Criterium Ale (2012) - Cigar City Brewing

GallowsThief

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of a bomber into a pint glass.

A – Poured out a bright golden color with some cloudiness. Nice fluffy finger of stark white head that left solid lacing down the glass.

S – Pick up an immediate citrus aroma with light bittering hops. Wheat as well.

T – Definitely pick up the wheat right off. Followed by a nice mellow bitter flavor. Not overpowering. Hops come through with touches of lemon and orange. Maybe just a tiny trace sweetness that balances the bitterness well.

M – Medium bodied and well carbonated. Crisp and clean on the palate.

O – Very nice wheat ale here. Has what I thought was a solid balance between the wheat ale flavors and a vey tame say IPA with bitterness. Remarkably easy drinker. It is well worth a try and a great lawnmower brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 22:45:58 | More by GallowsThief

GuttaMane138

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

05-25-2013 20:48:33 | More by GuttaMane138

Arsenal0328

Indiana

4/5  rDev +7.2%

05-22-2013 23:18:34 | More by Arsenal0328

johntfox

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%

05-21-2013 00:28:56 | More by johntfox

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.69/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From the taps at Cigar City in Tampa. From notes.

A - Sem-hazy golden pour with a little sediment. One finger soapy white head. Good lace drapes and a film of retention.

S - Light aroma. Citrus and light sweet fruits.

T - Citrus, wheaty. Quite light again. Lemon. Sweet light fruits.

M - Good carbonation, light to medium body, clean spicy/citrussy finish.

O/D - Decent hoppy wheat here. Nothing new, but well executed and quite solid.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2013 12:57:18 | More by tbeckett

JReites

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

04-14-2013 19:41:00 | More by JReites

mixed_master7

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

04-12-2013 23:39:38 | More by mixed_master7

Lare453

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

04-03-2013 20:19:11 | More by Lare453

jrohrbacher

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

04-01-2013 03:37:06 | More by jrohrbacher

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

03-25-2013 22:28:19 | More by bigfnjoe

JohnQVD

New York

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

03-17-2013 22:39:02 | More by JohnQVD

cyrushire

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

03-16-2013 06:34:17 | More by cyrushire

Florida9

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

03-14-2013 01:43:58 | More by Florida9

BeerMeBrah

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%

03-10-2013 03:39:59 | More by BeerMeBrah

Coldsnack

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

03-05-2013 02:19:04 | More by Coldsnack

2dogbrew

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

03-02-2013 20:53:58 | More by 2dogbrew

lionssoccer13

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -12.9%

02-26-2013 16:04:34 | More by lionssoccer13

ToastySteve

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%

02-23-2013 17:59:52 | More by ToastySteve

beernads

Florida

3/5  rDev -19.6%

02-07-2013 08:17:05 | More by beernads

MADPolo

Florida

3/5  rDev -19.6%

12-19-2012 15:01:50 | More by MADPolo

CJS

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%

11-12-2012 06:52:41 | More by CJS

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750ml into a matching Cigar City snifter. Thanks I believe are owed to sendsilk for hooking me up with this brew. It appears a mildly hazed color of golden yellow with a rich 2 fingers of white froth that slowly fades leaving patches of webby lace sticking all over the glass. Rising bubbles of carbonation maintain pretty solid retention atop with a large bubble formation around the edges.

Initially the aroma is a bit like bready grain somewhat reminiscent of pilsner with a mild footy aspect with a hint of must. As it warms up in my glass, a bright citrus element comes forward like tangerine/oranges. Minorly floral and almost perfume-like at times. A little bit of sulfur comes out as it is swirled and it has a bit of a carbonic to metallic quality about it.

The taste initially includes a bit of wheat grainy quality mixing with that previously described pilsner quality. Then the flavor of bitter orange zest comes into play with almost an oily feel and a hint of lemon like coriander. There is a mild musty aspect to this almost like cardboard that mixes in with the bitter zesty aspects of this brew. As the brew rests inside the mouth, there is a bit of carbonic to mineral quality which seems a bit out of place.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with an ample amount of lively carbonation. It is light and refreshing and an interesting twist on the style. The orange peel inclusion is really felt in this and brings with it, its own layering of oily bitterness and fruited quality that was enjoyable. The carbonic and mineral elements prevented me from really getting into this brew and enjoying it more. Regardless, it was a nice experience and something I am glad to have tried. Thanks again Matt.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 01:40:45 | More by stakem

sendbeer

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +13.9%

10-27-2012 15:40:59 | More by sendbeer

DIPADude01

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%

07-26-2012 02:34:10 | More by DIPADude01

macrosmatic

Florida

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes. Poured from bomber into pint glass.

A: Pours a very hazy golden color. Forms a two-finger white head.

S: Grainy aroma, with a bit of yeast smell; but overall the nose is pretty weak.

T: Nice flavor for a wheat, easy drinking and well-balanced but no outstanding flavors. As it warms there seems to me to be a bit of spiciness (cinnamon, clove?) and bitter citrus. Maybe I just don't know what curaçao tastes like.

M: Nice even mouthfeel, decent weight to it. Good amount of carbonation. Alcohol non-existent.

O: Good, but honestly nothing outstanding. Wouldn't refuse another if offered but I won't actively seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 03:35:28 | More by macrosmatic