Florida Cracker White Ale - Cigar City Brewing

basscram

Florida

4.51/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

appearance almost clear and is golden colored with full first segment finger head. Has that clean unmalted wheat smell. smells of fresh orange peel too.

taste on the tip of the tongue is the corianderish taste, lots of carbonation happening too. orange coming through as well. Like a fresh thick skinned orange fresh from harvest. any hops that are in this brew I cannot recognize. Drinkability is over the top. quaffing can happen with this brew. mouthfeel is lots of carbonation but not too much to avert gulping. very light mouthfeel.

I would definitely enjoy this beer again and would push this on lighter beer drinkers who are searching for blue moon/shocktop type beers. It's a beer that pushes those two beers out of the water for sure. Does this style beer much justice.

Serving type: can

04-03-2013 05:57:45 | More by basscram

NoleDoc

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had this from can to glass on 3/21/13, originally canned on january 17, 2013. So fresh! I was excited to try it as I've heard it was a damn good beer. Nice bright yellow color. Very refreshing mouthful. You totally taste the crackers in the beer. Another cool thing... Watch out for the messages on the bottom of the cans.

Serving type: can

03-22-2013 03:26:51 | More by NoleDoc

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

20 oz on tap, straw yellow clear like a light lager but damn is the look misleading! Candy sweet funky yeast and pale malt steal the nose, wow! This is a great smelling brew! Taste follows the nose - orange peel, clove, light maltiness, candy sweet yeast funk, light citric hop bite at the end. Carbonation is beautiful & so is this brew!

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 23:11:16 | More by hoptualBrew

babaracas

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky light amber with two fingers of white foam, settles leaving wispy rings of lace along the way. Smell: spicy and slightly citric with light fruit esters, lightly toasted. Taste: pale sweetness, wheat cracker, a little sweet caramel, quite spicy, lemon, notes of clove and greenish banana. Light-medium bodied, active carbonation, spicy and mineral finish. More than your usual wit; amped up all around, except for the abv. From growler filled 5/21.

Serving type: growler

05-24-2011 01:57:42 | More by babaracas

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.33/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this one on tap at Cigar City.

A: Mildly cloudy, light mustard yellow, with about a half finger or so head that stayed at least a bubble formation throughout the session.

S: Straight up orange peel and coriander. Pretty intense!

T: I got a smooth, honey-infused taste (along with the other ingredients I mentioned on the nose), with a very tropical flair from the fruit.

M: Mild lacing, and very organic fruit sweetness that wasn't cloying in any way. My wife said it best: "It was like biting into a Florida orange." Minimal lacing.

O: Awesome stuff, and if I lived in Tampa, I'd pick up growlers of this stuff all the time.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2011 21:48:07 | More by Chaney

Beerenauslese

California

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice glass, produced a 1 inch white foamy head that quickly dissipated to a thin ring over a hazy straw-gold body and eventually looks flat as can be. Neither much lacing nor retention, especially for a witbier.

Smells of wheat malt, orange, coriander, and vanilla.

Taste is similar, bready malt with some toffee sweetness, orange peel, coriander, and vanilla.

Body is medium and carbonation is moderate, providing a fizzy orange-soda sort of mouthfeel. The dryness of coriander is noticeable on the tongue, but it is not cloying like many witbiers can be. The orange lends a fresh crisp acidity, sort of like Orangina.

I like this witbier. While it has poor head retention for the style, the flavor is far more intense and satisfying than many witbiers, and I want to follow one taste with another. I could drink several glasses of this low ABV beer, no problem. After reading the description of the beer on the can, I understood that the saison yeast is a big reason why I like this beer. I had this beer on draft at GABF this year and liked it quite a lot, and it is tasting nice out of the can as well.

Serving type: can

12-08-2012 04:27:03 | More by Beerenauslese

jcartamdg

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy gold color with a two finger head into my bruery tulip with intense lacing. Aroma of hops, spices(especially coriander) and orange. Taste follows the nose, lightly sweet but not overdone, bitterness of hops balances. Mouthfeel is good, maybe a little too carbonated but not crazy. I love this beer, it's the best representation of the style to me.

Serving type: growler

11-05-2011 03:08:46 | More by jcartamdg

Gtreid

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Growler poured into a tulip.

A: Hazy straw yellow color. Not much of a head to speak of, and what was there quickly faded to nothing, no lace either.

A: Spicey clove and herbal notes. Small citrus and grass followed by a nice malt backbone. Notes of banana and floral honey.

T: Really nice blend of sweet and spicy. Not spicy in the heat sort of way, more of a peppery note. The summertime floral notes balance well with the grassy hops and sweet malt. Finishes slightly dry and smooth.

M: Light body, slightly under carbonated. A touch slick, but in no way bad.

O: Very good summer brew. I could drink quite a lot of this in the hot summer days here in FLA. I hope this one makes it way back on in the future. Skal.

Serving type: growler

05-29-2011 20:45:34 | More by Gtreid

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the tasting room. I wonder how long this brew will keep the name 'Florida Cracker' before someone gets up in arms over it.

A - The brew pours a hazy banana-yellow hue, and is capped with a moderate dollop of white froth that deposits a fair amount of lace upon the glass.

S - The nose is fairly dry and somewhat spicy, with suggestions of white pepper and clove, as well as some grassy notes.

T - This is just a nice beer, all-around, and perfect for the summer in Florida. Pale and mineral notes comingle with zesty yeast-imparted notes of pepper and clove. There is some dry lemon zest and some herbal-earthy continental hop towards the finish. It is more spicy and less fruity, on the whole, but it is quite well-balanced and certainly replete with nuance.

M - The feel is nice and refreshing, with soft carbonation; on the light side of medium-bodied.

O - Great summer beer, no doubt.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2011 03:31:53 | More by ktrillionaire

kylehay2004

Florida

4.05/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: quarter finger head with a murky straw color.

S: sweet lemon citrus. fairly aromatic.

T: more lemon up front with a spicey/peppery finish

M: crisp, refreshing. Light to medium body but more than I expected. Semi dry finish.

Overall: Very nice beer for the Florida heat. The peppery notes add flavor without taking away from the refreshing nature of the beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2011 00:32:14 | More by kylehay2004

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a can into a fluted beer glass.

Pours a pale yellow color, with very little foam. Some lacing.

The nose is wheaty, and the hints of coriander come through as well. Its a classic wit flavor, with a chalky wheaty lemon taste. Lots of citrus, but balanced expertly. Smooth close. Light carbonation, easy mouthfeel.

Very good.

Serving type: can

12-02-2012 21:20:56 | More by KTCamm

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.01/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured chilled in tale ale glass

A: slightly pale dark yellow; huge burst of carbonation; thick head dissipates quickly
S: pear, yeast; good strong aroma; inviting
T: three waves of taste--begins with sweet pear and seltzer water; moves into a lemon-grass flavor; ends with estery taste; not very boozy; spicing is moderate

Pretty good overall

Serving type: can

01-12-2013 20:09:53 | More by Arithmeticus

cfrances33

Illinois

4.01/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Can poured into a HF tulip.

Pour: Mostly clear straw yellow with two fingers of fluffy white head. Some lacing but not much. Head fizzles relatively quickly

Smell: Big wheat up from and some lemon. A touch of pepper and clove. Lots of dough yeast

Taste: Bready sweetness up front, and some clean lemon peel. A touch of banana, white pepper, and clove. Lots of doughy yeast through the finish.

Mouthfeel: insanely drinkable. Very refreshing. Spices are subdued on the taste which makes this even more drinkable. Only complaint is that it is a touch watery.

Overall: was disappointed to see old Jai Alai on the shelf, but this more than made up for it. A delicious warm weather beer

Serving type: can

03-11-2013 22:28:05 | More by cfrances33

TheSixthRing

California

4.01/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a cloudy pale yellow with a white 2 finger head. Decent retention, leaving small islands of microbubbles on the surface, and a ring around the edge. Spotty lacing with little stick.

Smell - Strong yeasty sourness with bright citrus tones; lemony. Lesser hints of orange.

Taste - Moderate lemon sourness and yeast funk hit upfront. Very subtle wheat and banana character once the beer warms. Sweet and bright. Touches on orange peel and slight grassy bitterness near the finish.

Mouthfeel - Light in body with lively, somewhat bitey carbonation. Goes down smooth and easy. Semi-dry finish. Maybe the best bodied witbier I've come across thus far.

Overall - Great witbier all-around. It doesn't kill me that this beer isn't on shelves in California, but it'd be a welcome addition if it were.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 06:07:48 | More by TheSixthRing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

hazy golden yellow. Lots of carbonation rippling up to the surface of this one. A nice three inch head of white foam came up and capped the top of this one, but settled down very slowly, leaving behind copious amounts of side glass lace.

The aroma started out very light. Nice touches of light malts, grains, with a touch of light fruit mixed in. Very floral with a light earthy tone to it and a really nice touch of coriander or orange peel way in the back. The flavor was more of the same, very light, with a very well carbonated and airy feel to it. Started out with a good bit of light grain, and started to mix in some light fruit and touches of orange and lemon as you go. Nice light earthy flavor in the middle, like flower petals, or light heather almost. Clean taste, with a quick finish that really just gets started before it dries out enough that that you are going back in for another one

Serving type: growler

07-03-2011 21:02:13 | More by mikesgroove

adam42381

Florida

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes at Cigar City's taproom on 9/9/11 for Firkin Friday.

Draft poured into a CCB pint glass.

Appearance: Poured a medium gold with a 1 finger white head. Nice lacing.

Smell: Wheat with coriander and a touch of citrus.

Taste: Sweet wheat up front followed by coriander and orange in the middle before a nice mix of spices and hops at the finish. Aftertaste is orange peel and spices.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: Decent drinkability. Not a style I'd drink a ton of, but it's good enough to drink a couple.

Overall: Good beer overall. Another solid offering from CCB. Would make a great summer beer. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 21:48:39 | More by adam42381

CampusCrew

Florida

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this at the Kickbacks Cigar City/St Somewhere dinner. I'm reviewing this by memory on this I had this at the Kickbacks Cigar City/St Somewhere dinner. I have had most of CC's regular beers but I have not tried this yet. not a fan of this style but this was atleast well done. spice and citrus and decent hop presence made this a decent wit.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2011 16:37:22 | More by CampusCrew

Docrock

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz can into nonic pint glass:

A - light honey in color with a pure white head. head retention was average and the lacing was minimal.

S - aroma of pear and lemongrass, minimal hops. There is a faint hint of vanilla and coriander.

T - nice, light, and crisp with a citrus note of lemon or lime.

M - very drinkable and light. carbonation is light and bubbly.

O - a good witbier, could see enjoying this on a muggy summer evening.

Serving type: can

01-06-2013 04:58:23 | More by Docrock

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light hazy yellow, extremely yellow. Very light, totally white head.

Smell is very clean and full of wheat and yeast.

This is the most low key Cigar City beer I have ever had, and I like it. Very much a classic white wheat ale. Hops are just a whisper. Tastes like some bitter orange peel with slight lemony tartness. Light bitterness in the finish.

Feels wet and dusty. Light tingle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 00:37:55 | More by Doppelbockulus

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this can into my tulip glass. There was a ton of fluffy foam from the first pour into my glass; as you would expect from a witbier. The bier itself is a cloudy, golden coloring.

The nose on this one is as you would expect from a witbier. You get the evervescient presence of the belgian style yeast. I definitely smell the orange and coriander.

The flavor is a little more muted than the smell. The Cracker continues with the yeasty presnce as well as the coriander. I don't know what the curacao is supposed to do to this one.

Overall, this is a pretty admirable wit. Domestically, this falls behind the Allagash offering, but it does rise high up for the style produced domestically.

Serving type: can

01-15-2013 02:28:09 | More by ummswimmin

macrosmatic

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. can into a pilsner glass.

A: Hazy gold, lots of visible carbonation, medium-sized white head that lasts pretty well.

S: Wheat, grainy, with some citrus (lemon or orange) rind and coriander, pilsner malts, and a bit of spices.

T: Follows the nose, with a dry finish with spices. The citrus compliments the wheat flavors nicely.

M: Light body, nice carbonation sensation, and low to absent alcohol presence.

O: Solid, sessionable, but nothing I'd go out of my way for.

Serving type: can

02-24-2013 22:03:00 | More by macrosmatic

bsp77

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Serving glass: Poured from can into white wine glass.

Appearance: Pale cloudy yellow with rapidly rising and even more rapidly falling head. Looks too still for a Wit.

Smell: Orange peel, coriander, spices, wheat, and a touch of banana.

Taste: Nice wheat backbone with just the right amount of orange peel and coriander. The yeast is well integrated as well, with clove, banana and spicy notes. Cracked black and white pepper. The orange peel really lingers.

Feel: Very light with moderate carbonation. Finish is relatively dry. Nice feel, but overall the beer could be slightly more effervescent and crisp.

Overall: This is a very safe Witbier, as it simply falls the rulebook, but the execution is fantastic. Improve the appearance and finish, and this would be world class.

Serving type: can

03-18-2013 18:25:45 | More by bsp77

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into pint at yard house in palm beach gardens fl. Pours a super hazy golden wheat color with a finger of head. Very mild aroma of hefe fruity meets flowers. Very delicate flavor...vanilla and citrus with a hint of spice. Really super smooth and refreshing. Great light session hefe as they can get overwhelming but this is great. Nice brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2013 21:01:15 | More by DrinkSlurm

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Thanks to johnyb for this can!

Hm, the only beer description I've ever seen relate a story of how "cracker" came into historical parlance. Right on. Anyway, this stuff pours a clear straw topped by a finger of white foam. The nose comprises orange peel, cracked wheat, coriander, and light clove. The taste brings in more of the same, along with more zest from the orange and a twinge of lemon zest for good measure. The body is pretty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a wet feel. Overall, a nice little wit, something I could easily see drinking plenty of were I down in the Sunshine State's climate.

Serving type: can

12-04-2012 00:10:42 | More by TMoney2591

merc7186

New York

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured on tap at the brewery, poured into a pint glass.

A: Mildly Hazy Golden Straw Hue, Passes Lots of Light, White Head Ring, Decent Lacing

S: Lemons, Wheat, Mild Belgian Yeast

T: Lemons, Wheat, Belgian Yeast, Mild Belgian Sugar

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Mildly Bitter, Mildly Drying

Overall, a nice light drinking witbier with a subtle dose of bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 15:43:42 | More by merc7186