Party Gyle
Willimantic Brewing Co.

 

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a clear deep yellow with a thick white head. Aroma of sweet flowers and light malt. Flavor of crackery malt (very malty) and a bitter hops finish. Decent malty beer. I had this about a year ago and didn't like it at all, but this time around I did enjoy it.

Off the tap this 'unfiltered light Barleywine' was a hazy, honey-gold color. The head was not much more than an off-white skim with ok retention as a collar and spotty lacing. The aroma barely existed - pale, pale malt and hints of grain. The flavors were washed out but not unpleasant per se. Grainy ,crisp and punctuated by a light hop finish. I likened it to a clean, upscale Budweiser. The mouthfeel was watery, the body light and the carbonation very good for a session beer.

Pours a light brown, like the colour of apple jiuice. A bit hazy, you can tell it is unfiltered. Nice two fingered head, just the right amount of carbonation considering it is coming from a growler. Nice swirl of carbonation to the top. Smell doesn't smell like much besides malt, hints at fruit, or a red fruit, but doesn't get to more than a hint.

Taste is pretty light, and straightforward. Light malt, almost like a half barleywine. Again, hints at flavours without actually reaching that level of fruitiness. Comes through more in the aftertaste. Lightly hopped, bready, pretty filling for a summer beer. A bit thin, but to style, it is near the top of its area. Puts its compatriots to shame. Fantastically drinkable, I went through a growler in just about 2 hours. Super great summer beer, miles ahead of those marketed of as "summer beers." My first experience with Willibrew is a good one.

Served on-tap at Willimantic Brewing Co. in a Willibrew pint glass.

A: Poured a cloudy, golden yellow color with an orange haze at the center of the brew. A light head of white foam forms above the lightly carbonated brew leaving little lace.

S: Smells slightly citrusy and malty. Like a lemon-poppy seed muffin.

T: Taste is muddled and light at first, with a sweet bready maltiness accompanied by lemon notes and a slight, unfiltered wheat twang. There is little to no bitterness, and the finish and aftertaste is straight on, fresh baked beer bread.

M: Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied and a bit chewy because of the unfiltered nature of this ale.

D: At 4.6% and with a light flavor and satisfying sweet bread aftertaste, Party Gyle '09 was a very drinkable brew. You can't really taste the barleywine malts used, but it casts a little color into the brew, which is a good call for a session.

Party Gyle '09 is an unfiltered light ale brewed with the malts from Willi Whammer '09 Barleywine. If you're a fan of lighter, maltier brews and unfiltered beers, this one is for you. Get it while it lasts!