White Hatter | New Holland Brewing Company
Brewed by:
New Holland Brewing Company
Michigan, United States | website
Style: Belgian IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.50%
Availability: Summer
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by WastingFreetime on 06-03-2012
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Reviews: 97 | Ratings: 586
3.97/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, moderate carbonation, gold in color, hazy
Smell: grains of paradise, cardamom, and coriander
Taste: lemon, orange, peach, grains of paradise, clove, and other Belgian spices, slight other hops
Mouthfeel: medium body, sweet with a slight bitter end, low carbonation
Overall: A nice and flavorful citrusy wit. The bitterness is not as pronounced here as it has been in other examples of the style I have had. This is a beer I would reach for if I wanted this style.
★ 494 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, moderate carbonation, gold in color, hazy
Smell: grains of paradise, cardamom, and coriander
Taste: lemon, orange, peach, grains of paradise, clove, and other Belgian spices, slight other hops
Mouthfeel: medium body, sweet with a slight bitter end, low carbonation
Overall: A nice and flavorful citrusy wit. The bitterness is not as pronounced here as it has been in other examples of the style I have had. This is a beer I would reach for if I wanted this style.
★ 494 characters
4.03/5 rDev +11%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The Hatter comes in many iterations these days, but today, he is like me - an old White guy and in a bottle from The Friendly Greek Bottle Shop, no less.
From the bottle: "Flavorfully blends the soft malt, fruity esters and delicate spcing of a Belgian White with hoppy citrus notes of an IPA. Pleasant hints of tropical fruit are framed with orange peel, chamomile, coriander and grains of paradise."; "Pairings: fish, grilled chicken, hard cheeses."
I agitated the beer prior to my usual aggro pour and as such, I stirred things up real good. It came rushing out, filling the glass with a pseudo-cascade and producing two fingers of mountainous, fluffy, bone-white head that slowly fell, leaving great lacing in its wake. Color was a VERY cloudy orangish-yellow (SRM = > 7, < 9). Nose had a musty citrusiness, kind of lemony, but also very dry and dusty like newspapers in an attic. Mouthfeel was soft, caressing my poor, bruised tongue like an old friend. This was like hops tea! It was really mellow, with loads of flavor, like lemon zest, mango, peach, pear, garden flowers and some black pepper. i felt like I was being lulled into a nap. The finish was quite dry, thanks to the spices, but on a hot, humid afternoon, I really enjoyed it.
★ 1,253 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The Hatter comes in many iterations these days, but today, he is like me - an old White guy and in a bottle from The Friendly Greek Bottle Shop, no less.
From the bottle: "Flavorfully blends the soft malt, fruity esters and delicate spcing of a Belgian White with hoppy citrus notes of an IPA. Pleasant hints of tropical fruit are framed with orange peel, chamomile, coriander and grains of paradise."; "Pairings: fish, grilled chicken, hard cheeses."
I agitated the beer prior to my usual aggro pour and as such, I stirred things up real good. It came rushing out, filling the glass with a pseudo-cascade and producing two fingers of mountainous, fluffy, bone-white head that slowly fell, leaving great lacing in its wake. Color was a VERY cloudy orangish-yellow (SRM = > 7, < 9). Nose had a musty citrusiness, kind of lemony, but also very dry and dusty like newspapers in an attic. Mouthfeel was soft, caressing my poor, bruised tongue like an old friend. This was like hops tea! It was really mellow, with loads of flavor, like lemon zest, mango, peach, pear, garden flowers and some black pepper. i felt like I was being lulled into a nap. The finish was quite dry, thanks to the spices, but on a hot, humid afternoon, I really enjoyed it.
★ 1,253 characters
3.55/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
This is my first review of a New Holland beer on here. Had this poured into a weizen glass. Pale golden color, clearer than I would have expected. Subtle malt and spice flavors, neither of which were as strong as I expected, not a lot of the flavors you'd expect to get from a wheat come through. Soft mouthfeel, didn't have a ton of head on this one. It was decent, just a little ho-hum.
★ 392 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
This is my first review of a New Holland beer on here. Had this poured into a weizen glass. Pale golden color, clearer than I would have expected. Subtle malt and spice flavors, neither of which were as strong as I expected, not a lot of the flavors you'd expect to get from a wheat come through. Soft mouthfeel, didn't have a ton of head on this one. It was decent, just a little ho-hum.
★ 392 characters
2.84/5 rDev -21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Appearance: Almost clear, dark straw color with a bubbly (large bubbles) head and heavy lacing.
Aroma: Aroma of wheat; subtle spice, like clove; light, spicy hop; and a synthetic smell akin to bubblegum/fluoride.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Very grainy/wheaty on the tongue, with a fairly thin, flat texture. A slight hop bite on the front of the finish is quickly overtaken by a full, grainy, wheaty flavor. The malts in the finish have a slight roastiness/smokiness to them. The bubblegum fluoride taste is there in the transition into the finish, and it has a synthetic character to it.
Final Word: Sorry folks, but I don’t recommend this one! I’m always reluctant to tell people not to try a beer, but this one just felt like New Holland needs a bit more time to perfect it. The hop and wheat flavors countered each other very well, but the sticking point with this beer was the bubblegum fluoride aroma and flavor. Some wheat beers have a bit of a bubblegum flavor in them, but the degree to which it’s present in this beer is completely out of balance with the other ingredients. It doesn’t complement nor mesh with the other flavors, and doesn’t seem to have a place in the brew. I don’t feel like this is a problem inherent to the fact that it’s a Belgian Style White Pale Ale, but instead that it’s a sub par batch or a recipe that needs perfection. If you’re the type that wants to try something new, I’d wait a year or two and see if this brew is still around, as by then I’d say they’ll have worked out the kinks or you have a chance of getting a better batch than I did, but otherwise I’d choose many other wheaty beers over this one if I wanted that fix. But hey, if you love bubblegum fluoride, have at it!
★ 1,743 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Appearance: Almost clear, dark straw color with a bubbly (large bubbles) head and heavy lacing.
Aroma: Aroma of wheat; subtle spice, like clove; light, spicy hop; and a synthetic smell akin to bubblegum/fluoride.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Very grainy/wheaty on the tongue, with a fairly thin, flat texture. A slight hop bite on the front of the finish is quickly overtaken by a full, grainy, wheaty flavor. The malts in the finish have a slight roastiness/smokiness to them. The bubblegum fluoride taste is there in the transition into the finish, and it has a synthetic character to it.
Final Word: Sorry folks, but I don’t recommend this one! I’m always reluctant to tell people not to try a beer, but this one just felt like New Holland needs a bit more time to perfect it. The hop and wheat flavors countered each other very well, but the sticking point with this beer was the bubblegum fluoride aroma and flavor. Some wheat beers have a bit of a bubblegum flavor in them, but the degree to which it’s present in this beer is completely out of balance with the other ingredients. It doesn’t complement nor mesh with the other flavors, and doesn’t seem to have a place in the brew. I don’t feel like this is a problem inherent to the fact that it’s a Belgian Style White Pale Ale, but instead that it’s a sub par batch or a recipe that needs perfection. If you’re the type that wants to try something new, I’d wait a year or two and see if this brew is still around, as by then I’d say they’ll have worked out the kinks or you have a chance of getting a better batch than I did, but otherwise I’d choose many other wheaty beers over this one if I wanted that fix. But hey, if you love bubblegum fluoride, have at it!
★ 1,743 characters
3.79/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance is a cloudy light golden brown color with a half finger of head that dissipated quickly. The nose is pleasantly hoppy. The flavor profile is mild with light malt and a dry slightly hoppy finish.
This offering makes for a nice smooth session beer on a warm summer day but there is nothing extraordinary here.
★ 320 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance is a cloudy light golden brown color with a half finger of head that dissipated quickly. The nose is pleasantly hoppy. The flavor profile is mild with light malt and a dry slightly hoppy finish.
This offering makes for a nice smooth session beer on a warm summer day but there is nothing extraordinary here.
★ 320 characters
4.13/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: This white pale ale pours a hazy pale orange color and is topped with ½”of white colored head that tends to linger.
Smell: This pale ale smell just like the style name suggests with Belgian spices and hops that balance each other nicely.
Taste: The flavor goes nicely with the aroma that allows the hops and spices to blend together for a nice representation of a style that I have never had before but kind of hope to find again.
Mouthfeel: This is a medium bodied beer with good flavor and great body.
★ 520 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: This white pale ale pours a hazy pale orange color and is topped with ½”of white colored head that tends to linger.
Smell: This pale ale smell just like the style name suggests with Belgian spices and hops that balance each other nicely.
Taste: The flavor goes nicely with the aroma that allows the hops and spices to blend together for a nice representation of a style that I have never had before but kind of hope to find again.
Mouthfeel: This is a medium bodied beer with good flavor and great body.
★ 520 characters
3.75/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
i am quite surprised to see this beer rather so low on here. i find it delightful, and different from the rest. the belgian yeast isnt nearly so ester laden, not so fruity and dominating, its just drying and complimentary to everything else going on. wheat base is a little darker than most, with a bronze hue to it and a nose propelled primarily by the orange. seems like more than just orange peel, but flesh too, especially in the flavor, like it was just fresh squeezed right in. the chamomile is subtle in this, but adds another layer thats accentuated by the yeast. more green tea bitterness than anything else, herbal, fun, bright. its hopped more like an american pale ale than an ipa to me, not subtle, but not huge and oily and bitter either. its in the middle somewhere, with hops that balance and add backbone to the citrus of the orange. the finish is clean and light, and thats where i taste the belgian yeast the most. great carbonation, thicker body for the style too, which makes it rather satisfying. a very cool take on the style, and i think this beer deserves a little more credit than it currently has. not the best white ipa out there, but one of the more interesting ive had lately.
★ 1,206 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
i am quite surprised to see this beer rather so low on here. i find it delightful, and different from the rest. the belgian yeast isnt nearly so ester laden, not so fruity and dominating, its just drying and complimentary to everything else going on. wheat base is a little darker than most, with a bronze hue to it and a nose propelled primarily by the orange. seems like more than just orange peel, but flesh too, especially in the flavor, like it was just fresh squeezed right in. the chamomile is subtle in this, but adds another layer thats accentuated by the yeast. more green tea bitterness than anything else, herbal, fun, bright. its hopped more like an american pale ale than an ipa to me, not subtle, but not huge and oily and bitter either. its in the middle somewhere, with hops that balance and add backbone to the citrus of the orange. the finish is clean and light, and thats where i taste the belgian yeast the most. great carbonation, thicker body for the style too, which makes it rather satisfying. a very cool take on the style, and i think this beer deserves a little more credit than it currently has. not the best white ipa out there, but one of the more interesting ive had lately.
★ 1,206 characters
4.04/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep, cloudy gold with a thin, creamy white mousse that lasts much longer than expected, lacing deep into the glass.
S: Gentle, yet distinctive aromas of caramel, cream, grass, mango, papaya, lemon, orange, and herbs express themselves on the nose.
T: Layered notes of caramel, cream, biscuit, wheat bread, lemon, lime, pine, orange, herbs, mango, papaya, carambola, grass, and fresh flowers fill the mouth. The finish is smooth and silky with notes of orange, grass, herbs, caramel, cream, and wheat bread lingering.
M: Light-to-medium in body, milky, creamy, and exceptionally smooth. Carbonation is airy and supple. Superbly easy to drink.
O: A near incredible Belgian IPA that, judging from previous reviews, does not get the credit it deserves. Really well executed with an exceptional malt body and unique hopping (I love the combination of Brewer's Gold, Glacier, Motueka, and Crystal), this one is definitely worth a try.
★ 944 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep, cloudy gold with a thin, creamy white mousse that lasts much longer than expected, lacing deep into the glass.
S: Gentle, yet distinctive aromas of caramel, cream, grass, mango, papaya, lemon, orange, and herbs express themselves on the nose.
T: Layered notes of caramel, cream, biscuit, wheat bread, lemon, lime, pine, orange, herbs, mango, papaya, carambola, grass, and fresh flowers fill the mouth. The finish is smooth and silky with notes of orange, grass, herbs, caramel, cream, and wheat bread lingering.
M: Light-to-medium in body, milky, creamy, and exceptionally smooth. Carbonation is airy and supple. Superbly easy to drink.
O: A near incredible Belgian IPA that, judging from previous reviews, does not get the credit it deserves. Really well executed with an exceptional malt body and unique hopping (I love the combination of Brewer's Gold, Glacier, Motueka, and Crystal), this one is definitely worth a try.
★ 944 characters
4.19/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Deep gold body, with a nice white head and excellent lacing.
S - Big fruity notes, im guessing a combination of yeast/hops. I get a good bit of pineapple and kiwi.
T - More piney hops come out on the palate, good bit of the pineapple-kiwi fruit as well. Low bitterness.
M - Medium bodied, milky mouthfeel.
O - A good example of the style, not my favorite but an awesome summer time brew I'm happy to drink any time.
★ 424 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Deep gold body, with a nice white head and excellent lacing.
S - Big fruity notes, im guessing a combination of yeast/hops. I get a good bit of pineapple and kiwi.
T - More piney hops come out on the palate, good bit of the pineapple-kiwi fruit as well. Low bitterness.
M - Medium bodied, milky mouthfeel.
O - A good example of the style, not my favorite but an awesome summer time brew I'm happy to drink any time.
★ 424 characters
4.05/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet glass.
Appearance: Pours a very hazy golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. About one finger of white head that quickly fades into a thin patchy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing.
Smell: A fruity and spicy wheat malt forward aroma with hints of orange, coriander, and straw. Belgian yeast with big hints of coriander as well as some clove, white pepper, and chamomile. Wheat malt with hints of straw, grains, cracker, and slight caramel. Big citrus fruit presence with hints of orange peel, lemon zest, pineapple, and melon. Also some fruit hints of banana and apple. Subtle earthy hop presence with hints of grass. Pretty solid.
Taste: Like it smells, a yeasty, fruity, and spicy wheat driven taste with notes of orange, coriander, and straw. Belgian yeast with a mix of spices including coriander, white pepper, clove, grains of paradise, and chamomile. Wheat malt with notes of straw, grains, caramel, and cracker. Citrus fruit notes of orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit, pineapple, and melon. Also fruit notes of dried banana and apple. Background earthy hop notes of grass. A pretty nice wheat taste.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Creamy, juicy, and very smooth.
Overall: A pretty solid take on a Wheat beer. Good mix of spices and fruit esters with a nice hop kick.
★ 1,394 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet glass.
Appearance: Pours a very hazy golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. About one finger of white head that quickly fades into a thin patchy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing.
Smell: A fruity and spicy wheat malt forward aroma with hints of orange, coriander, and straw. Belgian yeast with big hints of coriander as well as some clove, white pepper, and chamomile. Wheat malt with hints of straw, grains, cracker, and slight caramel. Big citrus fruit presence with hints of orange peel, lemon zest, pineapple, and melon. Also some fruit hints of banana and apple. Subtle earthy hop presence with hints of grass. Pretty solid.
Taste: Like it smells, a yeasty, fruity, and spicy wheat driven taste with notes of orange, coriander, and straw. Belgian yeast with a mix of spices including coriander, white pepper, clove, grains of paradise, and chamomile. Wheat malt with notes of straw, grains, caramel, and cracker. Citrus fruit notes of orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit, pineapple, and melon. Also fruit notes of dried banana and apple. Background earthy hop notes of grass. A pretty nice wheat taste.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Creamy, juicy, and very smooth.
Overall: A pretty solid take on a Wheat beer. Good mix of spices and fruit esters with a nice hop kick.
★ 1,394 characters
2.81/5 rDev -22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
My first beer form New Holland.
A: Cloudy pale orange color. Looks like a Belgian Wit in the glass. Minimal head. There's some good lacing and lot's of bubbles streaming up from the bottom.
S: Citrus. Orange. Coriander. Maybe a little pineapple. Lots of sweet orange peel on the nose which is inviting.
T: Not very pleasant to me. A lot of orange up front with a little hop character. But at the end a stale bitterness like I'm sucking on orange peel.
MF: Not as creamy as I'd expect from a type of witbier. Doesn't seem like an IPA at all. Good carb on it, but no balance and weird overall.
O: I see what they're trying to do here. A WPA - blending a Belgian wit and an IPA. Seems more like a Belgian pale to me. No IPA characteristics at all. The orange peel overwhelms the hop character.
★ 790 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.25
My first beer form New Holland.
A: Cloudy pale orange color. Looks like a Belgian Wit in the glass. Minimal head. There's some good lacing and lot's of bubbles streaming up from the bottom.
S: Citrus. Orange. Coriander. Maybe a little pineapple. Lots of sweet orange peel on the nose which is inviting.
T: Not very pleasant to me. A lot of orange up front with a little hop character. But at the end a stale bitterness like I'm sucking on orange peel.
MF: Not as creamy as I'd expect from a type of witbier. Doesn't seem like an IPA at all. Good carb on it, but no balance and weird overall.
O: I see what they're trying to do here. A WPA - blending a Belgian wit and an IPA. Seems more like a Belgian pale to me. No IPA characteristics at all. The orange peel overwhelms the hop character.
★ 790 characters
3.03/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2012 vintage bottle at 45 degrees F into standard pint glass
Aroma weak, no coriander or other spice odors, just smells wet
Head average (3 cm), white, creamy with rocks, rapidly diminishing to 2 cm layer
No lacing
Body medium yellow, clear, a few bubbles rising, but not enough to be considered sparkling
Flavor also weak – no spiciness or yeasty phenolic overtones usually associated with a Belgium style anything – no alcohol, no malt, no hops, no diacetyl, no aftertaste
Palate light, watery, soft carbonation
I’m not quite sure what the reason was to brew this beer – as it warmed up, still no flavor or aroma, just developed a more lively carbonation. For me, this beer has to be described in null terms. It was cellared by a six-pack store in Erie under low light conditions at about 29 degrees C. At least it was not offensive, kind of like drinking a weak sparkling water.
★ 890 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2012 vintage bottle at 45 degrees F into standard pint glass
Aroma weak, no coriander or other spice odors, just smells wet
Head average (3 cm), white, creamy with rocks, rapidly diminishing to 2 cm layer
No lacing
Body medium yellow, clear, a few bubbles rising, but not enough to be considered sparkling
Flavor also weak – no spiciness or yeasty phenolic overtones usually associated with a Belgium style anything – no alcohol, no malt, no hops, no diacetyl, no aftertaste
Palate light, watery, soft carbonation
I’m not quite sure what the reason was to brew this beer – as it warmed up, still no flavor or aroma, just developed a more lively carbonation. For me, this beer has to be described in null terms. It was cellared by a six-pack store in Erie under low light conditions at about 29 degrees C. At least it was not offensive, kind of like drinking a weak sparkling water.
★ 890 characters
3.81/5 rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is most definitely an intresting ale.
It pours with some sediment a nearly clear golden color. The aroma is crisp and interesting.
The taste is also crisp and bitter with abit of yeasty funkiness. The afterfaste is less yeasty than you would expect.
Perhaps I should have been more careful about sediment, but it is still an interesting brew.
★ 352 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is most definitely an intresting ale.
It pours with some sediment a nearly clear golden color. The aroma is crisp and interesting.
The taste is also crisp and bitter with abit of yeasty funkiness. The afterfaste is less yeasty than you would expect.
Perhaps I should have been more careful about sediment, but it is still an interesting brew.
★ 352 characters
3.5/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle decanted into an oversized snifter. 5.5% ABV.
Appearance: Fogged in amber with a light dusting of foam on top (3/5).
Aroma: Cider and orange peel. Black pepper and burned marshmallows. Maybe a bit of stewed vegetables. Very interesting. Not sure the vegetables are intentional, but everything else is nice (3.5/5).
Taste: Very dry. Dark tea, toasted malt, plums, and rich citrus. Finishes with a very faint suggestion of honey. Unless New Holland intentionally oxidizes this beer, I’m guessing this bottle is a little past its prime (3.5/5).
Mouthfeel: Medium body, light carbonation. There is a nice creaminess throughout (3.75/5).
Overall: I applaud this beer for being highly unique. The interesting combination of flavors and smells, along with that distinctive mouthfeel, make for a very memorable experience. It is listed here as a Belgian Pale Ale, which it is not, but I honestly don’t know what else to call it. I’m guessing that’s what the brewers had in mind. I wish that my bottle had been a little fresher as I would really like to like it more. I’ve tried to neutralize the aging flaws in my rating (3.5/5).
★ 1,147 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
12 ounce bottle decanted into an oversized snifter. 5.5% ABV.
Appearance: Fogged in amber with a light dusting of foam on top (3/5).
Aroma: Cider and orange peel. Black pepper and burned marshmallows. Maybe a bit of stewed vegetables. Very interesting. Not sure the vegetables are intentional, but everything else is nice (3.5/5).
Taste: Very dry. Dark tea, toasted malt, plums, and rich citrus. Finishes with a very faint suggestion of honey. Unless New Holland intentionally oxidizes this beer, I’m guessing this bottle is a little past its prime (3.5/5).
Mouthfeel: Medium body, light carbonation. There is a nice creaminess throughout (3.75/5).
Overall: I applaud this beer for being highly unique. The interesting combination of flavors and smells, along with that distinctive mouthfeel, make for a very memorable experience. It is listed here as a Belgian Pale Ale, which it is not, but I honestly don’t know what else to call it. I’m guessing that’s what the brewers had in mind. I wish that my bottle had been a little fresher as I would really like to like it more. I’ve tried to neutralize the aging flaws in my rating (3.5/5).
★ 1,147 characters
3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Great hoppy flavor that is quite earthy with a little pine. Definite pale malt character and a little earthy yeast character as well. An interesting blend of a white ale's starchy/estery/spiciness and an IPAs sharp bitterness and pine/citrus hop character. Definitely refreshing and earthy overall.
★ 298 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Great hoppy flavor that is quite earthy with a little pine. Definite pale malt character and a little earthy yeast character as well. An interesting blend of a white ale's starchy/estery/spiciness and an IPAs sharp bitterness and pine/citrus hop character. Definitely refreshing and earthy overall.
★ 298 characters
3.54/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had this on tap at Public House in Norfolk. Poor's a light lemony golden color with a thin white head that sticks to the glass as you drink. Smell of slight lemon grass and wheat, citrus hop aroma fallows. Taste of slight malty wheat and lemon peel. The hops have a very piney quality at the end. I enjoyed this beer, very drinkable especially for the summer months. A fairly overlooked brew with a unique quality.
★ 414 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had this on tap at Public House in Norfolk. Poor's a light lemony golden color with a thin white head that sticks to the glass as you drink. Smell of slight lemon grass and wheat, citrus hop aroma fallows. Taste of slight malty wheat and lemon peel. The hops have a very piney quality at the end. I enjoyed this beer, very drinkable especially for the summer months. A fairly overlooked brew with a unique quality.
★ 414 characters
3.61/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up recently, having never tried this before and intrigued by the idea of a Belgian White mixed with an IPA. This felt stronger than it really was and had there been more wheat and Witbier-like flavors in this, this could have been a great beer. On it's own, it's easily enjoyable and unlike anything else that I could find on a shelf at the moment!
The pour to this was quite good, as the dark goldenrod hue and fluffy heat meshed well together. There was a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle as well, which had to be swirled out and poured in to top this off. Lots of yeast, sour funk, grass, and herbal notes to this but mostly in the taste, as the aroma was fair but could have been more noticeable. The mouthfeel was good with a fair amount of carbonation but a bit more wheat and banana could have been present here to enhance the flavor profile of this beer. The aftertaste was a bit medicinal but the funk faded nicely and the hops tasted quite European as a lingering bitterness and strength were almost not to be found here.
Although this wasn't strong, it felt a bit more potent than it was in actuality. This was pretty unique but only because I've never had a Belgian IPA that was supposedly brewed like this. The bottle says that there were notes of coriander and grains of paradise here, along the lines of a Sam Adams Summer offering. While they could be detected to some extent, the citrus bite faded quickly after the initial kick. Had they endured longer, it would have rounded out this beer nicely and complemented the Belgian aspects of this. Take it for what it is - it's a fun style that served as a steppingstone for what else is possible and still went down relatively easily.
★ 1,724 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Picked this up recently, having never tried this before and intrigued by the idea of a Belgian White mixed with an IPA. This felt stronger than it really was and had there been more wheat and Witbier-like flavors in this, this could have been a great beer. On it's own, it's easily enjoyable and unlike anything else that I could find on a shelf at the moment!
The pour to this was quite good, as the dark goldenrod hue and fluffy heat meshed well together. There was a bit of sediment at the bottom of the bottle as well, which had to be swirled out and poured in to top this off. Lots of yeast, sour funk, grass, and herbal notes to this but mostly in the taste, as the aroma was fair but could have been more noticeable. The mouthfeel was good with a fair amount of carbonation but a bit more wheat and banana could have been present here to enhance the flavor profile of this beer. The aftertaste was a bit medicinal but the funk faded nicely and the hops tasted quite European as a lingering bitterness and strength were almost not to be found here.
Although this wasn't strong, it felt a bit more potent than it was in actuality. This was pretty unique but only because I've never had a Belgian IPA that was supposedly brewed like this. The bottle says that there were notes of coriander and grains of paradise here, along the lines of a Sam Adams Summer offering. While they could be detected to some extent, the citrus bite faded quickly after the initial kick. Had they endured longer, it would have rounded out this beer nicely and complemented the Belgian aspects of this. Take it for what it is - it's a fun style that served as a steppingstone for what else is possible and still went down relatively easily.
★ 1,724 characters
3.3/5 rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazed golden/orange glow with a thin white head. Initial spicy hoppiness on the nose with some yeast and belgian funk, fruity and hoppy.
Very similar to new holland's monkey king. Initial sweetness fades quickly to spicy yeast flavors and earthy and herbal hop flavor. The bitterness tends to mask some of the belgian flavors. Besides a lot of spicy yeast flavor. Very herbal, some faint fruit underneath it all, almost apple like. Bitterness lingers with an apple like sweetness lingering on the tip of the tongue. Medium bodied with prickly mouthfeel. Beer gets a bit better as it warms as your tongue grows accustomed to the bitterness as well. Let's some of the more subtle flavors come through and shows off the complexity of the beer. Flavors are a little muddled and some greatly overpower others.
★ 805 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazed golden/orange glow with a thin white head. Initial spicy hoppiness on the nose with some yeast and belgian funk, fruity and hoppy.
Very similar to new holland's monkey king. Initial sweetness fades quickly to spicy yeast flavors and earthy and herbal hop flavor. The bitterness tends to mask some of the belgian flavors. Besides a lot of spicy yeast flavor. Very herbal, some faint fruit underneath it all, almost apple like. Bitterness lingers with an apple like sweetness lingering on the tip of the tongue. Medium bodied with prickly mouthfeel. Beer gets a bit better as it warms as your tongue grows accustomed to the bitterness as well. Let's some of the more subtle flavors come through and shows off the complexity of the beer. Flavors are a little muddled and some greatly overpower others.
★ 805 characters
3.47/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
My pour got a finger and a half of nearly white head. The dirty straw yellow body is rather murky.
I get grass, gardeny hops and hint of citrus.
This beer is interesting. I get garden, herb, grass, a hint of pine and lemon, with a little banana on the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied. Slightly dry finish.
★ 323 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
My pour got a finger and a half of nearly white head. The dirty straw yellow body is rather murky.
I get grass, gardeny hops and hint of citrus.
This beer is interesting. I get garden, herb, grass, a hint of pine and lemon, with a little banana on the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied. Slightly dry finish.
★ 323 characters
3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours into a tall Prima Pils glass with a turbid glowing orange amber hue with a bright light off white head forming thick, you can see proteins and yeast sediment suspended in the body. Aroma is full of citrus, spice, and orange peel notes. A nice bready yeast/malt combo going on, almost like a Sam Adams Summer Ale I also notice grains of paradise on the ingredients listed on the bottle. Flavors are really combined into a spice mix pack with a mediocre IPA with citrus forward hops. Very dry presentation the bitterness comes from the spices, orange peel, and hop additions. Somewhere in the mad mix of adjuncts you have a drinkable beer, medium bodied spritzy carbonation, dry bitter finish. Overall not a bad beer and much better than some of the other White IPAs I have tangoed with.
★ 791 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours into a tall Prima Pils glass with a turbid glowing orange amber hue with a bright light off white head forming thick, you can see proteins and yeast sediment suspended in the body. Aroma is full of citrus, spice, and orange peel notes. A nice bready yeast/malt combo going on, almost like a Sam Adams Summer Ale I also notice grains of paradise on the ingredients listed on the bottle. Flavors are really combined into a spice mix pack with a mediocre IPA with citrus forward hops. Very dry presentation the bitterness comes from the spices, orange peel, and hop additions. Somewhere in the mad mix of adjuncts you have a drinkable beer, medium bodied spritzy carbonation, dry bitter finish. Overall not a bad beer and much better than some of the other White IPAs I have tangoed with.
★ 791 characters
3.17/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured into my 21st birthday mug
A: Pours a 2.5 finger head that is white and pillowy and settles into a nice consistent foam on top. Hazy golden brown color in the middle fading to just golden on the outside.
S: Grassy, herbal, and slightly floral nose to it.
T: Hop bite right off the bat followed by sweet grains and some belgian yeast character. Follows up with the herbal hop flavor that was in the nose.
M: Medium mouthfeel with lots of scrubbing carbonation
O: Ok beer, not the best example of the style I've had but definitely not a bad beer. It seemed like they didn't commit to which of the two characteristics they want to feature. It wasn't very IPA like nor belgian like. Sort of a bland mashup of the two. Easy drinking and not a bad beer but probably won't seek it out again.
★ 796 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured into my 21st birthday mug
A: Pours a 2.5 finger head that is white and pillowy and settles into a nice consistent foam on top. Hazy golden brown color in the middle fading to just golden on the outside.
S: Grassy, herbal, and slightly floral nose to it.
T: Hop bite right off the bat followed by sweet grains and some belgian yeast character. Follows up with the herbal hop flavor that was in the nose.
M: Medium mouthfeel with lots of scrubbing carbonation
O: Ok beer, not the best example of the style I've had but definitely not a bad beer. It seemed like they didn't commit to which of the two characteristics they want to feature. It wasn't very IPA like nor belgian like. Sort of a bland mashup of the two. Easy drinking and not a bad beer but probably won't seek it out again.
★ 796 characters
3.45/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Thin top coat is very durable. Light golden body.
Flowery, hoppy aroma. Distinct but appealing.
T: taste is also quite flowery.enjoyed but couldn't drink a lot of this. Lightly bitter.
Good medium carbonation. Soft and smooth.
O: A distinct and unusual flowery PA.
★ 266 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Thin top coat is very durable. Light golden body.
Flowery, hoppy aroma. Distinct but appealing.
T: taste is also quite flowery.enjoyed but couldn't drink a lot of this. Lightly bitter.
Good medium carbonation. Soft and smooth.
O: A distinct and unusual flowery PA.
★ 266 characters
3.98/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy orange with a fluffy white head, as expected, that dissipates quickly. Orange, coriander, and chamomile in the aroma. Light, crisp, and very refreshing. Mostly citrus fruit flavor, but piney hops come in at the end. Especially noticeable in the bitter finish. This is a sacchariferous and subtle beer, with balance from the hops to keep it from getting cloying. Clocks in at just 5.5% ABV, so several of these on a warm summer night would do quite well.
★ 468 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a cloudy orange with a fluffy white head, as expected, that dissipates quickly. Orange, coriander, and chamomile in the aroma. Light, crisp, and very refreshing. Mostly citrus fruit flavor, but piney hops come in at the end. Especially noticeable in the bitter finish. This is a sacchariferous and subtle beer, with balance from the hops to keep it from getting cloying. Clocks in at just 5.5% ABV, so several of these on a warm summer night would do quite well.
★ 468 characters
3.69/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Very pretty pear color or glowing yellow. The head was bright white and bubbly with a lot of active carbonation.
The scent was interesting as it followed th label. Fruity esters, coriander, lemon, orange peel and yeast are stronger but unfortunately there's a medicinal phenolic aroma also.
The taste is light and crisp with banana, very subtle clove, piney hops, coriander, yeasts and light malt.
Overall, this is a nice easy drinking beer with enough complexity to make it interesting but not overwhelming.
★ 511 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Very pretty pear color or glowing yellow. The head was bright white and bubbly with a lot of active carbonation.
The scent was interesting as it followed th label. Fruity esters, coriander, lemon, orange peel and yeast are stronger but unfortunately there's a medicinal phenolic aroma also.
The taste is light and crisp with banana, very subtle clove, piney hops, coriander, yeasts and light malt.
Overall, this is a nice easy drinking beer with enough complexity to make it interesting but not overwhelming.
★ 511 characters
White Hatter from New Holland Brewing Company
3.63
out of 5
based on 586 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.25
A: It looks like the usual Belgian White look, with a hazy orange and light brown hue
S: Smells more tropical than just straight up orange like you usually expect which is actually fairly nice
T: Pretty sweet with tropical notes, but lacking spice and any bite. Not enough carbonation and was almost like drinking a somewhat flat cider
M: The lack of effervescence makes it pretty unsatisfying. It's smooth, but almost too smooth and thin
O: I appreciate the grains of paradise and the more tropical notes for a Belgian; that made it very interesting. But, the lack of carbonation and any bite made it pretty mediocre.
★ 618 characters