Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Chippewa Falls, WI
Available: IL, IN, IO, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, ND, OH, OK, SD, WI
Leinenkugel Brewing Co., founded in 1867, is in its fifth generation of family ownership. Sunset Wheat is first new year-round offering.
Alcohol (vol.): 4.9
Color: hazy golden
Bitterness: 13
Original Gravity: 12.5
Final gravity: 3.3
Malts used: 35% malted wheat and pale malt
Hops used: Cascade
Hazy gold color with a thin collar of foam. An amazing nose of nutmeg, lemon and rose petals. Sweet citrus fruit and spices dominate the mouth followed by a bittersweet finish that offers spices, tart lemon fruit, juicy malt and gentle hop resins. Astonishing—a beer to die for.
This outspoken head keeps on talking, and rightly so, for this is a friendly beer, no doubt of that. There’s good wheat character, and some cloudy body, from the unspoken “hefe” hiding in the beer. This only enhances the pleasing balance apparent on the tail. But only after a fruity, vanilla-touched, floral body. A good summer libation, that’s for certain, and very drinkable.
Light and thirst-quenching. This beer is bright and fruity (the coriander is quite pronounced), with notes of orange, lemon, and a sprinkling of pineapple and plum. The fruit is balanced by creamy vanilla and hints of angel food cake, with a subtle, tannic, citrus rind finish. A beer made for lazy outdoor Sunday brunches. The brewery recommends adding a slice of orange, but I like it just the way it is.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Fred Eckhardt lives, writes about and drinks beer in Portland, OR. He is the author of The Essentials of Beer and Sake (USA).
John Hansell is an equal-opportunity drinker. He writes about beer, wine and spirits. He is the creator, publisher & editor of Malt Advocate, a magazine for the whisky enthusiast.
