White Ale Witbier
Ethereal Brewing

 

Taster at brewery. Pale golden, spotty head. Aroma is wheat, lemons, savory notes. Taste has light tangy lemon up front, coriander, backed up the light wheat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Probably would have passed on this but it had such a strikingly milky look that I had to order it. I taste Clove, peppercorns, floral notes, perfume, rose petal and honeysuckle. Some yeast tones that are obviously Belgian.

 

Hanging their hat on the Belgian styles, their "white ale" lands Ethereal brewers at the precipice of the Belgian low-lands, in the heart of the farmhouse culture and with a wily witbier that celebrates grain, fruit, spice and high yeast character.

Cloudy and somewhat milky to the eye, the quick rise of froth reveals the tanginess of lemon, under-ripened orange, green apple, white grape and freshly zested lime. The early palate picks up on grain sweetness from both light barley and bready wheat. As the fruit and confectioner's sweetness nestles onto the tastebuds, the spices begin to layer on top.

Sweetness retreats to reveal more raw grain; ideally suited to receive the spiciness of perfumy coriander, white pepper, clove, dried bitter orange and hints of bubblegum and mint. As the fruit and spice mingle, the tangy texture of wine-like acidity gives the late flavor a refreshing tartness.

The Belgian wheat ale is medium-light but trails with drying and thinning action. spices begin to pull ahead of the fleeting sweetness and the softer citrus components and gives the ale a snappy, hoppy, peppery, grassy bite to close.