Flying Dog Brewery - Woody Creek White

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a mug

Woody Creek White, from Maryland-based Flying Dog, is an American take on the classic Belgian witbier style. The beer pours a cloudy mild yellow with tons of floating sediment that turns the color flat and opaque. The small wispy white head musters commendable retention and modest lacing. The nose has a mild sweetness with a clear spiciness. Big coriander with a hint of clove is buttressed by a lemony citrus aroma. A mild astringency sneaks in around the edges.

The beer is somewhat herbal with a clear refreshing edge of clean wheat malts. Mild lemon flavoring plays well with a distinct grassiness. The beer seems slightly medicinal on the mid-palate, but wears it well. The fresh grainy finish is sweet, but subdued. A mild spice note lasts nicely on the aftertaste.

Final Verdict: B

Southampton Publick House - Double White

Southampton Publick House - Double White

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a mug

The yeast sediment turns Southampton’s take on a witbier from a medium straw to a radiant hazy yellow, with an orangey glow. The medium, creamy white head has great retention and lacing. The nose carries a bready wheat, huge coriander, big citrus, and a mild astringency. Southampton mentions the use of additional unmalted wheat in their brew process. The bready nose was especially noticeable, but I haven’t had enough opportunity to realize all of the differences that this process may add to a beer.

The malts and wheat is big, but sticky citrus seems to go right for the tongue with a biting dry touch. It isn’t surprising that the citrus factor here is significant, given the addition of both orange and lemon rind to the brew process. Alcohol comes rushing in in the middle and adds a considerable sweetness.

The big coriander from the nose seems to get a bit lost in the mix as far as taste goes. The finish is grainy and comes with some heat in the chest. Southampton’s stated mission with the Double White was to make a ‘big’ witbier. It certainly seems that they doubled up on wheat, citrus, and alcohol.

The Double Wheat goes for big, hits it, but doesn’t own it.

Final Verdict: B-

Wolaver’s - Ben Gleason’s White Ale

Wolaver’s - Ben Gleason’s White Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. twist-off bottle, poured into a mug

This White Ale is certified organic and comes from Vermont. The wheat used is organic and grown near the brewery by a small farmer, Ben Gleason, who has his name immortalized in the title of this brew. In addition to the wheat malts come organic rolled oats, which provide pleasant smoothness, and organic two-row barley malts. All together, this is a great beer, produced with care, from the Green Mountain State.

The body is a hazy light straw with wispy floating yeast. The head is a medium size with a creamy white complexion. The retention is good and the head holds up nicely against the solid active carbonation. The lacing is nice, but somewhat light.

The aroma is a typical white ale scent with spices, orange citrus, and sweet wheat malts. The wheat is very bready and reminds me of a good sandwich on fresh crusty bread. The flavor is defined primarily by the spices. Coriander for days. The wheat malts are sweet and the beer is very crisp. There’s a slightly sour component, like that of a fresh apple. Very pleasing. The finish is great and very tight. The aftertaste is long-lasting and carries a mildly astringent component.

Final Verdict: B+

Hoegaarden

Hoegaarden

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 11.2 oz. curved bottle, poured into mug

Hoegaarden is a classic example of a Belgian witbier, or white beer, and perhaps the most well known. It’s got a serious nostalgia factor for me, and it has potential for non-beer-drinkers as well. It isn’t a perfect beer, but for someone who’s used to American lagers, this could be beer in a way they’ve never known.

The body is a very light yellow, cloudy with high carbonation. The moderate white foam head is slightly audible, has decent retention, but produces no lacing. The nose is spice heavy. Tons of coriander coming through. There’s also a mild yeasty must to the floral aroma.

This beer is extremely crisp and refreshing. The light wheat malts add a delicious sweetness and balance very well with coriander and other spices. Notes of citrusy lemon zest also accent the flavor. The finish is clean with a slight dryness, but the mouthfeel goes south at the last second. What is initially perceived as high carbonation seems to vanish and leaves a watery finish.

Final Verdict: B+