Sweaty Betty Blonde - Boulder Beer / Wilderness Pub

rsyberg01

California

4.08/5  rDev +17.9%
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

Gehrig

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I grabbed this at the sterling Sun Singer on a nice warm day. In part, I've also been on a wheat kick, and this fit the bill. The presentation was decent, standard--thin white head over a light orange body, no discernible lacing. Good color, though.

The nose represented an improvement, full of fruit and a surprising bit of hops. The same with the taste. For a pale wheat, I expected the fruit to outweigh the hop gritty texture and taste. There was a very good balance in Sweaty Betty--grapefruit, apricot, and banana with a nice hop coating. Very nice.

Hops did much for the mouthfeel, which would have been thin to the point of precarious without the ample hop complement. Had I more time, I would have knocked back two more of these in a snap. Delicious and balanced, Sweaty Betty has a harsher name than the beer will ever realize. It's smooth, semi-sweet, not bitter, and great to kick back and enjoy on a hot day. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2008 21:14:36 | More by Gehrig

fdrich29

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse.

Poured a light, somewhat cloudy yellow with minimal head and no lacing. Smells like bananas and fruit and tastes very much like the banana smell. Very light and refreshing beer, and very enjoyable. Nice change of pace at the end of your 9-5 day.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2004 04:40:35 | More by fdrich29

UnionMade

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Grabbed a sixer of this, Boulder recently entered the state. I was looking for something easy going, and it was a toss up between this and Boulder's Hazed and Infused. I haven't had this yet, so what the hey. Sweaty Betty sounds a little naughty. Why's she so sweaty, may I ask?

Hazed flaxen gold, topped with a thick puff of white head. Decent head retention, keeping a thin collar. No lacing. Big, wheaty aroma. Lots of clove, with a bit of banana and lemony citrus. Prominent powdery, wheaty sourness, kinda sweaty smelling. Ha. The flavor is sweetish to start, pale wheat malt hints towards creamed corn, banana and brown pear fruitiness, powerful clove phenols dominating the finish, along with wheat tartness. Maintains a mellow sweetness, some brown sugar notes, with earthy, doughy yeast working with the clove and wheat sourness to create an almost sweaty flavor. Just a bit spicy. Not unenjoyable, actually quite quenching while enjoying some mid-spring sun and planting hot peppers. Medium body, no doubt assisted by the generous yeast pour, with mellow carbonation. A rich mouthfeel, full on the tongue.

Sweaty Betty, you go down easy! For all of that, I wish you gave better head. You're leaving the bottom of my glass bald. I don't mind bald, but not on my beer. Feels substantial enough to be satisfying, but not so flavorful that you'd wince at every sip while tipping back at a BBQ. Good, especially for the style. One of the more complex american wheats I've had. The wheat sourness and vague spiciness leans towards a witbier, some aspects are more bavarian hefeweiss, and others are american wheat. A nice little hybrid you are, Betty.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2006 02:03:33 | More by UnionMade

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +17.1%
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

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a cloudy, pale lemon color with a half-finger soft, lustrious creamy white head that faded rather quickly. Beneath the cloudy turbulence you can sense vibrate nature of the carbonation.

S: Light tart lemons and a nice wheaty aroma which was very smooth and pleasant in nature graces the nose.

T: The initial flavor was much the same with tart lemons and wheat backing. The overall flavor was light, smooth with a great citrusy (lemon) nature along with light oranges and bananas sneaking through. Finishes with a great smooth subtle fade of lemon-wheat.

M: light and smooth with a great lemony tang and finish. The carbonation feels very light and soft on the tongue despite the vivid appearance.

D: A citrusy and refreshing drink that slides effortlessly off the tongue. Would be on of my top 5 choices for a summer time quencher. Case worthy by all means.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 22:32:13 | More by beerthulhu

Rio

Kansas

4.03/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle, sold in singles, no dates for brewing or best before dating found.

Pale, golden color to it, very cloudy. Bit of a head formed upon pouring, left a thin line around the outside of the glass.

Wheat smell with something strong over it, citrusy flavor, perhaps? I want to say a lemon, but I'm not sure exactly.

Thick feel to it in the mouth, little bit of the carbonation bubbles tickling the cheeks. Fuller feel than I expected from something that appeared so light.

Good taste to it, strong component of lemon, I think, but not so strong as to bash you with the taste. Reminds me of maybe a Boulevard Wheat or something of that nature.

All in all, a good brew. Didn't like it so much at first gulp, but from there, I've grown to like the taste a bit more. I'll plan to stock the fridge with a few more before it disappears.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2004 05:21:43 | More by Rio

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the least appetizing beer names since Moose Drool. I wonder if Sweaty Betty is friends with Messie Bessie or Juicy Lucy? Does she know Large Marge, maybe?
Pours a pale, hazy yellow, with vanishing white foam above.
Aroma is citrus and spice, coriander, ginger....so far, I'm fairly certain that this is mis-entered as a hefe weizen, and instead should be seen as a witbier, perhaps.
Taste: gritty grain on the palate, then smooth and refreshing. Full of spice on the palate, but softens assuredly, and there are light orange and lemon flavors at play as well, with a bit of banana?
Drinks down easily. Medium bodied, dry finish, fades fast. Perhaps that is just as well, for their aim is refreshment, with a twist.
After downing the bottle, I'm sure it's more toward a witbier and nowhere near a hefe. The label calls it "a perfectly balanced blonde wheat beer with a wild side." Well, wilder than Blue Moon, anyway.
And more characterful than the last can of Wittekerke I had.
I'm starting to get warm on the name, now, too...sweaty or not, Betty's my kind of girl.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2005 09:38:37 | More by feloniousmonk

JayS2629

Alabama

4.03/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Rich cloudy straw yellow with thin white lace that leaves creamy lace. Looks like a good wheat beer should.

S- Bready notes, wheat, hints of citrus and spice. Clove and banana notes. Earthy, grassy notes. Orange, lemon zest, and coriander.

T- Follows the nose. Nice hints of citrus and grasses with spicy notes of coriander and clove. Hint of banana in the aftertaste. All on top of a solid rich wheat.

M- Smooth, creamy, medium bodied.

D- Very tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 19:28:19 | More by JayS2629

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft at the Angry Mexican aka Mad Mex in Robinson...any way I was expecting a blonde from Boulder when I heard Sweatty Betty. Nope I was wrong appears a cloudy golden yellow with a frothy white head wow impressive appearance the billowing head dwindles slowly leaving even bands of lacing. Aromatics com packed with citrus tones sharp wheat acidity soft vanilla and other herbal spices but the hops also stand out here with a spicy finish. Tastes very well balanced yet packing abundant flavor light and fluffy citrus and wheat sweetness with a softer vanilla fruity tone and finishes with a nice hop bite, well done. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied evenly carbonated no harshness here at very smooth on the palate. Drinkability is great a very refreshing summertime offering that put's the typical American Pale Wheat to shame good job to the folks out at Boulder Brewing.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2006 17:01:42 | More by WVbeergeek

BadBadger

New York

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What to give a try on a hot and humid day? Why not Sweaty Betty, a fine offering from Boulder Beer. Sweaty Betty pours a nice gold color. The rather pleasant smell is grassy, citrusy, wheaty. The taste is nice mixture of lemon-citrus, wheat and yeast. The mouthfeel is refreshingly crisp. A very highly drinkable and enjoyable beverage.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2006 23:18:13 | More by BadBadger

ArrogantB

Colorado

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First off, I’m not sure sweaty should ever be used to describe something you are planning to consume. That being said, it does make for a rhyming name. This beer poured a bright, hazy yellow. The head is white and sparse. The smell is wheaty, the taste follows suit: wheaty, and banana-like. Very refreshing and reminds me of a hefeweizen. What is the difference a wheat and a hefeweizen anyway?

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2007 22:34:58 | More by ArrogantB

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I do enjoy Hefe's and Pale Wheat Ale's so I may be a tad biased.

A: An extremely cloudy golden straw color. Minimal head. A decent amount of lacing.

S: Heavy banana smell, with some hints of coriander or clove.

T: Lemon, wheat, banana and spice all combed together. The banana hits first and the aftertaste is not overwhelmingly spicy but it is there.

M: Really crisp and smooth. Very light bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation

D: I could drink this type of beer frequently. It is a very well rounded American Wheat.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2008 14:21:23 | More by IronCitySteve

Patrick999

Florida

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I've been delinquent on my reviews....I'm going LIFO now, unfortunately.

A - Nicely clouded, it's good to see an American Pale Wheat that hasn't been filtered to hell. About as much foam as you'd expect.

S - Some nice wheat bread, a little of that musty wheat aroma. No clove or banana, but no points deducted as this is not trying to be a hefeweizen.

T - Tasty. I didn't smell any banana, but I actually taste some. Lot of fresh, light wheat with just a little alcohol nip.

F - Feel is a step above most American Pale Wheats, due to it being unfiltered. Has a slightly more creamy, robust feel than most, without becoming heavy.

D - This is a very good hot weather beer, just what the doctor ordered. A little underrated, I am a fan of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2009 14:07:06 | More by Patrick999

CaptMurdock

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Nonic Pint

Look: The beer appeared a very cloudy golden and cleared up as it warmed. Even after a very hard pour there was very little head to speak of and minimal lacing throughout.

Smell: The aroma was quite simple but very welcoming. Up front I got the essence of wheat which was followed up with sharp whiffs of lemon and peppery spice.

Taste: Much like the aroma the wheat came right to the front of this flavor. It is a big wheat taste that works very well with the other flavors. Then the citrus and peppery spice creep up on you leaving the finish very dry and refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Very dry with a heavier body than I was expecting given the style and color.

Drinkability: Very drinkable! I just wish I had this on a warm summer afternoon by the grill instead of holed up in my house watching snow fall outside. I will certanly revisit this one once the spring hits.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 12:44:33 | More by CaptMurdock

LarryV

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque lemon yellow with a 1/4 inch creamy head that fades quickly. Smell is citrusy and spicy. Taste is banana - cloves as one would expect from this style. Hints of pepper as well. Carbonation is slightly stinging, but not inappropriate. Mouthfeel is light and creamy, quite refreshing on a hot day after working your butt off outside.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2006 19:27:14 | More by LarryV

guinness33

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a decent looking cloudy light golden colour. THe head is a quickly dissolving frothy white colour.

The aroma is a nice blend of wheat, lemon, hints of spice, and touch of hops.

The flavour is more of the same and actually hits a bit on hefeweizen charateristics here and there. Citrus and spice abound everywhere wit ha nice hop balance and a definite wheat base. Mouthfeel is crisp and biting for this light bodied brew.

This is a nicely amped up Pale Wheat Ale. It's got much more flavour than you'd expect from the style. It's not the be all end all, but a nice summer thirst quencher indeed.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2006 00:09:26 | More by guinness33

Mitchster

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +15%
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

Rayek

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Cloudy banana peel yellow. A rocky off-white head has nice retention and leaves spots of lace.

S: Cloves really stand out. Behind them are aromas of sourdough biscuits, anise and lemon.

T: Dry and spicy. A dry wheat flavor is quickly joined by a generous clove spiciness. Lemon and sourdough come on late. Finishes tart and dry, with a lingering clove flavor.

M: The grainy body has a nice level of prickly carbonation.

D: I was impressed with this one overall. One of the better beers I've had from Boulder Beer. It's a nice refresher that seems best suited to warm summer days. Definitely worth a revisit.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 04:17:07 | More by Rayek

TastyTaste

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My final bottle from the six pack, and it opened with a flow of foamy beer, unlike it's brothers that were lost before it. Nicy cloudy dark gold color, head is small after the initial pour. Nice strong banana and clove smell, pretty solid for the style. The taste is a little bland, but still good, with alot of tart banana flavor, pretty good. Nice beer for a hot day, I have yet to find a beer in the Looking Glass Series that wasn't interesting.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2005 03:11:28 | More by TastyTaste

Dubbercody

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle

A—Strong bright yellow and mid-range cloudy, Average white head that quickly dissipates into top lace.

S—strongly citrus, grassy.

T—touch of lemon, stronger taste of wheat, soft grass taste at end of swallow.

M—light and refreshing, effervescent and bubbly. Wheat adds a nice character to the tongue without overpowering mouth.

D—very easy to drink beer. Excellent warmer weather beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2006 16:05:42 | More by Dubbercody

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle, into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light yellow color with a very thin white head that fades almost instantly and leaves very little lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of wheat, banana, lemon, spice and a little bit of hops.

T: The taste loaded with flavors of wheat banana & spice with touches of lemon and hops. The malt character is thin but provides a lot of sweetness. The after-taste is sweet and slightly bready. This one seems closer to a traditional German Hefeweizen than many other APWA’s that profess to be one.

M: Crisp and very smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, clean finish.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not very filling, good representation of style, this is a good beer to stick with for an evening, especially if you’re looking for something on the lighter side.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2007 02:13:35 | More by TheManiacalOne

ATPete

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle

Amazing pour! This unfiltered wheat ale really comes alive in your glass, up-end the bottle and your eyes are givin a real treat. Awesome folds, waves and loops of sediment stay suspended in the beer and slowly settle out. Nice 2 inch white head too. Betty has a solid white ale nose, definitely with some Belgian influence. Solid roasty wheat flavor, Belgian yeast and spicyness, some banana and bland citrus notes. Above average white ale body, very bright carbonation. This one is pretty damn drinkable and chewy. A good choice for the drinker who wants a white ale with a little bit of body and decent character.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2008 23:38:13 | More by ATPete

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle from a mix pack. Its been a very long time since I've had a wheat beer, been kinda craving one, this should be interesting.

A: Lemonade color, almost white, very cloudy, minimal head, no real lacing, could be due to non pristine glassware.

S: Theres that wheaty yeast I've been missing, very sweet with some banana in there. Also has a sweaty/barnyard laundry smell, must be why they call it sweaty b

T: Wheaty/yeasty up front, lot of non-sour lemon (i.e. fake lemon), quite sweet.

M: Low carbonation but for the style seems a bit heavy/rich in body. Alcohol not dominating, not as sessionable as many of this style though.

O: I'm not crazy about the style but this is one of the better offering for the style. These types often taste "cheap" this one doesnt. That said I wont seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 02:43:57 | More by BigCheese

cswhitehorse

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle. The lazy hazy straw color appeared with little bit of a head that disappeared as fast as it came.

Smelled of wheat and yeasty citrus aroma.

The taste was pretty standard for this style. I found it relaxing. I assumed the wheat malt was used.

The wheat malt was what I felt on the tip of my tongue.

I will talk with Betty again soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2007 00:42:07 | More by cswhitehorse