Sunshine Wheat Beer - New Belgium Brewing

blakelive784

Colorado

1.95/5  rDev -44.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

12 fl oz can served in a pint glass, reviewed live -

A - presents a pale, transparent, straw golden color with a thin white head that dissipates quickly. Mediocre at best.

S - crisp wheat, spice. Honey and subtle citrus. Really mild in strength, put pleasant.

T - lemon grass over a pale barley and wheat foundation. The lemon is the most prevailing flavor in an otherwise watery beer. Weak.

M - entirely too smooth and wet for a wheat.

D - an easy drinker, but not one is have again.

Serving type: can

12-25-2011 21:13:49 | More by blakelive784

MrDonQuixote

Colorado

2.38/5  rDev -32%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a can into an oversized wine glass:

A- Pale straw yellow color with a slight white head

S- Smell is spicy. Light hops smell, wheat and citrus

T- Tastes of coriander and obviously of wheat. The citrus flavor is light, but it is present. Light bitterness on the finish. A bit too much of a peppery taste for my taste. Tastes like I am drinking a bottle of pepper with some beer mixed in

M- The mouthfeel is the best part of this beer. Smooth with a nice finish.

O- overall this beer is bland.

Serving type: can

10-09-2011 21:44:12 | More by MrDonQuixote

rawfish

California

3.5/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours from the can, actively carbonated with the color of pale straw, really similar to an adjunct lager with head and good retention of white foam that leaves moderate stick around the glass.

Pleasant nose really like a witbeer, coriander, orange with a grain roughness and yeast heavy bready malts. Slightly light on aroma and reminds me a little of baby powder.

Rather simple, light malt, that finishes with a wheat twang, a light tartness that settles into a grassy bitterness. Coriander and orange peel on the after taste with more of that baby powder. Built simply for refreshment and drinkability.

Light and crisp, active carbonation makes the flavors cycle and a light body to assist drinkability.

You can't really bash on this beer for anything, it is a sessionable wheat, great for summer. The canning helps carbonation some and is quite active on the palate. That baby powder taste I sensed is a bit odd but doesn't exactly hurt this beer any.

Serving type: can

04-03-2011 05:05:52 | More by rawfish

emmasdad

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into pint glass from a 12 oz can. I am personally very excited to see so many Colorado brewers putting beers like this into cans; perfect for the park. This one was a pale golden color, with a nice fluffy white head. Aromas of light wheat, lemon and citrus. Lots of lemony flavors here, along with wheat and a hint of hops. I will be buying more of this one to drink during the upcoming hot summer days.

Serving type: can

05-19-2010 00:10:29 | More by emmasdad

SamN

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Crystal clear beer, pale yellow color. Fine foamy head with very tiny bubbles. Surprisingly little visible carbonation. Very clear, sort of pale.

S- Seems like a stronger smell than from a bottle, although I don't know if it's actually stronger or why that would be if it was. Overripe bananas, pepper, egg whites, creamy wheat malts blended with subdued lemon citruses. Powerfully creamy and citrus. When the hell did this start smelling so good?! Not terribly complex, but such an intoxicatingly good scent.

T- Too bad that smell dosen't translate to taste. Still a thin taste. Nice creamy bread-like quality. Dry, citursy lemons, coriander and orange interplay in the middle, finishes on biscuits and lemon zest. Dry and somewhat "bone" like, if that makes sense.

M- Zesty and lively, much carbonation to keep this beer lively. Wakes you up with zesty bubbles, could pull smoother from glass. Tingling on the finish, just a little too much carbonation for me, could be less and still be a refreshing wheat beer. Light body, of course, not a lot to it.

D- Out of a can does seem somewhat different, although I can't figure out why. I would prefer this beer in this medium.

Serving type: can

03-25-2010 00:50:08 | More by SamN

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz can obtained via SS09 from vasdef42. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" bright white head above the clear light golden brew. Pillowy head falls bubble burst by bubble burst, with ample slow-falling lace. Aroma is sweet pale malts. Taste is also pale sweetness, with a peek of tart in the middle, and a balancing crisp hops close. Mouthfeel is way smooth, and drinkability is superb. Great beer for summer, or whenever.

Serving type: can

12-14-2009 22:19:31 | More by ppoitras

GilGarp

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I noticed that the two lowest ranked regularly available NB beers (this and Skinny Dip) both had identical scores and only 25 reviews difference between them. After just trying the skinny dip, lets see how Sunshine compares.

Best before 9/9/09

This one served from a can into a pint glass. Pours a pale straw yellow with good clarity and thin head. No retention or lacing on this one.

Aroma is mild and lacks any outstanding characteristics. There might be a little sweet citrus in there, maybe some lemon.

Flavor is pretty good. It has more of that sweet lemon, corriander, and wit beer spice.

Mouthfeel is clean, well balanced, nicely carbonated, lacking in body.

Overall a very drinkable summer beer but not something I would go to regularly. I think this one would just get the nod over SD.

Serving type: can

07-17-2009 05:11:25 | More by GilGarp

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Glad to see this is in cans now, great beer for camping. Left over from a few weekends ago. This is another one of my gateway beers.

A: Pale yellow, aptly named of course, stark white head about half an inch or so into nothing. Very clear, not a lot of lacing to speak off, not really a lot of carbonation floating around in there either.

S: Tangy wheat malts, citrus, and slightly spicy, not really a whole lot else going on here in the nose, which is a bit disappointing.

T: Musky wheat malts, slight citrus sour tone, slight spiciness as well. Pretty grainy, but still definitely a wheat beer. Orange peel and coriander are definitely present as labeled, the orange peel stands out a bit more in the canned version than i remember the bottles.

M: Thin, light, and dry, this is exactly how I want my wheat beers to feel. This is probably because this is the first wheat beer I really got into.

D: Easy drinker, one of the easiest from New Belgium. This beer was somewhat of an obsession of mine when I first got into craft beer, and revisiting it has made me realize its not as good as I used to think it was, but it still is a tasty beer. Excellent gateway/transition beer. Glad to have revisited an old friend.

Serving type: can

06-06-2009 01:45:32 | More by pokesbeerdude

BucannonXC5

California

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Karl Strauss pint glass
From: VONS in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $12.97 (w/ VONS card) for a Folly 2002 revival 12-pack
Purchased: May 14, 20113
Consumed: May 20, 2013
Misc.: Best by Aug. 25, 2013

Poured straw pale clear color, almost green, with one finger of khaki white head. Some spots of lacing on the sides, albeit light. Average retention on the top.

Pleasant smell to kick things off with orange, orange rind, coriander, lemon, lime zest and wheat grass, all with noted Belgian spices.

Tasted not quite as good as the smell. Still got coriander, orange peel, orange, lime, lemon, wheat grass and sugary cereal. Still some Belgian spices. Not as clean and crisp it.

Light body. Thin texture. Average-to-lively carbonation. Abrupt finish.

This beer didn’t grow on me. In fact, it was the opposite. I suppose it would be a good summer brew though.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 07:40:30 | More by BucannonXC5

kshizzle101

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber poured into pint glass

A - pale yellow in color, 2 inch head, doesnt last long, can see a lot of carb

S - straw, orange, coriander/floral notes, spicy

T - some spicyness, dry malts, grassy. hint of orange and and a bite of hops on the after taste.

M - light bodied, good carb. easy and refreshing to drink. as it should be

Overall - above average, but not spectacular. goes down easy

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 02:18:43 | More by kshizzle101

CardiacNP

Louisiana

2.95/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Sunshine Wheat by New Belgium

Aroma citrus and maybe a hit of coriander. But something in the smells seems a bit strange. Not bad yet different

Appearance pale clear gold color with a nice think white 2 finger head. Light lacing on the glass

Taste a mild american wheat beer with orange/leomon flavors along with the coriander. Also an little apple flavor on the back end

Mouthfeel moderate carbonation mildly viscus that clings a little to the tongue

Overall a "ok" wheat style beer Mild flavor, drinkable But Nothing "WOW"

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:09:20 | More by CardiacNP

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.41/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

New Belgium Sunshine Wheat has a very thick, fluffy, off-white head, a clear, quite bubbly, straw appearance, and a good amount of lacing left on the glass. The aroma and flavor are faint and dull, but one picks up a hint of spice and citrus (more lemon than orange, really) and bread. The taste is of white bread and tap water (a commonality for many wheat beers, I find). Mouthfeel is light and watery, and New Belgium Sunshine Wheat finishes crisp, refreshing, easy-drinking, and humdrum. Overall, this is at the lowest rung of what can be called "good", so check it out if you like bland beverages.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 12:33:38 | More by RonaldTheriot

DavidST

Texas

3/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, best before Dec 23, 2012. This pours a clear light yellow color with a mid sized white head which leaves a light lacing. The smell is light and of lemon, spice, wheat. The feel is medium light mid carbonination. The taste is okay, a little light, mild bitterness, lemon, lemon peels, spices.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 01:44:29 | More by DavidST

Fatehunter

Oregon

2.95/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Two fingers of head. A clear, light straw colored body.
Smell is faint, lemon and orange if anything.
Light taste overall. Mild bitterness. The spices are just in the background, which accents the flavor well.
Texture is light and moderate carbonation.
A good "gateway" craft beer, but I probably won't find myself drinking it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 18:30:49 | More by Fatehunter

chugalug06

Colorado

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Two-finger, soft white, foamy head. Brew is perfectly clear yellow.

Lots of lemon and spice. Wheat stands out too along with orange and coriander.

Super smooth and refreshing. Light carbonation. Lacking depth and interesting flavor beyond the initial orange peel that smacks your tongue. A bit on the thin and weak side of things.. Spice could stand to be a lot heavier and more wheated.

Refreshing for a hot summer day! Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 03:27:56 | More by chugalug06

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a New Belgium globe. The beer is a crystal clear golden, with bubbles constantly rising from the bottom. A white head recedes to film and a concentrate circle of foam in the center. Light lacing makes rings on the glass. The beer smells fresh, and mainly of light lemony notes. A touch of orange peel. The beer tastes very refreshing, light and zesty. It has a nice mellow grassy, wheat body with a crisp finish, and coriander can be detected. Just enough of a citrus pinch to remind you of the zesty orange peel. Mouthfeel is light bodied and clean.

Overall, simply a clean, easy-to-session summer wheat beer. I have no problems giving this one high marks. Hardly any faults.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 21:30:28 | More by JuicesFlowing

EagleTalon

Arkansas

4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours out to a creamy but thin white head and hazy pale yellow color. Aroma is strong coriander and citrus with some grainy wheat blended in. Flavor corresponds to aroma with orange, pepper, lemon and dry wheat and biscuity "New Belgium" malt flavors. No discernible hop character. Mouthfeel is light and refreshing. Overall this is a delicious beer that I hope to have more of this summer.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 22:28:10 | More by EagleTalon

bsp77

Minnesota

2.53/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Pint.

Appearance: Light straw with very thin head and no lacing. Almost has a grayish cast.

Smell: Mostly wheat, some light orange and coriander.

Taste: Strong wheat taste, with almost artificial orange. Light coriander on the finish as well as a wheaty "beer" aftertaste.

Feel: Not as crisp or effervescent as the light body should deliver. Poor off-dry finish.

Overall: New Belgium got rid of Mothership Wit and kept this shit? Seriously?

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 22:35:39 | More by bsp77

ByMySword

3.85/5  rDev +10%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: This beer has a very citrusy look, retaining a slightly golden-orange color, albeit cloudy as are most wheat beers. It retained about a 1 inch head.

Smell: The smell was contained a very light wheat smell that was very pleasant to the senses.

Taste: The taste was dominated by wheat and citrus.

Mouthfeel: This beer had a very light feel and is a perfect summer beer to drink on hot summer days. It wasn't too thick, but wasn't watered down either.

Overall: I enjoyed drinking this beer. It is perfect for drinking all day, and if it was a little lower in alcohol content, would make a perfect session beer if based on the tasting experience alone.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 05:08:13 | More by ByMySword

onewetpaw

Tennessee

3.78/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Muted spice. Overall not much of a nose on this one.

A- Light blond with a very slight haze. Thin white head that dissipates quickly.

F- The coriander is definitely there, but subtle. I taste the slightly tart character of the wheat, but none of the clove flavors you see in at Wit.

M- Nice full body and almost thick mouthfeel. The carbonation is average. A little more might help this one come alive.

O- A pleasant beer. The subdued nature of the spice is just right. I like the added complexity without getting the impression of chewing on a mouthful of coriander. A nice wheat beer. I'd drink another bottle for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 02:15:08 | More by onewetpaw

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Very pale yellow for a wheat. Looks a lot like a Belgian wit. Kind of flat overall, but the color makes up for this.

Smell: Nice floral notes to accompany a yeasty background. More than enough lemon in the initial head.

Taste/Mouthfeel: This has flavor elements of a European pilsener, but definitely the heavy feel of a wheat. I wish the flavors were a bit stronger, but the mouthfeel is clean.

Overall Drinkability: A nice combination that I wish were a bit more forceful.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 05:15:27 | More by tjsdomer2

TheFlern

Idaho

3.05/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pale straw color. White head. Good amount of head forms and laces well.

Smell: Faint wheat and spice.

Taste: Nice and light.

Mouthfeel: Thin with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall: An easy drinking beer served best cold on a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 00:55:29 | More by TheFlern

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

not real impressed with this one. super light cloudy whiteish yellow pale color with a short white head that doesnt last long. smells lemony and yeasty and the flavor matches. extraordinarily light on the tongue in the mouth, similar in feel to their mothership wit. lots of carbonation. low abv makes it sessionable, but its got a funky rindy sort of aftertaste that makes it funny in the stomach after a few. not new belgium's best product, but i suppose it satisfies those looking for a shocktop style beer from a craft operation

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 23:09:16 | More by StonedTrippin

Merkur

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Beer pours a nice clear straw color. There is a good bit of carbonation and a bit of foam in the head.

Beer smells very faintly of orange peel and whear.

As far as the taste, the beer tastes almost exactly like lemon fruit loops. Sweet and very lemony.

Moutfeel is extremely thin and carbonated. A bit too watery.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 12:37:31 | More by Merkur

Dmart1223

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Very refreshing. This is my go-to beer to eat with pizza - don't ask me why.

The beer pours a bright, crisp yellow with plenty of carbonation. Without the light, fluffy head, it would look like a glass of Chardonnay. It smells like sweet fresh citrus.

The taste is very light, with a hint of bubbly, maltiness all the way through. A slight citrus sweetness comes in the middle and leaves a pleasant aftertaste when you're done.

Overall, it's easy drinking with enough complexity to make it memorable, but not world-class.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 22:47:34 | More by Dmart1223