Beer of the Week

The beer: Against the Grain

The brewery: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "Discover the bold flavors of Against the Grain, a distinct and refreshing American Wheat beer crafted to captivate your senses. This vibrant brew is a harmonious blend of traditional wheat beer smoothness and the exhilarating zest of hops. A blend of Comet, Amarillo, Citra and Sabro create a melange of bright citrus zest coupled with hints of wild forest berries, mango and nuanced notes of lime and a touch of coconut. Each sip of Against the Grain delivers a balanced and invigorating taste journey, perfect for hop enthusiasts and wheat beer lovers alike."

Would I buy it again? This is one of those beers where I'm of two minds on how I feel about it. On the one hand, it does what it sets out to do very well. It feels like a light, pleasant wheat beer, but it's also got the hoppy juiciness of an IPA. There's none of the usual IPA bitterness. But on the other hand, I'm just not that big into really hoppy beers. They're fine, on occasion, just to mix things up, but they're not a go-to for me. I guess that's where I'd classify this; I would buy it again, but only on occasion. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Provocative Photography

The brewery: Rough Edges Brewing, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "A full-bodied [wheat beer, with] banana, clove, and a hint of vanilla."

Would I buy it again? Another week, another hefeweizen. Oops. I prefer this one to last week's simply because this one doesn't taste like raspberries. It doesn't do anything spectacular, it just sort of tastes like a wheat beer should. And that's enough for me, especially on those hot summer days.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Welcome to Razwell

The brewery: UFO Beer, Boston, Massachusetts

Description (from the website): "Natural raspberry flavor is added to this delightfully sweet and slightly tart raspberry hefeweizen to give it a delicate fruit flavor. The raspberries are balanced by the clean, wheat beer taste making it a delicious blend of sweet and refreshing for any season."

Would I buy it again? It is a well-balanced beer; the raspberry pairs nicely with the wheat flavor. I'm just not one who particularly enjoys raspberries. I probably would not buy this one again, but that's just me. I think it's a good beer, just not for me. I'll have to look out for other beers from this brewery though, I like their theming and their beer names.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Prowess Wheat

The brewery: Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Halethorpe, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "This hoppy wheat-style ale is our 2023 International Women's Day Collaboration Beer. A donation will be made to our longtime partner, the Pink Boots Society which exists to ASSIST, INSPIRE, and ENCOURAGE women and non-binary individuals in the industry. It’s bright and fresh with subtle tartness from the orange peel."

Would I buy it again? I mean, it's not bad, but it's just got a little too much orange flavor for me. A bit too tart, in my opinion. I guess I wouldn't say no, but I wouldn't go out of my way for one.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Tropical Oberon Ale

Brewed by: Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Description (from the website): "Oberon shines vibrant and bright in this limited release. Brewed with real passionfruit, pink guava and mango, this ale takes your favorite summer beer to new shores. Mini drink umbrellas sold separately."

Would I buy it again?: One thing is for sure: This was the cloudiest beer I've ever had. You can see the bits of condensed yeast in the glass there, and it looked even more unappetizing in person. Yeah, it all settled down, but still, not a great start. Honestly though, the beer tasted fine; not my favorite, but decent enough. But when it comes to beer, there's a fine margin for error, and the yeast is enough reason for me to pass on this in the future.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Summa Vitis

Brewed by: The Bruery Terreux, Anaheim, California

Description (from Untappd): "Here’s a beer that sums up summer in a sip. Summa Vitis is a refreshing combination of our tart wheat beer with the crisp, delicate character from white wine, imparted from brewing with Gewürztraminer grapes. This special recipe showcases both the spritzy, mineralic side of white wine and the funky, fruity notes of a racy Berliner Weisse-style beer, further accentuated from aging in oak foeders. We’re passionate about wine and beer. This is the total experience."

Would I buy it again?: No, I would not. It's a lot more sour than I was expecting, and I'm not a fan of sour beers. So I'm kind of disappointed, because I do generally like white wine, and I thought this would be a good combination.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Chesapeake Wheat

Brewed by: Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from the website): "If you’re looking for a beer with a big impact, look no further. This deliciously crisp wheat ale offers complex fruity and citrus flavors and aromas, all while supporting oyster restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay."

Would I buy it again?: Well, since I've already bought it multiple times, yes, I would buy it again. It's very drinkable, but it's got a nice juiciness I don't often get from wheat beers, or summer-style beers in general. Not something I'd want all the time, but it's a refreshing change of pace, and it's definitely something I'll buy every now and then. Plus it helps restore oysters in the Chesapeake, so you're doing the environment a favor as well.

Beer of the Week

The beer: The Love Wheat Beer

Brewed by: Starr Hill Brewery, Crozet, VA

Description (from the website): "The Love is an unfiltered wheat beer, also known as a Hefeweizen. It is distinguished by its extremely light body and fruity aroma, finished with spicy notes."

Would I buy it again?: Well, I like hefeweizens, and this was a perfectly decent example of a hefeweizen. So I'll say yes, but qualify that by saying that I'm not going to be busting down any doors in pursuit of one. Starr Hill does make a double bock though, which is my favorite style of beer, and theirs is very good. Not my favorite double bock, but excellent nonetheless. So I will definitely buy Starr Hill beer in the future.