181. Clown Shoes Clementine

I'm going to start making my way through the Clown Shoes beers as they tend to make quality "big" beers. Decided to start with their White Ale (witbier) which unfortunately is not their best effort. Of course it may be that we have one of the best witbiers available right here in Maine with Allagash White that sours my review of this beer. The beer pours a pale orange with a towering frothy head. Citrus, coriander aromas abound and taste is about the same. These are the characteristics of a good witbier however there one is a bit off for some reason. Easy to drink at 5.9% ABV and certainly enjoyable but not up to the standards set by Allagash White. If you have the choice choose White. 
Pros: Appearance, aroma

Cons: Something off with the taste

Alcohol Content: 5.9% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Clown Shoes

Brewers Description: Clementine is Clown Shoes Beer’s Belgian style White Ale. Light-bodied and crisp, this is a terrific White Ale with plenty of zest! Hazy in appearance and healthily carbonated, it utilizes Chambly yeast to energetically shape its wheat malt base. Incorporated in the brewing process is Clementine, sweet orange peel, a hint of Coriander, and Summit hops.

At a sly, easy-drinking 5.9%, Clementine is dynamic and flavorful enough to satisfy discerning craft beer palates, yet light enough to count among “sessionable” beers.

Poured high into a pint or traditional pilsner style glass, drinkers can sip away lazy summer afternoons. As for food pairings, it is the perfect compliment to a range of salads and seafoods or light cheeses such as Feta, Monterey and Gruyere.

155. Roscoe's Hop House Belgian White

This is the third and final beer from Roscoe's Hop House and it has been in my fridge for a while as I did not enjoy the first two. Decided tonight was the night to take care of this one and was pleasantly surprised. Pours a typical light orange, maybe a bit darker than most Belgian Whites with a solid white head. Aroma has plenty of floral tones and taste is on target for a Belgian White. This is far from the quality of an Allagash White but still a pleasant experience. There are far better brewers out there but if someone offers you a Roscoe's Belgian White you will probably enjoy it.
Pros: Aroma

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Roscoe's Hop House

Brewers Description: 

145. Allagash White (draft)

Went to a Portland Red Claws game last night with one of insurance companies and we stopped at the Dogfish Cafe in Portland for dinner before the game. They had a decent selection of beer including Allagash White on-tap so I decided to give this a try as I enjoyed it from the bottle and draft beer always seems better. The beer came with an orange slice which helps to enhance the already fruity aroma of the beer but I quickly removed and set it aside. Minimal head but nice lacing on the glass. Color is the typical of the style a cloudy pale yellow. Taste and feel are very similar to the bottle version but there is just something about draft beer that makes it better than from a bottle. Maybe it is enjoying the beer outside of my home with good food or the social aspect of drinking in a bar or restaurant. If you like this style of beer and Allagash is an option when you go out give it a try - you will not be disappointed. 
Pros: Color, great example of a Belgian wheat

Cons: Served with an orange slice

Alcohol Content: 5.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Allagash Brewing
Brewers Description: Our interpretation of a traditional Belgian wheat beer. Brewed with a generous portion of wheat and spiced with coriander and Curacao orange peel, this beer is fruity, refreshing and slightly cloudy in appearance .

113. Allagash White

This beer had been on my list to review since I started this blog and I finally got around to it. Belgian style beer is quite unique and it seems like people either really enjoy or really dislike the style. Many of those that dislike Belgian beer are probably not drinking the beer at the correct temperature or do not enjoy the fruity flavor of Belgian style beer. The recommended serving temp for this beer is 38°-50°F and I would recommend somewhere in the middle of that range. When drinking Belgians you will get an entirely different taste when it is really cold and this is not what the brewer intended. 

This beer is a very good example of a Belgian wheat. Color is a nice light yellow (photo actually make it look darker than it really is) with a slight head that has good retention. Lots of spicy aromas and taste is smooth with lots of coriander (I did not even know what coriander was a few months ago). Smooth fruity finish. If you tried this beer in the past and did not enjoy it, buy another and let it warm slightly.Pros: Color, great example of a Belgian wheat

Cons: Coriander is overpowering if the beer is too cold

Alcohol Content: 5.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:
Brewers Website: Allagash Brewing
Brewers Description: Our interpretation of a traditional Belgian wheat beer. Brewed with a generous portion of wheat and spiced with coriander and Curacao orange peel, this beer is fruity, refreshing and slightly cloudy in appearance.

82. Harpoon UFO White

If you have followed my blog at all you know I like Hefeweizens so it is no surprise that this one gets a high rating. UFO stands for UnFiltered Offering and this beer has the cloudy appearance of most unfiltered hefes. Easy to drink and only a hint of spice and wheat in the aroma. If you are new to craft beer or someone that usually drinks beer from the MEGA brewers hefeweizen is a good way to start drinking quality beer. Low alcohol content makes this easy to drink one or more and very low IBU rating so no aftertaste. This would be a great beer for hot summer afternoon.

Pros: Cloudy appearance, easy to drink

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 4.8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): 10

Rating: 

Brewers Website: Harpoon Brewing

Brewers Description: Light, crisp, refreshing UFO White follows in the tradition of spiced wheat beers that have been brewed in Belgium for well over 300 years. Brewed with orange peel and a unique blend of spices, UFO White is the perfect choice for a summer’s barbecue, a night out with friends or any time you¹re thirsting for something a little different. Like UFO Hefeweizen and UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, we leave UFO White UnFiltered for a more natural taste and appearance.

52. Blue Moon Belgian White

I had high hopes for this one after I poured it into a glass as I typically enjoy unfiltered beer. It looks great and the aroma is OK. I did not garnish with a slice of orange as it suggests on the Blue Moon website so I may have to try another. If that was the missing component in this review than I will certainly come back and revise my rating. This was the first Blue Moon offering that felt like it was a beer brewed by Coors (they own Blue Moon). Will give it another try as I have one more in my fridge but as of now this is my least favorite Blue Moon variety and not something I will make any effort to try again. 
Pros: Unfiltered look
Cons: Lack of flavor
Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Calories: 171
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Blue Moon
Brewers Description: Unfiltered for more depth of flavor and a unique, cloudy appearance. Ingredients; white wheat, oats, coriander, orange peel. Full of flavor with a smooth finish. Light, spicy citrus flavors go great with chicken, seafood and pork. Best when garnished with a slice of orange to bring out the natural spices and subtle fruit flavor. 

47. Samuel Adams Imperial White

Sam Adams goal with their Imperial Series was to push the limits of classic beer styles and "create a new drinking experience". Well they certainly did that with this beer but I am not sure they were successful. The description from Samuel Adams website (see below) says "you'll be amazed by the flavors" however I could not taste anything more than the significant amounts of alcohol. Samuel Adams White Ale is one of my favorites so I was hoping the Imperial White would draw on that same flavor but it does not. I would not recommend this beer.
Pros: Color
Cons: Significant alcohol taste and burn
Alcohol Content: 10.3% ABV
Calories: 321
IBU (Bitterness): 15
Rating: 
Brewers Website: Samuel Adams
Brewers Description :A new perspective on the classic witbier style.
Samuel Adams® Imperial White represents a new perspective on the classic witbier style.  Witbiers are normally light and refreshing with a fruity finish.  We wanted to see how these characteristics would stand up when we amped up the recipe and we were totally blown away by the flavors that were created in this beer.This is not just a more intense version of Samuel Adams® White Ale. Samuel Adams Imperial White is a new recipe that stands on its own.  In fact, it is more of a wine substitute than just another refreshing witbier. This is a beer that should be sipped and savored and you’ll be amazed at the flavors you’ll discover as the beer warms and opens up.

22. Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier

Time for dessert!!! I enjoy wheat beer and one with the added flavor of blackberries is not something to be enjoyed with a meal but a nice after dinner snack - if beer can be a snack. Very nice light beer with a hint of blackberry flavor in the aftertaste. Not something that I would drink regularly but I have to say I enjoyed this one. Blackberries are out in abundance around my house this time of year and we have been enjoying them for weeks. 

Pros: Great flavor - light and easy to drink 

Cons:  Only good as an after meal drink

Alcohol Content: 5.5% ABV
Calories: 176
IBU (Bitterness): 10?
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Samuel Adams

Brewers Description: Our take on a classic witbier brewed with Oregon Marion blackberries to give the beer a subtle sweetness.
To create our version of the traditional witbier style, we wanted to complement the style’s natural wheat and traditional citrus flavors with the sweetness and tartness of blackberries.  We looked for the perfect variety of blackberries that could offer the balance in flavor without becoming overpowering.  The Oregon Marion blackberries were the perfect fit; selected from family farms located at the foot of the Oregon Trail and Cascade Mountains in Western Oregon, where they have been growing some of the best blackberries in the world for generations.  The blackberries are brought together with a hint of traditional orange and coriander to complement the malt character and give a smooth finish that’s both sweet and tart.