Wheat Beer
Napa Smith Brewery

 

Listed on the "1001 Beers To Drink Before You Die", this probably deserves to be on the list because the master brewer is one of the grand-daddy's of the craft beer movement. And because Napa is in the cradle of American wine, so it is a gentle dig on the competition. This was part of the flight I Had of six brews. I can see why this brewery has a reputation for culinary compatibility; most of the flight I can imagine as companions to a narrow range of mild-ish foods. Not even the IPA was too hoppy.

Had in Napa's taproom, my ratings are much higher than other BA average and three years more recent. So I asked one of the brew workers if this wheat beer was close to the one being reviewed earlier. He didn't know for sure because he didn't know the previous recipe but had been told that the current one was a tweaked experiment. Obviously, I think they tweaked it for the better.

Pours a clear, rather wan solar yellow with a thick, if not too persistent, white head. Wheaty aroma is none too strong and has a hint of yeast. Flavor has a malty core and wheaty and yeasty notes, plus a hint of fruit. Smooth texture has typical body and fizz, leaving a tingle that is persistent if not strong. Though not the best wheat I’ve had, give it a try if this is your favorite style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 oz undated bottle served in a lager glass.
A: pours clear golden with a well-proportioned, dense, off-white head. It has a high level of visible carbonation and leaves some nice lacing. Small amount of sediment in the bottle, a bit of which was included with the pour.

S: a mostly unappealing floral aroma with musty, yeasty and grassy notes. Hints of cardamon and ginger.

Taste is way better and fresher, as well as more delicate and less spicy than expected. Wheat is evident but subtle, Hints of cinnamon, cardamon and ginger. Light on hops for style. (yes, I know this style is supposed to be light on hops.)

M: Medium-light bodied; medium-high but soft carbonation.

O: a delicate, lightly spicy wheat beer.
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Thin head on a clear, medium straw colored body.
Smells of fruit: apple and pear mostly and a little honey.
Taste starts with a little sweet note, then dry bitterness... the middle and end are watery and bland. Starts out okay and then runs out of flavor halfway through.
Crisp texture, low carbonation and medium body.
The taste was a real disappointment, the rest of it was average.

 

 

I've had this bottle for several months and figured I'd better drink it before it got too old. I didn't expect much from it but I was pleasantly surprised. It poured a clear gold with a nice fluffy two finger head, decent retention, and decent lacing. The nose was mainly floral. Mouthfeel was good but maybe just a wee bit too much carbonation. Taste was mainly fruit but with some bitterness to balance. It sort of reminded me of a weaker IPA (not a bad thing.) Overall I loved it and the low ABV along with an easy drinkability would make this offering ideal as a session beer.