93 Blue Ridge Blueberry Wheat, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 4.6% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
Slightly hazy pale amber color. Bright aromas of warm honeyed granola in blueberry custard follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with great toasty depth and balance. Finishes with a long, whole grain wheat baguette, herb butter, and blueberry sorbet dissolve. A delicious and artfully crafted fruity flavored brew that would be a fantastic brunch beer.
92 Coney Island Albino Python Lager, Shmaltz Brewing Company (NY). 6% ABV (7/11)
Old gold color. Bold aromas of honeyed citrus and ginger, lemongrass custard, spice cake and spearmint blossoms with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a minty and savory roasted root vegetable, coriander, lemon pepper-accented finish. A tasty, lively and somewhat wacky wit to pair with spicy Asian cuisine.
91 Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/11)
Bright golden amber color. Bright aromas of black raspberry and huckleberry jams and candies with a hint of wafer cookie. Round and dry-yet-fruity with a medium-to-full body and a toasty berry piecrust, nut and delicate floral spice finish. Tasty.
90 Agave Wheat Ale, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 4.2% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy golden orange color with a mild head. Aromas of cream of wheat, honey cream, and citrus jelly follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with great balance and a singing harmonious pastry-like finish. Delicious.
90 Grozet Gooseberry & Wheat Ale, Williams Bros. Brewing (Scotland). 5% ABV (3/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Aromas of gooseberry jam on crumpet and delicate lemongrass, juniper, and lime leaf follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent depth, smoothness and attractive herbal and floral honey notes. Finishes with a spry, smooth yellow plum and grassy earth-accented fade. Very elegant, polished, and flavored with an expert touch.
90 Éphémére Casis, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (7/11)
Pale rosy orange amber color. Aromas of spicy mincemeat, blackberry chutney, and dried flowers are wine-like with a tangy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a zesty wafer, bamboo shoot and sautéed chive-accented finish. An interesting, rather vinous, food beer to pair with salmon teriyaki, duck rillettes or marinated pork loins.
90 Track Town Honey Orange Wheat, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5% ABV (7/11)
Murky golden amber color. Bright aromas of honeyed orange cake, lemon soda, and ginger tea with a frothy, silky dry-yet-fruity medium body and a gentle wheat wafer, roasted golden beet, and arugula-accented finish. A tasty, fruity and savory beer for the table.
89 Samuel Adams Longshot Cranberry Wit, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/09)
Hazy amber color with a lingering fine mousse. Bold aromas of cinnamon apple oatmeal and chocolate covered cranberries follow through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with very good depth and lively balance. Finishes with a fruity, honeyed granola, tangy cranberry sauce and buttered toast.
89 Éphémére Apple, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (7/11)
Lightly hazy golden color. Bright aromas of honeyed, freshly sliced green apples and strawberries and mint herbal tea with a crisp, fruity medium body and a long, refreshingly tangy apple-mint jam and wafer cookie accented finish. A delicious way to beat the summer heat.
89 LA 31 Boucanee Ale, Bayou Teche Brewing (LA). 5.74% ABV (7/11)
Light copper color. Bold smoky aromas and flavors of grilled game bird, nuts and veggies with a supple dryish medium-to-full body and a hint of smoked oyster and chestnut brittle on the gentle white cigar ash-accented finish. Different: Try cooking with as well as drinking.
88 Rype Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (7/09)
Bright golden color with a dutiful white head. Bright aromas of orange and lemon marmalade on rye toast follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with floral dried orange blossom, tangy crabapple, and bath talc notes. Finishes with a delicate, ephemeral citrus fade. Interesting and refreshing.
88 Slow Eddie Jalapeno Beer, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 3.5% ABV (6/09) %{Brewpub}
Aromas of jalapeno dominate and follow through on a round, brisk entry to a dry light-to-medium body with pepper oil and vinegar notes and a brisk, giardiniera and pepper jelly-like fade. A drinkable, very approachable food friendly pepper beer.
88 Strawberry Wheat, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 4.5% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of strawberry bubblegum and meringue follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium with drying citrus rind, shredded wheat cracker, and dried apricot notes on the crisp, nicely astringent finish. A tasty and balanced fruit flavored wheat beer.
88 Schakolad Wiezen, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 5.4% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
Dark brown ruby meniscus. Aromas of chocolate Mexican coffee follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with good depth and a tangy apple and cherry skin and smoky cacao nib-accented fade. A nice zesty chocolate beer.
88 SweetWater Blue, Sweetwater Brewing Co. (GA). 4.7% ABV (7/11)
Bright golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of toasted polenta, white flowers, dried blueberry and cedar shavings with a silky dryish medium body and a floral berry Pez and dusty potpourri-accented finish. Interesting and feminine.
86 LA 31 Grenade Ale, Bayou Teche Brewing (LA). 5.74% ABV (7/11)
Lustrous golden amber color. Interesting aromas of soy toasted rice cake, baked rhubarb and papaya with a silky dryish medium body and hints of tart passion fruit and guava on the snappy mustard greens-accented finish. Interesting, understated tropical flavors; try with paella or gumbo.
85 Wailua Wheat Ale, Kona Brewing Co. (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/09)
Golden color. Bold aromas of passion fruit follow through on a round, silky entry to a fruity medium body with good balanced and a nice dose of wet grain and wheat bread on the zippy finish.
85 Somer Orange Honey Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.6% ABV (7/11)
Hazy old gold color. Attractive mellow aromas of orange poppy muffin, fruit salad, beeswax, and honeyed cereal with a supple dryish medium body and a grain, grass and sautéed water chestnut-accented finish.
84 Oregon Trail Raspberry Wheat Ale, High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5% ABV (9/10)
Cloudy golden orange color. Mild raspberry cream and wheat bread aromas and flavors with a dryish light body and a astringent earthy hop finish.
84 Raspberry Wheat Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada) 2010 Limited Release. 5% ABV (9/10)
Pink red color. Tart raspberry aromas and flavors with wet grain, Meyer lemon peel, pomegranate, cherry pit, and mineral notes on the brisk mineral water-accented finish.
84 Oregon Trail Raspberry Wheat Ale, High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5% ABV (9/10)
Cloudy golden orange color. Mild raspberry cream and wheat bread aromas and flavors with a dryish light body and a astringent earthy hop finish.
84 Raspberry Wheat Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada) 2010 Limited Release. 5% ABV (9/10)
Pink red color. Tart raspberry aromas and flavors with wet grain, Meyer lemon peel, pomegranate, cherry pit, and mineral notes on the brisk mineral water-accented finish.
84 Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (7/11)
Slightly hazy golden color. Bright maraschino cherry and buttered cream of wheat aromas with a supple fruity-yet-dry medium body and a long marzipan and peppered cucumber sandwich-accented finish.