Slumbrew Happy Sol
For those of you out there that have been getting tired of all the stout/porter reviews on the site as of late, rejoice! Here we’ve got something of much lighter fare. Slumbrew, the Somerville Brewing Company brand, recently started shipping their product to the fine state of Virginia. And the first of two bottles that I grabbed the other day is this 5.5% ABV hefeweizen, Happy Sol.
Now, I’m a bit particular about my hefes. I don’t particularly enjoy those that are over-spiced and after reading the label for this particular brew — it’s brewed with blood oranges and “spices” — my hopes were not exactly high. And sure enough, the level of coriander within this beer (also brewed with wildflower honey and orange peel) is just a bit too high for my own liking. I’m sure that those of you out there that enjoy a more pronounced herbal/spiced quality about your hefeweizens will absolutely love it. For me, it was just too strong.
Appearance
Happy Sol pours a hazy straw yellow with a rocky head that collapsed briskly before settling as a thin ring around the edge. It certainly looks good.
Aroma
There’s certainly a healthy amount of coriander and spices in the nose along with a solid orange influence. Subtle grains and light, earthy honey notes are present, as well.
Taste
Yep. There’s a ton of spices within this brew’s hazy depths. It’s just about the only thing I can taste. I don’t pick up any honey, but the orange peel and blood orange juice are definitely in the mix. The beer has a soft, bubbly carbonation that is refreshing along with a light amount of hop bitterness in the finish.
Overall
Like I said, I’m picky about my hefeweizens and unfortunately, this particular take on the style is just too spiced up for my own personal liking. Now, the brewery’s Porter Square Porter is another matter all together, but that review is a few days away.
Rating: 3/5
