Treat Yourself
Center of the Universe Brewing Company

 

The beer pours a lightly foamy head that dissipates quickly and would probably be gone if it weren't for the glass I was using. The beer itself is fairly gorgeous. It is a clear medium gold that positively glows. It definitely has a nice bright vibe to it.

The smell is pretty good. It has a very nice strong orange rind smell that mingles with a sweet wheat that creates a fairly citrus and floral smell. The rind smell is pretty strong and dominates the nose but that isn't necessarily a bad thing giving how good it smells.

The taste is good but a bit hoppy for the style. It's simple because the only notes are the orange rind taste and the underlying wheat that gives it a slight creamy sweetness. The orange rind note dominates the taste and comes off as a bit too hoppy for the style. However, it's a really good hop note that works much better than the more grapefruit or pine notes that are sometimes used. Although, the hop note starts to fade a little when it gets warmer and that affects the enjoyment negatively.

The feel is good. It's a light bodied beer with a smooth and slightly creamy feel to it. The beer has a nice biting carbonation similar to sparkling water. It has a slightly dry finish but it also makes it a bit refreshing.

Overall, a good beer and one worth having if you have the chance. The beer is a little hoppy and citrusy for the style but it doesn't detract too much and actually makes it a good beer to enjoy during a hot and humid day.

Poured from the bottle into a wheat ale glass.

Deep copper orange and yellow body color, with a real nice crystal clear appearance. Large bubbled carbonation mixing with a good amount of fine pinhead size as well, and fairly plentiful. Head is soapy white, a little bit of froth but also some good spidery retention and lacing while settling. Grows a solid easy three fingers off the pour and settles to half a finger.

Clean aroma with a very light standard pale ale american hop bent. Faint citrus and tropical notes hiding behind some granular brown sugar notes. Hints towards sweeter and darker malts than your regular wheat chewy ale. Still a solid smelling brew in question.

Solid palate with an odd marker. Chewy rind of citrus zest in the mid palate, with an almost vienna lager malt richness. Finishes with citrus and orange, but has a very lingering baby aspirin aftertaste that detracts just a touch. More lemon and juicy qualities, but manages to stay clear of a chewy classic wheat feel and depth.

Comes off more as a solid pale ale than a wheaty brew, but with some minor flaws as well.

A: A tangerine orange color with white head.

S: Orange peel and grapefruit, and a slight herbal aroma.

T: Slight malt with citrus notes, and a long orange finish.

M: Medium light, with moderate carbonation.

O: Overall easy drinking with a nice citrus thing going. A little light on flavor and pretty expensive for what is basically a session beer.