Beer Review: Bell's Oarsman Ale

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: Four percent

Appearance: Bell's Oarsman Ale pours a lemon-like shade of yellow. There was a slight haze that gives the beer an appearance of slight thickness. There was decent visible carbonation. The head of the beer as about the thickness of a quarter inch and only left minimal lacing. I can certainly let that slide as I've read that Berliner Weisse brews aren't exactly known for their heads.

Smell: Overall, the aroma of this was loaded with wheat and citrus. There was also a bit of yeasty character to it. This smelled very sour and tart as well. I was reminded of when I used to purchase and open up a pack of Shock Tarts as a kid. I think I remember them being called that. Anyways, on with the review.

Taste: This was a very enjoyable tease upon drinking. On the very tip of the tongue it was a hint of sweetness. Then the tartness of the beer took over. It was a tasty lemon flavor. I mean that in more of a sour sense rather than a fruity one. As the sip drifted towards the back I got more of the wheat and yeasty characters in the brew. There wasn't any hop notes to be noticed or compliment in any way, shape or form! I enjoyed it that way. Any bitterness on the finish would have interfered with the crispness of this beer.

Overall Rating: 

This is one of my favorites. I'm not completely knowledgeable on the Berliner Weissbier style yet, but I really enjoy this beer on a hot day. Sweet, yet sour and very crisp and refreshing. Tastes amazing and plays like a lighter beer. I never fill full after having a couple of these. Bell's with another awesome beer.

Beer Review: Sam Adams Summer Ale

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.3 percent

Appearance: Summer Ale pours a hazy orange color. Parts of the brew's body was murky and others weren't as much. There wasn't any carbonation present. If at all, it congregated and danced around on the bottom of the beer. Because the head faded off fairly fast, I was relegated to just one picture. It shrunk to almost nothing by the time I got a third and fourth shot off. As you'd expect after hearing that, there wasn't much lacing to write home about either.

Smell: This smelled very grainy and yeasty. Not sure how I felt about it. I wasn't excited nor was I completely turned off from the beer. Following that up was a decent presence of lemon zest. I definitely was moved enough to make a note of it.

Taste: Some wheat and citrus interested me on the front of the tongue. There was also some spiciness that I got. It provided some extra zest as did the lemon. The finish on this beer has always been my problem with it. It's not peppery from the spice nor is it a bitter bite from the hops. I really have never been able to tell what it was. It just always leaves me with a funky feeling in my mouth.

Overall Rating: 

The smell and the first aspects of the taste have always been pluses with me for this beer. I hear massive props given to this beer all of the time. It just hasn't got the job done for me in the years I've been able to drink it. A relatable brew is Bell's Oberon. One important aspect of Oberon that I love is the pale and wheat-like finish I get from it. perhaps that's why I don't enjoy the finish of this one?

Beer Review: East End Witte

Serving Type: Draft/Growler

ABV: 4.6 percent

Appearance: East End's Witte pours a pale straw gold that's just a bit subdued. The head of the brew was an intense white color. It's hazy in the body and appears to have a thickness to it. It had some tough retention and sticky lacing as it gave way and caved inward. I looked closer and was able to notice a dabble of carbonation bubbles here and there.

Smell: This beer smelled sweet, spicy and citrusy. I also detected a hint of grassiness. There was also layers of yeast and wheat. I might be crazy, but when I smell those two ingredients I detect an appetizing sourness/tanginess in beers.

Taste: This beer had a helping of tangy citrus on the front of my tongue. On the back, it was a tad malty and yeasty. It was very crisp. Seemed excellent for spring or summer porch drinking. The finish consisted of some sweet, but sour lemongrass and a little hop kick. In my opinion, the lemongrass pulls everything together.

Overall Rating: 

The big addition for this year's East End Witte was the lemongrass. I think that ingredient tied everything else in this brew together.  I really enjoyed this one. It has delicate flavor. It's almost intricate. It's sweet, but still sour. This is definitely on the lemon witbier side as opposed to being an orange. If I could have one thing better, it'd be just a bit more presence of the lemon.