Golden Hoof
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

 

This return to history would be enough to make Pierre Celis proud. A return to the tried and true recipe of the classic Belgian Witbier is also enough to appease the tastebuds with fruity, tangy, spicy refreshment.

Golden Hoof swoons the senses immediately with the floral perfume of coriander, freshly grated oranges, complementary citrus and apple with a soft vanilla-like background scent. Pale yellow and glowing with a diffused haze, the wheat beer also floats a generous white cap. Underneath the froth lies an early taste of fresh cookie dough, sourdough and sweet baking bread.

As the flavors roll along the middle palate, the fruit flavors open up with the radiance of fresh oranges and then secondary fruit flavors of lemon, green apple, white grape and honeydew. Not to be outdone, a balance comes from a followup of white pepper, coriander, vinous spice and a slight tanginess of white wine. With low bitterness in sight, the ale trails into a malty-dry finish with faint hay and a lemon pepper bite.

Medium light on the palate, the early breadiness suggests a creamy session white the beer lightens considerably nearing finish. Its a highly refreshing and relatively error-free beer that just misses the mark on the tightness and briskness of the classic examples like St. Bernardus Wit, Hoegaarten and Wittkerke.