REVIEW 142: WINTER CHEERS

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  USA

BREWERY:  Victory Brewing Company

STYLE:  Hefeweizen

ABV:  6.7%

PURCHASE:  Draft (13-oz.), $6.00

SERVING:  Tulip glass. 3/4" head from tap. Very good retention.

APPEARANCE:  Pale, golden-straw body. Bright and spongy white head. Steady but narrow bubbling. Consistent, albeit minimal, lacing around the glass.

BOUQUET:  Strong clove and coriander factor--this is a wheat beer, of course. Subtle citrus notes, namely of orange and lemon peel. A tease of banana. No real hop presence.

PALATE:  Run-of-the-mill body with crisp and slightly biting carbonation. Not particularly filling for a beer at this ABV. Tastes like it could be lightly hopped, but it's not truly discernible. At the forefront are moderate lemony-citrus notes. Yeasty undertones throughout. Finish seems largely twofold. It's sweet and cider-like. Secondly, there's a slight fusel quality to it--particularly when swallowed fast--but nothing truly off-putting. Various notes in the aftertaste: Subtle hints of witbier spices; a tinge of pepper; a bit appley as well. Emphasis on the adjectives here that indicate shyness; this beer could stand to be a bit more aggressive. Holds back a little too much.

MUSINGS AND METAPHORS:  A hefeweizen as a "winter" beer? Well, if it shares characteristics with winter warmers and Belgian strong ales, then why not? 

That said, this one is like an actress who specializes in romantic comedies; likeable enough, but ultimately lacking an edge. I rate it accordingly.




GRADE:   B-

See? The label even looks like a movie poster for a rom-com!