Snapshot Wheat
New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Wheat Beer - American Pale
- ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 80
- Avg:
- 3.51 | pDev: 13.68%
- Reviews:
- 209
- Ratings:
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 39
- Gots
- 571
SCORE
80
Good
80
Good
Notes:
IBU: 13
Yeast: Hybrid ale yeast
Calories: 182
Hops: Cascade
Malts: Pale, Wheat
Fruits/Spices: Coriander, grains of paradise
Special Processing: Add Lactobacillus (souring bacteria) to a portion of the overall wort, which produces lactic acid that gives a characteristic sourness and mouthfeel. That acidic portion is then added to other portion of the wort that was fermented with the Ale yeast. So two worts – a sour and a regular – are blended together to make Snapshot.
Yeast: Hybrid ale yeast
Calories: 182
Hops: Cascade
Malts: Pale, Wheat
Fruits/Spices: Coriander, grains of paradise
Special Processing: Add Lactobacillus (souring bacteria) to a portion of the overall wort, which produces lactic acid that gives a characteristic sourness and mouthfeel. That acidic portion is then added to other portion of the wort that was fermented with the Ale yeast. So two worts – a sour and a regular – are blended together to make Snapshot.
Reviews: 209
| Ratings: 1,598
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Reviews by JohnnyK:
More User Reviews:
tjr226 from Georgia
2/5 rDev -43%
From the first sip, you can tell something is off about this beer. It tastes like an extremely bad shandy.
The description on Beer Advisor mentions something about bacteria that make lactic acid to produce a sour beer, but going only half-way makes this a poor choice. It's not a traditional relaxing wheat beer, and it's not a well executed sour beer. Steer clear.
Oct 23, 2014
2/5 rDev -43%
From the first sip, you can tell something is off about this beer. It tastes like an extremely bad shandy.
The description on Beer Advisor mentions something about bacteria that make lactic acid to produce a sour beer, but going only half-way makes this a poor choice. It's not a traditional relaxing wheat beer, and it's not a well executed sour beer. Steer clear.
Oct 23, 2014
bwood06 from Wisconsin
3.55/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A - Slightly cloudy straw in color. Light to medium carbonation. White 2 finger frothy head that is slow to dissipate. Not as cloudy as expected considering that this is an unfiltered wheat beer. Head is retained nicely throughout tasting. 3.5/5
S - Reminds me of being around my grandparents' farm at harvest time. Definite graininess and wheat to the aroma. Slight green apple aroma followed up by grassy hops. Ever so slight hint of clove, maybe even a hint of banana. 3.55/5
T - White bread. Wheat. A hint of a caramel sweetness. Cereal. Dominated by the malt here. Hops do not make much of an appearance. Grassy hops. Some yogurt sourness. Sourness is the final note on my tongue instead of bitterness. Slight hint of banana. 3.5/5
M - Medium bodied and smooth. Finishes clean. Light to medium carbonation. 4/5
O - Very refreshing wheat beer. Some nice flavors going on here. Definitely not your typical wheat beer. Not entirely convinced that I would buy this again. I expect this type of sourness from wild ales, not necessarily from wheat beers. 3.5/5
Oct 07, 2014
3.55/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A - Slightly cloudy straw in color. Light to medium carbonation. White 2 finger frothy head that is slow to dissipate. Not as cloudy as expected considering that this is an unfiltered wheat beer. Head is retained nicely throughout tasting. 3.5/5
S - Reminds me of being around my grandparents' farm at harvest time. Definite graininess and wheat to the aroma. Slight green apple aroma followed up by grassy hops. Ever so slight hint of clove, maybe even a hint of banana. 3.55/5
T - White bread. Wheat. A hint of a caramel sweetness. Cereal. Dominated by the malt here. Hops do not make much of an appearance. Grassy hops. Some yogurt sourness. Sourness is the final note on my tongue instead of bitterness. Slight hint of banana. 3.5/5
M - Medium bodied and smooth. Finishes clean. Light to medium carbonation. 4/5
O - Very refreshing wheat beer. Some nice flavors going on here. Definitely not your typical wheat beer. Not entirely convinced that I would buy this again. I expect this type of sourness from wild ales, not necessarily from wheat beers. 3.5/5
Oct 07, 2014
ronniebruner from Arizona
2/5 rDev -43%
look: 2.25 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Disappointed is all I have to say about this one! I popped the top, took a whiff and was repulsed. This is easily on of the worst smelling beers I have had in a long time! It smells of rotten wheat, not fresh at all. Normally I am a big fan of New Belgium, but they bungled this one for sure. The beer's color is watery and looks dirty, the aroma as I mentioned earlier is atrocious, it is bitter beyond enjoyment and the amount of carbonation is insane. I wanted to like this, but it didnt happen, so I have to recommend to avoid this one...
Oct 21, 2014
2/5 rDev -43%
look: 2.25 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Disappointed is all I have to say about this one! I popped the top, took a whiff and was repulsed. This is easily on of the worst smelling beers I have had in a long time! It smells of rotten wheat, not fresh at all. Normally I am a big fan of New Belgium, but they bungled this one for sure. The beer's color is watery and looks dirty, the aroma as I mentioned earlier is atrocious, it is bitter beyond enjoyment and the amount of carbonation is insane. I wanted to like this, but it didnt happen, so I have to recommend to avoid this one...
Oct 21, 2014
pat61 from Minnesota
4/5 rDev +14%
A very wheaty nose scented with fruit.
Pours pale cloudy straw with a very robust white persistent moussey foam cap. Very lacy.
Palate: Big bready wheat malt and then tart and fruity flavors emerge as it crosses your palate. The interactions between the yeasty and the malty tangy wheat with lemon and bread play with your tongue well into the finish. Very drinkable.
The beer comes across light and refreshing but with substance. Refreshingly effervescent.
Sep 25, 2014
4/5 rDev +14%
A very wheaty nose scented with fruit.
Pours pale cloudy straw with a very robust white persistent moussey foam cap. Very lacy.
Palate: Big bready wheat malt and then tart and fruity flavors emerge as it crosses your palate. The interactions between the yeasty and the malty tangy wheat with lemon and bread play with your tongue well into the finish. Very drinkable.
The beer comes across light and refreshing but with substance. Refreshingly effervescent.
Sep 25, 2014
BeerFMAndy from Wisconsin
4.67/5 rDev +33%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
12 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
5% ABV, Enjoy By: 31AUG14
A - Having given this unfiltered bottle a swirl before pouring, it's no surprise Snapshot is completely hazed; a great look for this pale straw yellow beer. It's billowing white head deflates to a lumpy pile of foam slowly while caking the glass in classic clumpy lace for perfection in a glass!
S - As a sour beer fanatic, my nose immediately gravitates towards Snapshot's faint suggestion of lactobacillus-induced tartness who's trickle of acidity accentuates the beer's beautiful soft wheat aroma and light kiss of coriander-like spiciness for an aroma full of summer!
T - Sweet pale malt almost recalls that rich pilsner malt but it's husky undertones keep it in check, aided by the strong flavor of bountiful soft wheat! Citrus and lactobacillus transition the sweet flavor into refreshing tartness that lets lemon wedge and light pucker (respectively) as well as delicate spiciness wander on the tongue briefly.
M - Nicely carbonated and light-bodied, Snapshot is refreshing indeed, finishing with the perfect level of tart tickling both sides of the tongue!
O - Not only does New Belgium have a penchant for constantly creating new extremely drinkable summertime beers but they also have a big love for sours. While sours have exploded in popularity in the craft beer community, they're not quite ready for the mainstream and that's where Snapshot comes in. New Belgium's Snapshot takes everything great about a pale wheat ale; it's drinkability, refreshing quality, and light, sessionable flavor and adds a twist of tart lactobacillus, a souring bacteria. For us exploratory drinkers it's reminiscent of a German Berliner Weisse while it maintains great training wheel characteristics for those uninitiated looking to get their feet wet in the wild world of sours. Like many of their lighter offerings usually do during the warmer months, Snapshot will have a permanent place in my fridge this summer.
Apr 23, 2014
4.67/5 rDev +33%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
12 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
5% ABV, Enjoy By: 31AUG14
A - Having given this unfiltered bottle a swirl before pouring, it's no surprise Snapshot is completely hazed; a great look for this pale straw yellow beer. It's billowing white head deflates to a lumpy pile of foam slowly while caking the glass in classic clumpy lace for perfection in a glass!
S - As a sour beer fanatic, my nose immediately gravitates towards Snapshot's faint suggestion of lactobacillus-induced tartness who's trickle of acidity accentuates the beer's beautiful soft wheat aroma and light kiss of coriander-like spiciness for an aroma full of summer!
T - Sweet pale malt almost recalls that rich pilsner malt but it's husky undertones keep it in check, aided by the strong flavor of bountiful soft wheat! Citrus and lactobacillus transition the sweet flavor into refreshing tartness that lets lemon wedge and light pucker (respectively) as well as delicate spiciness wander on the tongue briefly.
M - Nicely carbonated and light-bodied, Snapshot is refreshing indeed, finishing with the perfect level of tart tickling both sides of the tongue!
O - Not only does New Belgium have a penchant for constantly creating new extremely drinkable summertime beers but they also have a big love for sours. While sours have exploded in popularity in the craft beer community, they're not quite ready for the mainstream and that's where Snapshot comes in. New Belgium's Snapshot takes everything great about a pale wheat ale; it's drinkability, refreshing quality, and light, sessionable flavor and adds a twist of tart lactobacillus, a souring bacteria. For us exploratory drinkers it's reminiscent of a German Berliner Weisse while it maintains great training wheel characteristics for those uninitiated looking to get their feet wet in the wild world of sours. Like many of their lighter offerings usually do during the warmer months, Snapshot will have a permanent place in my fridge this summer.
Apr 23, 2014
Yeahok from Virginia
2.34/5 rDev -33.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
Popped the top to an aroma of someone farting in a wet bathing suit in a hot car. Tart is accurate, which paired well with my dry numb pallet after a pack of newports. Pretty run of the mill wheat beer. Glad I only bought a single. Whoever said it tastes like blue moon was spot on.
Aug 08, 2014
2.34/5 rDev -33.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
Popped the top to an aroma of someone farting in a wet bathing suit in a hot car. Tart is accurate, which paired well with my dry numb pallet after a pack of newports. Pretty run of the mill wheat beer. Glad I only bought a single. Whoever said it tastes like blue moon was spot on.
Aug 08, 2014
babaracas from Florida
3.4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy pale yellow, thin but dense white head, a few rings of lace on the glass. Smell: lightly doughy, coriander, vegetal note. Taste: doughy, stone fruit sweetness, plenty of coriander, tart back end; a bit soapy. Alright.
Jun 21, 2015
3.4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy pale yellow, thin but dense white head, a few rings of lace on the glass. Smell: lightly doughy, coriander, vegetal note. Taste: doughy, stone fruit sweetness, plenty of coriander, tart back end; a bit soapy. Alright.
Jun 21, 2015
Tsar_Riga from Indiana
3.52/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Cloudy gold color, with small, quickly fading white head and minor lacing.
S - Wheat-based bread and sour lemon elements.
T - The sourness is front, but without sweetness or other elements of the flavor profile of the citrus. The wheat forms the center, mostly in the form of a slice of multigrain bread, very lightly toasted, but without the more complex elements common with roasted grain flavors.
M - Clean, moderate carbonation, no drying.
O - This is a fairly typical wheat beer, with a subtle souring, perhaps too subtle. The citrus is limited, and I found most of the flavors fairly muted. No missteps, just not terribly interesting.
Apr 23, 2014
3.52/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - Cloudy gold color, with small, quickly fading white head and minor lacing.
S - Wheat-based bread and sour lemon elements.
T - The sourness is front, but without sweetness or other elements of the flavor profile of the citrus. The wheat forms the center, mostly in the form of a slice of multigrain bread, very lightly toasted, but without the more complex elements common with roasted grain flavors.
M - Clean, moderate carbonation, no drying.
O - This is a fairly typical wheat beer, with a subtle souring, perhaps too subtle. The citrus is limited, and I found most of the flavors fairly muted. No missteps, just not terribly interesting.
Apr 23, 2014
Nurt20 from Illinois
3.56/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jun 24, 2015
3.56/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Jun 24, 2015
JMScowcroft from Vermont
3.66/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 12, 2015
3.66/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jul 12, 2015
KeithE from Illinois
3.69/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Mar 11, 2015
3.69/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Mar 11, 2015
TrueMetalJake from Oregon
3.44/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
May 18, 2015
3.44/5 rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
May 18, 2015
bump8628 from Oklahoma
3.65/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
May 24, 2015
3.65/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
May 24, 2015
shadetree67 from Minnesota
3.29/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
A. Gold in color. Pour Yielded 2 fingers of head. Nice lacing and head retention. A good looking beer
S. Sour Wheat, just as the name implies. Slight lemon. Not much going on in the aroma
T. Not as sour as the nose would suggest. Very slight tartness and spice. Mainly just tastes like a wheat beer with a hint of sour. Not very interesting or complex.
M. Thin and watery. on the higher side of the carbonation scale. Dry Finish
O. It sounded interesting when I read the description in the store, but I won't be buying this one again
Jun 28, 2014
3.29/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
A. Gold in color. Pour Yielded 2 fingers of head. Nice lacing and head retention. A good looking beer
S. Sour Wheat, just as the name implies. Slight lemon. Not much going on in the aroma
T. Not as sour as the nose would suggest. Very slight tartness and spice. Mainly just tastes like a wheat beer with a hint of sour. Not very interesting or complex.
M. Thin and watery. on the higher side of the carbonation scale. Dry Finish
O. It sounded interesting when I read the description in the store, but I won't be buying this one again
Jun 28, 2014
Snapshot Wheat from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
80 out of
100 with
1598 ratings
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