Moa Blanc - Moa Brewing Company

Brad007

Vermont

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

It's a witbier but I swear it looked more like an adjunct lager on the shelf. Green bottles? Really?

Pours a freaky yellowish gold color with a decent head into my glass.

Light-struck hops combine with clove and wheat to form a very weak version of a witbier.

Ditto in flavor. Light-struck all around. Very little wheat/clove. Maybe some citrus but not much.

Juicy mouthfeel but not much else.

Why even bother? Get a brown bottle next time, mate.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 03:50:42 | More by Brad007

StuartCarter

Alabama

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: light golden brown. Massive billowy head collapses to a little light lacing.

Smell: grassy, fresh smelling.

Taste: a hint of Belgian wit beer. Very carbonated, surprisingly so. Overall: a refreshing easy drinking wheat beer that should pair well with fresh cheeses like neufchatel, le roule, or cream cheese.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 19:28:05 | More by StuartCarter

JayS2629

Alabama

3.73/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy yellow with lots of carbonation, a fizzy white, thick head that fades fast but leaves behind nice lace.

The aroma is of wheat, lemon zest, and spice with some earthy notes and black pepper. Skunk makes a faint appearance.

The flavor is wheat, lemon pepper, coriander and grassy hops.

The mouthfeel is a bit thin and fizzy.

Overall it is just ok. Easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2011 16:26:58 | More by JayS2629

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

2.8/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - pale translucent gold with a short lacy fizzy head. Very bubbly and has lots of small particulate matter.
S - a mild wheaty sweetness with a lemon twist. There is a spice in there but just barely.
T - not much happening here. Just a faint sweet mild wheat background with some dilute lemons. Still can't quite find the spice.
M - watery and heavily carbonated.
D - reminds me too much of mass market American beers to make it onto a repeat list.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 23:20:53 | More by Beer4Baltimore

avalon07

South Carolina

3.28/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a pale yellow color a hazy consistency. There was a big, creamy, long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.

S: Not that it's totally overwhelming, but the second you open the bottle the skunk hits you (why does any craft brewer still use green bottles?). However, there are nice notes of malt and spices.

T: Tasted of malt, coriander, wheat, a little pepper and the aforementioned skunk. Way too mild for the style - it needs to have a bit more zest to it.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a somewhat slick finish. Light-bodied.

O: This is a wildly uneven beer. Could've been better.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 12:41:35 | More by avalon07

CrazyDavros

Australia

2.78/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Pours amber with a sudsy white head. Nose is uber-skunky but this quickly fades to reveal hints of lemon and wheat. Similar lemon flavours, quite acidic and tangy as well. Otherwise just a little bit of wheat and sweet unchallenged malt. Carbonation is way too high.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 23:36:09 | More by CrazyDavros

Lldeegan

Louisiana

3.3/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Clear straw color with a fluffy head, some haze.
Tangy citrus and some grain, more notes of lemon. It is effervescent and has a nice lemon zest and spice finish.
It's really bright and a nicely done Witbier. It would be great on a hot day and go nicely with some simple grilled swordfish with only olive oil and a lemon wedge.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 00:11:08 | More by Lldeegan

brentk56

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a characteristically massive head that sticks and lays foam all around

Smell: Bready, with a hint of lemon pound cake to sweeten up the aroma

Taste: Bready, up front, with a faint hint of lemon that develops by mid-palate; after the swallow, there is a bit of a resinous undertone, along with a bit of apple, as well

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with buoyant carbonation

Drinkability: Overall, light and refreshing, but lacking in the character of a wit; more like an American Wheat

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 23:19:21 | More by brentk56

gfreed

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

When held against straightforward wheat/wit beers, Moa's could be considered a total failure. However, on its own merits it isn't so bad. Every wheat characteristic is toned down: the head is merely big but not towering; the aromas are hop-heavy with cloves and bananas about five steps behind; the body is thin and the fizz is more than moderate; the taste is hoppier than you'd expect with only light tones of cloves/bananas/lemons/citrus. In other words, it's a sort-of wit beer. But it's definitely refreshing and, as it warms, becomes more layered. Just leave your expectations at your refrigerator door.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 15:59:18 | More by gfreed

Mora2000

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to ericandersnavy for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a hazy light yellow color with a white head. The aroma is strong wheat and lemon. The flavor is bubble gum along with wheat and lemon. This is a very light-flavor beer. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2010 01:51:14 | More by Mora2000

DrJay

Massachusetts

2.93/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Corked and caged 750. Cloudy straw yellow with a rocky, one inch cap of foam. Good head retention, clumpy lace. Bready aroma with light lemony citrus. Soft malt flavour, mild bitterness, a bit on the sweet side. Not much in the way of citrus or spice though. The texture's not bad overall, but not what I expect form a witbier. Smooth with soft carbonation, a bit more body than expected. It's not a bad beer, quite drinkable actually, but a poor example of a witbier since it lacks characteristic flavours and crispness.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2010 00:13:42 | More by DrJay

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.03/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hmmm. I can't say I find this beer to much resemble a witbeer. The closest it comes is in the appearance, which is a pale straw color with a fairly nice white head, several fingers high to start. The beer is either unspiced, or so lightly spiced that you get none of the witbeer's citrus or herbal qualities. Not only that, but this beer is far, far too soft for the witbeer style. It lacks and edge, or really any crispness, instead opting for very soft, rounded, wheaten flavors. Not a terrible beer, but I wouldn't have much cause to drink it again. It lacks interest and flavor to keep me coming back, and is too soft a grainy to be a decent quencher.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2010 02:08:56 | More by Georgiabeer

Halcyondays

California

3.2/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12.7 oz. bottle,

A: As with the Original this one is a gusher, but not as much as the former. Moa Blanc pours a light yellow-orange with a big white head, leaving good lace.

S: Lemon.

T: Lemon, wheat and yeast flavours. More on the spiced side than most wits. Rather light flavour overall though.

M: Light-bodied and crisp. Smooth carbonation.

D: A nice wit from Moa, pretty standard. Worth a pickup for something new.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2010 02:51:27 | More by Halcyondays

GbVDave

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12.7oz bottle into a Chimay chalice.

B/B4 22.08.10

A: Pours a hazy, straw/gold color with some suspended sediment. The head quickly builds to a fizzy one finger before switching over to a layer of cream that slowly ments away. Surprisingly, lace was at a minimum.

S: When I popped the cap, I noticed a whiff of "green bottle skunk". As I worked my way through the glass, I figured out that it wasn't necessarily skunk as much as a funky and tart green apple smell. Also noticed some mildly toasted grain and a bit of Wit yeast.

T: See above. Also along for the ride was some citrus-y and grassy hops and a mere suggestion of pineapple way in the background of the finish.

M: Prickly and spicy with a fruity tang that sticks to the sides of my tongue.

D: Enjoyable and inoffensive. Can't wait to try this again in the middle of the upcoming Chicago summer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2010 00:15:09 | More by GbVDave

DoubleJ

California

3.85/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

A pleasant surprise to see this New Zealand microbrewery in Orange County. 375 ml bottle, on to the beer:

That might be my first gusher of 2010. Once that is under control, the beer is poured, and I get a hazy sunshine yellow color with a thick, soapy head on top. Light fruit notes in the aroma, also find some lavendar and orange peel aromas.

Light overall flavor, but it is a good one. Take some orange, touch of peach, a little lavendar, then add a wheat malt base to it, then balance it out, and you have a good tasting witbier. Very carbonated stuff....the carbonation bubbles sizzle on your tongue. Give the beer some time to chill and the ride becomes smoother. Perhaps the best part of this beer is the refreshment factor.

In summary, Moa Blanc is a good addition to the US market of beers. $3.99 for a 375 ml bottle isn't the worst value around given the other specialty, more expensive per ounce imports on the market today...and this is from New Zealand. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 07:29:31 | More by DoubleJ

rec

Australia

4.18/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I've only rated a few pale beers so highly. I normally don't afford a lot of attention to lighter flavoured and bodied beers, but this is a stand-out. After a few sessions with it on numerous occasions, it just keeps growing on me.

Poured into my Duvel glass, straw yellow in colour, the body is bright and lively with carbonation. The bleach-white head is excitable and laces well. It looks supremely refreshing, which is good in this stinking heat.

In both the aroma and flavour you'll find funky hops and yeast, with some subtle light fruit overtones - banana and apricot. There's a grassy, grainy, dry finish. It's sharp but sweet, delicate but flavoursom. The balance is to be admired.

It's beats the pants off of many crystal styled wheat beers direct from Germany, I think. I could drink this all day and all night long - perfect for the cricket season. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2009 09:48:15 | More by rec

SFLpunk

Vermont

4.55/5  rDev +28.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12.7oz green glass pry-top glass champagne-style bottle. No date.

Appearance: Hazy tan-orange with fluffy white head that spots the glass in large dollops.

Nose: Orange is the first thing to mind, followed by Euro-skunk-hop aromas, and then back to an earthy dried wheat flake aroma.

Palate: Medium- to light-bodied with a moderate sharpness coming from the hops. Light flavors of mandarin and apricot dance around on the tongue. A perfect balance is struck between body and flavor.

Notes: A fantastic beer and an original take on what a wheat beer is. Would love to kick back and session this. If you see it, grab it!

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 20:32:11 | More by SFLpunk

farrago

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Substantial head on the pour, takes some time to get down to one to two fingers depth, bleached white, tiny microfoam yet interestingly dimpled in spots, slides off the glass too much for lacing. Pale orange hues, really mostly yellow throughout, gauzy enough to elude transparency. Gently penetrating nose of lemon peel, pretzel dough, dry yeasts, dried apples and pears, faint sweet spices, somewhat earthy but not dirty nor funky, has a mineral water touch, nothing feels out of place or desirous of hogging the spotlight. medium-bodied, the carbonation on the fizzy side and lifts things up into the air over your tongue. The clove, coriander spice clearer here, pairs well with the lemon citrus. More floral as well, like a breeze than pungent cloud. Whispers of peach, pear, apple fruit lend minor sweetness. Grainy, cereal and oats more than bread or dough. Turns tart at the end, adds to refreshing feel and primes you for another sip.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2009 02:01:52 | More by farrago

lamarr04

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

350 ml bottle poured into a glass mug.

A: Pours a hazy straw with one and a half inch white head and lots of carbonation rising from the bottom of the glass. Leaves some lacing down the glass.

S: Starts out with a lot of sour funk from the yeast. Followed by some fresh cut grass hay like notes. As the beer warms banana and coriander come through.

T: Raw grain, spicy hops, sour yeast. Finishes with a but of sweetness.

M: Crisp carbonation punctuates a lightish body. Wheat definitely comes through on the mouthfeel, lending to a dry finish.

D: Very nice. I like the house wine yeast funk that the two moa beers I have had so far feature quite prominently. The blanc was a bit less complex and lighter than the original but that almost makes it more drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2009 06:58:53 | More by lamarr04

jamie2dope

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A Witbier from New Zealand sounds like a good idea on a hot day like today with the barbecue fired up. Pours a light gold, with about a finger of heading. Looks thin the way some white wines do. Smell was a bit skunky the way a Heineken smells at first (lager yeast?) but as it warmed up, it began smelling more like a traditional witbier. Taste has some bright citrus, some nice grain textures, plus a little bit of sparkling white wine quality. Carbonation is at a good level for a wit, making its lighter body even more drinkable. This is a very solid Wit from the kiwis. Great pricing too, only about seven bucks for a big bottle. Next time I will pick up their two other offerings and see how they measure up.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2009 22:50:44 | More by jamie2dope

aquatonex

New York

2.63/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Found this at Shoreline Beverage in Huntington...

Comes in a champagne bottle with a basketed cork, very nice. Pours pale gold with the cloudiness expected of the style. Very effervescent, champagne-like with a 1-2 finger foamy head that leave a little bit of bubbly lacing. Nose is originally a bit skunky like mediocre beer, but as it sits that does tone down a bit leaving a yeasty and slight citrusy notes. Taste is so-so, similar to yeast that has rotted, rather acrid and sour without being refined or balanced. Almost reminiscent of a Heineken quality beer. I would probably not get this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2009 02:46:36 | More by aquatonex

BeTheBall

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a very bright golden, almost white color, hazy with yeast; a nice full creamy head. Smelled fruity and tart. Taste up front had me thinking apple, but after taste was a little "rusty", just a touch. I did get apples more than anything. Quite refreshing and easy to drink, but not the best Witbier I've had. Mouthfeel is average to good, and drinkability is good, smooth to drink and easy on the pallet.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2009 18:14:17 | More by BeTheBall

bonbright7

New York

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I found this in an expensive 4 pack at Bellport Cold Beer ($20) and we tasted it in little glasses with friends around a table after trying some other ales.

The Moa Blanc poured like a cloudy wit beer mixed with champagne bubbles emanating from the sides. Light in its approach, the soft beer sparkled with nuances rather than bold tastes. I liked the fragrant aroma with citrus notes as I finished one little glass after another to conclude a bottle or two in good company.

I liked the light approach of the beer as it could be served anywhere, but it's price would make it a sparingly used item in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 13:25:41 | More by bonbright7

Offa

California

4.28/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is rather on the sweet side but very tasty, enjoyable, highly drinkable, and with enough character to stay interesting.

Straw-gold and faintly hazy and bubbly, it has a huge white head, steadily shrinking to a permanent, thin, foamy top and leaving decent foamy lace.

The aroma is great. It has grain, bread, light fruit (mostly peaches), flowers, hints of honey and minerals, hint of banana, and hay. It has qualities of both a hefeweizen or witbier and a lager.

The taste is nice, very peachy-fruity with a lot of hay, dried grain, hints of grass, pear, and honey. It is a bit sweet, but mostly in a honey-fruit way, and not cloyingly so. The sweetness is also balanced by a light, lively, and zesty tartness and by the fact that it becomes a little more dry in the finish. It avoids the overly soft feel or strong candied citrus taste of some witbier-types or the overly dry, flavourless quality of others.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2008 17:52:35 | More by Offa

Maudite

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a golden pale-straw blonde color with a thick two fingers of foamy soap suds head with staying power and residual lacing. Slightly hazy/cloudy, as per a typical wit/wheat ale.

S- Delicious nose. It is atypical of a wit, but so great I left the score high. This nose was very floral, strong scents of fresh flowers, honey, tropical fruits, citrus. There is a nice floral hop aroma in the backdrop, not overwhelming, very nicely blended.

T- Tart, floral, crisp. Some lemony citrus and a tail of floral hops. A bit too drying on the end for my tastes, or what I expect of this style. Thirst quenching and tasty overall, but also lacking a bit of character.

M- Quite acidic and bubbly. Very biting on the sides of the tongue, and drying on the finish on the back of the tongue.

D- I'd definitely recommend this, if just for the nose.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2008 19:05:10 | More by Maudite