Twelve Saranac Beers of Xmas #5 - Belgian White
Written: Dec 29 '03 (Updated Jan 03 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It's drinkable
Cons: Bland, boring, not much like a white beer.
The Bottom Line: I would avoid this beer both as a White Beer, and as a beer in general. But if you are a Saranac fan, drink away...
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Belgian White |
"On the first day of Christmas, my true love poured a for me, a bla-a-and beeeeeeeeer...
• about SARANAC •
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as 5 different soft drinks.
• about BELGIAN ALE •
I looked on this "Golden Ring" of beers with quite a bit of anticipation - I always enjoy a Belgian ale, and find that they can be both a refreshing and tasty treat for a cold winter's night.
Brewed with oats, wheat and barley malt, Saranac offers their Belgian with a hint of hops. Spices (coriander and orange peel) are added to give it the traditional Belgian witbier that has become a staple of a beer lover's fridge. This particular variant offers a fairly robust 5.7% ABV.
Upon pouring this beer into my glass, it offered itself as a glowing example of the breed, a thick white head atop a faint orange beer. Then I smelled it - and was unpleasantly surprised. Yes, there were the faint tangs of citrus and wheat in the nose, but VERY faint, almost non-existant.
My first taste didn't make the beer any better. The initial flavors are faintly similar to a white beer, but there was a bitterness that I didn't expect, and moreover the beer came off as having very little character. To be honest, my first - and lasting - impression of this beer was that it reminded me of a fairly basic pilsener - not a Belgian White by any stretch.
It really had little body and less character. I found myself drinking it down almost as a desperate attempt to get to another beer - as I would do with most American domestics. The finish of this beer was no more spectacular than the rest - a light body with little refreshment.
• final THOUGHTS •
As far as Saranac beers go, this was the worst of the bunch so far; as far as Belgian White beers go - well, this one didn't. I would pick ANY other beer than this one - if you want a Belgian, go with Chimay. If you want a beer that tastes like this, save money and buy Bud Light.
• random BEER FACT •
The most popular beverage in the world is tea, and beer is number two. However, in England and Ireland, beer is the most popular beverage.
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
• related SARANAC REVIEWS •
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac Indian Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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