Mikkeller Not Just Another Wit

Mikkeller
Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Copenhagen V, Denmark

2008 Bottle; Sampled April 2009
A solid pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a four-finger thick, pale, off-white colored head that is nice and long lasting and leaves a nice thick lace on the sides of my glass. The beer is a bright gold color that shows hints of haze and a brighter gold color when held up to the light. The aroma has an expressive, sweet orange zest note as well as a grassy, cracker like grain note. The citrus aromatics are really the dominant note here; it is refreshing, but can seem a bit simplistic at times.

Sweet grain flavors mix with tart citrus notes (more than just orange, with some Meyer lemon notes) up front. The finish has an astringency to it that is a bit like the pin in a citrus fruit, slightly tannic and bitter. The finish also has a bit of spiciness to it; a earthy pepper not as well as a sort of green coriander flavor is noticeable. Actually, speaking of green flavors, this beer actually has a green, sort of vegetable flavor to it. The flavor is a cross between a bell pepper and a leafy herbal note; this last reminds me of a mix of basil and kefir lime leaf. The flavor is spice and citrus dominated, but the grain does contribute a back drop of grassy wheat flavors, some sweet grain notes and a dry, cracker like grain note in the finish. The body is a bit heavier than a standard strength Wit, with a touch of viscous heft and a noticeable body, but it is still quite quaffable and refreshing.

This is an enjoyable beer, especially if one is fond of Wits. It is not overly complex and could certainly use some more fermentation complexity.

Big bottle, appearance is hazed gold with a large head in my Duvel. Aroma of spice, typical Wit, fruity, and hops to differentiate. The flavor is much the same with added bitterness. Palate medium bodied and fairly quenching. Overall, not exciting, but not bad.

Draft @ Lornd Nelson, Copenhagen. Pours a hazy orange color with a small white head. Has a fruity spicy wheat malty aroma with some hints of citrus and hops. Fruity wheat malty spicy citrus flavor with some hoppy hints. Has a fruity wheat malty spicy citrus flavor with some hoppy bitter aftertaste.

750ml caged&corked bottle. Pours a cloudy brown/yellow gold with a very thick white head and many specks of dirt-like yeast chunks (hard to pour the bottle w/out stirring a little up). The aroma is funky and hoppy: subtle peppery phenols; yeasty, doughy bread; a touch of anise; aromatic bitter orange; and citrusy, earthy hops. The flavor starts fruity and spicy with lots of esters (pear, melon), lots of grassy, herbal, citrusy hops, and a nice, light, grainy, malt sweetness. There is something slightly medicinal about the combination. At mid-palate, the bitter citrus and grassiness strengthen along with a good bit of coriander and licorice-like esters. The finish is dry and hoppy with a touch of bready malt and lots of bitter fruit and aromatic spice. Overall, a very pleasant beer that kind of defies description. Belgian Strong Ale is certainly better than Witbier though...

bottle. Cloudy and poured with a big head, Bitterness develops over time. This is impressive even if like myself you are not a great fan of this style.

Tuulensuu, Tampere - thanks to the guy at the other table Hazy (dregs of bottle). Aroma of hops and wheat. Reasonably good hop profile, a little ginger in the palate. Hops and a bit of grain. Slightly sweet but not too much so. Don’t know what a whole glass would be like - probably would only add to the sense that it’s just, well, another wit. Unusually, Phil did not share this.

750ml bottle. Spice aroma along with some grain. Deep golden body with big white head and some moderate lacing. Flavor is grainy and spice and some what chalky. Mild sweet grain aftertaste lingers to tell me this is just another wit but overpriced.

Poured a very cloudy bright gold with an eggshell white foam. Strong smells of coriander and pineapple, there is a dominant tropical character. I also get a little bit of ginger bread. A incredibly smooth silky body has low carbonation and in this case, that is a good thing. There is also some coriander, especially in the finish. I get some light pineapple and orange notes. Overall, this is a nicely made brew that is much smoother than I would have expected, given the alcohol level.