Cherry Hefeweizen
Methow Valley Brewing Company/Twisp River Pub

I knew I was in trouble when this hefe brewed with local cherries arrived looking like a beer cocktail. The grayish, densely clouded ale showed a crimson blush like a Shirley Temple and came with not one, but two lemon wedges - both of which were promptly pressed into my water glass. Over-sized bubbles rose from the glass wall as I inhaled a smell like pink lemonade left in swamp. Seriously, the aroma was foul, especially after the lemons were dismissed from duty.

This late summer seasonal has a mid-palate rush of cherry juice but no other virtues. Neither the hefe nor the cherries establish themselves with any authority and the union of the two doesn't pull together in any meaningful way.