Birra DeCicco - Limone Luppolo - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

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

Momar42

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Paradiso in DC

A - hazy deep yellow with nice head inthe 12oz pour.

S - lemons, citrus, and hops. Amazing smelling beer especially hit this category.

T - less pronounced in the taste but immensely drinkable. Wheat body carries along the hops and refreshing characteristics. Tasty.

M - light crisp and refreshing. Perfect

O - just an exceptional wheat ale. If I could find this it would be my summer beer of choice I think. I prefer this to Gumballhead.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2012 21:31:13 | More by Momar42

drabmuh

Maryland

4.53/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

At the time of this review, this is the #4 American Pale Wheat Ale on the beeradvocate best of lists. And deservedly so. Served in a pint glass.

Beer is amber and hazy with a thin white head of small bubbles, nicely carbonated, some lacing, looks good.

Aroma is awesome, fruit, lemon, grass, strong, hoppy throughout.

Beer is thin to medium in body and has a lot of hops going on in there. The sorachi come out first with that sort of spicy lemon grass, the finish is moderately bitter. I really thought this beer could have finished a little less dry and more bitter, it would have improved it in my opinion but overall a great little beer. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 11:57:34 | More by drabmuh

smakawhat

Maryland

4.58/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap at Pizza Paradiso Dupont DC into a tumbler.

Cloudy slightly in body with a very simple gray lemon hue. Real nice soft white head kind of creamy giving to some light foam texture. While drinking we have some random scattered lacing. Looks good.

Bouquet is a nice wheat grain, with an incredible soft and fresh hop body. It seems like that soft grain makes the hop come out fresh like true fresh hop beer!, and it's big on tropical fruit. It is flat out fantastic.

Taste brings a solid hop profile, and what a wonderful one it is. Dense, giving to tropical notes I felt of mango and melon. Citrus zest in the mouthfeel with spritzy lemon, giving to almost brut crisp feel, but with a good wheat density.

Overall WOW. What a great marriage, this wonderful play of wheat density and chew, with a tropical hop body, crisp sharp feel and palate, so much going on, so distinct. This is fantastic beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 00:25:45 | More by smakawhat

dragonWhale

New York

4.6/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A little something fantastic from Scott..A pale yellow pour with a white head that shirks away from my mouth. Big citrus, lemons and oranges, with a little wheat coming through too. The aroma is fantastic. Crisp and bitter, strong citrus again. The lemon is delicious, the beer well balanced and excellent. I'll put this beer up there with Gumballhead any day. Great stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 05:23:11 | More by dragonWhale

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at Pizzeria Paradiso - Dupont. Served in a skinny pint glass.

Pours a slightly-hazed very light golden color with a good-sized white head and some nice spotty lacing as it goes down. The nose carries the distinct markings of Amarillo hops with some really nice floral and citrus notes. The flavor takes it up a notch with a touch of wheat and accompanying feel plus a major hop presence. Light body with crisp carbonation and an absolutely-gorgeous lingering bitterness on the palate that I can still feel 5-plus minutes after my last sip. Simply astounding. In my opinion, this beer has just taken the torch from Gumballhead. Bravo, Captain Lawrence.

EDIT: Apparently this is brewed with Citra, Sorachi Ace, and lemon peel. Well, that combination tastes a hell of a lot like Amarillo to me. Either way, very good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2011 21:10:46 | More by Thorpe429

Hautacam

Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pretty clear for a wheat ale...nice bright gold.
Smell is faint lemony citrus hop.
Really great balance in the taste; the wheat is not overpowering, but lays out a nice subtle floury backdrop for the lemon and hops. It is also not too lemony; rather, the subtle lemon melds well with the lemony hops. What a great tasting and easy drinking summer beer. Very reasonable pricing for growlers of this at DeCicco's. I bought a growler and a bottle....probably should have bought another growler at least. My guess is that this will sell quickly.

Update 6-27-11
Had a 750ml bottle last night. Also excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2011 20:25:50 | More by Hautacam

drewd0g

New York

4.72/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The newest addition to the Birra DeCicco series. This beer is awesome, a hoppy wheat ale brewed with Italian Lemons. The taste is clean and crisp, unlike most wheat based beers. The hops are very flavorful. The aroma is Italian Lemons and Sorachi Ace Hops. Taste is refreshing and delicious. The perfect summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 02:08:01 | More by drewd0g