che ho mangiato insieme sollevano un po’ il voto)

Pours cloudy pale yellow with thick creamy white head and foamy lacing. Notes of wheat, lemon, and spice. Well balanced taste that is crisp and sessionable.