It’s been a long time since I’ve ventured to crack a wheat beer. One sunny day a few summers ago I “may” have overdone it a little at an Outer Banks, NC brewery. Spending an afternoon throwing back liter mugs of wheat beer with friends seemed like a great idea at the time. Also seemed like a splendid idea to buy an additional three cases to enjoy once vacation was over. Needless to say, the trip home was a trainwreck and I left the cases and a note out as a gift for my trash man. That trip was a few years ago and I still scoff at even the smell of wheat beers. Not to let one incident ruin a style I once adored, it’s time to get back on the horse!
I’m always a sucker for a beer from a reserve collection and since I was making chicken picatta the night of the tasting, a lemon wheat beer seemed to be the perfect fit. I stumbled across a 22oz bottle of Oregon based Widmer Brothers and home it went. The bottle states “Wheat ale brewed with lemongrass and muscat grape juice with lemongrass added” , an interesting combination that I hadn’t seen before. It also comes in at 9 abv so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The pour didn’t present much of a head and it has a hazy orange color. I smelled some of the grape in the pour but oddly enough it stayed as a dominating flavor throughout. What I was disappointed with was the lemongrass flavor lacking. For a “reserve” beer I fully expect huge flavors and something bold that I don’t mind paying a little extra for. While this was a decent beer when paired with the meal, it just didn’t knock my socks off on its own. If I’m buying a beer being promoted as having lemongrass…I want lemongrass punching me in the face! So where does that leave us?
I don’t think I would purchase this again in the 22oz bottle. I liked the beer and would add it to a make-your-own six pack but I can’t see spending the extra money when there are just better defined choices out there.
I try not to get my hopes up on any (insert your favorite flavor) wheat beer for the reason that you mentioned. Occasionally I’ll get one that does, but it’s not very often.