Birra DeCicco - Limone Luppolo - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

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

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

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

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

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

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

merc7186

New York

3.55/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Deciccos in Brewster NY, poured into a 14oz glass.

A: Clear Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, Thin White Head, Some Lacing

S: Citrusy, Wheat

T: Citrus, Wheat

M: Mediocre Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Bitter, Mildly Drying

Overall, a little thin on the carbonation and think it downplayed the taste somewhat.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2012 00:37:53 | More by merc7186

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

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

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

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - pours a crystal clear bright pale gold color. Huge bubbly white foam quickly dissipates . Lots of tiny bubbles plainly visible.

S - smell is muted. Sovlent/soapy notes. Grainy malt character. Second pour revels a bouqute of citrusy aromas. Lemons, limes and oranges. But still a fairly strong solvent note.

T - grainy malt sweetness up front. Hints of lemon peel follows soon after blending with the tangy flavor of wheat malt. Bitter Orange peel enters mid palate giving a balancing effect. Slight hint of solvent. Citrus notes play off one another on the back end and well past the finish.

M - on the lighter side of medium bodied. Creamy texture. Bright prickly carbonation.

O - Feel this bottle might be passed it prime. Would like to try a fresher for a fairer assesment.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 03:45:07 | More by Teleweizen2

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

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

mltobin

Connecticut

3.58/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Digging out some notes from a visit to DeCicco`s last year.

Appearance is yellow with a one finger, fizzy head. Its` nose is a mix of lemons, flora and wheat. The taste contains more lemon, crackers, some clove. Mouthfeel is low key, just a bit dry in the finish. This is a good summertime beer, perfect for enjoying while sitting next to the pool or beach.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 19:46:52 | More by mltobin

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

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

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

rab53

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy pale-medium yellow. Small firm white head. Aroma is of lemon-scented Pledge. This begins to fade as the head dies down, but enough of the unpleasant smell remains to make it unappealing. Tastes like a typical pale wheat ale with a slice of lemon dropped inside. Mouthfeel is inviting. Will not seek this one out again. Another mediocre offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 01:07:41 | More by rab53

EDNOSE

Connecticut

2.65/5  rDev -35%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulip.

The head was nice and I hoped the hops would outweigh the lemon once I got to taste it. However, this was a lemon bomb and that so outweighed the rest of the characteristics that it overwhelmed. there are better wheat ales out there for sure.

On a clean palate on a summer day with the taste being a craving, maybe it would be better. Today the tartness overwhelmed the rest of the beer.

Today ... Though ... Just ok. Bought at deciccos ardsley in october. Possibly past its prime given the target described on the label.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 05:02:53 | More by EDNOSE

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

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

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

brentk56

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a pale golden straw color with a very impressive head; nice retention and spots of lace

Smell: Smells like Lemon Pledge; I cannot decide whether that is a bad thing entirely, but it is not an enticing aroma to me

Taste: Bready, up front, with a strong dose of pithy, bitter lemon arriving by mid-palate; very harsh, after the swallow

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: I decided to score this more highly as I respect what the brewery was going after even though I didn't find it particularly palatable; I'll cast my ballot with Gumballhead for the style

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 00:17:06 | More by brentk56

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.85/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle shared by Matt.

Hazy golden straw body with a wispy white head. Aroma is hoppy and lemony, straw, grain, wheat and grass. Flavor is more like a wheaty IPA with lemon than a hoppy wheat. Lemon and grass bitterness persists through the finish. Refreshing and light, but not quite as unique as I hoped for from reading other reviews.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 00:18:29 | More by yourefragile

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