Ski Patrol
Brewery Vivant

Pint can ($3.19 at Copper Vine) into my newly retired Brewery Vivant Monk Club chalice. Non-dated can, but my local shop just got it in this weekend. A really cool looking can (actually a sticker applied to what looks like a Big Red Coq can). The Vivant rooster profile in the background and the Ski Patrol badge in front. An homage to Zane Lampry's ski patrol?

A- 1/2 finger, off-white head quickly drops to a light web in the middle of the surface. The body is a hazy, golden-orange. Lacking in head retention and lacing (though it may be somewhat due to the glass getting a fresh rinse immediately before decanting).

S- Aromas are pleasant and that of a classic Wit beer. I get a lot of orange and spice. There's a sugary sweetness and some gummy funk at play as well. Maybe a little green apple.

T- Much as the aroma would suggest. I get a lot of wheaty flavor mixed with candied orange peel, a hit of beubblegum, a little lemon, and spice (both spice additions and hoppy qualities). The label says cardamom, but I could easily mistake it for a light dose of black pepper and grains of paradise. The spicy bite really kicks in at the finish.

M- Medium-full body. There's a definite tingle from the spice additions (maybe hopping as well). Medium- heavy carbonation. Somewhat creamy.

O- This is a really solid Belgian Wit. The flavor profile fits nicely for the winter season and offers a nice alternative to the traditional winter-warmer. 6.1% abv packs a nice little punch for the style. The price tag is a little hefty. While I put it slightly above Bell's Winter White, the pricing point would suggest it should be twice as good.

 

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)

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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.