92 Summer Moon, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.5% ABV (6/09) %{Brewpub}
Dark mahogany red. Dark roasted chestnut, balsamic and raisin puree aromas follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with burnt sugar and dried sour cherry notes. Finishes with tart, tangy roasted cherry-like fade. Reminiscent of a Belgian sour ale—very tasty.
90 Point Horizon Wheat, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.6% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy old gold color. Aromas on honeyed toasted lemon and banana bread have a deft accent of spice and follow through on a soft, round entry to a dryish medium body with excellent subtle depth and seamless balance. Finishes with a long, crisp and refreshing melon, nut and apple flourish. A wonderfully crafted, lighter styled summer beer that will work well with food.
90 Edelweiss, Hofbräu Kaltenhausen (Austria). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Lightly hazy golden yellow color. Aromas of scallion corn pudding and banana custard have a delicate spiciness and follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity with polished depth and balance. Finishes with a long, zesty, banana nut muffin, parsley and wafer fade. Delicious.
89 Samuel Adams Summer Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.28% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy bright golden color. Bright aromas of citrus, pine cone and peppercorn are initially reminiscent of Mr. Clean but resolve to jasmine tea, herb biscuit and juniper and follow through on round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and hints of toasty polenta, baked apple, leafy greens and peppery spice on the crisp finish.
89 Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.35% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy old gold color. Aromas of orange ambrosia salad, toasted Hawaiian bread, pine cone and delicate gingery spices follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good mellow depth and balance. Finishes with a coriander, lemon verbena soap and leafy hop-accented fade. Intriguingly tiki-like and tasty.
89 Don de Dieu, Unibroue (Canada). 9% ABV (7/10)
Pale yellow color. Aromas of lemon-lime curd, ginger, mint crème Anglaise and delicate spices follow through on a soft, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with golden raisin, praline notes. Finishes with delicate dried fruit and delicately floral earthy hops. A delicious and spicy wheat ale that goes down almost too easy.
89 Bullfrog Wheat, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 5% ABV (6/08)
Lightly hazy amber color. Aromas of orange bread drizzled with honey. A round, chewy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of tangy orange marmalade, citrus custard pastry and subtle spice. Finishes with a refreshing, glide of honey, toasted nut and clementine flavors. A nicely styled, very drinkable wheat beer.
88 Star Brew Triple Wheat Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 10.7% ABV (6/08)
Clear copper color with a taupe mousse. Orange marmalade peach jam, praline and sweet spice aromas follow through on a big chewy entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with golden raisin, brown sugar and buckwheat pancake accents. Finishes with tangy citrus and spice hop inflected fade. A big, brawny barley wine style for fall seasonal dishes.
86 Wild Card Wheat Ale, Brew Brothers (NV). 4.9% ABV (6/08)
Hazy golden amber color. Interesting aromas of saltine cracker, olive tapenade, date and fish oil. A soft entry leads to a fruity-yet-dry medium body of orange and apricot jam on rye toast with touch of sour lemon and spice. Finishes with a tangy ripe citrus, grain and dusty earth fade.
86 Weissbier, Moosbacher (Germany). 5% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy old gold color. Aromas of toasted polenta, banana soufflé and geyser water follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and a crisp honeyed citrus rind, wafer and grassy earth hop fade. Very refreshing, bring on the white sausages.
86 Washita Wheat Ale, Mustang Brewing Co. (OK). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Slight hazy deep gold color. Aromas of lightly spicy raisin bread and banana crème brûlée follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and a grainy, apple peel, hominy and mossy stone-accented finish.
86 Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy golden amber color. Aromas of wet grain flour, oily almond butter and mild citrus gelatin have a hint of spice and follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with nice texture and smoothness. Finishes with a crisp, citrus and honeycomb-accented fade. A nice, steady quaffer.
86 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 4.36% ABV (7/10)
Aroma of buttered wheat toast, honey and mild lemon marmalade follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with good depth and balance. Finishes with a peach and faint spice accent on the finish. A nice quaffer.
81 Lazy Mutt Farmhouse Ale, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (6/08)
Slight hazy pale golden amber color. Fruit caramel and apricot cheesecake aromas follow through on a loosely foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with buttery pancake and pineapple sauce accents. Finishes with a quick watery fruit and grain fade.