Bear Claw
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery

 

 

 

 

On-tap at Farmhouse.

Pours a clear golden yellow with off-white head that lingers to create nice lacing.

Strong aroma of sweetened honey with a little maltiness. Slight alcohol heat.

Upfront taste is slightly sweet, honey, light caramel, and a little floral. Toasted malt middle. Sweet honey at the finish mixes with a little floral bitterness and alcohol. Lingering honey flavor, but less sweet and more like real honey.

Medium to full bodied, syrupy with medium carbonation. Clean finish.

Good--reminds me of Terrapin Gamma Ray, but better. Nice sweet flavor, but not over the top. Sweetened honey definitely dominates with some floral and fruity notes. Alcohol is well integrated. Enjoyable.

6/11/2012

 

 

 

On tap @ House Pub.

Poured into a tulip.

Pours a slightly hazed amber orange with a fingers worth of white head. Walls of lacing.

The nose is rather sweet up front and has notes of maple syrup, spicy yeasts, a bit of fruitiness and booze.

The taste has spice filled yeasts, clove, maple syrup, and a bit of banana Runt flavor. Sweet but not overly so. Actually quite nice.

The mouthfeel is a treat. Thicker than any Wheatwine I have encoutnered, thanks to maple syrup. Moderate carbonation.

Overall, enjoyable for sure. If you see it, try it.

 

 

 

Thanks to Gonzoillini for sending this growler during the first cycle of the 2012 GATM BIF!

A - Poured a clear golden/amber-colored liquid with mild carbonation and a slim off-white head that reduced to a ring around the glass, leaving virtually no lace behind.

S - Spiced fleshy fruit reminiscent of apple and pear paired with a sweet honey and maple syrup quality, as well as the yeasty attributes of a classic Hefeweizen. Nose comes across as fruity and sweet but with a slight spicy aroma as well.

T - The initial flavor is quite Hefe-forward, with a dominating spicy yeast character (especially clove) that also lends just a hint of mustiness as well. This segues into a sweeter apple cider-like finish with a hint of hop bitterness and more spiciness. Sweet and pleasant overall, and definitely not cloying at all.

M - Light bodied with a thin syrupy texture. Sweet and sticky on the palate. Finishes with a touch of hop bitterness and mild alcohol warmth amid moderate residual sweetness.

D - Overall, I was quite pleased with this Wheat Wine. Initially, I thought it might be too sweet, given that this was brewed with maple syrup. However, the utilization of the Hefe yeast gave this a spicy twist and countered the sweetness and fruitiness quite nicely.