Namaste - Dogfish Head Brewery

nickfl

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - The beer pours with one and a half fingers of white foam on top of a slightly hazy, straw-golden colored body. The head is supported by masses of rising bubbles and seems like it could persist indefinitely.

S - Very spicy with notes of coriander, ginger, clove, and lemongrass. Some bready wheat malt in the background.

T - Bready malt and wheat up front with some coriander. Some soft wheat in the middle and a bit of orange. The beer finishes with notes of orange and lemon peel with a hint of pepper.

M - Medium-thick body, high carbonation, and a somewhat dry finish.

D - Wow, this is surprisingly good. I am not generally a fan of witbier, but the balance between the wheat and the spices here works exceptionally well. The lemongrass the lemongrass is a really nice touch, it helps cut through the cloying thickness that many other wits seem to develop and it makes the beer taste much brighter. Unusually drinkable and very much worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 05:50:21 | More by nickfl

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 mL brown bottle, bottled on "2011 1C" stamped on neck of bottle

A - Straw, towering white head that has excellent retention and spotty lacing down the glass.

S - Yeasty nose with lemongrass on the back with a touch of grassy hops.

T - Sweet lemon candy, then grassy flavors, some Belgian yeast with a slightly spicy finish.

M - Light body, high carbonation, very light and creamy across the palate. Finishes crisp and clean with little bitterness.

O - Very good tastes, nicely balanced. I didn't find the yeast to be as prominent as in other Witbiers, but that didn't take anything away from the beer at all. I'd definitely get it again.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 22:45:41 | More by garuda

babaracas

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy gold color with two fingers of fluffy white foam. Big swaths of lace left on the glass. Smell: yeasty with some punchy sweet citrus, floral, with wheat and coriander notes. Taste: sugary pale, wheat cracker, tangy, coriander, a little clove-like spiciness, a fleshier orange like navel, lemon peel note. Medium bodied, creamy, dry spiciness midsip but juicy finish. Really nice. July 2011 release.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 23:51:19 | More by babaracas

BeerDawgs

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A cloudy yellow, pores alot of head which settles down and a touch of sticky lace on the glass. not much. Awesome sediment floating around in the beer.

S - Coriander and lemon dominate. Very nice..

T - Like the smell, lots of coriander, orange, and lemon. Well balanced, not too sweet.

M - Medium bodied and well carbonated.

O - I have started to really enjoy beers with Coliander in it. This one does not dissapoint. Love this beer. Drink up

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 00:55:41 | More by BeerDawgs

depechemode1983

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours out a dark cloud golden color with a very fluffy/rocky white head. Head has excellent retention and lacing is amazing.

S - The nose is amazing. Tons of wheat, lemon peel, earth, grass and light sugars. Also getting a pepper like spiciness. Smells superb.

T - Wheat forward. Lots of lemongrass and spices. Some floral undertones. A sugar like sweetness is present in the finish with some lemon zest to back it up. Pretty damn flavorful and refreshing.

M - Medium bodied, creamy, soft. Carbonation is medium as well and does a good job keeping the beer smooth.

O - Outstanding job by Dogfish Head. Smells wonderful taste wonderful and feels great. Glad I dished out the 10 dollars for this one. Id do it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 21:29:01 | More by depechemode1983

FosterJM

California

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

876th Review on BA
Bottle to Pilsner
750Ml

2011

App- A bit of a hazy golden yellow with a large two finger slow receding head. A bit of dots of cling. A nice looking wit.

Smell- Wheat, lemon, spice, grass, coriander, peel. What else could sam put in this one? Smells very clean and to style.

Taste- Of all the wits I have had. This one takes the cake. Retains the essence of what the style is all about. It has a nice wheat base with a bit of coriander and lemon/orange peel. A little thin spice with a balanced profile. Not too thin or watery but just good.

Mouth- A light bodied beer with a good wheat residual flavor with some lemon/orange zest and a little bit of coriander. A medium high carbonation to make it all blend together.

Drink- It's a very good wit. I have had some shitty ones and this is very good. One of the few I would come back too.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 02:54:00 | More by FosterJM

obywan59

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy lemony color with a 3 finger white head. I looks like thick lemonade, or a lemony tropical drink. Light lacing.

Toasty grain and doughy yeast on the nose with light lemon.

Lightly sweet malt upfront, but primarily tart with lemony spice. The citrus/tart wheat/ coriander combo occasionally gives the impression of lemongrass.

Medium-bodied, slightly drying and peppery.

Perhaps I'm drinking this a bit past it's season, but it's still very refreshing. This would be a great summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 04:15:51 | More by obywan59

Monkeyknife

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle a hazy grey-apricot color with two fingers of off-white head.

Fruity aroma of orange peel, spice, honey, apricot and yeast.

The taste is citrusy with orange peel along with the coriander and white pepper adding a bit of spice. Finishes with lemongrass note and a hint of yeast.

Light-to-medium bodied and a touch dry with a moderate carbonation.

So delicious. One of my favorite witbiers.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 22:00:19 | More by Monkeyknife

grittybrews

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy orange-gold with a finger of bright white head. Light aroma of lemon, wheat, orange peel, and maybe a hint of lemongrass.

Highish carbonation and a creamy, light mouthfeel. Wheat and gentle lemon up front followed by a hint of pepper and a burst of slightly sweet orange on the tail end.

Balanced, dry, and refreshing and still packs a good deal of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 02:53:01 | More by grittybrews

stimulus

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750mL bottle.

A: Pours a cloudy, nearly opaque copper with a one finger white head.
S: A citrus mixture.
T: Wow, what a nice blend of flavors for this wit: the orange in the forefront with the coriander and something else falling into the background.
M: Pretty light body with great carbonation.
D: It's too bad that I had to split this one, but we agreed that another bottle would have been quite pleasurable to digest.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 02:50:50 | More by stimulus

hdofu

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a pretty good witbier, that being said appearance and smell aside this beer is nothing extrordinary. The beer pours cloudy gold with a thin off white head. The beer smells intensely of itrus praticularly orange and lemon. The taste is strong of the fruits and coriander, with a wheaty finish. Hals light carbonation, and given the brewer overall it seems light. A perfect sipper for the summer though

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2010 00:17:29 | More by hdofu

WillyDee

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a wine glass.

The color was a light honey lemon color. It had a big billowy rocky whit head, that dissapated into a solid ring of lacing. When examined closly, the yeast was clumpy.

The aroma was grainy, some lemon zest, and lightly floral. Not picking up much of the yeast.

Tastes very light and crisp. Smooth buttery grains across the palate, strong corriander in the middle, and some hop biterness on the back end, but no distinguishable breed. Maybe a faint lemon zest in the finish.

Carbonation was extreamly fine. The mouthfeel was smooth yet crisp (hops helped make it crisp) and the grain and hops were balanced. It was complex yet light. I though it was a excellent beer, especially since wheat is not my favorite ingrediant, but the hops strayed too much from the style for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 19:28:43 | More by WillyDee

lsummers

California

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured a bright yellow with cloudy floaties. Subtle white fluffy head.

Smells of citrus and slight lemongrass herbal notes. Not to complex just pleasant.

Taste is light and crisp. Hits with a bounce on the tongue with lemon and orange, the more citrusy herbal notes come through towards the end. The middle does taste a Little watery. It's very refreshing.

Mouthfeel is sharp and crisp. Light enough without feeling overly carbonated.

Overall, this is the second time I have tried this beer and I intend to seek it out again. A great example of an American wit.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 06:04:56 | More by lsummers

deapokid

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The low price and interesting artwork inspired me to pick up this new wheat beer from Dogfish Head.

Liquid is vibrantly carbonated with a hazy orange color and rather heavy foam/lacing. It's an exact replication of the Belgian standard and, I must say, my first impression is a good one.

Cornucopia of aromas is rather appealing. There's heavy floral spicing, banana esthers, ground pepper, sweet cream and a doughy wheat aroma. Despite the strength and variety of smells, nothing is overpowering or artificial.

Flavor profile makes the sweetness of clementine and tangerine the focus. The star of the show is backed by pepper, cardamom, milk and a nice bright sweetness to accompany the slight dryness at the end. It's staggering how well all of these flavors work together.

Mouth is very smooth and the sweet burst at the end coats the entire tongue and sticks around to level out the dryness. This combination of sweet and dry makes for a crisp conclusion.

All in all, this is a refreshing and superbly drinkable witbier, displaying the strong qualities of the style, while adding in a few new twists of its own. Boy, I hope this turns into regular release, because it's certainly one of DFH's best.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2010 19:00:56 | More by deapokid

neobob187

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A pleasant and clear golden color. Also collects a very nice frothy white head that lingers and laces the glass as it dissipates.

S: Really sweet smelling lemons, with a really subtle hint of honey, vanilla, and lavender on the nose.

Taste: A clove spiciness up front, followed by a very pleasant and sweet lemon finish. The lemon grass is really noticeable and lingers a bit on your tongue. There is a hint of citrusy Oranges but also huge bread finish.

M: Bubbly! This has a very high carbonation to it, and a smooth pillowy mouth feel. Reminds me of a champagne almost.

O: Overall I'm going to give this beer a A+ for what it is; an extremely refreshing summer witbier from Dogfish Head. I'm not a huge fan of the style, but this is a really tasty beer, and I'd drink this easily after a hot summer day being that it's only 5% abv. It's truly a pleasant experience to drink and won't get you too hammered. I recommend this beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 21:06:26 | More by neobob187

champ103

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a cloudy/hazy golden/yellow color. A two finger white head forms with good retention. The foam gently recedes to a ring, and sticks around as a small collar. Sticky lace is left behind.
S: Musky, basement like funk and earthy aromas. Some light fruity esters come out, but not much else. I like the aroma, but wish more of the coriander and orange would come into play.
T: Big earthy notes. Basement like funk, and there is plenty of spice. Coriander, orange, and lemon flavors are spot on. Husky wheat. Very clean flavors here.
M/D: A medium body that is very crisp and effervescent. Clean and bone dry. Though smooth at the same time. So easy o to drink. The bomber will be gone in no time.

Dogfish Head has disappointed me on a number of beers, though this one is excellent. A spot on Wit that is incredibly enjoyable to drink. Something I would highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 02:40:33 | More by champ103

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very good wit. Wouldn't expect a poor product from DFH. But it's pretty straight-forward for the style, which I found odd.

Is this bottle-conditioned? The first pour yielded only a moderate haze that I could see through - not the wheat-proteiny murk I'd anticipate. Remainder pour - ultra-murk. The color is right-on, noticeably more orange. Attempted a semi-vigorous pour but the head didn't impress - standard white, mid-density, yet not so voluminous.

Fragrant coriander and orange peel jets out of the glass as early as mid-stream of the pour. They didn't hold back. Some honeyish malt rounds it out. A delightful scent.

Coriander and orange peel play prominently in the taste. Not as tart as I hoped - malts weigh in a little beefier as well as a notch or two more hop presence and bitterness than standard.

Leans more toward silky than creamy despite it appearing to have a fairly full body. Quite drinkable though not as crisp or light as I like. Couldn't drink more than two (16 oz) pints of these in one sitting. Etc, etc.

Great flavor, above average drinkability. Pretty straight-forward. Definitely worth it if you dig wits.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 21:34:45 | More by Bouleboubier

allengarvin

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Chimay chalice. Very bright gold color, a tad hazy, with fine-streaming bubbles from the bottom. Very nice aroma! Perfect for a wit, with loads of spiciness. Coriander and bitter orange peel are both very apparent, though I don't detect the lemongrass. The flavor mostly follows, though the coriander isn't as assertive as I would have thought. The lemongrass lurks around the edges, but isn't really a major flavor component. Yeast gives a gentle vanilla hint.

Very nice beer. I'd much rather have it in a set of affordable 12oz bottles, than a single $10 750, but I'll probably buy again anyway.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 01:14:43 | More by allengarvin

Yoda22

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a hazy yellow with nice 1-2 fingers white head that dissipates but leaves a thin layer at the top with decent lacing. There is quite a bit of unwanted particulates floating around in there.

S- The orange comes through and the coriander really comes through. It's a good scent; can't find much of the lemon at first but caught hints of it as it warms.

T- Like the nose it is dominated by coriander and some orange with a hint of lemon. Pretty straight forward and delicious.

M- Light body with mid to high carbonation. It's what you'd want in a wheat beer.

O- A very tasty sessionable beer with a good scent. Nothing much to complain about other than the particles that caught me off guard. At $8/22oz bottle I probably couldn't afford to drink this as a session beer but it's definitely good.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 22:20:58 | More by Yoda22

therica

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Dogfish Head, Gaithersburg MD.

A real over-the-top version of a Witbier to the max, great.

A= densely cloudy light yellow, little head but slightly more than many Witbier's.

S= bountiful whiffs, Belgian-style malts very evident, the typical coriander, orange, tangerine, lemongrass, spices all nicely balanced and inviting. Slight hay notes.

T= thicker than many good Witbier's, pretty much like the scent indicates, rich Belgian-style malts, coriander, orange, tangerine, lemongrass, spices and a touch of clove, all nicely balanced and enjoyable. Refreshing like a good Witbier should be, and yet full-flavored enough to excite most beer-fanatics and make it noteable above many popular Witbier's.

M= plenty to savor.

D= session if you were in the mood, great with the fried seafood and pizza we were enjoying, and worthy of simply sitting and sipping one to explore with great satisfaction.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2010 17:02:27 | More by therica

hosehead83

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a "bomber" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Cloudy gold in color, supended sediment, two-inch head of white foam.
Aroma-Orange zest and coriander
Taste-Belgianesque-Spicy, coriander, orange and lemon zest, coarse, peppery finish. Very light and refreshing. Where was this beer during the summer? Unfortunately, not around these parts.
Tasty, and very refreshing, would make an excellent match for seafood or salad. Highly recommended(especially in summer).

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 23:36:21 | More by hosehead83

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have to say that I'm not sure what to say about this beer. You can't judge it by style because it doesn't quite fit any, so you've got to rate it hedonistically.

It looked good in the glass, but that's far from the complete picture.

I was taken in by the aroma. It's kind of hard to describe but it's floral, not too unlike a perfumed candle, with a bit of yeast and some coriander added in. It's delicate, yet distinct.

And the flavor follows suit - without being overblown it's floral, herbal, grassy, spicy (clearly there's coriander, but there's also more), and it's a touch yeasty and drying. It leaves a distinct fingerprint whereas many bolder beers leave only muddy footprints. It has finesse. It's fairly straightforward golden-malt with perhaps some wheat, but then there's the spice and grass.

As to drinkability, I found it quite accessible. It's easy to drink, and it's got enough character to keep you coming back for more. Whether that character fits your taste buds is another question, but it's not really that bold to begin with so I doubt that anyone will find it off-putting. Worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2011 04:22:02 | More by NeroFiddled

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of THECPJ. Thanks Shane!

A very hazy straw yellow with a 2 finger head of foam. Look just like what a Witbier ought to.

Tons of aromas in the smell. Coriander and other spices, yeasty, with notes of wheat..now a blast of lemon zest. I'm not noticing any clove but that's fine.

All of the aromas seem to be integrated into the taste. It is very spicy and flavourful and a joy to drink.

Medium body, fairly light carbonation...nice mouth feel and drinks easy as pi. Darn good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 00:08:54 | More by Bitterbill

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazed light gold color, poof of frothy white head that lingers and leaves decent lacing. Scent is very floral with herbal qualities and fresh dried wheat - lemongrass lends great charachter along with juicy orange and spice (corriander and light pepper). Taste immediately suprises the palate with a pleasent floral taste, the lemongrass adds subtle complexity (much prefered to lemon rind) and mingles with the fresh dried grain, some herbal qualities come through before notes of orange and light nutty spice hit. Medium bodied, carbonation a tick below others in the style which adds to the beer. A pleasent suprise, uses some unique and high quality ingredients to make a best in class Wit.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 13:32:13 | More by rfgetz

Yagman3000

New York

4.33/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 into a DFH goblet during a tasting with fellow BA CosmicEvan.

Appears a dark buttery yellow with a light fluffy foamy head (possibly due to my pour). Apparently there's some carbonation at play here based on the head. Not too hazy in my opinion.

Smells really nice - a belgian wit on steroids. The citrus notes are fantastic: orange, lemon and coriander come through.

Tastes of classic DFH: spiced to the nth degree with a ton of citrus. A great pepper emerges as well with a touch of spicy birch beer.

Very effervescent with a creamy opening feeding into a fizz fest. I do like the aforementioned flavor I'm left with though.

Overall I enjoyed this beer a bunch - DFH is my favorite brewer. At the same time, If I was looking for a super-citrusy beer from them, I'd probably locate a Hellhound and get lemon-crazy.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 01:44:56 | More by Yagman3000