Wow Factor
Eureka Heights Brewing Company

 

Ok I really think this is the last review from that mixed 6 pack I got.

Gives that familiar yellow/golden color SRM. 1/2" white head. Looks lightly unfiltered. Its not bierstadt levels of clarity, but its still a good looking pilsner. The aroma was hoppy, but it came off as more of a bittering than aroma hop. I think the Mandarina hops kind of lost a bit of their citrus luster with Citra being the #1 acreage hop in the world. They're like Citra light. So here, just a mild orange presence, more of that bitter note though in the nose.

Taste is nice, the orange commercial tug job is still overstated, but I still like the beer. Still packing more bitterness in the mouth feel from the hops than it does taste. But that allows the pilsner malt to shine more, and they did a good job with it. The carbonation is appropriate. Lightly bready, barely toasted. I dunno, I think you could make the very same beer with Cascade, Chinook or Centennial and it would be virtually indistinguishable.

 

 

 

 

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet. Wow Factor has been something I have come back to a lot since it was released, as it has been in a lot of bars around the Heights. This is the first time I'm seeing cans at the store.

A: Pours a brilliantly bright yellow/orange color. Just a bit of haze at first but that clears up. At first a two finger white head forms but recedes fast with light lace.
S: Mandarina Bavaria for sure. Citrus and orange peal with other fruits that are a bit harder for me to describe. Just a touch of malt character in the background.
T: Again, that citrus/orange peal and lemon hop flavor. Cracker like malts and a bit dough like. Then a touch of sweetness. Finishes with a nice bitterness and that wonderful lager cleanness.
M/O: A light body that is effervescent. Very clean, crisp, and smooth at the same time. Incredibly easy to drink, very moreish. Glad this is in six packs now because I will be getting a lot.

This has been one of the first lagers with Mandarina Bavaria that has really worked for me. Usually it just seems like a German version of an American C hop, which makes whatever lager it is being used in more of a pale ale (which has never been bad just not what I'm usually looking for). This keeps that citrus fruity hop character but still a very well done lager at the same time.

nose is citrus, light orange, grassy hops, bready cracker.
taste follows. citrus, light grassy floral bitterness and a bready cracker malt backbone. Not too bad, and not as 'overly hoppy' the packaging might lead you to believe.

 

From a 12oz can, look is medium gold with a slight haze. Smell is Pilsner malt with some slight sulphur. Medium white head dissipates fairly quick. For the style it’s above average, the slight haze is the only negative as far as style goes. I don’t really notice any of the advertised orange notes from the hops, it jus tastes like a good Pilsner to me. I drink a lot of export European beer and this hangs in there with the best of them. It’s not as hoppy as Bitburger but close enough. One of the best American renditions of a German pils I’ve had. It has a slightly sweet finish that’s different but not overwhelming. Overall, good job Eureka Heights.

 

Poured into snidder from tap, small whitish cap of head, soso retention and lacing. Clear light golden in the glass. Smells of cracker and slight citrus. Taste follows the nose. Real clean cracker malt, with a lingering citrus taste. Clean crisp finish, nice lager, not traditional, but nice none the less.