Scratch Beer 22 - 2009 (Belgian-Style White)
Tröegs Brewing Company

Scratch Beer 22 - 2009 (Belgian-Style White)Scratch Beer 22 - 2009 (Belgian-Style White)
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From:
Tröegs Brewing Company
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Witbier
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 9.02%
Reviews:
29
Ratings:
35
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 04, 2013
Added:
Aug 13, 2009
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mikesgroove:
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this one come through to me again and was thrilled to be able to finally knock another scratch! Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 10/23/2009.
 
The pour was spot on perfect. Light golden in color with a huge billowing head on top of it. Settling down nicely with a richness and clarity that would be exactly what I would want out of it. Aroma is light, bananas, hints of clove and light grain. Touches of a light grassy note as well start to come through along with a nice light citrus hop note. Smooth, clean and crisp flavor here, nearly spot on again for the style. As I take a sip it becomes remarkably smooth and clean. Rich notes of light citrus and grassy herbal and floral notes toy on the tongue throughout a long and dry finish. Really solid and very well done.
 
Overall a very impressive example of the style and a nice way to welcome in review # 2000!
Oct 29, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Mar 04, 2013
Photo of orangesol
Reviewed by orangesol from Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
First and foremost, this rating is based on how this one is drinking right now, not in the past.

So many old scratch beers, so little time. Yet again, big thanks to Deuane for giving me one of these to try.

A - Pours pale yellow with a small one finger tall white head, quickly dissipating to a very light film leaving very little lace down the glass.

S - Smells of bready wheat, clove, pepper and some fruity yeast. I am sure this has declined over time but it isn't as bad as I thought it could be.

T - Starts off with some bready wheat slowly giving way to hints of clove and pepper spice and some fruity yeast. There is some oxidation toward the end of each sip but it doesn't overpower the rest of the flavors. Finish is a touch watery with plenty of lingering chewiness, clinging to the palate long after consumption.

M - Light body and flavor with moderate carbonation. There is very little carbonation apparent until you drink it, then it has a slightly fizzy feel.

O - For being this old I am actually a little surprised it hasn't driven off a cliff at this point. It definitely has some oxidation but it wasn't a drain pour as I was fearing.
May 10, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Apr 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by oline73 from Maryland

Mar 07, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Khazadum from Illinois

Dec 15, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Gonzoillini from Illinois

Dec 15, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Zeisloft from Pennsylvania

Dec 14, 2011
Photo of portia99
Reviewed by portia99 from Massachusetts

3.87/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle poured into a Portsmouth tulip.

A - Pours a well hazed straw gold color (a bit darker than I'd expect to see though) with a finger of foamy white head that falls quickly to the surface leaving behind a thick collar but not lacing.

S - Spicy and yeasty with definite coriander, some light cloves, wheat. Very full aroma with a big intensity for the style.

T - Very wheaty with some fruitiness and spices. Lemons, oranges, orange peel, light sweetness, a hint of cloves, some cinnamon.

M - Thin in body, strong carbonation. A bit fizzy in feel. Refreshing with the wheat and light spicy body.

D - A good effort. I am enjoying this beer quite a bit. Everything a witbier is supposed to have is here, but it still seems to be a bit on the fringes of the style...perhaps a bit too much wheat/malt character is the issue I'm having - not quite as crisp as I'd like it.
Dec 21, 2010
Photo of Onenote81
Reviewed by Onenote81 from North Carolina

3.92/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Awesome bottle received from bjspicer in my "Scratch" box. Thanks!

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a very cloudy deep gold with the thinnest of white sheets on top. Disappears quickly, leaves not even a hint of lace or ring on the edge. The nose is tamed down from when fresh I'm sure, but I'm still getting hints of citrus rind, bubblegum, and faint spice. It's there, just not very bold.

The mouth is still crisp and medium-bodied. Good mild finish. The flavor of this beer has not taken a hit from Father Time. Lots of "still fresh" citrus, mild coriander, old apple, and pear. Very good Wit. I was a little leery going in, as this beer is over a year old, but it has held up very well. Drinkable? Indeed. Thanks, Brian.
Nov 10, 2010
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

4.09/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a cloudy pale honey color with a rather modest sized head that does manage to drizzle some streaks

Smell: Toast, with orange peel and clove; undertones of coriander, too

Taste: Opens with a toasted wheat flavor that adds the wit elements (orange peel, coriander and clove) right up front; after the swallow, the herbal elements lift up a notch though the finish has plenty of wheat and orange pith

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with a spritzy carbonation

Drinkability: A very authentic rendering of the style; even at this stage of its development, it is still drinking nicely

Thanks, bjspicer, for the opportunity
May 15, 2010
Photo of gford217
Reviewed by gford217 from Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12oz bottle courtesy of akorsak poured into a pint glass.

This one is a very bright and very hazy golden yellow with a small creamy white head that recedes to a small bubbly cap and collar.

There's no mistaking the orange peel and coriander in the aroma as they are certainly the most dominant smells. There is a light Belgian yeast spiciness and bready malt in the background.

The taste is more of the same, though my initial taste is of the wheat sweetness. That's swept away quickly by the big citrus blast with lemons and oranges in the forefront. The finish is half coriander and half citrus bitterness.

The mouthfeel is dry and zesty with moderate carbonation for the style.

It's a very refreshing and citrus-dominant witbier that's got some spiciness and very little sweetness.
Mar 18, 2010
Photo of ToasterChef
Reviewed by ToasterChef from Maine

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a cellar temperature bottle into the center of a .5L Schneider Edel-Weisse glass. The head foamed up almost to the top of this large glass. It is slowly settling, leaving behind some patchy lace. I made sure to swirl around the last bit left in the bottle and add it to the glass. This yeast mixture gives the beer a cloudy look, yet it still retains its golden color. The aroma is mostly earthy yeast, but as I swirl the beer around, I pick up on some citrus hop notes that are very pleasant. The beer tastes of malty wheat with a kiss of sweetness. I pick up on a caramel flavor as I swish the beer around my mouth. After swallowing, there is a mild bitterness that creeps in that lingers briefly. No. 22 has a bit of a heavier body than I expected and not too much carbonation. There is some mouthcoating, but it doesn't seem to last long. It disappears without a trace. This is a very drinkable witbier. It's a chilly winter evening, yet it still hits the spot. I'd claim that I could drink a few bottles, but since this beer is no longer being made, I'm going to savor the few bottles I have.
Feb 24, 2010
Photo of RedBrewer83
Reviewed by RedBrewer83 from Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Aggressively poured into pint glass...

A: Pours a golden straw yellow, slightly opaque and hazy with a nice three finger pale white creamy head that falls in pockets leaving decent lacing.

S: Big clove presence in this beer, followed closely by a heavy bready yeast profile and some spicy floral hop in the finish with just a hint of lemon peel.

T: Doesn't deviate much from the nose, the hops are a little more pronounced in the mid-palate and finish and I also pick up some tart fruit esters. The lemon peel is definitely present mid-palate and seems to dominate just a little too much.

M: Light medium body with very active carbonation, but not overpowering. Pretty smooth.

D: Smooth flavor profile, and the lemon while a bit domineering it keeps it crisp and dry on the finish making you want to go back for more continually.
Feb 11, 2010
Photo of ffejherb
Reviewed by ffejherb from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz. bottle into tulip on 2/10/10.

A - Poured a slightly hazy pale golden liquid with a few stray carbonation bubbles meandering to the top of the glass to bounce into the thin white cap, which transformed into a patchy veil and a splash of lacing.

S - Aroma is quite yeasty, imparting a clove spiciness with faint peppery notes. Malt character suggests wheat bread and lightly toasted grains. Slight grassy and citrus hop notes are present as well, but relegated to the background.

T - Like the aroma, clove makes its presence known right away, the segues into a wheaty malt character with a splash of pepper spiciness. Finishes with a slight citrus zing and a light toasted grainy malt character.

M - Medium bodied with a light syrupy texture and lively carbonation resulting in a bristly mouthfeel. Overall, it might be just a tad watery. Finishes with a hint of bitterness and a touch of musty cellar yeast on the tongue.

D - Not one of my favorite styles, but this is a solid Witbier nonetheless and really easy to gulp down.
Feb 11, 2010
Photo of Wasatch
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks goes out to Hophead101 for this brew.

Pours a nice cloudy pale yellow color, nice carbonation, very nice two-finger plus foamy white head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, yeasty, with some coriander, banannas. The taste is malty, yeasty, nice coriander note, and banannas. Medium body. Drinkable, a true to style brew.
Jan 12, 2010
Photo of Buebie
Reviewed by Buebie from Minnesota

3.91/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Acquired this beer in a GatM trade from bb8189.

Poured from a 12oz brown bottle into a pilsner glass. A semi rigerous pour produces a sold 1'' frothy white head. Somewhat slow to recede, leaving large thick sticky white lace. Lace puts on a real show as does retention, which is stellar for the style.
Color is a mildly hazy darker yellow. Much carbonation rise on this resembling champagne in a sense.

Aroma of cracked wheat, tart fruit, and semi sweet malt as well as a creamed corn similarity with an oaty protein resemblance.
Not a whole lot of spices here, just some mild orange peel in the distance, as well as a touch of cloves.

More spice into the taste, which was absent from aroma. Cloves, coriander, orange peel zest and a touch of lemon bittering. Wheat flavors come forward through the swallow, providing a nice bready snap. Also distant tart fruits through the finish. Finishing tart and dry with a lingering lemon rind flavor puckering things up.

Mouthfeel is full bodied, I'd suspect from oats, plenty of carbonation keeping the balance to feel in check.

Overall a full flavored wit, putting on a good show in the form of appearance. A solid brew representing the style well.
Jan 02, 2010
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Bright golden yellow with a thin white head that reduces to a wispy veil and leaves spotty lace.

S-Musty spiciness, light, sweet biscuit malt and a bit of lemon zest.

T-Sharp bitter spice zing, with some lemon zest with nice backing from the lightly sweet biscuit malt. Some background mustiness mutes the taste somewhat.

M-Medium light bodied with good sharpness and nice lingering spiciness. Gets rather dry in the finish.

D-This one has held up fairly well. It was bottled in August 2009 so, being over 4 months old I think the flavours have stayed fairly bright. Maybe a bit mustier with less zing than the fresh, on tap version but....still a pleaser.
Dec 31, 2009
Photo of RickKrumenacker
Reviewed by RickKrumenacker from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - poured a hazy, yellow-gold color...one finger cap that sticks around for a while...high level of lacing is left behind as I drink

S - a little spicy, mainly corriander...some freshly grated orange peel...a little bit of a bready aroma as well

T - spicy, but not as much as in the nose...nice orange peel bite...somewhat sweet

M - light and crisp...sweet finish at the back of my tongue...slight bit of prickly carbonation

D - smooth and nice...really enjoyed it
Nov 25, 2009
Photo of nickd717
Reviewed by nickd717 from California

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle via trade thanks to KnightRider on BA.

Pours a slightly hazy yellowish-golden color with a one-finger off-white head that lasts and leaves some good lacing.

Aroma is nice with wheat, Belgian yeast, orange peel, coriander, lemon, and spice. Right on style.

Flavor is a bit of a letdown but still pretty good. Mildly sweet with wheat, pilsner malt, yeast, orange peel, coriander, lemon, and floral hops. Just lacks a bit of balance.

Medium body with average carbonation and a fairly smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability is pretty high. Decent overall but not a standout.
Nov 24, 2009
Scratch Beer 22 - 2009 (Belgian-Style White) from Tröegs Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 35 ratings