Posts Tagged ‘Winter White Ale’

12 Beers of X-Mas: Wittekerke Winter White

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

Happy new year! Tonight I’m celebrating with the Wittekerke Winter White Ale, brewed by Brouwerij De Brabandere in Bavikhove, Belgium.Wittekerke Winter White Ale This winter seasonal is the double version of the regular Wittekerke witbier.

Tonight’s Winter White is pleasantly hazy, a pale gold color with a creamy bright white head. The aroma is richly malty with biscuits, almonds and a bit of honey. Light tropical fruit and a clove spiciness hint at the yeast strain, while a little grassy hop character rounds out the nose.

The flavor is alternately sweet and spicy. Bready malt leads but is quickly met by coriander and allspice. The malt sweetness grows and is joined by an herbal hop bitterness. The rich effervescence brings out the clove spice once again. As the flavors begin to fade the alcohol warming intensifies, so despite the malt-forward nature the finish is light and dry.

The spice character of this beer is elusive, hiding behind a luscious malt and wheat flavor. Cloves, coriander, cinnamon and bitter orange dance with the significant alcohol character to create a serious complexity, yet it remains quite drinkable. I wish the head left a bit more of a lacing on the glass.

+Wittekerke Winter White Ale

4.1 (4-8-8-4-17)

12 Beers of X-Mas: Bell’s Winter White

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

From Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan, I’m tasting the Winter White Ale. This is a wheat beer in the style of a true Belgian witbier, made spicy not by the addition of spices but rather by a dominant yeast strain.

Bell's Winter White AleThe Winter White pours a solidly hazy golden straw color. The bone white head looks creamy but falls away quickly. The nose is generously spicy with cloves, a hint of citric orange, and a rich toasty malt character.

The taste follows similarly, with a significant but not sharp clove flavor backed by biscuity maltiness. A bit of an herbal hop bitterness balances the malt quite well. The malt sweetness fades just a bit quicker than the yeast spiciness and the hops, leaving a tantalizing tingle on the tongue.

This beer is dangerously drinkable. Remarkably balanced, with an understated complexity and clean refreshing character that leaves you asking for another sip. It pairs well with spicy food. With a little more substance to the head and the flavor this would be the perfect beer.

+Bell’s Winter White Ale

4.0 (3-8-7-5-17)