Not Just Another Wit - Mikkeller ApS

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a little on the dark side...more along the lines of Weissebier, but good none the less. The head was massive, white and retention was stellar. Naturally, lacing was triumphant. What sets this Wit apart from the rest (from my experience), is the wondrously floral hop nose. There's also some light spiciness and herbal notes, along with some bready malt characters. The taste consists of more bready malts, equal parts spicy, earth notes, and less on the hoppy side...still nice either way. With a slightly more slick and heavy feeling for a Wit, it definitely leaves a hair more to be desired in the mouthfeel, but nothing off-putting at all, though a lighter, crisper feel would be king. In the end, a great interpretation of the style and a great beer. Mikkeller (recently at least), has been impressing me.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 01:49:14 | More by EgadBananas

jamescain

Texas

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a sniffer, thanks texasclimber for sharing this one

Appearance: Straw yellow with a fluffy white head about two inches thick with sediment floating in the beer.

Aroma: Spicy, coriander, orange dominate and a hint of currant.

Taste: Still spicy, not spicy like a pepper, but the kind of spicy that a Belgian yeast strain will provide. One of the better wits I’ve had, but nothing spectacular.

Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated, but in a refreshing way.

Overall: Despite what the name of the beer implies, it tasted like just another wit. Was it better than other wits? Sure. But I wouldn’t say it was not just another wit.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 20:43:57 | More by jamescain

JamnesCameron

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served on tap at Finnegan's in Plainfield, IL. Pours a very clear, pale straw, with a stark white head of about two fingers. Lots of lacing as the head slowly drops.

Aromas of spices, coriander, bitter and sweet orange. No hop aroma to speak of, no real malt aromas. Lemons.

Flavors of spicy lemon, bitter and sweet orange, coriander. Quite bitter for a wit.

Mouthfeel is light, not as creamy as most wits. Good level of carbonation.

Overall, don't quite know what to think. Definitely not your average wit. Not much to identify it as a wit. Not cloudy, too high alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 04:03:36 | More by JamnesCameron

kawilliams81

Illinois

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

On tap at Bavarian Lodge.

A- hazy dark orange with nice lacing and retention

S- oranges, lemons and some slight bitterness

T- lots of citrus going on here. orange, lemon and some coriander come through at the start. Nice pale hop finish for a wit.

M- light to medium bodied. not real dry and fairly easy to drink

O- this was a decent stronger wit.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2011 01:53:45 | More by kawilliams81

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This had a really nice yeasty and citrusy aroma, the head is very lively. It's thick and sticks to the glass like a champ. The color is a hazy yellow not too many bubbles. Has a bit if a thinker mouthfeel which I feel is quite good because some Wits are very thin. This is a good spring brew though.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 04:20:01 | More by Knapp85

rarbring

Sweden

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beverage is clouded amber with yellow hints, a white head with almost no lacing but some curtains.

The smell is intensely of oranges, sweet and bitter ones, and coriander.

The taste has a sweet fruity start, then freshly squeezed orange juice with a dash of ripe lemons, the coriander spiciness is balancing, and with a slight alcoholic touch Curaçao comes to mind. A nice bitter ending.

Medium low carbonation, soft and refreshing, a dry finish.

A nice "extended" wit. Tasted at a beer sampling at De Klomp, Linköping, Sweden.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 15:30:57 | More by rarbring

oline73

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap at Max's in Baltimore. It was served in a standard pint glass.

Appearance: This is a cloudy golden/light amber color with one finger of white head that goes away quickly.

Smell: The smell of this beer is quite sharp on the nose. I'm picking up some herbs and sweet fruit notes. The main fruit I'm picking up is tangerine.

Taste: Citrus peel bitterness hits the tongue hard. Again the tangerine sweetness comes through. I'm also picking up some herbs. This is a very unique beer and quite bitter for the style.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and super dry. The carbonation is delicate and on the low side.

Drinkability: I thought that this was a very unique beer. Lots of herbal flavors and citrus peel. I'm glad I got to try it, but I don't know that I would go have another.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 03:18:01 | More by oline73

Gobzilla

California

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

A: poured a hazy golden orange with pale yellow highlights and had a finger of fronthy head leaving lots of lacing sticking to the glass.

S: lots of citrus and spice come out on the aroma with some wheaty, coriander, light hop notes but had lots of malty sweetness for sure.

T: the citrus flavors also dominate the taste alongside, coriander with various other spices, wheat, mild grassy hops accents and a good sweet malty sweetness.

M: the brew was medium in body with a good amount of carbonation which had a sweet, malty, wheaty, spice, and citrusy finish.

D: definitely a very nice wit beer and probably one of my favorites now which was drinking nice as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 04:56:10 | More by Gobzilla

nickthetick

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: an opaque straw golden color into a duvel tulip; a huge froathy white head that hangs around for a while and leaves a little lacing.

S: strong orange presence and clove. A lot of hop and a little bit of bread like malt.

T: really hoppy and citrusy, taste almost like a DIPA only with clove and coriander thrown in. There is a little bready malt hidden behind citrus flavors. The alcohol is there but not overpowering.

MF: light body and crisp but enough alcohol to be a little warm and not really refreshing; which isn't what I would have expected from this style beer.

D: a good beer but not what I expected from the description or the style. Plus it was hard to find which cuts cut a little on the drink ability.

Bottled 2008

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 00:36:19 | More by nickthetick

July2Nov

Hawaii

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bought At Tamura's in Kailua, HI for $10.99.

Appearance: Poured a cloudy golden pear color with a massive two inch foamy head that settled down to a 1/2 inch head, but the foam still clung to the sides like a champ!

Smell: Sweet citrus notes and what seems to be vanilla with some spice on the side for good measure.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Slight alcohol taste at first then mellows down a bit, but then spikes back up with the 8% abv. Has a sour/bitter aftertaste. This one certainly warms you up. Honey and clove come through with a slightly sweet rum flavor.

Drinkability: I'll admit it; I love everything that is put out by Mikkeller and this witbier is no exception! I mean, come on, you really can't go wrong when the label has "Belgian Ale" and "Mikkeller" on it! Ontzagwekkend!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 05:40:48 | More by July2Nov

MM3

Netherlands

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

Apearence: A light amber color, that is almost clear.

Smell: The smell is citrussy from the American hops and the orange peel used.

Taste: The taste is hoppy, citrussy and a bitter aftertaste from the hops used. I could not taste the coriander seeds, Mikeller claims to use in this beer.

Mouthfeel: The beer has a fresh feeling in the mouth, because of the carbonation and the hops used.

Drinkability: I think this beer is fairly easy to drink even on a summers day, because the hops and the carbonation give it a nice fresh taste.

Overal: The beer is a tasty beer, but it did not met my expectations. I expected a strong witbeer, but instead it taste more like a Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 20:03:46 | More by MM3

BMoney575

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on 7-1-10
Bottled in 2008

Pours a hazy golden color, with lines of bubbles rising to the surface. A thick white head sits on top, and lasts forever.

Smell is all sweet malt, aromas of banana and Belgian yeast. The hops come in second, adding a tart citrus edge. Very nicely aged, with just a hint of mellowing hops.

Taste is all hops, sharp and tart. Flavors of citrus and a light maltiness are there too, giving way to a pleasant bitterness and a slightly bready aftertaste. Good, but not as deep as I was hoping.

Mouthfeel is very thick and creamy, with good carbonation to add to the hoppy kick.

Drinkability is very good, the bitterness balances the sweetness nicely, and the abv is just right.

Overall, not an extreme beer, but still well made and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 23:26:56 | More by BMoney575

Mora2000

Texas

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

The beer pours a hazy yellow color with a fluffy white head. The aroma is pretty basic with a mix of coriander, orange peel and lemons. The flavor is pithy oranges with coriander and pepper. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. The beer is very soft on the palate. Another good beer from Mikkeller.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 02:03:55 | More by Mora2000

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.65/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Interesting idea, but it just doesn't quite seem to work for me. The premise is fine, but the result IMHO doesn't really hold up. Poured with a great huge foamy frothy fluffy cream colored head and lots of lace. Color is a very hazy to slightly cloudy amber. Aroma is yeast hops malt spice citrus. Flavor is like that too but with the orange peel and prominant added spice that seems to clash a bit with the hops. Body is very good and so is carbonation. Finish is a fairly short odd bittersweet. Alcohol is muted. It's ok, but I don't think I'd get another any time soon.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 01:35:18 | More by drpimento

Zekezilla

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had high expectations about this beer after reading a bit about the Mikkeller brewery. This one left me a little disappointed. Based on what I'm learning a/b witbiers, previous reviews and the ingredients, I expected a nice spicy, fruity combination--orange, coriander maybe? What I got instead was a very, very piney, taste with very little else coming through. I still want to try their stout but will not seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2010 01:10:57 | More by Zekezilla

froghop

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

pours a clear orange with a large off-white head, and great lacing.

smell is of lemon, and wheat.

taste is of wheat, citrus, and some orange peel, ends tangy on the tongue yet dry.

overall a nice witbier, smooth, wheat, and just the right amount of citrus.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2010 01:34:10 | More by froghop

ryanonline

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a hazy golden orange with a rocky think white head, nice lacing.

smells like sort of a combination of a witbier and an ipa. piney and orangey with a wee bit of coriander.

taste is very similar, but i sense sort of a caramel malt flavor.

slightly oily with a lot of foam. slightly creamy.

really light despite its foamy mouthfeel. light-medium body and very easy on the palate while still being very flavorful.

yummy beer, it really is not just another wit. very hoppy and delicious.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2010 02:21:53 | More by ryanonline

ADZA

Australia

4.2/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of those brews that has been sitting in my collection for a little bit and now suddenly feel the urge to have it tonight, anyways it pours a hazy,orange very light amber colour with a nice frothy two finger head that stays,the aroma is very hoppy indeed with a nice passionfruit,stonefruit aroma coming thru followed up by some citrus and feint wheat aromas aswell quite an inviting aroma,it has a nice easy mouthfeel which isnt thick nor thin and the stonefruit flavours are the first i taste on the palette followed by some orange rind and lime with a hoppy wheat finish and to be honest this is definately on the verge of being in its own category of beer altogether,quite an outstanding drop that will buy again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2010 10:39:25 | More by ADZA

drink1121

California

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy bright orange. with a thick creamy head.
Smells like wheat malt with some orange spice, a little ester with some hotness at the end.
T-Hot up front. Ok, a little hot up front. Wheaty malt, spicy orrange peel.
M-Creamy goodness with light carbonation, perfect for the beer.

D-For an 8% Wit, its great. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2009 04:23:19 | More by drink1121

philipquarles

Louisiana

3/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

75cl bottle. Pours a hazy blonde color with a medium white head. Nice lacing. Smells quite heavily spiced, with a lot of orange peel evident straight away. Unappetizingly sweet. Slight cereal smell. Tastes better than the smell would suggest; the same spices are less dominant here, and a strong hop bitterness distracts from the otherwise sweet character. Actually, the bitterness might even detract a bit--it seems overwhelming and unrefined. The major complaint here, though, is fusel alcohol. Not only in the taste, but as it goes down. Not extremely pleasant. Witbiers are meant to be light, refreshing, and drinkable, and this is none of those things. I know this is "not just another wit", but geeze.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2009 23:11:08 | More by philipquarles

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another wrapped and caged gem from mikellar that I had the privilege of being able to try. This one I brought over as I thought it might go quite well with dinner. Served cold and poured into a few tasting glasses along the way, this one was consumed on 10/05/2009.
 
The pour was just as I would have wanted. Light golden amber in color with a nice foamy head of white on top. Rich lacing that just drips down the side of the glass and really coating the entire interior making it almost totally clouded over. Aroma is light, bready malts, hints of light citrus and a touch of spice coming through on the nose right away. Nice balance here as it is no where near to heavy. Light fruit notes now coming forward, peaches maybe, a touch of some light grain as well. Nice clean flavor, does not last long on the tongue, nor is it too terribly heavy. I would have to say it comes off just about right. Nice dry finish with a quick hit of hops and a light tart grape skin like flavor that melts back as quick as it started.
 
Overall pretty darn solid. Not really sure what to make of the style, but I have to admit it was pretty good. Would not mind trying this one again any day.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2009 17:21:17 | More by mikesgroove

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An Imperial Wit, if you will. I really liked this beer, and I really like the beers in general from trhis brewer. This one poured a nice hazy dark golden that glowed in the light with a fine white head. Smells citrusy with orange and spicy with coriander and maybe white pepper. A touch of pineiness as well. The taste is also quite spicy and citrusy. A nice pine and herbal bite develops along with a very slight sweet maltiness. The coriander works well to complement these flavors. A bit on the prickly side in the mouth, but not so much that it detracts appreciably from the beer. Very good, and an interesting take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 15:33:59 | More by Georgiabeer

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a hazy light golden yellow color ale with a quite large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of wheat malt and light spices is overshadowed by some Cascade, Saaz and Amarillo hops. Taste is also very much dominated by citrus notes originating from the Cascade hops and a dry finish from the Saaz hops. Body si full with limited filtration and great carbonation. Interesting experiment that made me realize that I like my Wit without too much hops.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2009 02:59:09 | More by Phyl21ca

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2008 Bottle; Sampled April 2009
A solid pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a four-finger thick, pale, off-white colored head that is nice and long lasting and leaves a nice thick lace on the sides of my glass. The beer is a bright gold color that shows hints of haze and a brighter gold color when held up to the light. The aroma has an expressive, sweet orange zest note as well as a grassy, cracker like grain note. The citrus aromatics are really the dominant note here; it is refreshing, but can seem a bit simplistic at times.

Sweet grain flavors mix with tart citrus notes (more than just orange, with some Meyer lemon notes) up front. The finish has an astringency to it that is a bit like the pin in a citrus fruit, slightly tannic and bitter. The finish also has a bit of spiciness to it; a earthy pepper not as well as a sort of green coriander flavor is noticeable. Actually, speaking of green flavors, this beer actually has a green, sort of vegetable flavor to it. The flavor is a cross between a bell pepper and a leafy herbal note; this last reminds me of a mix of basil and kefir lime leaf. The flavor is spice and citrus dominated, but the grain does contribute a back drop of grassy wheat flavors, some sweet grain notes and a dry, cracker like grain note in the finish. The body is a bit heavier than a standard strength Wit, with a touch of viscous heft and a noticeable body, but it is still quite quaffable and refreshing.

This is an enjoyable beer, especially if one is fond of Wits. It is not overly complex and could certainly use some more fermentation complexity.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2009 16:49:28 | More by Gueuzedude

CMW

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Golden cloudy yellow in color. Medium white head formation that receeds quickly and leaves some nice lacing.

S - Floral notes mixed with some pepper spice. I can also pick up some subtle hop notes.

T - Slightly sweet upfront and that gives way to a more floral taste. It is even a little soapy. There is a small hint of bitterness in the finish.

M - Light and crisp. Medium carbonation.

D - Although I am not a huge fan of the style, this is very drinkable. Alcohol is barely noticeable.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2009 03:02:03 | More by CMW