Lakefront Wheat Monkey Review

Posted by Andy on Jun 25, 2012 in Beer Reviews | 0 comments

Brewery: Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beer: Wheat Monkey
Serving: 12 oz bottle
Glassware: Lakefront imperial pint
Information: 4.2 % ABV, Bottled during May Wk3 (2012) notched on label, Ideal Serving Temp: 40° F.
Style: American Pale Wheat Ale
Price: $8.99 / 6-pack
Availability: Year-round

Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: “This easy drinking wheat beer pairs well with a wide range of foods, such as green salads, feta and gouda cheeses, steamed or baked seafood, and grilled chicken.”

Appearance

After swirling the bottle to disperse the sediment, Wheat Monkey poured a totally cloudy goldenrod color with a soapy white head. As large bubbles pop, the loose head lowers at a moderate pace, plastering some lace to the pint.

Smell

Strong wheat aromas come from this beer with a trailing dryness, but there is also quite a bit of harsh grainiess and musty straw as well. A small amount of hard mineral water traces can be picked up behind a delicate bubblegum and citrus twang on the finish.

Taste

Wheat Monkey is wholly wheat-forward, but ditches the intrusive elements found in the nose for a better outcome. With light coriander spice and a citrusy zing on the back end, Wheat Monkey is subtle and simple in flavor.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light in body, Wheat Monkey is a fully carbonated beer that has a very dry finish and a slight citrus zing to it. Though hops aren’t noticeable, the beer remains balanced enough to be quite refreshing and drinkable on a hot day.

Overall

I wish, with Wheat Monkey’s label, this was a banana ester-rich hefeweizen, but as the label’s art suggests it’s a playful, whimsical beer, devoid of any banana depictions. Very wheat-laden, Wheat Monkey, with little to excite, seems an unfit replacement for Lakefront’s previous Cattail Ale, or what drinkers called their, “lightest beer”, to which some at Lakefront despised.

While quite quaffable and refreshing for a hot day, Wheat Monkey remains little more than an average wheat beer suitable for the masses. If you’re looking for something with depth or uniqueness, skip this one and grab yourself a Wisconsinite.