Jan De Lichte
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Witbier
Ranked #17 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #5,870 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 9.14%
- Reviews:
- 72
- Ratings:
- From:
- KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
- Belgium
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 19
- Gots
- 9
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Name : Jan De Lichte was an infamous robbers chief at the end of the 18th Century. He was broken on the wheel at the age of 23 at the Marketplace of Aalst.
Reviews: 72
| Ratings: 140
4.3/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: 1/2" white head over cloudy straw colored liquid.
S: lemon, spice
T: lemon, white pepper, aspirin
M: medium viscosity and a very dry finish
O: An excellent beer
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: 1/2" white head over cloudy straw colored liquid.
S: lemon, spice
T: lemon, white pepper, aspirin
M: medium viscosity and a very dry finish
O: An excellent beer
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4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from fridge temp. Pours yellow with nice white head. Nose is funk, citrus peel, pine, wheat, and nuts. Taste follows the nose. Fairly mellow taste. Slight bitterness upfront. No sweetness detectable. Pine, earth, tree sap, funk, and mango. Mouthfeel is light and dry. Overall, a fantastic Witbier.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from fridge temp. Pours yellow with nice white head. Nose is funk, citrus peel, pine, wheat, and nuts. Taste follows the nose. Fairly mellow taste. Slight bitterness upfront. No sweetness detectable. Pine, earth, tree sap, funk, and mango. Mouthfeel is light and dry. Overall, a fantastic Witbier.
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4.21/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: cloudy; pale gold in color; 1+finger white head that receded to a thick collar; no lacing;
S: very aromatic; Belgian yeast, coriander, and a big dose of lemon and lemon pith;
T: follows the nose; the lemon character is really nice;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; dry finish;
O: this might be my favorite wit and it's the lemon aspect that makes it for me;
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: cloudy; pale gold in color; 1+finger white head that receded to a thick collar; no lacing;
S: very aromatic; Belgian yeast, coriander, and a big dose of lemon and lemon pith;
T: follows the nose; the lemon character is really nice;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; dry finish;
O: this might be my favorite wit and it's the lemon aspect that makes it for me;
371 characters
3.41/5 rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Straw color, very cloudy. Head white, not too high and far too quickly disappears from the surface of the beer.
The flavor is banana, coriander, wheat and lemon.
Taste soaked wheat, sweet, overripe bananas and lemon. The beer is very crisp.
Bitterness: lightweight, low.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Straw color, very cloudy. Head white, not too high and far too quickly disappears from the surface of the beer.
The flavor is banana, coriander, wheat and lemon.
Taste soaked wheat, sweet, overripe bananas and lemon. The beer is very crisp.
Bitterness: lightweight, low.
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4.16/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
this guys are fast becoming one of my favorite boutique belgian brewers, i just wish their stuff came around here a little more than it does. this is killer beer, an imperial wit in belgian terms, but with wheat, barley, oats and spelt. the extra grain makes a lot of difference here, with a fluffy feel and a little more harvest character to it, more fall than summer, nice. its hazy and yellow without much luster and with very little head after it fizzes out, but the carbonation is aggressive still. slow bubbles cruise to the surface, and moderate sediment comes in after the first pour. it smells like fresh coriander seed and orange zest, bitter, and you can smell the candy sugar as well. in the flavor, way more orange than coriander, and all the grain making it very distinct. the yeast gives notes of white wine and lemongrass, and the sugar is there in the finish. it could stand to be a touch more dry, but with all the carbonation it seems to finish fast enough. complex would be an understatement for this one, a regal drinking experience like a nice champagne, but equally nice with a football game and a supreme pizza. a testament to the versatility of beer this high in quality. yum.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
this guys are fast becoming one of my favorite boutique belgian brewers, i just wish their stuff came around here a little more than it does. this is killer beer, an imperial wit in belgian terms, but with wheat, barley, oats and spelt. the extra grain makes a lot of difference here, with a fluffy feel and a little more harvest character to it, more fall than summer, nice. its hazy and yellow without much luster and with very little head after it fizzes out, but the carbonation is aggressive still. slow bubbles cruise to the surface, and moderate sediment comes in after the first pour. it smells like fresh coriander seed and orange zest, bitter, and you can smell the candy sugar as well. in the flavor, way more orange than coriander, and all the grain making it very distinct. the yeast gives notes of white wine and lemongrass, and the sugar is there in the finish. it could stand to be a touch more dry, but with all the carbonation it seems to finish fast enough. complex would be an understatement for this one, a regal drinking experience like a nice champagne, but equally nice with a football game and a supreme pizza. a testament to the versatility of beer this high in quality. yum.
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4.5/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Poured into a glass it looks like the traditional wit – pale, hazy yellow with a creamy white head.
S: Moderate to moderately low aromas of citrus, orange, cardamom and wheat and a hint of grapefruit.
T: A flavorful palate of spicy malt, citrus, orange peel and spice finishes dry. The malt and spice mask the alcohol quite well.
F: Medium to medium light body
O: This might be better described as a “double wit” with the beer’s fuller body and higher alcohol from most wits. It is very drinkable and refreshing.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Poured into a glass it looks like the traditional wit – pale, hazy yellow with a creamy white head.
S: Moderate to moderately low aromas of citrus, orange, cardamom and wheat and a hint of grapefruit.
T: A flavorful palate of spicy malt, citrus, orange peel and spice finishes dry. The malt and spice mask the alcohol quite well.
F: Medium to medium light body
O: This might be better described as a “double wit” with the beer’s fuller body and higher alcohol from most wits. It is very drinkable and refreshing.
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4.09/5 rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From Leura.
A witbier? Really....???
Pours like a saison, smells like a saison, tastes like a saison, and let's not forget that delightful Belgian Yeast and lemons and funk and barnyard and zest, cloves and spice.
Dont get that in a witbier, now do you?
Really well made, very drinkable, it's just not a witbier. Nor does it taste like a 7%-er.
Cheers.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From Leura.
A witbier? Really....???
Pours like a saison, smells like a saison, tastes like a saison, and let's not forget that delightful Belgian Yeast and lemons and funk and barnyard and zest, cloves and spice.
Dont get that in a witbier, now do you?
Really well made, very drinkable, it's just not a witbier. Nor does it taste like a 7%-er.
Cheers.
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4.12/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750ml, paper-wrapped bottle, no real label, in fact it would be easy to mistake this for home brew from afar, once the covering is removed.
This beer pours a hazy medium golden straw hue, with a teeming tower of puffy, tightly foamy, and somewhat creamy eggshell white head, which leaves a bit of patchy sudsy lace around the glass as very slowly abates.
It smells of earthy, mildly funky Belgian yeast, a sour orchard fruitiness, moderately sassy lemongrass, white pepper, clove/coriander, and cardamom spice, gritty crackery pale malt, and leafy, grassy hops. The taste is more malty up front, the dry bready pale malt gaining a hint of caramel sweetness, with some softly lilting earthy yeast, muddled lemon and orange rind fruitiness, more clove and coriander zing, and a kind of beguiling grassy, weedy hoppiness.
The carbonation is mild, and yet quite duly frothy, the body medium-light in weight, and mostly smooth, a wee prick and prod from yeast, spice, and hop alike not really a bother. It finishes well off-dry, the malt, fruitiness, and two-faced spice all gently pushing things thataway, with barely a twinge of warming alcohol nodding the sleep from its eyes.
A rather pleasant, and rounded witbier, with jacked up flavour (which is totally right there), as well as ABV (which totally isn't). The spices are deftly rendered against the citrus fruit character, and the nervously joyous hops are the icing on the cake. Teehee - I always get a bit giddy when I encounter the exception the proves the rule - as far as not giving a shit about a particular style, that is.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750ml, paper-wrapped bottle, no real label, in fact it would be easy to mistake this for home brew from afar, once the covering is removed.
This beer pours a hazy medium golden straw hue, with a teeming tower of puffy, tightly foamy, and somewhat creamy eggshell white head, which leaves a bit of patchy sudsy lace around the glass as very slowly abates.
It smells of earthy, mildly funky Belgian yeast, a sour orchard fruitiness, moderately sassy lemongrass, white pepper, clove/coriander, and cardamom spice, gritty crackery pale malt, and leafy, grassy hops. The taste is more malty up front, the dry bready pale malt gaining a hint of caramel sweetness, with some softly lilting earthy yeast, muddled lemon and orange rind fruitiness, more clove and coriander zing, and a kind of beguiling grassy, weedy hoppiness.
The carbonation is mild, and yet quite duly frothy, the body medium-light in weight, and mostly smooth, a wee prick and prod from yeast, spice, and hop alike not really a bother. It finishes well off-dry, the malt, fruitiness, and two-faced spice all gently pushing things thataway, with barely a twinge of warming alcohol nodding the sleep from its eyes.
A rather pleasant, and rounded witbier, with jacked up flavour (which is totally right there), as well as ABV (which totally isn't). The spices are deftly rendered against the citrus fruit character, and the nervously joyous hops are the icing on the cake. Teehee - I always get a bit giddy when I encounter the exception the proves the rule - as far as not giving a shit about a particular style, that is.
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4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
The color is a light cloudy yellow with moderate white head.
Spice, citrus and a little must funk com off the nose.
As far as the flavor there is some light citrusy sweetness but followed by some nice herbal bitterness that finishes dry.
The beer is very light and fizzy.
This is head and shoulders above most wits on the market but comes across almost like a saison either way a must try beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
The color is a light cloudy yellow with moderate white head.
Spice, citrus and a little must funk com off the nose.
As far as the flavor there is some light citrusy sweetness but followed by some nice herbal bitterness that finishes dry.
The beer is very light and fizzy.
This is head and shoulders above most wits on the market but comes across almost like a saison either way a must try beer.
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3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
B+
750ml into a tulip. Pours a fairly transparent dull pale yellow, pure white dense frothy head, hyperactive nucleation, excellent lacing.
The aroma is much of powdery yeast and confectioners sugar backed by a pleasant musty spiciness, apple, pear, citrus.
Mildly sweet, vague apple and pear. More dry than bitter, the bitter is more herbal than hop. Hint of zinc. Medium bodied mouthfeel is illusionary thin at the first impression due to being so lively. As much a saison as a wit.
cheers
jd
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
B+
750ml into a tulip. Pours a fairly transparent dull pale yellow, pure white dense frothy head, hyperactive nucleation, excellent lacing.
The aroma is much of powdery yeast and confectioners sugar backed by a pleasant musty spiciness, apple, pear, citrus.
Mildly sweet, vague apple and pear. More dry than bitter, the bitter is more herbal than hop. Hint of zinc. Medium bodied mouthfeel is illusionary thin at the first impression due to being so lively. As much a saison as a wit.
cheers
jd
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4/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
While commemorating the alleged, the Klein Brewery does so by creating a Belgian Witbier that's not quite a classic Wit. It shares a lot of Farmhouse Saison character, strength, and bitter spice that's just not quite true to style sake- it's better!
Kicking off the show- the beer could be either the Witbier or the Saison with its cloudy canary-yellow color and clarity. Fluffy, airy, and quite light- its head provokes the sense that this is a light and refreshing ale. Firm persistence and intricately laced, the beer simply looks like a well brewed Belgian ale.
Spice and fruit converge in the nose with the slight earthiness of dried lemons, lemongrass, and orage peels. Other spicy notes of obvious coriander, and more subtle clove, white pepper, and a tinge of saffron pull away from the coriander for a more spice-dominant balance. A tinge of alcohol and light grain sweetness offers a corkish must quality that set Saisons apart.
And the beer's taste follows a similar route: part-grain and part-malt provide a short-lived sweetness that is soon replaced by the fruit and spice interplay that takes place, hovering over the tongue. Notions of citrus fruit with fruit spice additions and natural yeast spices tilt the balance toward the more Saison spicy side. An aftertaste of whole wheat bread joins alcohol spice and earthen grass bitterness for a bolder taste than I'm used to in Witbiers.
Crisp, clean, and absolutely bone-dry, the beer's spice and lightly sulfury body dominates the mouthfeel. Near-champagne carbonation bounces off the tongue and carries with it any malt sweetness or textures. This allows for the spice and bitterness to drive the beer home with an arid scrubbing sensation that cleans the palate, offering only moderate acidity and mild spice astringency in the throat.
Sure, Jan De Lichte straddles the fence of styles- but this is what Belgium does. They don't make it easy for us to pigeon hole them into nice and neat little catagories. Its this whimsical and artistic way of brewing that them so great at what they do.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
While commemorating the alleged, the Klein Brewery does so by creating a Belgian Witbier that's not quite a classic Wit. It shares a lot of Farmhouse Saison character, strength, and bitter spice that's just not quite true to style sake- it's better!
Kicking off the show- the beer could be either the Witbier or the Saison with its cloudy canary-yellow color and clarity. Fluffy, airy, and quite light- its head provokes the sense that this is a light and refreshing ale. Firm persistence and intricately laced, the beer simply looks like a well brewed Belgian ale.
Spice and fruit converge in the nose with the slight earthiness of dried lemons, lemongrass, and orage peels. Other spicy notes of obvious coriander, and more subtle clove, white pepper, and a tinge of saffron pull away from the coriander for a more spice-dominant balance. A tinge of alcohol and light grain sweetness offers a corkish must quality that set Saisons apart.
And the beer's taste follows a similar route: part-grain and part-malt provide a short-lived sweetness that is soon replaced by the fruit and spice interplay that takes place, hovering over the tongue. Notions of citrus fruit with fruit spice additions and natural yeast spices tilt the balance toward the more Saison spicy side. An aftertaste of whole wheat bread joins alcohol spice and earthen grass bitterness for a bolder taste than I'm used to in Witbiers.
Crisp, clean, and absolutely bone-dry, the beer's spice and lightly sulfury body dominates the mouthfeel. Near-champagne carbonation bounces off the tongue and carries with it any malt sweetness or textures. This allows for the spice and bitterness to drive the beer home with an arid scrubbing sensation that cleans the palate, offering only moderate acidity and mild spice astringency in the throat.
Sure, Jan De Lichte straddles the fence of styles- but this is what Belgium does. They don't make it easy for us to pigeon hole them into nice and neat little catagories. Its this whimsical and artistic way of brewing that them so great at what they do.
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3.7/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Draft offering at the farmer's cabinet. Served in a tulip. The brew appears a hazed yellow with a white cap about a finger strong. Patchy lace sticks to the glass.
The aroma is like coriander mixed with clove. Some wheat and a pleasant grainy freshness. Across the back is some sulfur and more wheat character like cereal grains.
The taste is full of coriander with an oily lemon essence. Some earthy yeast character is mid-palate mixing with a bitterness thats like rinds and pulp. Some alcohol is noted thats mildly solvent that increases in character as it warms up. Throughout the experience there are traces of sulfur present.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Overall it wasnt bad but it wasnt very memorable either. This is a take it or leave it sort of saison.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Draft offering at the farmer's cabinet. Served in a tulip. The brew appears a hazed yellow with a white cap about a finger strong. Patchy lace sticks to the glass.
The aroma is like coriander mixed with clove. Some wheat and a pleasant grainy freshness. Across the back is some sulfur and more wheat character like cereal grains.
The taste is full of coriander with an oily lemon essence. Some earthy yeast character is mid-palate mixing with a bitterness thats like rinds and pulp. Some alcohol is noted thats mildly solvent that increases in character as it warms up. Throughout the experience there are traces of sulfur present.
This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. Overall it wasnt bad but it wasnt very memorable either. This is a take it or leave it sort of saison.
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3.7/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A clouded deep straw colored brew, a white high head, little lacing and small curtains.
Smelling of oranges, sweet banana, cardamom.
A sweet orange marmalade start, elderberries and lemon juice.
Little carbonation, soft and smooth, a medium body.
Not very complex, but good at sunset.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A clouded deep straw colored brew, a white high head, little lacing and small curtains.
Smelling of oranges, sweet banana, cardamom.
A sweet orange marmalade start, elderberries and lemon juice.
Little carbonation, soft and smooth, a medium body.
Not very complex, but good at sunset.
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4.28/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Got this beer in Williamsburg va of all places.
Appearance - super hazy. Almost opaque. Absolutely beautiful. The way wit should look.
Smell - Standard Belgian wit spice smell. Bready yeast with a bit of lemony hint.
Taste - starts with lemon peal, coriander, bready malts and plenty of alcohol. No pith at all. I am tasting a buy more hops than a usually wit. I am be wrong because I am a bit tipsy.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Got this beer in Williamsburg va of all places.
Appearance - super hazy. Almost opaque. Absolutely beautiful. The way wit should look.
Smell - Standard Belgian wit spice smell. Bready yeast with a bit of lemony hint.
Taste - starts with lemon peal, coriander, bready malts and plenty of alcohol. No pith at all. I am tasting a buy more hops than a usually wit. I am be wrong because I am a bit tipsy.
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4.16/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle thanks to [email protected] Liquor. Bottled 9 April 2011. Hmm.
Honey straw, rather clouded, with a huge but light white head that falls noisily without lacing.
Very busy nose of clove, lemon zest, hay, zingy herbs, grapefruit rind, doughy wheat, honey and mild funk. Everchanging and awesome.
Clove, pear and banana esters with plenty of grassy and herbal action behind it. Lemon sorbet, marjoram, cut grass and marmalade.
Light to medium with vibrant carbonation and a modestly tart finish. Very easy drinking despite the various grains chucked in.
Great stuff. Complex yeast character, with the wheat, oats and buckwheat utilised to enhance this character without making it a chore to drink.
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look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle thanks to [email protected] Liquor. Bottled 9 April 2011. Hmm.
Honey straw, rather clouded, with a huge but light white head that falls noisily without lacing.
Very busy nose of clove, lemon zest, hay, zingy herbs, grapefruit rind, doughy wheat, honey and mild funk. Everchanging and awesome.
Clove, pear and banana esters with plenty of grassy and herbal action behind it. Lemon sorbet, marjoram, cut grass and marmalade.
Light to medium with vibrant carbonation and a modestly tart finish. Very easy drinking despite the various grains chucked in.
Great stuff. Complex yeast character, with the wheat, oats and buckwheat utilised to enhance this character without making it a chore to drink.
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4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a cloudy pale straw amber. Massive white medium head that keeps growing. Really nice laces of carbonation on the side of the glass keep the head healthy. Faint aroma of wheat, light fruit; a bit of sourness. Taste is refreshing wheat, light orange and coriander. Finish is dry and a slight bit astringent, but with a orange peel component that redeems it. Light bodied. Very tasty. This is the best dry witbier I've ever had.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a cloudy pale straw amber. Massive white medium head that keeps growing. Really nice laces of carbonation on the side of the glass keep the head healthy. Faint aroma of wheat, light fruit; a bit of sourness. Taste is refreshing wheat, light orange and coriander. Finish is dry and a slight bit astringent, but with a orange peel component that redeems it. Light bodied. Very tasty. This is the best dry witbier I've ever had.
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3.82/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: A perfectly clear golden pour. Huge soda-like bubbly head that fades to nothing very very quickly. Almost no lacing.
S: Wheaty with some strong spice character. Orange, coriander and white pepper. Pretty strong, including an alcohol presence.
T: Very orangey with quite a bit of wheat. Maybe some coriander and just a hint of pepper.
M: Smooth and highly effervescent.
O: Relatively simple yet fairly strong due to the higher than normal ABV. Appears to be filtered which is unlike most witbiers that I've seen, gives it a bit thinner body and a different appearance than I am used to.
There is a touch of oxidation in the nose and taste but I chose not to influence my review. Bottle was undated and who knows how long it sat on the shelf.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: A perfectly clear golden pour. Huge soda-like bubbly head that fades to nothing very very quickly. Almost no lacing.
S: Wheaty with some strong spice character. Orange, coriander and white pepper. Pretty strong, including an alcohol presence.
T: Very orangey with quite a bit of wheat. Maybe some coriander and just a hint of pepper.
M: Smooth and highly effervescent.
O: Relatively simple yet fairly strong due to the higher than normal ABV. Appears to be filtered which is unlike most witbiers that I've seen, gives it a bit thinner body and a different appearance than I am used to.
There is a touch of oxidation in the nose and taste but I chose not to influence my review. Bottle was undated and who knows how long it sat on the shelf.
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4.33/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
1pint 9.4 fl oz. into a Duvel tulip. No apparent dating.
A: Huge, fizzy white soda pop head--very loud and lovely--that quickly settles into a little bulb of souffle on top. The body is a hazy goldenrod. Lots of fine bubbles from the nucleation point on the bottom. Pretty lovely.
S: Great orange notes, but not too sweet. Some coriander notes, some wheat, and not too yeasty, a problem I tend to have with this style. A touch of alcohol. Not much hopping at all. Like a usual wit, but somewhat bolder, a la the "imperial" on the bottle.
T: Taste is...unexpected, but nice. The orange is definitely there, but not juicy at all, more like highlights. It's also a bit grassy, presumably from hops, with a touch of bittering at the end. Coriander subtle binds the whole sip. Wheaty, straw notes prominent but not at all overwhelming. The slightly-upped alcohol content works well, too.
M: Medium-bodied and fizzy, slight alcohol burn.
O: Frankly, I'm not a frequent drinker of witbiers, preferring German wheats instead. Both tend to be a bit thick and gummy and sweet, so I like the greater hopping of Germans. This beer works precisely because it's fermented down a bit more. The spices, orange, and good wheat characteristics come out more with the higher alcohol and presumably lower residual sugars. A fine quaff. A gift, so I can't comment on price/value, but this is a fairly unique offering in the style.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
1pint 9.4 fl oz. into a Duvel tulip. No apparent dating.
A: Huge, fizzy white soda pop head--very loud and lovely--that quickly settles into a little bulb of souffle on top. The body is a hazy goldenrod. Lots of fine bubbles from the nucleation point on the bottom. Pretty lovely.
S: Great orange notes, but not too sweet. Some coriander notes, some wheat, and not too yeasty, a problem I tend to have with this style. A touch of alcohol. Not much hopping at all. Like a usual wit, but somewhat bolder, a la the "imperial" on the bottle.
T: Taste is...unexpected, but nice. The orange is definitely there, but not juicy at all, more like highlights. It's also a bit grassy, presumably from hops, with a touch of bittering at the end. Coriander subtle binds the whole sip. Wheaty, straw notes prominent but not at all overwhelming. The slightly-upped alcohol content works well, too.
M: Medium-bodied and fizzy, slight alcohol burn.
O: Frankly, I'm not a frequent drinker of witbiers, preferring German wheats instead. Both tend to be a bit thick and gummy and sweet, so I like the greater hopping of Germans. This beer works precisely because it's fermented down a bit more. The spices, orange, and good wheat characteristics come out more with the higher alcohol and presumably lower residual sugars. A fine quaff. A gift, so I can't comment on price/value, but this is a fairly unique offering in the style.
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4.12/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aged for about two years.
A - Golden straw color, bubbly soapy lacing, large rocky foam white head,
N - Wheat, green peppercorn, bubblegum with some over-ripe banana, lots of brett-like funkiness, wet hay, mushroom. Some old leather, lke boot leather, mossiness, astrigent.
T/M - Crisp, robust wheat-like crispness and carbonation followed by a cloying dryness; crisp pear, cracked wheat, more of the old banana and clove and this is more present as the beer warms. It all leads into a very long drying, tannin-like finish. The carbonation made the mouthfeel oily, champagne like, it was fizzy almost.
D - Would love to try this fresh and vertical this bad boy b/c I very much enjoy dry, grassy saisons which this reminded me of like an aged Saison De Lente. But this was more of a cross between a summer wheat beer and a brett saison.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aged for about two years.
A - Golden straw color, bubbly soapy lacing, large rocky foam white head,
N - Wheat, green peppercorn, bubblegum with some over-ripe banana, lots of brett-like funkiness, wet hay, mushroom. Some old leather, lke boot leather, mossiness, astrigent.
T/M - Crisp, robust wheat-like crispness and carbonation followed by a cloying dryness; crisp pear, cracked wheat, more of the old banana and clove and this is more present as the beer warms. It all leads into a very long drying, tannin-like finish. The carbonation made the mouthfeel oily, champagne like, it was fizzy almost.
D - Would love to try this fresh and vertical this bad boy b/c I very much enjoy dry, grassy saisons which this reminded me of like an aged Saison De Lente. But this was more of a cross between a summer wheat beer and a brett saison.
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3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks goes out to funkydelic for sharing this one! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller flute. Poured a slightly hazy golden yellow with a three finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, fruit, and funk. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, earth (the wheat perhaps???), funk, and fruit. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. Nothing on this one was really very standout-ish for me. I would not have guessed that this one was a Witbier based on the aroma and flavor at all. With that said, it was still a very nice brew, just not what I would have expected from the style.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Big thanks goes out to funkydelic for sharing this one! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller flute. Poured a slightly hazy golden yellow with a three finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, fruit, and funk. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, earth (the wheat perhaps???), funk, and fruit. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a decent brew. Nothing on this one was really very standout-ish for me. I would not have guessed that this one was a Witbier based on the aroma and flavor at all. With that said, it was still a very nice brew, just not what I would have expected from the style.
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3.62/5 rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a tulip glass as a super pale, slightly hazy yellow. Little head was suspended above the brew, and no notable (visible) carbonation.
The smell is of cloves, orange peel, and sweet bananas; very faint.
This beer is deceptively light-bodied (almost watery) and easy-drinking; the alcohol is completely hidden. A bit too light for my tastes.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a tulip glass as a super pale, slightly hazy yellow. Little head was suspended above the brew, and no notable (visible) carbonation.
The smell is of cloves, orange peel, and sweet bananas; very faint.
This beer is deceptively light-bodied (almost watery) and easy-drinking; the alcohol is completely hidden. A bit too light for my tastes.
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3.58/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This beer wasn't too shabby, It looked like a traditional Wit. The color was hazy yellow white a foamy white head on it. The aromas were yeasty, citrusy and some what like a farmhouse. This beer has a bit of a salty taste to it, I'm not really sure how much I dig this. The other flavors are light and soft mostly wheat coming through. The mouthfeel is refreshing a light. It's not a bad Wit, the salty flavor is just a little odd for me.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This beer wasn't too shabby, It looked like a traditional Wit. The color was hazy yellow white a foamy white head on it. The aromas were yeasty, citrusy and some what like a farmhouse. This beer has a bit of a salty taste to it, I'm not really sure how much I dig this. The other flavors are light and soft mostly wheat coming through. The mouthfeel is refreshing a light. It's not a bad Wit, the salty flavor is just a little odd for me.
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4.97/5 rDev +22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This poured a beautiful hazy gold with the whitest head I've seen in a while. Wow! Amazingly spicy and fragrant nose. Cardamom, citrus, even a hint of brown sugar. Flavor mirror the aromas and this has an utterly smooth mouthfeel and incredible texture. The finish is smooth and quite long. An almost perfect beer if there ever was one.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This poured a beautiful hazy gold with the whitest head I've seen in a while. Wow! Amazingly spicy and fragrant nose. Cardamom, citrus, even a hint of brown sugar. Flavor mirror the aromas and this has an utterly smooth mouthfeel and incredible texture. The finish is smooth and quite long. An almost perfect beer if there ever was one.
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3.88/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle,
A: Pours a turbid opaque orange, with a soft fizzy white head, pretty cool looking. This is about as unfiltered as it gets. Solid head retention, no lace.
S: Sweet orange peel predominately with a hint of coriander, wheat malt, spicy.
T: Lots of orange with some sugary Belgian ester (cake-like) flavours mid-palate which I liked a lot. Yeasty finish with a hint of ethanol.
M: Medium-bodied, fizzy light carbonation. I'd say don't tilt the beer at an angle, just pour straight down to get rid of the excess carbonation.
D: This is a nice intriguing Imperial wit, but in the end, it's too expensive to buy more than once. It was my most wanted wit, so I jumped on it when I finally saw it in the Southland. If it's on-tap, we'll meet again though.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 mL bottle,
A: Pours a turbid opaque orange, with a soft fizzy white head, pretty cool looking. This is about as unfiltered as it gets. Solid head retention, no lace.
S: Sweet orange peel predominately with a hint of coriander, wheat malt, spicy.
T: Lots of orange with some sugary Belgian ester (cake-like) flavours mid-palate which I liked a lot. Yeasty finish with a hint of ethanol.
M: Medium-bodied, fizzy light carbonation. I'd say don't tilt the beer at an angle, just pour straight down to get rid of the excess carbonation.
D: This is a nice intriguing Imperial wit, but in the end, it's too expensive to buy more than once. It was my most wanted wit, so I jumped on it when I finally saw it in the Southland. If it's on-tap, we'll meet again though.
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4.23/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 1.5L magnum into my Hoegaarden tumbler. Something of a slow but festive gusher.
Metallic gold, urobilin, and hansa yellow all show up in the cloudy gradient of liquid. A very active yet well-fed finger of soft ivory merengue forms a loud but lasting head. Dense soapy lacing and light tears coat the sides.
Lovely delicate yeast aromatics suggest sourdough starter, fresh bread dough, digestive biscuits, and honeysuckle, while the curaçao comes forward to contribute a faint orange blossom fragrance in the background.
Surprisingly phenolic palate entry, which in addition to the coriander thrown into the boil, you get hints of various varieties of peppercorn and nasturtium. Orange-honey and a clean mild bitterness come forward as well to offset the spices. The finish is lightly tart, both from the suggestion of citrus and from the wheat.
Medium-light bodied, with a heavy effervesence, the carbonation is almost too high at first, but this only seems to add to the drinkability. The alcohol comes on in sharp yet modest waves, and while subdued, could maybe be better integrated into the whole.
Most any weakness I point out is really nit-picking though, as this is one of the best wits I've thus far sampled - another winner from one of my favorite breweries.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 1.5L magnum into my Hoegaarden tumbler. Something of a slow but festive gusher.
Metallic gold, urobilin, and hansa yellow all show up in the cloudy gradient of liquid. A very active yet well-fed finger of soft ivory merengue forms a loud but lasting head. Dense soapy lacing and light tears coat the sides.
Lovely delicate yeast aromatics suggest sourdough starter, fresh bread dough, digestive biscuits, and honeysuckle, while the curaçao comes forward to contribute a faint orange blossom fragrance in the background.
Surprisingly phenolic palate entry, which in addition to the coriander thrown into the boil, you get hints of various varieties of peppercorn and nasturtium. Orange-honey and a clean mild bitterness come forward as well to offset the spices. The finish is lightly tart, both from the suggestion of citrus and from the wheat.
Medium-light bodied, with a heavy effervesence, the carbonation is almost too high at first, but this only seems to add to the drinkability. The alcohol comes on in sharp yet modest waves, and while subdued, could maybe be better integrated into the whole.
Most any weakness I point out is really nit-picking though, as this is one of the best wits I've thus far sampled - another winner from one of my favorite breweries.
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Jan De Lichte from KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
140 ratings
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