Sterkens White Ale
A nice, fresh 11.2oz bottle with the best by date of 25/04/12 lasered on the neck. Served at about fridge temperature in a Hoegaarden witbier glass. Appearance- After the yeast addition, this beer pours a hazy gold with a finger-thick white head. It settles to a translucent mat within about two minutes, not leaving any lacing behind. Smell- An exquisite aroma of sour apple, coriander, orange peel, and yellow cake mix... one of the most complex, interesting, and enjoyable noses on a Belgian witbier. Taste- The flavors here go far beyond those of Hoegaarden and even Allagash's flagship beer... the character is deep and bold, while remaining soft in its execution. Notes of coriander and spices flow over the tongue, complementing a soft breadiness that underlies the flavors. It's delicate yet assertive, a unique paradox. The structure and balance is definitely noteworthy. Mouthfeel/Drinkability- The initial entry into the mouth is explosive, wildly carbonated but somehow not gassy. It softens within a few seconds and becomes totally elegant and silky, finishing with an easy swallow. While I wouldn't drink more than one or two of these at a time, the sheer excellence of the flavors alone would warrant my recommendation to try this lesser-known example of a true Belgian style wit.