Ski Patrol
Brewery Vivant

Ski PatrolSki Patrol
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From:
Brewery Vivant
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Witbier
Ranked #105
ABV:
6.1%
Score:
86
Ranked #27,529
Avg:
3.79 | pDev: 11.35%
Ratings:
70 | reviews: 26
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 30, 2026
Added:
Jan 06, 2015
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  9
Belgian inspired Wit brewed with cardamom and orange peel. Hazy golden pour and a warming spice on the nose.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Beginner2:
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev +4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The winter wit is still a curious interpretation to me. Wits are for summer. But, I've just had two wits from Michigan that affect winter very convincingly.

Vivant's is the second winter wit. Its doesn't look like much (I really want the foam to last more than a minute.) Smells onward are quite good: a medley of fruit and traditional wit spices followed by a modestly integrated yeast-driven Taste followed by a very soft mouth. I could see drinking this on a winter day (although I'd rather be drinking a quad.)

I like Vivant. (Had 14 ales from them, probably putting them in my Top 10 North American Belgian-Inspired Brewers (NABIBs). A good, but not great wit from a good, but not great NABIB.
Nov 16, 2019
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.94 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire

Jan 30, 2026
Photo of khaledkamel1500
Reviewed by khaledkamel1500 from Michigan

3.23/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
This is an interesting one

At its core, it's pretty similar to most wheat beers, which I really like. But it's different in that it's a bit more bitter, but also... Spicy? I mean, I've heard of spicy beers before, but this is the first time I've ever actually had one and it's... I don't even know how to describe it. It's not *bad*, but it's very different, in a sorta weird way. But, like I said, it's not a bad beer. Probably a good choice for the holiday season (Christmas sucked ass for me this year, but that's not the point)
Dec 28, 2025
 
Rated: 4.13 by AJB46

Oct 06, 2023
 
Rated: 3.96 by Whyteboar from Michigan

Jan 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.78 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Dec 18, 2022
 
Rated: 3.82 by Mxsluis from Michigan

Jan 13, 2022
Photo of TomQBigBeerGuy
Reviewed by TomQBigBeerGuy from Michigan

3.46/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Color was pale Gold Pour. The Aroma was spicry and orange. The Taste followed the nose and I got coriander and orange peel quite clearly. Not bad for a day after hitting the slopes, very on brand.
Feb 23, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by rare_bird from Michigan

Dec 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.74 by blissfulNemo from Michigan

Dec 03, 2019
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.92/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Canned 11/16/16; drank 12/22/16 @ the Yarchives.

Cloudy orange appearance.

A violent pour yielded a big, noisy white head; decent lace.

Orange & lemon citrus, apple cider & mild mint notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Mild mint & faint lemon bite flavors up front; apple cider & soft yeast notes on the finish.

A pleasant Belgian/wit mash-up; mild & enjoyable.
Sep 25, 2019
Photo of beersampler6
Reviewed by beersampler6 from Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A nice, lighter Belgian wheat beer that was actually quite enjoyable (not my typical style of beer). Tried this one on tap at a local restaurant. Pours a much lighter golden color with mild head and lingering lacing. Smells faintly of light Belgian yeast, maybe a little banana and clove but really the aromas were quite muted. Tastes similarly, along with some mild cracker notes. Not too sweet and no cloying sensation. I didn't detect much orange and certainly no cardamom flavors. Very well-balanced. Smooth, mild mouthfeel, good carbonation. Not bad at all!
Feb 23, 2019
Photo of Wolvmar
Reviewed by Wolvmar from Michigan

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On draft at Taste Kitchen in Ann Arbor.

Pour: clear golden color. No head, ring or lacing to speak of.

Nose: floral, coriander with a some malt.

Taste: sweet malt, some mild citrus, slight pepper on backend.

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation but surprisingly substantial. Crisp but slight oiliness.

Overall: enjoyable but not special. Wouldn’t go out of my way but wouldn’t turn it down.
Feb 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.19 by GravityKills from Massachusetts

Apr 24, 2018
 
Rated: 3.5 by -Andrew- from Michigan

Mar 30, 2018
 
Rated: 3.84 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Jan 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4.04 by tommy5 from Michigan

Dec 09, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by BenjaGrif from Iowa

Nov 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by travelguy from Ohio

Nov 11, 2017
Photo of bushbeer75
Reviewed by bushbeer75 from Michigan

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
16 oz can - not dated

Brewery Vivant Ski Patrol exhibited a body with a slightly hazy gold hue. A disappointing minimal head was produced that had no staying power or lacing to speak of. The nose and taste were very similar to a classic witbier. Both nose and taste were dominated by orange peel and light spice. There also is a light sugary sweetness present. I did not notice any cardamom - although I am not too familiar with the flavor. Mouth feel was light-medium with a somewhat fizzy carbonation.

Ski Patrol is a very drinkable Belgian Witbier. The appearance however was a little disappointing for the style.
Sep 08, 2017