Florida Cracker White Ale - Cigar City Brewing

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

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

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

AgentZero

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Medium golden beer with a bit of a white head and some lace on the sides.

S - A wheat smelling witbeer with some citrus and a bit of coriander.

T - Light, crisp flavor with a little bit of yeast and a fairly crisp finish. Some orange and a touch of spice.

M - Medium bodied, good carbonation.

O - Solid witbier, nothing mind blowing, but easy enough to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 04:17:20 | More by AgentZero

oline73

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this on-tap while I was in Key West. Served in a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a slightly cloudy golden color with an amber hue. There is a finger of white head that leaves a layer on top of the pour.

Smell: Slightly sweet with a very mild grain note. There are very mild fruit and spice notes.
Rather mild.

Taste: This is a very light beer. Somewhat muddled spice notes with a hint of citrus fruit. Lots of light grain with a crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with foamy carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This one is light and summer, but not very interesting. I might have another depending on the situation.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2012 18:05:07 | More by oline73

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.71/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz Can from Total Wine Tampa FL for 2$

Appearance - Hazy gold colour with an average size fizzy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint acing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes. There are also some particles floating around in it.

Smell - Breads/grains, lemons, coriander

Taste & Mouth - There is an above average amount of carbonation and I can taste bread/grains mixed with some lemons. There is also some coriander and some yeasty notes. It ends with a grainy lemony aftertaste.

Overall - A decent well rounded beer but nothing ground breaking by any means. The one thing I really like about it the fruity notes taste natural and not too artificial. A beer worth trying.

Serving type: can

01-17-2013 03:45:14 | More by spinrsx

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured on-tap at the Cigar City Brewing tasting room in Tampa. The beer was served in a pint glass, and it poured a slightly hazy, pale gold color with no head. The nose is very muted, with floral (juniper?) smells, and very light spicing. The beer is light and smooth, with flavors of slight sour citrus and a smooth, bready spicing. Light in mouth, this beer has an aftertaste that is mostly coriander spicing. The finish is minimal and quick, making an easy drinker.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2011 18:40:05 | More by GarthDanielson

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

harrymel

Washington

2.99/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 1.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Canned 06MAR13

Had this before at a wedding in FL. It was nice there. Pours a near excellent clarity golden with a solid central dome of bone white foam, unimpressive for the style. Smells of flowers, grass, some light lemon, a little bit of sweet dough and seeds of paradise. Flavor is nice and sweet with yeast overtures and some bits of coriander. Pretty one dimensional flavor, but refreshing nonetheless. Thin bodied for the style with hi carb and a wet finish. Meh.

Serving type: can

04-17-2013 05:08:45 | More by harrymel

cosmicevan

New York

3.86/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

canned in early january, thanks to dimenhetfield for the can. enjoyed from my humidor series tulip.

a - brew poured a pale yellow with constant champagne like carbonation and a big fizzy head. the head fizzed away quickly and left a thin skin of fizzy bubbles that were gone quick, but almost immediately replaced by the next bubble racing from the bottom. the visual carbonation is intense...almost as if there is an alka seltzer tablet in there.

s - surprisingly has a fizzy smell. some orange, lots of wheat, some vanilla. corriander and even some white wine characteristics.

t - banana corriander, decidedly wheat beer.

m - fairly fizzy. overly so.

o - overall...cracker please. not my favorite beer and not my favorite wit, but definitely not a bad wit. actually a pretty good wit.

Serving type: can

03-13-2013 03:31:44 | More by cosmicevan

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Received as an extra in a trade. Poured into my duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice hazy cloudy straw hue with a good two finger white head that fades to leave thin clouds and a thin halo. Not too bad.

S - Nice wit notes....coriander, wheat, lemons, light malt sweetness and faint orange. Very pleasant.

T - Solid wit, lots of wheat, solid coriander, light on the banana. Citrus becomes awfully faint too. Finish is lightly sour too.

M - Mouthfeel is fizzy and on the thinner side. Little syrupy too.

O - Overall, not a bad white ale in a pinch. That said there are much better wits out there that are readily available. Still, another unique beer.

Serving type: can

03-15-2013 23:02:11 | More by rudzud

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

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

StJamesGate

New York

3.49/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy limocello yellow with puffy craggy white froth.
Light herbs, lemon zest and clean wheat on the nose - mild.
Cream crackers, waxy yeast, coriander hum and citrus tartness to end.
Carambola finish and herbal linger.
Light to medium, clingy, soft.

Too sweet, some rough edges, flat and a bit heavy - could definitely use more fizz. Basically, exactly what you're not looking for in a hot weather beer. Mediocre at best.

Starting to wonder just how good a brewery CCB really is...

Serving type: can

03-30-2013 01:19:10 | More by StJamesGate

chinchill

South Carolina

3.44/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can poured hazy golden straw with lots of visible carbonation and a towering, durable white head.

Aroma: Malty-musty-yeasty with ripe banana and traces of lemon and coriander.

Taste: Much better than the aroma (my usual response to witbiers), with more lemon and less banana and yeast. There are hints of bread dough, flowers and orange peel. Tart.

Feel: above average amount of carbonation; medium body; close to creamy for style; tart; less dry than expected.

Overall: worth trying, particularly if you like this style. Refreshing.

Serving type: can

03-28-2013 02:50:05 | More by chinchill

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

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

birchstick

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a faint, straw yellow color without much of a head on it, and the one that is there quickly fades away

S - nose is orange, coriander, and some spicy hops

T - sweet lemony citrus upfront moves on to a bit of grassy pepper spiciness. The softer orange/coriander comes into play. A nice grassy spiciness also comes into the mix to help finish off the flavor profile.

M - highly carbonated burn a little as it goes down

D - overall, this is a nice white ale. Good flavors all around and nice complexity for the style. As with any CCB beer, its definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: can

12-22-2012 23:44:37 | More by birchstick

PorterLambic

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very lightly hazy golden yellow with a white head of foam on top. Head dissipates very quickly and leaves no lace.
Smell is malty with notes of citrus and floral and wheat.
Taste is malt, hops, citrus, vanilla and spices. Alcohol present but just warming after the swallow.
Medium body and effervescence with a slightly drying aspect. Nice lingering aftertaste though. I like this brew. Probably the lightest one of CCB's I've had to date but just as good as the reputation would lead you to believe.

Serving type: growler

06-26-2011 02:21:37 | More by PorterLambic

JayS2629

Alabama

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a hazy golden color with a big white head that fades fast but leaves nice lacing.

The aroma has a touch of coriander and citrus peel on a wheat malt backbone.

Slight sweet on the front from wheat and toasty edges, citrus on the finish with a lemony and orange zest and spicy coriander.

Nice balance, nice crisp body, and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2011 04:12:38 | More by JayS2629

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

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-golden slighty cloudy yellow. thin white head

S-good and spicy taste of fresh wheats and bananas. faint scent but decent

T-comes in with an aged taste of tobacco leaves, spices, wheats, and a lot of bananas. this taste lasts awhile along with some alcohol bite which is odd considering the ABV. not a clean beer.

M-medium and creamy carbonation with a dry finish

O-i always expect a lot from CCB so this beer lets me down. its fairly harsh for a witbier. it actually reminds me of the harshness of many wits from Belgium. this style should the kind you want to drink large amounts of all night long, but this just isn't the case here.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2011 01:14:34 | More by AdamBear

rlee1390

Indiana

3.89/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A-Cloudy yellow, nicely carbonated, one finger head that doesn't last.

S-Orange, lemon, some grass, nice wheat and even vanilla.

T-Nice balance of orange and lemon. With corriander and grass. Mild wheat and no bitterness.

M-Medium to light in body, nicely carbonated and smooth.

O-A solid witbier, very sessionable and approachable.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 19:03:10 | More by rlee1390

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.46/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz canned December 28, 2012. Served at around 40F. Thanks to Mark for this gift.

Pours lightly hazy gold with a two finger white head that recedes to a light cap and doesn’t leave much lacing behind.

Aroma is pink bubblegum, banana, coriander/spice, some lemon and citrus, wheat/grainy, Belgian yeast. Good to very good strength.

Flavor is lemon citrus, some sweet fruity malt, spice/coriander, Belgian yeast, minimal alcohol, moderate sweetness, mild to moderate bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, somewhat sticky, good to sharp carbonation.

Pretty good Wit, although admittedly not a style I normally seek out.

Serving type: can

02-03-2013 23:34:46 | More by elgiacomo

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.61/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a cloudy lemon-yellow pour with 2 fingers of fluffy white head, great retention and spotty lacing left behind. smells of black pepper, lemongrass, hint of celery, very bready/yeasty. a slightly funky, peppery belgian style wheat beer.. the majority of the flavor lies within the yeast. a medium (on the lighter side) body beer with high carbonation. very tasty.. i guess this would be a good step into craft beer for people that like hoeegarden or whatever the hell that beer is called.. not my favorite style, but definitely tasty.

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 01:48:11 | More by facundoCNB