90 Éphémère Apple, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (6/09)
Brilliant old gold color with a light foamy head. Fresh cut green apple aroma follows through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish medium body with perfumed honey and apple tart notes. Finishes with vibrantly refreshing, lightly spicy apple and wheat grain dough fade. Great purity and balance.
90 Samuel Adams Blackberry Wit, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/09)
Deep golden amber color. Fruity aromas of blackberry sorbet, tropical fruit gum and cinnamon toast follow through on a round, silky entry to a tangy, fruity medium body. Convincing black raspberry cordial and toasty flavors in the fore. Finishes dryly with a quenching blackberry phosphate and buttered brioche fade.
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 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 pie crust, 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.
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.
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.
87 Longshot 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.
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.
86 Saranac Pomegranate Wheat, Matt Brewing Co. (NY). 4.7% ABV (6/07)
Almost clear pale amber color. Nut bread dough and honeydew melon aromas. A round supple entry leads to a fruity medium-to-full body of spicy caramel-coated toast and sweet casaba melon and pomegranate flavors. Finishes with and nutty earthy fade and lingering fruity, loganberry-like sweetness. Very refreshing and not overdone in the flavoring.
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 an orange caramel nut fudge fade. A pleasant quaffer.
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 Golden Leaf Honey Wheat, City Brewing Co. (WI). 5.1% ABV (6/07)
Hazy golden amber color. Caramel custard, roasted nuts, golden raisin and vibrant raw honeycomb aromas. a supple entry leads to a frothy medium-to-full body of dried citrus, nutty toast, raw honey and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a tangy, dried peach and citrus fade with lingering waxy honeycomb flavors. Interesting.
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.
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 balance. and a nice dose of wet grain and wheat bread on the zippy finish.
84 Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (6/09)
Amber color with a fine foamy head. Aromas of maraschino cherries and marzipan follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a butter cookie note. Finishes with a tart, cherry pit, lemon pith and sparkling mineral water-accented fade.