Island Wheat | Capital Brewery
Brewed by:
Capital Brewery
Wisconsin, United States
capitalbrewery.com
Style: American Pale Wheat Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.20%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by DaPeculierDane on 09-06-2005
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 269 | Reviews: 105
Reviews by EvanWilliams:
3.25/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
More User Reviews:
2.36/5 rDev -30.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
Really??? How did this one ever get brewed for production? If someone told me the goal of the brewer was to make a replica of Corona I would have believed them. Capital is one of the top brewers in the nation, which is why I was shocked by this lame beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
Really??? How did this one ever get brewed for production? If someone told me the goal of the brewer was to make a replica of Corona I would have believed them. Capital is one of the top brewers in the nation, which is why I was shocked by this lame beer.
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3.15/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is the newest annual from Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI.
It's tag line is, "Island Wheat takes its name from wheat used in the ale and grown on Door Countys Washington Island. The islands fertile landscape and moisture-rich climate makes for a high-quality wheat crop that is credited for the refreshing flavors found in Island Wheat."
Rumor has it that this is the beginning of a move by capital to begin using more local ingredients in their beers. I think I might just change careers and become a barley farmer.
Island Wheat is currently available on tap in Madison and Door County until this spring when it will go state wide in bottles.
On to the beer itself:
I've tried several pints of this one over the last two weeks or so and I like it.
The appearance is a fairly clear and brightly lit golden. The head is a patchwork of sticky cream lace.
Island Wheat offers a mild fruit and floral bouquet. The fruit is just a little bit overripe. There are slight hints of citrus.
Island Wheat hits the palate like ice cold skim milk on a hot day. Its creamy, but not too creamy and its very refreshing. The beer is medium bodied and fairly sweet, maybe just a bit too sweet for my tastes. The carbonation is just right.
The finish is crisp and clean with a very apparent cracked wheat flavor.
Not my favorite in the style but definitely another solid brew from Capital that I will drink again and again at my favorite watering holes downtown.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is the newest annual from Capital Brewery in Middleton, WI.
It's tag line is, "Island Wheat takes its name from wheat used in the ale and grown on Door Countys Washington Island. The islands fertile landscape and moisture-rich climate makes for a high-quality wheat crop that is credited for the refreshing flavors found in Island Wheat."
Rumor has it that this is the beginning of a move by capital to begin using more local ingredients in their beers. I think I might just change careers and become a barley farmer.
Island Wheat is currently available on tap in Madison and Door County until this spring when it will go state wide in bottles.
On to the beer itself:
I've tried several pints of this one over the last two weeks or so and I like it.
The appearance is a fairly clear and brightly lit golden. The head is a patchwork of sticky cream lace.
Island Wheat offers a mild fruit and floral bouquet. The fruit is just a little bit overripe. There are slight hints of citrus.
Island Wheat hits the palate like ice cold skim milk on a hot day. Its creamy, but not too creamy and its very refreshing. The beer is medium bodied and fairly sweet, maybe just a bit too sweet for my tastes. The carbonation is just right.
The finish is crisp and clean with a very apparent cracked wheat flavor.
Not my favorite in the style but definitely another solid brew from Capital that I will drink again and again at my favorite watering holes downtown.
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3.6/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A-Pours a thick white head. Straw colored with a cloudy haze
S-heavy wheat with a spicy yeast character, some peppery hop aroma
T-Typical wheat beer, heavy wheat character with a slight hop astringency and a touch of yeast.
M-Lots of carbonic acid-I think they could drop the CO2 in this one, otherwise decent mouthfeel
D-A nice wheat-typical of a lot of the microbrews you get in Wisconsin-thinking Winnebago wheat from Fox River Brewing
O-A good microbrew style wheat that is nice to get a 12 pack of cans to enjoy at home or for packing a cooler. A nice alternative to a lot of the domestics. Another winner from Capital-I hope they keep this one around.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A-Pours a thick white head. Straw colored with a cloudy haze
S-heavy wheat with a spicy yeast character, some peppery hop aroma
T-Typical wheat beer, heavy wheat character with a slight hop astringency and a touch of yeast.
M-Lots of carbonic acid-I think they could drop the CO2 in this one, otherwise decent mouthfeel
D-A nice wheat-typical of a lot of the microbrews you get in Wisconsin-thinking Winnebago wheat from Fox River Brewing
O-A good microbrew style wheat that is nice to get a 12 pack of cans to enjoy at home or for packing a cooler. A nice alternative to a lot of the domestics. Another winner from Capital-I hope they keep this one around.
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3.77/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It offers yeasty bread aromas and flavors and a hint of banana. There is nice depth from the wheat but not a lot of spice. Although it does not have an immense amount of flavor, it is very refreshing and drinkable.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It offers yeasty bread aromas and flavors and a hint of banana. There is nice depth from the wheat but not a lot of spice. Although it does not have an immense amount of flavor, it is very refreshing and drinkable.
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3.83/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass.
Appearance: Pours a very cloudy pale golden yellow with some orange. Lots of rising bubbles and a big four finger white head with good retention. Leaves lots of creamy lacing around the glass.
Smell: Aroma of wheat malts with some light spicing. Wheat grains and pale malts with lots of yeast. Hints of biscuit and crackers. Hints of citrus orange and lemon zest. Also a good scent of coriander and a slight hint of pepper. Very forward with the yeast and wheat.
Taste: Taste is crisp, wheat and yeast driven, and somewhat tart with the citrus. Starts with the wheat grains and sweet malts. Notes of yeast, biscuit,, cereal grains, and crackers. Then comes the citrus with notes of tart lemon juice and orange. On the sweeter side with no real noticeable bitterness except for some tartness. Crisp and decent.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Crisp, tingly, and tart.
Overall: A pretty decent take on the wheat ale style. Some nice citrus character. Nice summer option.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass.
Appearance: Pours a very cloudy pale golden yellow with some orange. Lots of rising bubbles and a big four finger white head with good retention. Leaves lots of creamy lacing around the glass.
Smell: Aroma of wheat malts with some light spicing. Wheat grains and pale malts with lots of yeast. Hints of biscuit and crackers. Hints of citrus orange and lemon zest. Also a good scent of coriander and a slight hint of pepper. Very forward with the yeast and wheat.
Taste: Taste is crisp, wheat and yeast driven, and somewhat tart with the citrus. Starts with the wheat grains and sweet malts. Notes of yeast, biscuit,, cereal grains, and crackers. Then comes the citrus with notes of tart lemon juice and orange. On the sweeter side with no real noticeable bitterness except for some tartness. Crisp and decent.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a fairly high level of carbonation. Crisp, tingly, and tart.
Overall: A pretty decent take on the wheat ale style. Some nice citrus character. Nice summer option.
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3.03/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Capital's newest offering, and it seems they have big plans for it. Most of it seems to involve the "dreaded" cross-over appeal, as this is distinctly un-German, as doesn't seem to fit comfortably within their portfolio.
The name comes from the fact it uses wheat from Washington Island (located off the tip of Door County).
Pours a lightly blurred, pale ochre with a flat linen foam.
Wheat bread nose, dusty with yeast, and otherwise hollow and vacant.
Begins with a mushy, wheat bread doughiness, and never vetures far from this base. Tickles of lemon and husk, but the middle only douses on more yeasty doughiness. It dries at the close, but outright hop contributions are neglegible.
This is medium-light bodied, and certainly downable in vats for those averse to strong malt or hop flavors.
This will certainly sell well, in the Spotted Cow vein. I just hope it is not at the sacrifice of other Capital tap offerings.
Klosterweizen accomplishes all this already, and so much more.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Capital's newest offering, and it seems they have big plans for it. Most of it seems to involve the "dreaded" cross-over appeal, as this is distinctly un-German, as doesn't seem to fit comfortably within their portfolio.
The name comes from the fact it uses wheat from Washington Island (located off the tip of Door County).
Pours a lightly blurred, pale ochre with a flat linen foam.
Wheat bread nose, dusty with yeast, and otherwise hollow and vacant.
Begins with a mushy, wheat bread doughiness, and never vetures far from this base. Tickles of lemon and husk, but the middle only douses on more yeasty doughiness. It dries at the close, but outright hop contributions are neglegible.
This is medium-light bodied, and certainly downable in vats for those averse to strong malt or hop flavors.
This will certainly sell well, in the Spotted Cow vein. I just hope it is not at the sacrifice of other Capital tap offerings.
Klosterweizen accomplishes all this already, and so much more.
995 characters
3.21/5 rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had this on-tap at the Nitty Gritty here in Madison celebrating my girlfriend's birthday. Wanted to be one of the first to review this new offering from Capital.
Pours a pale, hazy golden yellow with a small tan head. Smell is funky sour at first, a little off-putting. Taste has that same sour bite but quickly transitions into an unispiring grassy wheat which mysteriously fades to water. Kind of like Budweiser Select. I guess this makes it pretty drinkable, I was able to put a few back, but doesn't really show any character either. Seems like Capital is trying to put out a macro here. They make it seem crafty and unique in its gimmick - it's made from wheat exclusively grown on Washington Island, right off Door County - but this is probably the most boring beer I've had from Capital. It'll be a big hit among the bar crowd and macro drinkers who think they're drinking fancy beer now for sure.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Had this on-tap at the Nitty Gritty here in Madison celebrating my girlfriend's birthday. Wanted to be one of the first to review this new offering from Capital.
Pours a pale, hazy golden yellow with a small tan head. Smell is funky sour at first, a little off-putting. Taste has that same sour bite but quickly transitions into an unispiring grassy wheat which mysteriously fades to water. Kind of like Budweiser Select. I guess this makes it pretty drinkable, I was able to put a few back, but doesn't really show any character either. Seems like Capital is trying to put out a macro here. They make it seem crafty and unique in its gimmick - it's made from wheat exclusively grown on Washington Island, right off Door County - but this is probably the most boring beer I've had from Capital. It'll be a big hit among the bar crowd and macro drinkers who think they're drinking fancy beer now for sure.
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4/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Capital's Island Wheat delivers the typical cloudy yellow-orange body and frothy bright white head that you'd expect. The head retention is very good, and it leaves rings of lace about the glass with each sip.
The nose is wheaty and yeasty with a delicate fruitiness.
Wheatish malt makes up the largest cut of the flavor, with it's delicate fruitiness (berries, very slight lemon) rounding it out. A mild yeasty tartness appears midway, cutting through the gently sweet and grainy malt, leading to a dry finish. The maltiness kind of sticks in the mouth a bit, but it's nice, and some low-key hops that weren't able to make their way through in the mouth come out to play. It's mildly bitter, allowing it to finish dry without lingering.
Very well done! An excellent American wheat that has at least some roots in the Bavarian style.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Capital's Island Wheat delivers the typical cloudy yellow-orange body and frothy bright white head that you'd expect. The head retention is very good, and it leaves rings of lace about the glass with each sip.
The nose is wheaty and yeasty with a delicate fruitiness.
Wheatish malt makes up the largest cut of the flavor, with it's delicate fruitiness (berries, very slight lemon) rounding it out. A mild yeasty tartness appears midway, cutting through the gently sweet and grainy malt, leading to a dry finish. The maltiness kind of sticks in the mouth a bit, but it's nice, and some low-key hops that weren't able to make their way through in the mouth come out to play. It's mildly bitter, allowing it to finish dry without lingering.
Very well done! An excellent American wheat that has at least some roots in the Bavarian style.
845 characters
3.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
on tap, out of a friend's kegerator, keg purchased at Riley's
appearance: pours a pale straw yellow color with thick and foamy head but minimal lacing
smell: nothing too exciting here, real grassy and earthy, some pale wheat aromas, delicate citrus
taste: a little bready, a bit of wheat, light lemon, mild citrus...nothing too explosive here, but not a bad pale wheat
mouthfeel: minimal hoppiness, smooth, easy drinking
drinkability: definate session
So my buddy has a kegerator and its always good to keep everyone happy. I'm just glad he didnt opt for miller lite or blue moon. American Pale Wheats are a tad boring in my opinion, but this serves as a nice session. It was far better out of the keg than when i had it on draft at state street brats
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
on tap, out of a friend's kegerator, keg purchased at Riley's
appearance: pours a pale straw yellow color with thick and foamy head but minimal lacing
smell: nothing too exciting here, real grassy and earthy, some pale wheat aromas, delicate citrus
taste: a little bready, a bit of wheat, light lemon, mild citrus...nothing too explosive here, but not a bad pale wheat
mouthfeel: minimal hoppiness, smooth, easy drinking
drinkability: definate session
So my buddy has a kegerator and its always good to keep everyone happy. I'm just glad he didnt opt for miller lite or blue moon. American Pale Wheats are a tad boring in my opinion, but this serves as a nice session. It was far better out of the keg than when i had it on draft at state street brats
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4/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Wisconsin....Wisconsin....where for art tho Wisconsin!!! Oh...a lil' Capital Brewing after a hard fought hockey game...and that's what I'm talking about!!!! This beer is cloudy yellow with decent head. The hints of lemon/citrus hit the nose nicely. The taste is very good...nice wheat balanced with lemon/citrus. The mouthfeel is easy and I could mown the lawn all day with this beer! ENJOY!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Wisconsin....Wisconsin....where for art tho Wisconsin!!! Oh...a lil' Capital Brewing after a hard fought hockey game...and that's what I'm talking about!!!! This beer is cloudy yellow with decent head. The hints of lemon/citrus hit the nose nicely. The taste is very good...nice wheat balanced with lemon/citrus. The mouthfeel is easy and I could mown the lawn all day with this beer! ENJOY!
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4.18/5 rDev +23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Straight out of the fridge. Poured form the bottle into my favorite glass. Poured surprisingly clear for a wheat, so I looked in the bottle and all the sediment was stuck to the bottom of the bottle. Medium yellow in color with thin white head. Very little head retention. Slight malty aroma, but I didn't really detect anything else. Medium/light body. Well balanced slight taste of hops and malt with a slight Citrus taste on the finish. I wonder if there may have been a more yeasty taste if I'd agitated at the finish of the pour to get the sediment into the beer? VERY drinkable beer. Alcohol not very detectable.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Straight out of the fridge. Poured form the bottle into my favorite glass. Poured surprisingly clear for a wheat, so I looked in the bottle and all the sediment was stuck to the bottom of the bottle. Medium yellow in color with thin white head. Very little head retention. Slight malty aroma, but I didn't really detect anything else. Medium/light body. Well balanced slight taste of hops and malt with a slight Citrus taste on the finish. I wonder if there may have been a more yeasty taste if I'd agitated at the finish of the pour to get the sediment into the beer? VERY drinkable beer. Alcohol not very detectable.
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Island Wheat from Capital Brewery
Beer rating:
3.38 out of
5 with
269 ratings
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