Saranac Belgian White
Another pleasant surpriseAside from the Pale Pale Ale, there was another happy little surprise in this Summer-themed variety pack from Saranac. I tend to find this style, at least most American made versions of it, to be overly herbal or comprised of too much wheat. This brew from Matt Brewing isn’t truly authentic, but it’s one of the better representations of the style that I’ve had in a while.
Weighing in at 5.3% ABV, the cloudy Witbier has, what I would call, a subtle balance of oat, wheat, coriander and orange peel. It’s not too subdued, but has a measure of restraint that makes for a more complete overall presentation and a refreshing beer.
Appearance
The beer pours a hazy, straw yellow in color with a quickly fading white head.
Aroma
Light wheat, lemony citrus, orange peel and a light spice (coriander) element all come together in the delicate nose.
Taste
The oat, wheat and barley combination as the backbone is apparent immediately and sets a solid base for a light spice component and a welcome bit of lemony citrus. The beer is crisp on the tongue, refreshing and thirst quenching as a lingering finish hangs around a bit with each swallow. There’s really not much more to say — it’s a smooth drinking Witbier with subtle overall character.
Overall
I enjoyed this little brew. It’s rather subdued palate and crisp mouthfeel make for an accessible beer with just enough flavor to keep it interesting. It wasn’t my favorite of the sampler pack, but still a welcome surprise nonetheless.
Rating: 3.5/5