Bandwagon Lime Wheat Ale
Brewsters Brewing Company & Restaurant - Eleventh Avenue

I almost fell off my stool when the bartender told me about Gunther's one-off summer seasonal. A single keg of their Wild West Wheat Ale, infused with some fresh lime juice. It took a few clarifications before I was able to determine that he wasn't joking about the name - I can't imagine a better one at this point in time for such a product...Get it before it's gone!

This pint appears a slightly cloudy pale golden hue, with a finger or so of thin soapy white head, which leaves a small ring of lace. Perched on the side of the glass (briefly) is the ubiquitous wedge of lime. The beer smells of soft grainy wheat, and sour, tart lime juice. The taste starts with a soft lime sweetness, then turns into, believe it or not, a beer! A beer that tastes of mild wheat, some citrus (muted, obviously), some light, spicy yeast, and very faint earthy hops. The carbonation is on the low side, the body light and crisp, and it finishes dry, some mild tart fruitiness re-appearing.

Ok, folks, if it must be done, this is how to make a seasonal lime beer. Take a decent stock wheat ale, and judiciously add real lime. Simple. Oh, and only make a single small batch of it, the better to coincide with the end of our thankfully extended summer. Expecting people to drink old supplies of this stuff any later in the year is an offense to good sense.