Lemongrass Wheat Ale - Outer Banks Brewing Station

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on tap at the Brewgrass festival in Asheville, North Carolina. Consumed on 09/20/2008 and reviewed from notes taken at the time.

The pour was very nice with a rich and very hazy looking pale golden yellow. Almost opaque with the cloudiness, just as the style should be. A small puff of white came up over the top and settled down effortlessly into a small, but stable layer that hung around for the rest of the session whilst providing a good amount of side glass lacing. The carbonation was tremendous as it came bubbling up toward the surface on this one.

The aroma was one of the highlights of the festival for me. Light, airy, but very fragrant, almost a summertime showstopper. Rich notes of banana and clove, highlighted with that all too familiar bubblegum like hint that wraps itself into only the best of wheat beers. The lemongrass was definitely apparent, more so at first, as it warmed it took a back seat to the more sustainable fruit aromas that dominated the profile. This was especially true in the flavor. Light, bubbly, just wonderfully crisp at the same time. Started with a delicate rush of lemon, nothing too bitter or tart, rather it was delicate and light, almost peppery. This blended well with the banana like flavor that followed it, hints of cloves, and almost what seemed to me to be like a heather flavor followed. Extremely flavorful. Light feel was complimented wonderfully by more the adequate carbonation that really let the flavors pop, but had enough of a coating effect to let you hold onto to the last grasps of flavor. Quick, clean, and wonderfully complex this was an easy session beer and I found myself back for this one more then once.

This was in my top 5 for the festival for sure. It was without a doubt, the wheat beer gone right. This really just showed off very well what can be done with a style that comes over to be all too bland at times. I would have no issue with going back for this one time and again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-22-2008 22:03:52 | More by mikesgroove

deltatauhobbit

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From my limited notes when at the Outer Banks this past summer. My favorite offering from OBBS.

Pours a hazy golden color with a good amount of head.

Smell is very heavy on the lemongrass, there's pretty much nothing else as the lemon overtakes everything, a very sweet smelling beer, reminds me almost of lemonade without the the strong tart aroma.

Taste is also dominated by the lemongrass presence, very sweet with only a slight bitterness from hops at the end. A perfect summer beer as it goes down very easily.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2008 20:34:18 | More by deltatauhobbit

Imstillthegman

Delaware

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this on-tap on 6-27-08. This one came to me a bright, yet cloudy, golden yellow. Thin white head capped it off. The aroma was very inviting and reminiscent of summer. Strong lemon grass scent with a light backing of clove, bubblegum, and faint wheat. It just smelled refreshing. The flavor followed the path I had hoped it would. Strong lemon flavor, but not in any way overpowering or overly tart. And it's nothing like a shandy or radler, either. Very unique and enjoyable, especially on a hot summer evening.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2008 23:54:44 | More by Imstillthegman

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewery in a 5 oz. sampler glass. It's an opaque peachy gold, with medium carbonation and a thin white head. Quite pleasing aroma, with orange, lemon, cloves, bubblegum, and a backing of wheat. Tastes very similar, with the addition of floral hops, roses?, and delicious wheat, on top of a medium, creamy body that has lively carbonation and leaves a medium finish. All in all a delicious, flavorful American wheat.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2007 18:30:26 | More by mmmbeer

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A weizen glass served at the brewpub.

A: The ale, described as a hefe with a potent dose of lemongrass, has the hazy look of a weizen, only a few shades darker. The ale, of course, is opaque. Legs ensue but not much lacing.

S: The nose is all lemongrass. If you don't like the sweet pungency, go no further! I've evolved since my growler review almost 4 years ago and now I really dig the complexity. For PA locals, think Bullfrog's Thai PA and it's lemongrass aspect.

T: Pow! Described as a hefe, I'd never know that a hefe lurks underneath. The entire glass is dominated by the sweet lemongrass flavors, strong but not cloying. If you are unaccustomed to lemongrass, you may think that a small dose of lime made its way into the glass along with the lemon. Each sip consistently delivers the lemongrass with a blast of flavor. Nicely done.

M: A fruity wonderland that is bold and refreshing. Lemongrass, in these quantities, is normally ill-advised but OBBS makes it work.

D: A pint doesn't do the ale justice, several pints at the brewpubs bar are the best means of enjoying this delicious wheat ale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 20:01:36 | More by akorsak

jsanford

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle poured into a Weizen Glass.

A - Pours a cloudy pale straw with a thick cap of creamy white.
S - Heavy Hefeweizen aromas of banana, clove, and wheat with a definite lemon/lime/lemongrass aroma. Very citrus-y, smells like it's gonna be good!
T - Spot-on with the nose, lots of quality Hefeweizen flavors of banana, bubblegum, and cloves with a huge lemongrass presence. Very crisp and refreshing, this is a perfect beach beer.
M - Crisp, with a medium-thin body and sharp carbonation.
O - Really glad I got to try this, it'll be at the top of my list the next time I visit the Outer Banks. Such a great hot-day beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 04:10:58 | More by jsanford

gueuzegeek

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had the chance to try this for the second time at the World Beer Fest this year. As soon as I tasted it I remembered I had had the same thing at the GABF the year before and really enjoyed it. It is a cloudy yellow color with a super lemongrass fragrance, as the name implies. The mouth feel is pretty much middle of the road (which is fine for the style), and the aftertaste is rather nice. The flavor is as fragrant as the scent of the brew. I truly enjoyed this brew, not only because it was unique, but because it really tasted exactly as one would want a lemongrass ale to taste. YUM!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2003 23:15:05 | More by gueuzegeek

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills, NC

A: Pours a cloudy dark straw to pale golden yellow in color with moderate to heavy amounts of visible carbonation and some lemon yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall pillowy white head that slowly reduces to a medium sized, medium thick cap with a very thin film surrounding it and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of lemongrass over lighter aromas of wheat and clove.

T: Upfront there are light flavors of wheat and some slightly strong flavors of lemon citrus. That is all overtaken by a moderate to slightly heavier than moderate flavor of lemongrass with some black pepper spiciness. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of fizzy carbonation.

O: This beer was super refreshing and very enjoyable - I could easily drink this beer as my session beer and it was a perfect complement to seafood while out in the OBX. Definitely the highlight of visiting Outer Banks Brewing Station. The lemongrass was a perfect complement to the style of beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2013 21:06:45 | More by dbrauneis

oberon

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a real hazy yellow lots of chunks and floaties my wife almost dumped it out but I stopped her of course,lemon dominates the aroma here very fragrant with a touch of fresh mown grass.Taste is very refreshing lemony and spritzy with a touch of toasted malt.Now this is a summer quaffer if I ever saw one outside of the appearance this is one reaaly nice brew from Kill Devil Hills.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2004 12:11:51 | More by oberon

beer2day

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice hazy gold pour. The head actually has swirls in it as it fades. Fairly nice lacing for a lighter beer.

Nose is very strong and as advertised. All lemongrass. Very lemony and a fresh outdoors feel.

Hits light and quickly goes fizzy. Lemons there for sure, but also the more standard banana and very, very weak clove.

Feel starts a little fizzy but actually gets grainy towards the end. Very nice.

My wife loves this beer. I'm less enthused, but it's pretty darn good for the style. I'd drink it again - if she lets me.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2010 21:58:02 | More by beer2day

shertz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This review is done while on vacation and not in a proper beer glass, but a typical drinking glass. I think I got a little of smell from the glass and not the beer. Just as a note. Bought two bottles at Chip's in OBX.

A- Hazy, quite carbonated with nice head. Head stays around throughout drinking.

S- Had some smells of stale water but was probably from glass so disregarded it. Otherwise, banana, clove , and of course mostly citrus.

T- Starts with banana, then to lemon zest, and then back to banana...no kidding. Quite refreshing on a hot day. Really like the citrusy taste in the middle and wished it would remain but many would complain that it would be too much.

M- Very carbonated and thin.

D- 5.2%...with this refreshing taste and low alcohol, this is a beach beer all the way.

Final note: Tried to get it on tap at brewery, but was kicked. They were also out of bottles. This is the first bottling that I know of and it went fast. The brewery only had 4 beers on tap and the guest tap was also kicked. Maybe they need to step it up. But very good brew.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 21:17:48 | More by shertz

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a hazy dark straw hue with a two finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a light lemon zest with a sweet wheat spice.

The taste consisted of a full malt with a subtle sweetness along with a light wheat spice.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall a very tasty wheat ale.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2010 00:01:01 | More by plaid75

Pencible

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a hazy light gold with fluffy white head.
S: It smelled like lots of grass and lemon zest, with earthy hay and sweet lemon drop candies, and a bit of green peppercorn.
T: It tasted like fresh wheat and earthy grass and bitter lemon zest, with a little honey and green peppercorn. It had a smooth bitter aftertaste.
M: It was watery with lots of carbonation. Nice lively body.
D: This was true to its name. This makes other beers with lemon character look stupid, with the amount of lemon here. A solid wheat beer with good scent and taste and body. The finish wasn't perfectly clean, but it was still really easy to drink and refreshing at the beach. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:17:17 | More by Pencible

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by yourefragile last night because ticking is something that has to happen.

Beer is yellow and mostly clear with a soft white head some lacing on the glass, moderate to high carbonation, low retention.

Aroma is sweet, a little lemony, a little grassy, smells fine.

Beer is better than I expected, refreshing, pushes into the radler sort of thing but without the cloying sweetness of a radler. I enjoyed my share of this bottle but had better beers to get to, I may even have this again in the future if that is at all possible.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 16:26:49 | More by drabmuh

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

served at the Outer Banks Brewing station in a tall thin glass (looked more like a pils glass than a traditional weizen) on 8/5.

Lemongrass Wheat Ale pours a hazy golden color. There's about a finger of fluffy white foam perched atop the beer, but it quickly fades cleanly down the glass, not leaving a speck of lacing. The titular lemongrass comes through sharply in the nose, but there's also a bit of clove, as well as a barely there tartness from the wheat. The flavor is more of the same, though it does come across as especially crisp, not much at all in the way of sweetness or even wheaty tartness. The clove notes, I'm guessing from a weizen yeast, are a bit more prominent here than in the nose. The body is a bit on the drier than I would have anticipated, but that does help the lemongrass come across at the focus of the beer. The carbonation is bubbly and expressive, while stopping short of overpowering the body. BA lists this one as an American Pale Wheat, and thre brewpub calls it a hefeweizen. I'd say it's a much better interpretation of the former than the latter.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2011 01:03:07 | More by axeman9182

doubleipa

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Stopped in here on the way up to Corolla. Appearance was quite cloudy and yellow. Aroma was like a real wheat beer, but the banana and clove were lessened by the lemongrass aroma. I was surprised how big the lemomgrass smell was. This one went down pretty good. I don't think I could drink this all afternoon long, though, The lemongrass did tend to get stronger.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2008 20:21:45 | More by doubleipa

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to stevea1210 for this. Enjoyed chilled from a wheat glass.

The color is tarnished golden with a thick pillowy cream cap. The bead is fine and lace sticks well. the aroma is distinctly spiced with lemongrass notes that seem peppery and floral with some ginger and light citrus aspects. There is a mild wheat malt note in the nose. The feel is smooth up front with moderate carbonation and sublte warming spice in the background.

The flavor is very well balanced with some lemongrass taste in the entry with enought sweetness to balance the almost ginger-like flavor which is not bitter but has a mild bite. The finish is dry and the overall drinkability's good. I could see having this on a warm summer day after mowing the lawn..or anytime really.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 19:04:58 | More by Slatetank

TheTrevor

New York

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured a nice hazy golden color with a small head. The smell was a nice straight up hefe with some added citrus from the lemongrass that really added a lot. The extra citrus shows up in the taste as well, and offsets the banana and citrus flavor in the beer well. This beer has all the characteristics of a good hefeweizen with a bit of extra citrus. A great use of extra ingredients to improve a beer instead of trying to make it taste like something other than beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2009 22:48:24 | More by TheTrevor

Norfawkers

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Look: Golden and and slightly cloudy but a bit lighter than most hefes

Smell: Faintly fruity (hint of banana)

Taste: Initial punch followed by a lemony taste ending up with a banana flavor

Mouthfeel: A bit of a kick in the beginning but ends up quite smooth

Drinkability/overall assessment: It's a sipping beer, which does not go too well with a meal, but it is a decent stand alone hefe.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2009 16:58:40 | More by Norfawkers

aracauna

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The appearance isn't great. It is nice and cloudy, but lacks that glow of a good hefe and the head's definitely lackluster for the style. Interesting mesh of hefe esters and grassiness. Good lemon character. I dig it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2002 00:23:51 | More by aracauna

scottfrie

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle into weizen glass. Thanks Stormking47.

A: Pours a cloudy glowing citrus-gold with a short lived fizzy white head that faded into a faint bubbly collar.
S: Huge notes of citrus and yeast on the nose, with notes of lemon and spices. Crisp and clean smelling.
T: Lemongrass, citrus, mineraly spicy yeast, pepper, bread dough, and more citrus. Finish is drying but slick. Hints of apple cider as it warms.
M: Medium body, fizzy carbonation, clean and crisp mouthfeel. Not too sweet, drinks well, but a little spritzy.
O: A solid drinking beer. Went down well. Flavors are very citrusy, so you gotta be into that. Thanks again, Josh.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 00:00:31 | More by scottfrie

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle purchased straight from the source and poured into a pub style glass. The brew appears a clouded golden color with streaming bubbles that makes for a white froth atop that retains well. Strings of webby lace stick to the glassware.

The smell is composed of wheat, clove, lemon, and more fruit quality almost like pear/apple/banana and a light candy quality sweetness follows that up.

The taste is sweet with wheat and cereal grain. A mild almost belgian candy sugar aspect mixes with clove, lemon zest, pear, apple and bubblegum. Contrasting is a mildly herbal hop flavoring.

This is a medium to light bodied brew with a modest to effervescent level of carbonation. It is easy drinking and fitting for the setting. Style-wise it is uncharacteristically sweet but it isnt cloying. This is perhaps the most easily attainable offering by this brewery. They had it on site and advertised on the walls and seemingly every bottle shop in the area had it as well. Worth a try if you get a chance.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 18:55:24 | More by stakem

nickd717

California

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle from Chip's in Kill Devil Hills.

Pours a hazy straw color with a nice large white head.

Aroma is wheat, yeast, banana, and lemon.

Flavor is really heavy on the lemongrass. Very wheaty with banana and mild yeastiness.

Medium-light on the palate with some very mild lemony tartness.

Overall not a bad beer for the style, though I am not a huge fan of the style. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2010 21:49:42 | More by nickd717

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this growler up at the brewpub yesterday and kept cold in my cooler for the trip home.

Pours a murky brownish yellow/orange in color. Like a tangerine that went overripe. Big white head that disappears quickly but is very aromatic with lots of lemon. Nose of the beer has more of the lemon and just some slight hints of wheat.

Not sure if there is lemongrass in this beer but this is how I imagine lemongrass would taste. Zesty lemons. Some lighter tones of sweetness from the wheat. Kind of reminds me of Sam Adams Summer Ale and its "grains of paradise." Full mouthfeel that is a bit cloying. That lemon flavor really stick around. Nice summer beer to enjoy while I work in the yard and watch football.

Serving type: growler

09-17-2006 22:13:12 | More by MuddyFeet

321jeff

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy deep gold with copious amounts of soapy white head.

Smells of spices (maybe cloves) and wheat with some lemon citrus in the background.

Tastes more like a hefeweizen than any of the pale wheat ales I've had, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Lots of lemon rind and wheat, but there is almost no hop profile to this one.

Medium in body, much like a good pale ale with plentiful carbonation and a smooth finish. This is a perfect refreshing beer to enjoy after a long hot day on the beach and I will certainly reach for another next time I'm at the Outer Banks.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2010 21:52:00 | More by 321jeff