Jeju Wit Ale
Jeju Beer

 

 

 

If you brew in a warm climate and the dominant grain is rice and not wheat, then it is hard to get and keep a yeast that makes a wit a wit. So it is with Jeju. I invite everyone to try Jeju's Wit and see if I'm correct.

Jeju's Wit Looks slightly below average, not cloudy enough and certainly not a lasting foam. As for its Smells, the same rating because its yeast does not stimulate the wheat enough to produce fruity aromas. Tastes are balanced, but where it not for the wheat... I would not know I was drinking a wit. Good bubbles, but just under medium-mouthed for the style.

As for my generous Overall Hugs... Jeju's Wit went well enough with a bowl of instant Korean noodles. the wheat both calmed the palate and the bubbles scrubbed it. I also give good Hugs for trying to bring Belgian brewing to riceland.

The aroma is grains and grassy hops and not much like a Wit. The appearance is hazy gold with a medium head. The taste is astringent and not like a Wit. The palate is smooth. Overall it's not what I wanted.

It has a very distinct flavor of mandarin peel, followed by orange, coriander, grains and white bread. It's light-medium bodied and moderately carbonated, crisp, and smooth. It's quite a good example of this style. I had it a second time and I found it to be better than I remembered before, but it's somewhat one-dimensional for my taste.

 

 

 

 

 

I was quite surprised by this, was expecting something different, although it says it is a wit, the label said it is a weizen but in the end it was a pretty nicely hopped ale, aroma and taste as well. Had no trace of yeast or that typical wheat taste anywhere, just a light bodied, carbonated and flavorful fruity ale. Was perfectly good, an unexpected surprise!

L- Pale gold with slight milky haze. Pours with 1Cm fine-bubble head that's holding well.
S- That distinctive coriander/wheat scent, quite mild here.
T- Wheat is clear, a mild coriander note, distinct dry hops* into the finish.
F- Very refreshing, very easy going, reminds me of a solid Belgian Wit/German weissen with the wheat+spice side to it.
O- Very nice, very authentic to the style. If this were a local beer at a local beer price I'd happily buy it again.
Not cheap at £3.20/330ml bottle, as a specialist import, hence I'm unlikely to buy it again. Bottled: 12/11/2019. From: Oriental City, 26 Queensway, London W2.
The rear lable has a tiny 'B' logo on it and 'In partnership with Brooklyn Brewery' !

* The level of hops is appropriate and good for western tastes. Most east Asians have the genetic predisposition ('the bitter gene') to finding prominent bitterness literally physically intolerable, so back in it's Korean home market this is likely considered bold hopping.