Johns Grocery Generations White Ale

Brewed by Millstream Brewing Company
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Amana, Iowa USA

Bottle courtesy of pepsican. Pours orange with a thin white head. Smells of ginger, coriander, traces of wheat, bubblegum. Tastes earthy with some orangey hints. Mouthfeel and finish is watery.

On draft at the brewery it’s vibrant and fresh and can rival some of the best Belgian-made witbiers... pillowy yeast and lemon citrus, very soft, lively and delicious. Now, the bottle I guess is a different story. The 1 L I opened was instant butter in the nose, with some weak and muted lemon and wheat flavors. A second 22oz bottle opened side by side was in better condition, with more of the lemon and wheat and a bit less thin, but neither touch draft. I guess the brewery filters their beer prior to bottling, and perhaps they have problems with their bottling as well.
Earlier Rating: 4/4/2004 Total Score: 3.9
Cloudy soft yellow, ver opaque, with a bright white head. Very spicey nose of coriander, ginger, cardamom and other spices, with a mellow sweet lemon scent underneath. Very smooth and dull on the tongue, a sweet lemon and orange flavor up front, turning to sour grapefruit and dried orange peel in the finish with a slightly unpleasent soap flavor. Thick and syrupy.

Bottles provided by mj and kmweaver. Hazy pale body with a small white head. The nose is lightly sweet with coriander, light lemon, orange and honey. The flavor is lightly sweet, lightly bitter and just lightly tart with orange peel, pepper and honey. Medium/light body is a bit thin with moderate carbonation.

22oz bottle, courtesy of Gregis. Thanks, Greg! We opened this up after Mike’s 1L bottle tasted like buttered popcorn. Pours a hazy, pale yellow color; white head with fine-bubbled lacing. Pleasant amounts of coriander, wheat, and a bit of orange peel in the aroma; quite nice. Lively carbonation. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: coriander, creamy vanilla, and just a hint of butterscotch; very pleasant white ale with a creamy, almost velvety feel in the mouth; quite generous. Medium, vanilla and doughy finish; a bit of sugar.

Bottle brought back from Iowa by my buddy’s girlfriend, Becky. Pours a hazy, light straw with a fluffy, white head. It’s not quite as "white" as most witbiers, but that’s not a huge detractor. The nose is a nice blend of orange peel, coriander and a solid wheat backing. Light bodied and wheaty-soft with a quick, clean finish. Wheat, orange and a nice compliment of just the right amount of coriander make this one of my new favorite witbiers. Thanks again, Becky!

Bomber thanks to pepsican. Poured a hazy lemon color with a moderate white head and rising bubbles. Aroma of wheat, citrus, and coriander. Nice tart citrus flavor right off the bat leads into a spicey wheat middle and a crisp, lemony finish. Light and easy to drink. I like, and so does my mom. Thanks again pepsi.

12 oz bottle, via iowaherkeye. Pours a hazy cloudy orangish yellow under a very fizzy white head that faded very quickly. The nose is grassy wheat with some accents of coriander and orange peel. Some fluffy yeast. Spice and yeast dominate the flavor up front, but the spice takes over on the finish. A good dose of yeast influence throughout. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with fizzy prickly carbonation. A servicable enough Belgian White, but not one that stands out from the crowd.

From Badgerben’s Cellar Reduction night. Clear yellow body with minimal head. Nice citrus hop nose. Malty body with wheat flavor.