Alaskan White Ale

Brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Juneau, Alaska USA

Pours a nice rich golden color with a decent head (though it lacks retention). The aroma carries over some of the citrus and coriander scents. It tastes very similar to Hoegaarden but has a less pungent, mellower flavor to it. The description hits the flavor on the head other than that. Seems to have a higher than normal carbonation but I feel it works for the style.

Nice spice aroma, some definite coriander. This is a pretty good beer. Not too wheaty, some great spices and overall a good wit.

Light amber, thin white head. Aroma is malt, light spice, yeast, light corriander. Taste is a nice spice, malt, yeast mixture. Similiar to Great White but a bit bolder.

I had never seen the Alaskan White on the shelves before, but quickly jumped at the opportunity. My brief time living in Seattle has taught me that, at least as far as the beers from Alaskan Brewery that find there way into 750ml homes, things will be tasty. The Smoked Porter 2008 is especially indicative. Plus, at $2.99 I was curious to see if even a moderately well made white beer could be made at that price point. Well, I’ll come out with it - I’m blown away. Let me preface the following stream of compliments by saying this is NOT the best white I have ever had. It’s good. Very good. But at that price? It goes from good to baffling. “What did I do to deserve this?” It pours from the bottle unassumingly, nary kicking up a head, settling comfortably into a orange-tinged gold puddle. The aroma was my first hint that this was special something - butterscotch, caramel, banana cream and honey like an ornately sweetened tripel. Like a good scenic view off the highway, this is worth stopping and enjoying. The flavor is, perhaps thankfully, not so sweet. Instead it is light and graceful, a ballet of wheat, pirouetting with white grape, a slight leap of cantaloupe, a bow of honeydew and then suddenly it vanishes. The flavor vanishes so quickly that it leaves the confused carbonation in it’s wake, all dressed up and nowhere to go. I love this flavor, but wish it would stick around for a little while, but I suppose a beer this good has other places to be.

Pours tawny yellow w/ tall, lasting head. Mildy spiced and malty aromatics play into this brew nicely. Medium full nectar w/ good carbonation. Malty and mildly spiced w/ a brisk tropical tartness that tingles on the finish. Theres an earthiness about it.

12 oz bottle from Belmont Station. Nose of grainy wheat, yeast, and light allspice. Hazy gold with a medium glass lacing white head. Flavor is lightly sweet wheat with a nice light spiciness.

2009 Oregon Brewers Festival – Portland, OR
Aroma: Nice light malt aroma with light Belgian yeast and very little hops.
Appearance: Light golden in color, Slight haze with a light head.
Flavor: Nice Belgian yeast fruit flavor. This was refreshing and great to drink.
Palate: Dry Finish, with a Good Mouthfeel.
Overall: The first beer for the OBF I was off and running.

Pours a hazy amber with a white head. Smells of coriander and ginger. Tastes of sweet wheat, spicy, citrus, coriander, some sweetness on the finish.