Brewery: Wild Onion Brewing Co.
Beer: Summer Wit
Serving: 12 oz can
Information: No date or info available on the can. 5.0% ABV
Style: Witbier
Price: n/a
Purchased at: n/a
Availability: Summer Seasonal
“Malt beverage brewed with spices”, ” Our warm weather seasonal is perfect for enjoying the long-awaited days of spring and summer. This Belgian-style White Ale is traditionally brewed with a large dose of wheat malt and a splash of coriander and orange peel”
Grade: 60 / 100 (3.00) – Average
Look: 4.5
Smell: 3.5
Taste: 2.5
Feel: 3.5
Overall: 3
A – Swirled in the can and poured with any sediment, Summer Wit is a fully hazed-over wheat-and-lemon yellow that’s generously topped by a thick head. Effervescent and fleeting, the foam leaves heavy collars of lace behind.
S – Loads of lemongrass citrus wafts from this wit. Complimentary soft wheat is also a strong presence while pale malt and Saaz-like hops finish out. A volatile latex glove-like aroma pokes out at first but thankfully subsides quickly. Faint hints of white pepper and coriander spice give it a touch of the spiciness I was looking for.
T – Almost like a mildly spiced American Pale Wheat Ale, it’s heavy on the grainy pale malt and dry wheat with but a sprinkle of spice. No Belgian characteristics, missing a distinguishable yeast addition, low on spice. As a witbier, which it labels itself, it’s not very good here. As an American Pale Wheat Ale (which it closely resembles), it’s right on target.
M – The soft texture and smooth but well-carbonated finish has a small but well placed dryness and miniscule citrus splash.
O – If the can didn’t label this a Belgian-Style White Ale, I’d easily buy that it’s an American Pale Wheat Ale. It completely lacks Belgian characteristics and needs a healthier dose of coriander and lemon peel. Then again, that’s assuming they’re shooting for a contemporary witbier, not a traditional wit; never brewed with spices and the like. Either way, it’s a pretty standard American version that would make for a great lawn-mower beer. I hate to give low scores to great, hard-working guys, but this beer needs some work to make the “wit” name stick. Either way, it’s not a bad beer, it just doesn’t fit the style it claims.
Cheers,
-Andy
