Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Lips of Faith Yuzu Imperial Berliner Weissbier

This beer was drunk several weeks ago and reviewed largely via memory, so don't be too literal in your interpretation -- it's more an impression of what we remember about the beer than anything else.  And there are some times in which our memory serves us better than others....

That being said, the first time we drank New Belgium's Lips of Faith Yuzu Imperial Berliner Weiss it was poured into a snifter from a 22 ounce bottle during a recent gathering at Correspondent Ed's -- obviously, the beer was drunk prior to the police shutting down the affair, a rather common experience from our observation (in fact, Ed didn't so much as flinch when the handcuffs were placed on his wrists, and he has the stone-faced "perp walk" expression down cold).

 

The beer was a pale yellow/gold color, and whatever white head it initially expressed itself with quickly disappeared.  Yuzu struck us as clearer than some other Berliner Weisses we've drunk -- if clarity is your thing, this might be your sour.....

 

If you judge a beer by how it smells and tastes, however -- as most people tend to  -- maybe it's not your beer.  We smelled a wheaty citrus scent, and by and large the taste followed the nose.  The beer wasn't nearly as sour as we would have liked -- especially coming as a Lips of Faith offering.  Overall, we had kind of a "meh" reaction to Yuzu -- hoping for more of everything: more citrus, more sour, more tartness.  In fact, we wanted more of everything except this beer. 

 

Don't get us wrong: it's not a diaster by any means, it's just not something we'd seek out on a regular basis.  And not because of it's taste, but because it could have been so much more.  Yuzu is the victim of high expectations and low follow through:  C+ 

 

Game Day Beer Review: 7venth Sun Brewery Wolfman's Berliner Weissbier

(3.5% ABV) Poured from a growler into a tulip glass one hot summer weekend (aren't they all in Florida?). Wolfman appeared a clear-as-a-bell straw color with a whispy thin white head that was gone before we could even properly take note of it.

The beer smelled most profoundly of wheat, with some slight funk thrown in at the very end.

It was easy drinking all the way, and not as sour on first grasp as one might have expected. The wheat shone through on the initial taste and never really left. The beer was sparkly on the tongue and a real thirst slaker.  We love just about everything produced by this small Dunedin, Florida-based brewery, and this effort was no exception.  A-

Game Day Beer Review: Evil Twin Brewing Justin Blåbær Berliner Weissbier

(5.75% ABV) Justin Blåbær was poured on draft at Hops and Pie in Denver, Colorado during the week of the Great American Beer Festival. Blaeber poured an off pinkish-purple color with a thin, whispy head of delicate white foam that left behind no lacing whatsoever.

Blåbær had a blueberry funk smell thing going on in the nose. There was definitely a certain lactic sourness to the beer's aroma.

The tart soutness was the first thing that hit the tongue, although the blueberries and lemon shone through on the finish. The beer was very light, somewhat fizzy, and extremely refreshing. We loved it. A-

Game Day Beer Review: Perennial Artisan Ales Peach Berliner Weissbeer

Perennial Peach Berliner Weissbier was a clear golden color, with a fizzy, pure white head.  The beer was served on draft and poured into a goblet at The Ginger Man in New York City.

The smell is faint peaches with some unidentified funk.

This one tastes a bit more like a dry cider to me than a beer, and the peaches are only apparent in the aftertaste. Relatively disappointing. B

Game Day Beer Review: Carton Brewing Monkey Chased the Weasel Berliner Weissbier

Brewery: Carton Brewing, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Beer: Monkey Chased the Weasel Berliner Weissbier

ABV: 3.90%

Scene: Hanging with family as the New York Giants pummel the Carolina Panthers on television in the background.  In need of a sessionable beer.

Appearance: Poured on draft at the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, New Jersey. The beer was a deeper brownish/gold than I would have thought for the style, but it was still an attractive looking brew. The serving had a thick white finger of foam on top, composed of large bubbles and soft white foam, which left behind some serious lacing. 

Smell: There was a sour citrus smell noticeable. 

Taste: Monkey Chased the Weasel began with a slightly tart, lactic sourness that transitioned into a citrusy sweetness before finishing with the taste of fresh berries.  It was light bodied and refreshing. 

Overall: One of my favorite styles of beer, and Carton just about nailed this one. B+