Soul of a Star
HUDL Brewing Company

neat wheatwine here, former gabf winner too, and really lovely as a showcase of wheat malt, which isnt always the case with this style, where they get boiled to oblivion and put into bourbon barrels that end up dominating the actual grain, i think in some ways, bold as this is, its also an exercise in restraint, and i like it as much for what it isnt as for what it is, which is to say i really like it a lot, a less is more approach to me. really unassuming in the glass, brassy toned and light bodied looking for what it is, fairly clear, frothy white head of modest height, and without the visual density typically associated with the style, really at all. it smells a little sweet, fruity like ripe floral pear and sweet white wine grapes, a hint of butterscotch too, but its still wheaty, just less dense and earthy and concentrated than most, more pale, from the field character, which is unique in this style space thats often so heavy. a little alcohol, a little something to the ferment, but clean to me too, honey, cooked apple, and fresh bread. the flavor is similarly distinctive and easy as these go, some light apricot character, soft citrus, pear again, and just the pale wheat, which is sometimes lost in these, sweet yes, but not over the top, and i cant believe the body, its still got some wheat fluff, but its way light, which catches me off guard on each sip, good carbonation too, lightens if further. im thinking the fermentation character is intentional, it adds something neat to this, golden raisin fruitiness late and maybe a whisper of vanilla, and overall its a challenging beer, not to drink, but to make sense of, really outside the style norms in an unexpected way, very cool. warms up nicely too, clever beer.

 

On tap at HUDL in Las Vegas.
Pretty. Very slight amber tinged gold in hue. Slight, white head. Low retention. Minimal lacing.
Nose is glorious. Sweet and gentle in its delivery of wet grain, and light toffee, butterscotch, and “almost” caramel.
Flavor follows the nose. Hint of buckwheat comes in as well as undertones of fig.
Mouthfeel is light.
Overall, elegant.