Brewery: Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beer: Wisconsinite
Serving: 12 oz bottle
Glassware: Lakefront Wisconsinite weizen glass
Information: 4.2% ABV, Bottled May Wk2 notched, 100% Wisconsin ingredients.
Style: Hefeweizen (Wisconsin Weiss)
Price: $7.99 / 6-pack
Availability: Summer Seasonal
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: Sartori Parmesan, lemon-basted fish, grilled chicken, Caesar salad.
Appearance
A tall, rocky white head caps one of the cloudiest beers I’ve ever laid eyes on. Murky golden yellow in color, Wisconsinite cakes the the weizen glass with thick lacing.
Smell
Fresh cut lawn and dry straw combine for a very earthy entry into Wisconsinite. Clove and banana yeast esters follow closely with a creamed-corn nose behind. Soft wheat and supple pale malt hold down the fort with a touch of floral hops in the finish. With lots going on, there’s no doubt this is an incredibly unique aroma.
Taste
Despite the heavy, almost overwhelming, earthy aroma, Wisconsinite is delightfully toned down and balanced in flavor. More wheat and malt pulls through offering soft refreshment while light clove and banana notes suggest a German-like hefe. While still earthy, more floral hops emerge and less grassy, corn-like aspects are found. Delish!
Mouthfeel
Lively but delicate carbonation perfectly balances the soft, gentle wheat profile of Wisconsinite. Faintly dry on the finish, the refreshing and rejuvenating medium body is fantastic!
Overall
Caught somewhere between a pale wheat ale and a hefeweizen, Wisconsinite truly breaks new ground. I’ll have to side with Lakefront president Russ Klisch on the “Wisconsin Weiss” style he categorizes it as! Lakefront balances the bold estery profile of Jeremey King’s (of Northern Brewer) indigenous wild Wisconsin yeast with true Wisconsin ingredients for a superb and revolutionary new wheat beer. An immediate summer staple with full flavor and low alcohol, Wisconsinite is 100% win!
Score: 91 / 100 - Exceptional
Cheers,
-Andy
