Weissbier
Satsuma Beer, K.K.

Appearance: Picturesque pearly white head with solid retention and frothy lacing floats atop a pale mustardy straw yellow body. Easily recognizable as a Hefe Weizen just by looking.

Smell: Nice and spicy, with notes of cardamom along with the usual clove, which is out in full force - almost to the exclusion of all other scents. Banana pie and is also detectable, and some snappy, piney hops round out the very spicy aroma.

Taste: Balanced and surprisingly hoppy, but not too hoppy for the style. The hops are very aromatic in the mouth - if that makes sense - but not bitter, lending a soft, resinous, slightly estery humour beneath the light, tangy, bready wheat-and-yeast body. Reminiscent of apples. Overall, however, it's fairly weak. Good, but underwhelming.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and light, and very clean. Airy and soft. A bit watery.

Drinkability: This is an interesting brew that tastes good and has some unique characteristics to it... yet somehow it simply fails to captivate. Certainly drinkable and recommendable, but not very robust.