Leelanau Whaleback White

tall rocky head. aroma of lemon rind. hints of oak. so dry, so funky. this beer is one of the best ever made.

500mL bottle courtesy of xnoxhatex poured into a tulip. My first beer from this brewery actually. Pours a bright, hazy golden yellow with a big bubbly white head that is continually fed by a steady stream of bubbles from the bottom. The lacing is very good and a rocky white cap stays on for the duration. The aroma has tart lemons with a healthy dose of yeasty sourness and some barnyard funk creeping in. There are plenty of spices, including clove, and bready malts in the background. The taste is very tart up front, a combination of tart, sweet fruits and the Belgian yeast. The bready malts form a backbone that gives way to a dry, yeasty finish with the funk lingering on the palate. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and spritzy on the palate with lots of bubbly carbonation. It’s dry and much more tart than a typical Belgian wit, but it’s also extremely refreshing with the tartness really adding a complexity that I enjoyed.

Bottle. Aroma of brett, pineapple, lemon, grapes, wheat. Wheat comes out more in the flavor, which is also where the citrus and coriander notes can be perceived beneath the lightly tart funky component more prevalent in the nose. The combination of the base beer and the JP components work together nicely on this one to create a refreshing, dry, more-complex-than-just-pure-funky brew.

Bottle. Pours a cloudy golden yellow with a thick white head. Aroma of sour funk (barnyard), tart candies, lemon, bready malt, and light citrus. Flavor is light and sour with bready malt in the background. Overall, light crisp sourness with a touch of bitter hops. Not really a witbier; this just tastes like the other Jolly Pumpkin sour ales or maybe a sour Belgian ale (pretty similar to Bam Biere). Enjoyable. 7/4/8/4/15 [3.8/5]

This to me is a style that is less open to interpretation. Given that this poured with an excellent head with great retention and lace. Color is a straw/lemonade yellow. Aroma is fresh, tart, slightly malty and no spices despite label. Body was a tad thin but had good carbonation. Compared with the gold standard wits it’s ok; on its own a bit better. Finish is ok, short; nothing special. Session beer if you’re into tart.

Another cool beer thanks to ditmier. Pours a clear yellow with a medium white foamy head. The aroma was almost like pine sol or a citrus cleaning solution- but in a good way! Sweet yeast and lemony flavors, pine, a sharp spicy mix and citrus bite. A very cool Witbier for sure. Dry and fluffy mouthfeel. A nice take on the style.

2009 Bottle - Thanks coyotehunter! - Pours a hazy dk yellow with a medium white head...aroma is similar to the other Leelanau bottles with a twist, funky still, with some citrus zest acnd pine that had to be pointed out, and a wit spice component, clove/coriander...flavour is fruity grain tempered with the barrel, again tart but not sour, spicy and fizzy...just a ridiculous take on a funky wit...

Slightly cloudy golden peach color with vibrant white head, and fluffy lacing. Aggressive, balanced aroma with sour grapes and herbal/minty notes along with citrus. Bubbly mouthfeel, like champagne with peach and apple puree.