Sweaty Betty Blonde - Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub

Mitchster

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out to a very clear and sparkling pale yellow, forming a modest white head with poor retention and minimal lacing. Since this is supposed to be a bavarian-style Hefe, I added the firmly deposited yeast into the brew. Carbonation is moderate. The aroma is quite nice...cracked wheat, cloves, green bananas, and a clean ferment. Hopped with Hallertau. 5.9% ABV, BTW. Mouthfeel is crisp and light, zingy and brisk with a light body. The taste is as expected...cloves, green bananas, cracked wheat, pale malts, mild bitterness and a pleasant acidity. Aftertaste of green bananas. Little to no hop flavor is discernable, and the majority of the flavor is all in the yeast. A little bit of yeasty burnt rubber is in there, similar to Bell's Wheat series yeasties.

This is definitely a hefe-weizen so I wonder why they call it a blonde...probably just to have something go with the name "Sweaty Betty". At any rate, it seems to have confused quite a few reviewers on this site. Quite enjoyable. I will have to check out 6-pack prices, because if it's cheaper, it may replace Summit as my summer hefe-weizen. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2007 01:05:52 | More by Mitchster

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Cloudy pale yellow body, topped by two fingers of snow white micro bubbles, heavy on the "snap, crackle, pop".

Pleasant lemon / wheat aroma, while not at hefe levels, better than many American Wheats.

Lands on the tongue softly, a little brushing of wheat. Mild lemon. Little pepper tingle. Loose finish from swallow to aftertaste. No bite and then a light lemon aftertaste that's a little watery.

Light mouthfeel, suitable for a summer refresher. Drinkability is easy, though not exciting. I could have another, but I'd check what else is chill' too.

A not bad, not exceptional pale wheat that seems to have wandered into Boulder's Looking Glass series by mistake. Fine to grab a cool one of, but I'd pass on a steady diet.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2007 23:04:05 | More by RonfromJersey

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- Cloudy, opaque pale yellow body with a healthy creamy white head. Leaves behing plenty of lacing in the glass.

S- Citrus and spice immediately hit the nose followed by hints of wheat and yeast.

T- Citrus upfront with spice and wheat in the background. Finish is smooth and refreshing. Yeast lingers in the back of the palate until the next sip.

M- medium carbonation and yeasty body. Goes down easy and very smoothly.

D- This is very drinkable and is a great representation of the wheat beer style. The wheat and yeast can be tasted, seen, and felt but are accented with citrus and some spices.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2007 04:12:47 | More by PittBeerGirl

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.73/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hazy light yellow brew, nice white head recedes to a soapy few bubbles. Some chill haze, also a little cloudy.

The aroma is a little weak, maybe light spicing, wheat grain profile. The flavor is much better, and significantly more full. Along with some coriander spicing, the wheat is more assertive. Pretty straightforward blonde ale, it's not too weak but very drinkable. Mouthfeel is a little watery, but otherwise a solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2007 21:38:54 | More by BretSikkink

ttfreek

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I open the bottle and pour, eyes focused on the game on this gloomy spring day. The first sip intrigues me. It is wheat, it is blonde. It is the fermented drops of Betty's Sweat. And it tastes wonderful. Golden like blonde locks, wheaty but not overly fruity or citrusy. Refreshing and I am away from the game, dancing with the mysterious Betty in fields of dandelion. The 6 pack is gone, my team wins.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 04:56:25 | More by ttfreek

billybob

Massachusetts

4.88/5  rDev +40.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

poured a very hazy straw color with close to a two finger white head that faded to just covering the beer with a sticky lace that followed the beer down the glass. aromas of wheat and lemon grass and spice. taste, wheat malt, lemon grass, cloves and other spices with a peppery ending lingers for a bit. mouthfeel is very light and crisp and spicy. will definitely be looking for more of sweaty betty.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2007 21:27:31 | More by billybob

barefootbrewer

Mississippi

3.55/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured a cloudy straw color – thick head. The aroma is quite fruity and a little sour. The taste is fruity and floral with some sourness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is on the light side. This is a flavorful beer that is interesting and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2007 20:53:08 | More by barefootbrewer

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 2 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance - straw, hazy pour, little to no head formation.

Aroma - heavy on the yeast. Doughy, banana, as authentic it can be.

Taste - lots of yeast, same as the aroma. Some light sweet/sour lemon flavor, diluted and distant. The banana and yeast dominate, this reminds me of the better German wheats I've tried, very well done.

Mouthfeel - smooth, muted carbonation, on target.

Drinkability - a hidden gem, this one. For an American wheat, it can compete with some of the best German hefes out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2007 20:42:52 | More by brewdlyhooked13

GeoffRizzo

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Light yellow, slightly cloudy, rapidly evaporating head with bubbly carbonation that grabs the side of the pint glass. Sweet citrus and some spices on the nose, none of which improve as this beer warms up. Twangy lemon and orange offerings in the initial quaffs; the body quickly reveals touches of hops and a sweet malt based background. There are certain flashes of banana peel, cloves and hefe-like spices with just a touch of black pepper left on the palate. Borderline-medium modied, somewhat of a sugary and creamy malt finish. Nothing that will have you crying for more, but who's complaining about a simple and easy to drink wheat ale?

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2006 00:53:45 | More by GeoffRizzo

zeff80

Missouri

3.23/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours out a cloudy, yellow color with no head. No lacing either.

S - Smelled of sweet citrus flavors, as well as, wheat and yeast.

T - Tasted of wheat and malt, plus some citrus and clove. Fairly sweet, too.

M - It was crisp and relatively dry. Light-bodied.

D - It is pretty good. I had high expectations for a Boulder Beer product and it didn't quite meet them. But it is still a drinakble beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2006 15:49:22 | More by zeff80

JohnW

United Kingdom (England)

3.83/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Have to confess that this was drunk straight from the bottle (yes, I know, unforgiveable) not something I normally do, so cannot really comment with any accuracy on the appearance or aroma. Regretably the circumstances under which I had this made drinking direct from the bottle the only choice! It appeared blonde and almost clear, though from what little I could tell, the aroma hinted at being fruity/malty and slightly sweet. The taste really surprised me, and seemed a lot sweeter and maltier than the usual American Micro beers, and reminded me - more than any other US beer has done - of the Belgium Beer style. Overall a sweet malty flavour, with hints of citrus and fruit in the finish, though light in texture and easy to drink. Not as rich and flavoursome as the better pale Belgium beers, but a good drink all the same. I could drink this easily, though it is maybe a shade too sweet to be a session beer for my taste, whereas the sweeter Belgium beer styles tend to have more body and depth, and are for savouring slowly rather than thirst quenching. Hope to have this again sometime and be able to have it served in a decent glass so I can properly appreciate its qualities.

John W
B'ham UK (but written while in Florida)

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2006 18:52:21 | More by JohnW

rsyberg01

California

4.08/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

S - 12 oz bottle. Date rubbed off, so I cant read it.

A - A hazy pale yellow, head dissipates to a thin surface tight at the edges.

S - Belgian-like spiciness, citrusy, banana, savory in there as well. Exceeded my expectations in a big way.

T - Spice, sweetness, tart. Very palatable. Tart orange and lemon. Not your average wheat.

M - Almost perfect in balance. Refreshing and crisp. Just an all around good beer.

D - I could finish 100 of these without breaking a sweat. A very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2006 08:07:21 | More by rsyberg01

Gavage

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: clear yellow in color with a 1/2" head that falls quickly. No lacing develops.

Smell: lemons and a bit of grassiness are detectable.

Taste: huge lemon zest tones seem to dominate the flavor. This beer is slightly tart, with grass, yeast, and some wheat flavors rounding it out. Very mellow bitterness too.

Mouthfeel: crisp all around. The lemon lingers on the tongue. Light-medium bodied beer.

Drinkability: if you are looking for a thirst quencher, this may fit the bill. But the strong lemon and tartness gets a bit boring after a while.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2006 15:18:13 | More by Gavage

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle.

This wheat ale poured a slightly hazy, yellow color with creamy, very white foam that slowly settled and clung to the glass, leaving some lace. The smell was fruity and citrusy with a hint of sweetness, and wheat malt beneath. The taste was wheat malty with citrus fruitiness and very light hoppiness. The mouthfeel was smooth and creamy with medium-light body and moderate carbonation. The light fruitiness lingered in the finish. This was a very easy-drinking beer. A good example of the American Wheat style.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2006 18:53:15 | More by UncleJimbo

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz. bottle thanks to jhammerly

Pours a hazy straw color with a small white head that fades. No lacing on the glass.

Yeasty and bready aroma with a slightly sour smell.

Tastes likeit smells. Bready and yeasty with a slight sourness that rides through the finish. Not offensive, but misplaced. Maybe this one is past it's prime.

Thin body, light carbonation.

Meh, another plain jane pale wheat with a slight sourness. Unsure if this was intended or if my sample is beyond it's life expectancy. Either way, I probably would have scored it just the same...

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2006 01:40:31 | More by MaltyGoodness

IntriqKen

California

3.28/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Part of a large trade with jhammerly from Nebraska...thanks Jimi.
Pours a cloudy straw-yellow with a small white head that disappeared all too quickly.
Aroma of spicy wheat and only a tiny touch of lemon.
Taste is immediately an explosion of lemon....sweet malt at first, then swallowing to lemon juice. As the beer warms some, the lemon juice flavors change slightly to lemonade (get slightly sweeter).
Aftertaste is spicy wheat and lemon juice.
Mouthfeel could use more carbonation but it doesn't taste totally thin or flat.
Good summer cooler.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2006 01:28:27 | More by IntriqKen

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours hazy, light gold, with a smallish white head of various sized bubbles.
Quite mediocre in head and retention. Minimal lacing and only whisps stay atop the short-lived foam cap.
Aromatics are subtle and non-offensive.
Light whiffs of bananna and clove, with some dry, tart wheat character.
Nose rounds out slightly fruity with a peppery bitterness.
Body is light and crispish, a bit thin and tart.
Pallet falls a bit flat and timid. Mostly clean wheat character and not too much influence from yeast and fermentation temperatures.
Hints of bannana, mint, and white pepper.
Very clean and straightforward, a true lawnmower beer, but I'd like more from this beer from such a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2006 22:04:20 | More by brewandbbq

Boto

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz. bottle: This one poured a straw yellow color. It was slightle hazy with a thick white head that dropped off rather quickly. Faint whiffs of banana and clove to the nose. The body is rather thin. The flavor isn’t bad, but it is weak. Slight notes of wheat and citrus. OK as a lawnmower beer, but not for any other reason.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2006 20:00:09 | More by Boto

rarevos

New York

3.8/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into goblet

A: 1/2 finger of head, vanished almost instantly. Very light lacing. Some might say "sparse." An island of very light foam floated in the middle. Poured a hazy golden-yellow.

S: Estery--citrus and some clove. Enough citrus and spice to make me wonder why this is categorized as an American Pale Wheat ale. Armoa puts it squarely in the Belgian wit class....

T:... and the taste is squarely in the German-like class. This is pretty schizophrenic, as it has the aroma of a Belgian wit and the flavor of a German weisse. It's lightly fruity, with some banana notes, some clove, and some wheat breadiness. Finish is peppery with a nice mix of pepper, banana and clove. A very light bitterness finishes it off, which comes in abruptly.

M: A bit over-carbonated, even for the style--though I'm no longer sure that this should be held to the standards of any one style, since it's borrowing from a few distinct ones.

D: I could drink a few of these. It's maltier than a Belgian wit, it's lighter in its flavor profile than a German hefeweizen, and it's bolder in flavor than an American Pale Wheat ale. If you were to draw a Venn diagram of all three, this beer would take up the overlapping middle bit. It's refreshing and good for summer.

The name is really unappealing, though.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2006 16:55:22 | More by rarevos

Citadel82

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy pale straw. Reminded me of Boulevards Unfiltered Wheat which I miss very much ... more for nostalgia reasons than anything else. Would likely benefit for a twirl or two when finishing the pour as there is a nice amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. I have some more that I will try this with.

Aroma is fruity and yeasty with sour notes...wheat beers yummy.

Taste is light, fruity and refreshing. Nothing better for beatingthe hear than a spicy-sour wheat beer.

Mouthfell is clean and light.

Very drinkable overall if you are an afficianado of this style- no doubt you will find that there are better exemplars out there, but this a passable brew for the dog days of August on the Jersey Shore.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2006 21:02:17 | More by Citadel82

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -28.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Light pale with fizzy carbonation and almost no head. Alcohol and cheesy scent. Light bodied but drinkable. A bit acidic sour, and a metallic aftertaste. I even thought it a tad skunky, but apparently this is normal for this beer.Terrible name. I think worst of the brewery's line.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2006 03:26:11 | More by northyorksammy

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.83/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured this "blonde wheat" from a 12 oz. bottle to a 1/2 pint glass. Bottle on "cooler clearance" at Concordia Ale House - $2.00. Tried this beer at OBF 2006.

A: Light, clear golden with lots of effervescent bubbles and a pillowy 1 finger head.
S: Banana & clove esters and some malty sweetness. Strong wheat smell with an herbal or slightly peppery spiciness.
T: Big wheat flavor, malty and pleasantly sweet up front. Taste develops to a spicy and slightly dry gentle bitterness.
M: Crisp, clean mouthfeel. Medium body.
D: Terrific, refreshing summer beer. Good flavor - would drink this again...not a big fan of the name of the beer, however...

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2006 00:03:47 | More by msubulldog25

rebel1771

Florida

3.48/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal slear pale yellow with little head.

The aroma consists mainly of wheat scents along with a hint of ginger and coriander. Nothing special.

The flavor is pretty normal for a wheat beer, banana flavor along with hints of citrus, ginger and coriander. Pretty average.

Not a bad beer but not a great one either. Decent but there's nothing to write home about here.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2006 02:04:39 | More by rebel1771

unklesyd

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

What a nice beer!

Pours out an extraordinarily pale yellow straw color with a thin white head and nicely conditioned carbonation that maintains.

Sweet malty wheat notes, slight hints of vanilla.

Nice vanilla notes also in the flavor, cut with a subtle acidity that prevents cloying sweetness. A little lactic tang as your palate gets used to drinking it. Nice, almost a Belgian flavor down deep here.

Light bodied, very easy just to pour down the gullet, which I did at first as it was my after-bike beer on a warm day here. Very satisfactory in the thirst-quenching mode.

Excellent hot weather brew. I'll definately grab more o' these next time around!

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2006 21:35:01 | More by unklesyd

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" white head over the clear light golden brew. Head lasts nicely, with heavy lacing. Aroma is cloves and wheat character. Taste is sweet malts upfront, with the clove kicking in after a minute, and lingering in the mouth. Mouthfeel is to-style smooth, and drinkability is good, but limited slightly by the possibly over-sweet start.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2006 21:22:18 | More by ppoitras