Beer Talk by Art of the Table
April 7, 2011
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Summer is peeking out!
| | Hey wheat beer lovers!
American craft microbrewers started releasing seasonal summer wheat ales starting this past week...and
I'm not just talking about Bell's Oberon!
While Oberon is a quality product from a quality producer, and we are happy to carry it, I have to a say there are a lot of other products that I am more excited about to hit the cooler this spring/summer.
Some of them are already here! |
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In Da Coola'
| | Frankenmuth Hefeweizen ~ Frankenmuth, MI Ok, I know I talked about this beer last week...but I strongly believe in it. I truly consider this to be one of the best produced American wheat beers on the market and we'd love for you to fall in love with it as well. Supremely balanced clove, banana and hints of lemon with crisp light hops and a very clean refreshing finish.
Arcadia Whitsun ~ Battle Creek, MI
A few years ago, this beer attempted to compete with Oberon in the market. It's a little more crisp, more orange zest than orange nectar and has a more definable wheat character. Well, in fact, that's what I like about Whitsun. The packaging isn't as cute either
...but that's ok too it more than makes up for it in the flavor.
North Coast Blue Star ~ Ft. Bragg, CA (Mendocino Coast)
Produced and available year round, this beer has long been a quiet  but major contender in the market. From the same producers that bring you Old Rasputin, Brother Thelonius, PranQster, Le Merle.... This unfiltered wheat is very cloudy, fruit tinged and accurately hopped with noble hops. One of the ultimate summer grilling beers, out of the bottle is ok, but get the full experience out of a glass.
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Other New and Exciting Beer
| |  Gouden Carolus 'Cuvee Van de Keizer Blauw' ~ Belgium
Brewed every year on February 25th, the birthday of Charles the 5th, we find this presents regally. Ample amounts of the finest Belgian hops are used and the ale is fermented to 11% ensuring the ageability of the beer for at least the decade to come.
The color pours a ruby henna, with defined aromas of cedar, yeast and plum. The palate is woodsy and spicy, yet sweet with its overwhelming malt and high alcohol tones. The fruit is prevalent now, but will mellow with a few years of aging. Don't be fooled though, you can certainly drink it soon and it will be immensely enjoyable for the Belgian beer lover.
Truly a sensory experience.
Bell's Consecrator ~ Kalamazoo, MI
This delicious Doppelbock rings in at 8% alcohol. The light mahogany body gives off aromas of prune, cooked bread and malt while the palate hits with fresh fruit, caramel and just a faint hint of bitter hops. Overall, the beer is sweet and malty and reminds me a little bit of the Lagunitas Brown Shugga ...well, it's more like it's baby brother. |
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