Sunshine Wheat Beer - New Belgium Brewing

jyeast101

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Refreshing is the name of the game for one of the standards of excellence from New Belgium. Golden in color with a bright white head. Smells of citrus and spice evoke an image of taste. A great beer for a hot sunny day or picnic out on the Poudre River. One of the most drinkable beers I know. I goes down so easy. Almost too easy. If that's really possible.

Serving type: growler

11-18-2007 01:30:53 | More by jyeast101

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

mjurney

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance:
Straw color, slight hazy. Lots of bubbles rising. Small head that disappear.

Aroma:
Light, crisp, wheaty.

Taste:
Very light in flavor. Wheaty, slight fruity, bubblegum, crisp spicy finish.

Body:
Thin, watery, fizzy.

Nothing really special, slightly decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 22:35:33 | More by mjurney

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.7/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from session notes.

Light pale straw in color, semi hazy, light fluffy two finger head that sticks around for a while but only leaves behind minimal lacing. Smells mostly of fresh orange/lemon peel and coriander, maybe a slight hint of nutmeg once allowed to warm up for a while. Flavor is also dominantly made up of lemon peel and wheat malts with a coriander finish, texture is crisp, clean, and buoyantly carbonated. Memorable for being one of the most "lemony fresh" pale wheat ales I've ever had, and for a great mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 17:41:25 | More by WastingFreetime

gtermi

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: This pours a pretty pale gold, with a thick white head that leaves a little bit of lace on the glass as it fades.

S: LOTS of coriander and orange peel. There is a bit of wheat in the nose too, but the orange is very dominant.

T: This is a very easy light beer (not lite). It has a decent amount of wheat, but the beer has a very strong orange flavor.

M: This is the part of the beer that doesn't impress. There is a bit of crispness on the back of the mouth and on the tongue. It leaves a very weird dry feeling in your mouth.

O: This is just an okay beer. I could see me drinking it on a hot summer day, but other than that it is not anything special.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 07:14:26 | More by gtermi

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle to pint glass.

A - The beer pours a clear golden yellow color with a 1 finger white head with decent retention and lacing throughout.

S - A pleasant aroma of lemon zest, coriander spice, slightly toasted malts, a mild citrus hop character, and sweetness.

T - The beer starts off with a toasted malt character immediately followed by a blend of lemon, orange, coriander, and malty sweetness. The beer finishes clean and crisp with a nice mellow citrus hop flavor and bitterness. Very good.

M - The beer is nice and crisp and extremely refreshing. Light bodied and nice carbonation.

D - Absolutely.

Overall, this is a perfect beer for refreshment on a nice summer day. Very good. I will buy it again and would recommend.

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 02-23-2011 14:16:27

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 14:42:47 | More by hopfacebrew

phenomenologian

Nebraska

3.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Upon opening some smoke lingers. Upon pouring in a nice beer glass it looks like you are pouring water. It pours a 1/2 finger white head that laces a bit and does not retain well. The body is pretty pale and transparent. Bubbles rise to the top. It looks like Ginger Bee... not real appetizing in appearance. Maybe the taste will say differently just like with the Ginger Bee...after tasting it opinions changed.

It smells of wheat. It has nice wheat smells to it which makes it seem a little more appetizing than previously thought. It also smells of pepper and citrus. The citrus is really subtle but the pepper is subtle in a different way but intertwines with the wheat making it smell pretty pleasing even though its faint and I would have liked the aroma to be more strong or robust.

It has a pretty good taste to it. It tastes of course of wheat but tastes that follow include pepper (the bottle says its coriander but I cannot tell the difference it just tastes like Im drinking pepper but in a nice way), citrus (this comes in as an aftertaste that comes in and is less subtle than in the aroma but still real subtle, and finally barley (it was a surprising thing to encounter as I wasn't expecting this one but then I read the bottle and it said its brewed with barley malts). Together it taste peppery but it comes together nicely. Its not my favorite but its still pleasurable.

For drinkability its pepperiness and carbonation makes it have a bite and not soo soo smooth. The mouthfeel is still good enough that it works with the beer and can still be enjoyed.

Overall, it has some nice flavors and aromas but its not my favorite and I may or may not come back to this one. The pepperiness is something Im not familiar with...but thats just me. Give this one a try though as its definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 06:08:19 | More by phenomenologian

Jra1985

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

A-Vibrant yellow straw color with a one finger head with an average retention and lacing.

S-Smell of wheat and some citrus aromas. Very pleasing to the nose.

T-Tastes of wheat and some citrus flavors. Some spices are present as well. Tastes pretty good.

M-Good carbonation a light bodied. Goes down smooth.

O-This is a decent wheat beer. Very reasonably priced and I would drink this over a Boulevard Wheat any day.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 04:37:30 | More by Jra1985

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

Siriusfisherman

Montana

3.53/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Sunshine is a good name, this beer has a powerful golden yellow color that is only interrupted by a slight haziness, otherwise it is very clear. When poured into a five ounce glass it produced a very minuscule amount of fine bubbled foam that vanished immediately.

Smell: A wonderful blend of the spices and a hint of orange peel hit the nose, a very pleasant aroma that hits the nose quite abruptly.

Taste: Unlike most wheat ales, this one is much more focused on the spice than the citrus, which brings up good and bad points. This beer does taste significantly different that some other ales I have had of the style. However, this beer also is much more one-sided than other beers of this style. It is very drinkable, but does not amaze you, it just pleases you. There is very little hop character and no sweetness to help round anything out, it lacks depth.

Mouthfeel: Very well carbonated, does not help add balance to the beer though, sort of adds to its already one-sided approach.

Overall: A very drinkable beer, and it has some flavor to make it appealing. However, with so many other more complex beers out there, it does come off as quite one-sided. All in all, the good points cancel out the bad points and you get a decent wheat ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 19:22:47 | More by Siriusfisherman