Mango Calutron Girl
Able Baker Brewing Co.

 

a mango beer they call a hefeweizen but really is more about fruit than wheat or yeast character to me, probably less remarkable without the mango, but its hard to tell because that element is so strong in this, bold enough that it can hardly be real fruit, but i think its summery and appealing, not over the top sweet even though the fruit leads it that way, and with enough grain body underneath it all to make it passable as a wheat beer. pale orange in color with light haze and a real short white head from the faucet. the nose is dehydrated mango and mango candy, easy to place the fruit even though there are notes of mandarin orange and maybe papaya in here too. very little sign of hefe yeast, banana notes not really happening, slightly floral as it warms, a bit cheap to me unfortunately. the flavor will appeal to those who like deeply flavored ales that tend to live in the pseudo craft space, those looking for a traditional hefe at the core of this will be let down, mango popsicle, the faintest clove thing, green apple, white sugar at the end. i think its hard to argue that this isnt good, it tastes fine, mango driven, thats not the issue, its just that there is very little balance, not much of the base beer present, and it seems a bit forced, still, its summery and its likely to be a crowd pleaser. nowhere near their best work though in my experience...