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.
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 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.
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 Èphémère Apple, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Bright spicy applesauce and apple blossom aromas and flavors on a delicate dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent depth and balance. Finishes with a floral and apple and apricot-accented fade. Tasty.
89 Blueberry Wheat Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (6/08)
Clear golden amber color. Peppery pea pod, violet candy and blueberry taffy aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a spicy fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body of peach and apricot cider, blueberry piecrust, dried flowers and honey flavors. Finishes with a tangy stone and berry fruit and citrus peel fade with delicate wisp of spice. A dainty and delightful fruit 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 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 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 Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Clear, deep golden amber color. Bright, lightly floral dark berry and cherry sorbet aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a touch a honeyed citrus and drying wheat crust and nut notes on the tangy finish. Tasty.
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.
87 Somer Orange Honey Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/09)
Hazy old gold color with a lacy head. Aromas of frittata, orange blossom honey and toast follow through on soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a tangy balanced, mineral kissed fade. Rather mild in the flavor department, but very pleasant.
87 Long Shot Boysenberry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (6/08)
Amber with a lacy white head. Rich boysenberry pie aromas follow through on round, velvety entry to a fruity medium-full body great purity, chewy caramel drizzled berry muffin-like malt and a touch of violet candy. Finishes with a floral, spicy boysenberry, blueberry skin and violet water fade. An intense and interesting berry treat.
86 Track Town Honey Orange Wheat, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Bright golden amber color. Orange caramel and raisin bread aromas follow through on a round entry to a fruity medium body with sweet buttercream accents. Finishes with a orange caramel nut fudge fade. A pleasant quaffer.
86 Somer Orange Honey Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.6% ABV (7/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed biscuit with a dollop of salted butter follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a touch of corn and banana pudding and a grassy, nut and wafer-accented finish.
86 Mana Wheat, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5.5% ABV (6/09)
Opaque cloudy orange color with a wispy head. Aromas of honeycomb and guava follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with tangy citrus peel, metal ore and shredded wheat notes. Finishes with a crisp tangy fade.
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 Mana Wheat, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy honey gold color. Earthy herbal honey and dried pineapple aromas. A round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of pineapple upside down cake, floral honey, lemon verbena and tart orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a tangy, bittersweet dried white flower, pineapple skin and dried honey fade. Curious.
81 Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.35% ABV (7/10)
Bright maraschino cherry and marzipan aromas and flavors on a dryish medium-to-full bodied palate with a cloying honeyed lemon cake and wheat grass-like hops. A bit too intense and out of balance on the candied cherry flavor.