Hellboy - Johann Kraus Citrus Wit
Gigantic Brewing Company

Bottle from Market of Choice.

A mildly hazy light orange with a dense white head with good retention and lacing this looks good. The nose has plenty of citrus with a fresh orange zest scent to go with a blend of wheat, coriander and a little grains of paradise. The palate opens with a mild yeasty, spicy note with a mild bubblegum like flavor. This is immediately followed by a bright citrus note, clean and refreshing. A grainy, spicy bitterness is present. Fruity sweet on the finish, this beer is medium light in body and moderately carbonated. Solid.

.5l bottle from Toby. Light golden body, barely there head. Faint citrusy aroma. More of the wit comes through in the taste. Light and slightly sticky.

 

If you like malty, mellow, citrus-flavored beers that go down easy, this stuff is just amazing. I found it completely by luck in a local bar, and had to pull the reins HARD to stop after two. But only because I had a few before this, and I had to walk home. If you can get it, DO get it. Zero buyer's remorse.

 

500 ml bottle into tulip glass, bottled in 6/2019. Pours moderately hazy/cloudy medium golden yellow color with a 1-2 finger dense and rocky white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. Fantastic appearance. Aromas of big lemon, lime, mandarin orange, citrus peel/rind, peach, pear, apricot, melon, red apple, peppercorn, clove, light banana/bubblegum, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, herbal, wood, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus peels, and pale/wheat malt notes; with big strength. Taste of big lemon, lime, mandarin orange, citrus peel/rind, peach, pear, apricot, melon, red apple, peppercorn, clove, light banana/bubblegum, wheat, cracker, white bread dough, herbal, wood, floral, grass, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate herbal, floral, woody, grassy, spicy bitterness; peppery yeast spiciness; and light wheat tang/tartness on the finish. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus peels, and pale/wheat malt flavors; with a great malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and no astringent flavors after the finish. Fairly crisp finishing. Light-moderate increasing dryness from lingering bitter/spiciness and carbonation. Medium-plus carbonation and body; with a very smooth, creamy/bready/grainy, fairly sticky, and lightly resinous/rindy mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.66%. Overall this is an excellent witbier. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/earthy hops, fruity/spicy yeast, citrus peels, and pale/wheat malt flavors; very smooth and fairly crisp/refreshing to drink with the mellowly bitter/spicy/drying finish; great soft feel for the style. Awesome balance between classic Wit yeast complexity, vibrant/earthy Mandarina hops, and citrus peel flavors; with a great clean bready pale/wheat malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with crisp drying. A very enjoyable offering, and impressive spot on style example. No complaints.

Look: Pale, hazy gold. About half a finger of foamy white head that quickly dissipates.

Smell: Hops, orange peel, and wheat malt all relatively equally. A small sour note.

Taste: Mild wheat malt with a heavy citrus taste. Small amount of hop flavor with little or no bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth body with high carbonation.

Overall: A very easy-drinking summer beer that I wish was brewed more!

 

Poured into a weizen glass. Pours a lightly hazy, medium golden amber with a half finger white head with good retention and light lacing. Aroma of wheat, light lemon, clove and coriander with a hint of citrus. Flavor follows the addition of light orange. Nice medium body with light to moderate creaminess. Overall a straightforward, fairly traditional wit, but there is a light orangy note that is mellow enough that it fits in well. Spicing is right. The body is more robust than typical of a wit, and in my opinion that's a good improvement, giving the overall experience a little boost. This is a nice wit and one I'd have again if they decided to do it again.