The Island Wheat Experiment

Capital brewmaster Kirby Nelson recently descended into his brewing chamber and cranked up the Jacob's Ladder. He now has an experimental brew available only to those who receive his exclusive invitations (freely available at the brewery's gift store) to purchase it.

It's an American Pale Wheat Ale (i.e. – Capital's Island Wheat) brewed with yeast usually reserved for Belgian ales. The Dulcinea and I sampled the stuff upon returning from the brewery but the beer was near room temperature while I suspect you'd want to drink the stuff when it is cooled down a bit to the low 50s.

As it was, my bottle poured with little head while The Ds had plenty. Mine was cloudy while hers was clear. However, they tasted roughly the same. The aroma was great – sweet and estery, though not overwhelming. On a gustatory level, it was a bit odd in that I got a rush of hop bitterness up front which quickly dissipated giving way to a very mellow Belgian flavor. The esters were on the faint side but still noticeable.

I am going to quaff some that has cooled and contrast my experiences. Both American Pale Wheat Ales and Belgians are meant to be served at 50-some-odd degrees and since the promo literature indicates that Kirby is going for something "drinkable" (i.e. – not overflowing with taste so the teeming masses will drink it), this stuff is going to be served well-chilled at most joints. Ergo, it should be sampled at a temp on the cool side.