Birra DeCicco - Limone Luppolo - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

jrbuch

New York

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pour quickly into a Lost Abbey tulip to give a 1 inch head. Copper, burnt orange color. The head disappeared quickly into a thin ring.

S: Lots of citrus, lemon, and cut grass. A musky dry hop like smell. Very pungent, but great.

T: Upfront hoppy with a fairly sweet malt backbone from the wheat. More citrus in the taste and sweet fruit. Seemed a little bitter for the style. Has the CL house flavor.(?)

A great beer, but I would want even more pop from the citra and sorachi.

Serving type: growler

07-24-2011 14:28:14 | More by jrbuch

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a growler of this for my first ever BA trade. So glad I had the opportunity to try this. This is a very refreshing, light beer. Lots of citrus notes, a good hop profile, and a smooth finish. This is a perfect summer type beer. I wish it was more readily available. Looking forward to trying more of Captain Lawrence's offerings in the future.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2011 01:40:42 | More by Retail1LO

MarkIntihar

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle. Gracious extra from Mike (AgentZero)!

A - Pours a cloudy yellow orange, with the emphasis more on the yellow. About a finger's worth of head. Looks more like a wheat beer than a pale, but I guess that makes some sense.

S - Smell is citrus dominant, with heavy lemon and orange being the most discernible. Some spice in the nose as well, almost giving a heat-like quality to it, which I'm clearly having trouble describing. Almost a saison-like funk to it as well, which is somewhat odd, but seems to work.

T - Taste is much more hop forward, with a nice barrage of hops hitting the taste buds immediately. Followed and complimented nicely by the citrus that was present in the nose. Fades back to bitter hops at the end. Not getting the funk or the spice that was picked up in the nose, which is actually kind of disappointing. Also can definitely pick up the wheat base in this one.

M - Carbonation is well done, but this one has quite a bite to it, not hiding the alcohol very well. It almost stings the tongue on the way down.

O - Overall a solid offering, but nothing mind blowing. Very grateful to review my first Captain Lawrence beer though! Thanks again Mike!

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 02:58:47 | More by MarkIntihar

aerozeppl

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Very hazy light golden color. A finger of white billowy white head. Quite a bit of lacing. Nice looking beer.

S:The nose screams Captain Lawrence yeast. Like Golden Delicious lite. Just a nice hoppy beer. The wheat comes across nicely as well.

T: You get quite a bit of lemon out of the beer. It is hoppy but a little bit astringent. It is a hard thing to nail down. Well balanced though. Xtra gold light with hops.

M: Lighter side of the body. Carbonation is nice and has some distinct bubbles. Soft mouthfeel.

D: I liked it. Really nice summer beer overall. Nothing crazy but super easy drinking and full of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 22:50:26 | More by aerozeppl

MasterSki

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Sean for sharing this one a random Friday night. Served in a Bell's tulip.

A - A half-finger of white foam settles to a thin cap and thicker collar, leaving behind spotty lace. Hazy, pale golden straw body.

S - Grain, sweet caramel malts, and the trademark Sorachi Ace lemony hop character. There's a slightly cloying note that I can't totally identify in the aroma - sort of Pledge-esque.

T - Taste is a nice blend of citrus hops, sweet sugar malt, and lightly toasted grains. I actually think this tastes better than it smells, which is unusual.

M - Medium-light body, pleasant moderate carbonation, and a particularly smooth texture for a wheat ale.

D - A solid hoppy wheat ale, but with a slightly off-putting saccharine quality to the aroma. I'm slightly disappointed by this one, as I generally love Sorachi Ace. Still, quite easy to quaff, with no trace of the 6% to be found.

Serving type: growler

07-30-2011 19:53:50 | More by MasterSki

mcallister

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The appearance makes it apparent how this beer got its name. Pours deep hazy yellow in color with a white crisp head that fades quickly into a nice topper.

Citrusy in the nose. Lemon is up front with orange peel, grapefruit, and some light tropical notes of pineapple and papaya. White pepper and some yeast esters also.

Good beer. Distrust and full of lemon flavors. Moderately hopped with a distinct soft rounded creamy malt in the middle. Again grapefruit, orange zest, papaya, pineapple, and other fruit flavors. Nice spicy finish pepper, and more. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 17:50:04 | More by mcallister

FosterJM

California

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1158th Review on BA
Bottle to Pint
750ml

Thanks to Cpabeer & StormKing47 for this one

App- A very clear yellow with a multitude of bubbles come floating up from the bottom. A 1-1/2 finger head that was pure white but more like a puck of foam. Nice sliding foam of head.

Smell- A weird mix in this one. Its very lemony with a good bit of damp grass with a unique yeasty note wofting up.

Taste- Its really starting to grow on me. Has a good flavor profile with a very similar flavor to Ithaca White Gold. Spicy, Yeasty, Lemon, Grass and Earthy. Not overly done but clean and simple

Mouth- A medium body with a high carbonation level. Very bubbly with a lemon, yeast and peppery residual flavor.

Drink- Took a while to get into this one but it finished quite well. Lemony, yeasty, wheat and clean. Enjoyed it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 03:24:44 | More by FosterJM

metter98

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Mugs Alehouse, Brooklyn, NY

A: The beer is crystal clear yellow in color. It poured with a thin white head that died down and left just a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are aromas of citrus in the nose—lemons seem to stand out the most.
T: Like the smell, the taste has citrusy flavors of hops. The lemons aren’t quite as prominent as they are in the smell, but seem to stand out in front of orange and other citrusy flavors. No wheat flavors are noticeable. There is a moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is extremely flavorful for the style and is also very drinkable. It almost takes like a well-hopped citrusy IPA but without much of the bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 00:17:16 | More by metter98

zoolzoo

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Cloudy, straw colored pour. Fluffy white head.

S: Citra hops really shine through in the aroma, hop presence is tangerine. Light spice mingles nicely.

T: Does not quite follow the nose. Less citrus and more grassy flavors. Really getting the impression of lemon juice and rind. Supporting malt adds subtle sweetness. Refreshing..

M: A light body and high amount off carbonation increase drinkability.

O: An interesting and refreshing beer. If the taste followed the nose more closely, it could be even better.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 04:21:34 | More by zoolzoo

dfclav

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to cavedave for this in our awesome growler trade!

A - pours a fairly straw yellow color, a touch more rich - with a nice two finger head that hangs around thanks to the active carbonation.

S - they sure picked a good name for this beer because lemon overpowers all. Don't get me wrong, there's still some tropical esters and a fairly weak grassy-like yeast smell underneath it all, but the lemon dominates.

T - the lighter malt bill used here combined with an ass kicking hop like sorachi ace makes this one hoppy beer. It's very tasty though. Lemon again sits strongly but gives way to lesser tropical flavors in the end.  Thankfully not very sweet, as that would have wrecked this beer in my opinion.

M - fairly light bodied, but the hop resins hang around forever. The complexity of this beer is hurt by the malt bill, because the flavors dissipate rather quickly and the hop resins take over. I like it, but it is admittedly boundary pushing for the style.

O - this is a very good beer. Although not as popular as a lot of styles, CL has done something good in making this beer with these particular hops, and should make it more often. In the end, it's a keeper. Nameless homebrewer, you've done very well!

Serving type: growler

07-27-2011 12:29:50 | More by dfclav

r0nyn

New York

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into a curvy Weihenstephan weizen glass.

Pours a pretty transparent pineapple-hued yellow, with golden highlights around the edges. Whitish head that builds up to about an inch and a half before receding, leaving tons of sticky lacing. Smell is full of lemony zest along with quite a substantial hop presence. Concentrated whiffs reveal a subdued malt character accompanied by wheat nuances. Quite interesting, to say the least.

Leads off with some big citrusy notes, not just from the titular lemon, but with notes of grapefruit, lime and a bit of tangerine as well. Hops follow in an assertive way, with some tongue-puckering bitterness skittering across the palate. There's a lot of pine and resin to be discerned, almost as if you're chewing a mouthful of citrus-flavored hops. There's a very mild wheat appearance in the finish, enough to provide a subtle counterbalance to the onslaught of hops. Mouthfeel is full and fluffy, coating the tongue well and providing a pleasing and easy to drink experience on a hot summer day.

On the whole, a very well-done beer, perfect for the season. Captain Lawrence is not a brewery I have very much experience with, but after sampling this, I think that will likely have to change in the coming future.

Serving type: growler

07-04-2011 15:00:58 | More by r0nyn

beenitty

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours dark yellow, nice head and exploding carbonation makes this one look very nice

S: Hops, Lemon Rind, Tropical Fruits

T: Spice, Lemons

M: Creamy Slight Bitterness, Feels like IPA

D: Super High, Light and Tasty.

Downed 1/2 growler w/o missing a beat.

Lemon taste isnt an all night type of beer, as Im thinking this, I'm pouring another pint.

At first felt like too much lemon, but this one opened up nicely. This one is borderline hype. One of the best CL offerings I've had.

Serving type: growler

08-23-2011 22:43:40 | More by beenitty

nickfl

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on top of a hazy, golden body. The foam is supported by vigorous carbonation rising to the surface and takes quite a while to settle.

S - Zesty citrus aromas with some earthy lemongrass and soft, bready malt in the background.

T - Spicy wheat notes up front with some sweet lime flavor. Pepper, basil, and lemongrass in the middle and some fruity notes of pear and tart wheat come out at the finish with more pungent citrus.

M - Medium-thick body, high carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - I don't quite know how to categorize this beer, but is definitely interesting. There is a lot of citrus and spice character as well as a perfect balance between thick, bready malt and tart wheat and fruit. Oddly satisfying and actually quite good; it kind of reminds me of a sour beer despite its apparent lack of any wild yeast or other bugs.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 23:55:12 | More by nickfl

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from growler purchased at DeCicco's Brewster into a pint glass. Pours a golden clear with thick head. Great cotton candy hop aroma with slight citrus notes. Really nice wheaty hop flavor; slight lemon flavor but it is there. The hoppy wheat flavor is really great, mild, and flavorful. Overall, a great session brew with a lot of flavor.

Serving type: growler

08-28-2012 01:30:13 | More by DrinkSlurm

scootny

New York

4.22/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A hazed gold with a prodigious head. Decent though not overwhelming lace, covering remains throughout the glass. Smell has lots of citrus and pine with faint notes of grass. Taste is like a wheat IPA with a lemon zest squeeze. Notes of wheat malt in the core try to reign in the rampant and deliciously assertive hops. Dry grapefruit finish with lemony pine oil on my palate. Feel is crisp and medium light with gently creamy carbonation. A great summer beer but an equally satisfying winter football beer. Nice

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 09:26:11 | More by scootny

plaid75

New York

4.23/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a hazy brass hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a wave of fruity esters (grape bubble gum) and s grassy hop.

The taste consisted a spicy and earthy lemon, with a grassy hop spice and zesty wheat malt.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style with a residual spice.

Overall an interesting and very tasty ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 19:27:13 | More by plaid75

Adrianized

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to Alex from Decicco's for recommending this.  Poured into a snifter.

Clear golden in color.  I can see carbonation rising from the bottom.  1.5 finger thick white foamy head from a gentle pour which settles to a big bubbly film.  Excellent lacing.

On the nose I get fresh cut grass and refreshing citrus hops; lemons, limes, and pink grapefruit.  A faint bready malt in the background.

Wow this has a refreshing taste to it!  The first thing that hits you is lemon zest.  Then it's piney resin and finishes with grapefruit and pine bitterness.  The hops oil coats the palate; aftertaste is lemony and welcome.

Mouthfeel is medium with decent carbonation.  Very easy drinking and refreshing.

Overall, this was a pleasant surprise.  I haven't had the normal CL-DeCicco's collaboration brew, now I'll have to try it.

Serving type: growler

06-28-2011 21:20:11 | More by Adrianized

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice white head with spiderweb lacing. Clear bright yellow body. "East Coast Ales" on the side of the label, trying to figure out if this is some of the East vs West coast jibe some people talk about.

Aroma is lemongrass, sorachi ace hops (6 oz in my fridge) wheat and a pungent lemon.

Taste is great for a Pale American Wheat Ale. I am a huge fan of gumballhead, but if I had the two of these in six packs next to each other, I would choose Limone Luppolo in a second. Too bad it is not in six packs... hopefully in due time though at the new CL location with a full bottling line. In any case, medium mouthfeel for the style and high carbonation with a little carb tongue sting at the end.

Overall a great APWA. This is easily in contention for my favorite American Pale Wheat Ale, with lil Sumpin Sumpin riding on its side.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 23:15:51 | More by alpinebryant

pmlondrigan

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For a wheat beer this is surprisingly transparent, bright yellow gold in color yielding a loose one finger head when poured hard from my growler. The head sticks to the glass as I travel through my beer. Aromatically this beer packs a big citrusy hop punch, along with some great sweet lemon scent it makes for a very welcome experience. Pretty balanced flavor, sweet honey wheat and barley right up front paired with a great citrus hop flavor and a clearly unique lemon experience. Amazing that the lemon worked so well. Finishes off with a bit more lemon and a clean lingering hop bitterness. Pretty full bodied beer due much to the wheat I assume. An amazingly crafted beer refreshing for summer, and so sad it is a one off.

Serving type: growler

06-28-2011 00:34:47 | More by pmlondrigan

koopa

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler purchased at DeCicco's in Ardsley.

Appearance: Pours a very transparent straw yellow with a 1 finger white crown that shows some retention and lace.

Smell: The lemon peels make the first impression, followed by a light wheat tartness, then some citrusy (lemon and grapefruit) hop notes and a hint of pine round it out. Pretty interesting mixture of Italian lemon peels, citra hops, and sorachi ace hops.

Taste: Like a kristal weizen with a slight piney resinous bittering hop used and a few lemon drops added. Definitely not as lemon driven as the nose. Just a little pith in the finish. I'd give it a 4.3 if I could so I'm rounding up a bit.

Mouthfeel: Thin bodied and noticeably undercarbonated.

Overall: An interesting and highly drinkable beer. I think the concept was better than the execution. I personally would have increased the carbonation and used a different bittering hop...one that didn't take away from the citrus as much. Let the DeCicco's product that is featured shine next time. This one falls short in that sense IMHO.

Once you allow yourself to forget about the lemon and you GULP this brew down, it drinks like a very nice herbal bittered pale wheat ale. Super drinkable and enjoyable....

Serving type: growler

07-10-2011 22:21:41 | More by koopa

mdfb79

New York

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received this in the Birthday BIF from jyounger30; thanks Jay! This has been a Want of mine since it came out. 750ml bottle into my Duvel Green tulip.

a - Pours a hazy, straw yellow color with two and a half fingers of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident. Head lasts for several minutes and leaves an inch of head throughout drinking it. Spotty lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of citrus hops, oranges, wheat, grains, light funk, floral hops, earthy notes, grass, and spices. Really awesome nose; lightly sour and funky and some very nice citrus. Love it.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, floral hops, spices, pepper, earthy notes, grass, fruit, wheat, grains, and bready malts. Very nice again, but more spice then the nose, and not as sour or funky. A small step down. As it warms up, more oranges and lemon, and gets better.

m - Light to medium body and moderate carbonation. Very easy to drink.

o - Overall I thought this was an awesome pale wheat ale. Though they are different, this is up there with Gumballhead as my favorite in the style, and I like this one a little more. I think the nose is just awesome, with a lot of citrus mixing with funk and sourness. Very easy to drink beer that I'd love to get again sometime...really hoping they brew this one again.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 01:20:38 | More by mdfb79

Billolick

New York

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Freshie growler fill from DeCicco's/Ardsley, NY.
They also have bottles available.

Pours on the clear side, moderate off white head, leaves thicker and higher lacing, and low sheeting.

Spice, hops, dank tropical fruit in the nose.

Hoppy, crisp and refreshing, lots of lemony/citric goodness. Plenty of lemon/lime, some ginger and mint, grapefruit, super juicy and tropical fruit spiked hops. Full throttle summer beer. Bring on the BBQ and spiced food for this one.

Gonna keep getting growlers filled of this one till its all gone, then give the bottles a try.
Well done Captain.

Serving type: growler

06-29-2011 01:35:33 | More by Billolick

cavedave

New York

4.45/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was made at Capt. Lawrence with the help of a great and overly shy homebrewer BA who shall remain nameless.

Pours a beautiful, clear, straw/gold, with ample white head that lasts, plentiful lace.

A bit of grain, neutral sweet, and yeasty tart back up a bright citrus hop aroma, fronted by alluringly lavish lemon.

Bright in the mouth with a starkly tasty blast of grainy sweet and lemon. It has other hop flavors going on, some orange, grapefruit, a bit of grass, light floral, but the lemon from the rind additions and Sorachi Ace are the star performers and make an exceptionally delicious beer.

Very viscous, coats the mouth with hop and citrus oils, low carb., super finish, this baby rocks the mouthfeel.

Bettah get you some of this heeaahh now! Once word of this gets out, Limone Lupulo ain't lastin' long on shelf, if you catch my drift.

Serving type: growler

06-27-2011 14:52:58 | More by cavedave

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to brees6221 for gifting me with this 32oz growler. You are entirely too generous Ben, thanks again. Poured into a snifter, this brew appears a polished clear color of golden copper. A finger of white head forms across the top. The retention of this brew is pretty fantastic, it lasts throughout the entire duration. As the cap slowly fades and sips are taken, a webbing of lace sticks in frothy patches along the glass.

The smell of this brew is bright and lively with hints of lemon and lime that are quite dominating before I even take my nose close to the glass. This brew is quite juicy with hops, I am unfamiliar with this brew's background but I am guessing sorachi ace. I can't imagine what other hop would create this type of lemony fruit aroma without actually adding lemon or lime zest. As the brew comes up to temperature, it picks up a light stinky cheese note, lightly catty and even dank. I cant help but think of how similar this brew smells to Hill Farmstead's Ephraim only much more mellow.

The taste is an intriguing mixture of the previously mentioned lemon rinds and contributing bitterness of such. Whereas the aroma was mostly lemony, the flavor is more in-line with grapefruit pulp. Through the body is a faint wheat grain taste that doesn't last long before going back to the bold hop flavoring. What grain flavoring that is evident is mildly toasty and provides a very faint sweetness. There is no joking here, the hops are the star of this brew. The hops across the back get mildly catty, dank, herbal and just like the aroma led on, somewhat cheesy. The aftertaste is mildly grassy with a persistent moderate bitterness.

This is a medium to light bodied brew, leaning a bit more towards the lighter side. There was a modest amount of carbonation initially that I unintentionally swirled out of solution as I was taking in the aroma. At times this brew gets a bit watery, maybe in part my own fault. Regardless, this brew was pretty much poundable. Without a doubt one of the easier drinking american pale wheat ales I have had with an absurd amount of depth to it's hop characteristics and incorporation. The 6% alcohol level is pretty much perfect in this brew, it provides a mild amount of warmth down the back of the throat as you enter the second half of the glass.

Serving type: growler

07-13-2011 20:34:55 | More by stakem

Supes

Arizona

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to cosmo4u for the growler hookup!

Appearance- Golden with a slight amber hue. 2 finger head the slowly goes down and leaves a ring all the way down.

Smell- Nice floral hops with a good amount of citus to it

Taste/Mouthfeel- Grassy hoppy start with lemon zest that lingers till the end. As it warms I get alot more tropical fruit notes. With that perfect creamy wheat finish.

Overall- Love this beer. Its a perfect meld of hops and the malt to make a really wonderful beer. This would for sure be a staple in the house if I didnt have to trade across country to get it. I cant thank cosmo4u enough for introducing such a great brew to me.

Serving type: growler

07-21-2011 00:11:10 | More by Supes