Beer Review: Wells Banana Bread Beer

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.2 percent

Appearance: Wells Banana Bread Beer initially reminded me of an amber ale, but with a few reddish undertones. If features a thin, off-white head that remains atop the brew for most of the drink as a thin film. There is minimal to no lacing from this beer's head.

Smell: This beer smells very bready and yeasty. An appetizing aroma of banana and spice hits you after that. This smell reminded me of what most pumpkin beer's smell like, which is a plus.

Taste: I didn't get as much banana in the taste as I was hoping for. The bread and yeast translate well to the tongue, but the spice was a bit overbearing as well as a strong taste of booze which seemed to drain out most of the flavor.

Overall Rating: 

Not an entirely bad beer. This is just a case of me expecting something way different than what I ended up getting. The alcohol taste was a bit stronger than what I'd expect and enjoy in a great brew. Aside from that, this beer does rank up there among my favorite bottle labels.

Beer Review: East End Monkey Boy

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 4.8 percent

Appearance: East End Monkey Boy has a chroma of pale gold. It's almost a straw yellow. It's very hazy and foggy. The beer has an impressive crown atop the body. It's a vivid shade of white and is fluffy as well. The head also leaves plenty of lacing as the beer travels towards the bottom of the glass.

Smell: First, I got an aroma of sweet banana bread. If you sniff a little longer, you can pick of strong hints of wheat and clove. This beer also smelled somewhat spicy and peppery. A heavenly aroma.

Taste: The clove and pepper sensation really pops the tongue when this beer is consumed. There was also a flavorful sensation of banana that comes through slightly on the front, while a tad of hop character complimented it on the back. The carbonation provides for an awesome texture, too. Sensational flavor in this beer.

Overall Rating: 

This is one of the first beers I look for when I walk into a local pub or tavern. According to Scott Smith (East End's head brewer) there isn't any actual banana used in the brewing process! The yeast that's used goes a long way in creating that banana flavor that's there. The fact that there isn't any banana used in the brewing process just adds to the luster of this beer. It's sweet, spicy and has an awesome texture going down.