Jester King / Mikkeller Drink'in The Sunbelt - Jester King Craft Brewery

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks again to redredwino (Reddit) for this one.

Pours a light creamy head that fades semi slowly with nice lacing, hazy nectar orange color.

Nose has lots of fresh hops, citrus and light tropical fruit, light musty resinous wet hops, tangerine, peach, orange, hint of grapefruit, and a light sweet malt.

Taste has light sweet pilsner like malts and wheat flavors, straw, then lots of fresh hops, citrus, tangerine, light orange peel, tropical fruit, bit of juicy fruit, hint of musty resin, bit bitter but not heavy, hints of pine and mint as well. Light drinking with a drier finish and some lingering bitterness and light hop flavors.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, good carbonation.

Overall good, nice and fresh, nice drinking, despite being light on the overall, it has nice malt flavors, and lots of nice hops, and great taste, better than I expected.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 16:54:49 | More by jlindros

MattU

Texas

2.35/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - cloudy golden yellow. Finger and a half head poured into a pilsner glass.

Aroma - one note hops and not really anything else. I'm searching for some sort of fruity English yeast character or something in the nose that tells me there's wheat, but I'm just not finding it.

Taste - very one dimensional. Hoppy and that's it. There's not really anything in the taste that's reminiscent of wheat. Also the hoppiness is quite dull and flat. I get firm bitterness and then just a vague citrus character. The hoppiness reminds me of a stale IPA, something that once maybe had some good character but is now just dull.

Mouthfeel - this was the biggest let down. I was expecting a lot in terms of mouthfeel. A good wheat beer should have a full and fluffy mouthfeel from higher protein, this was just thin. Also the carbonation was lacking.

Overall - I REALLY wanted to like this beer. I like jester king, I like what they say they're about, but this beer is neither unique or interesting. It's dull, boring and very one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 03:58:26 | More by MattU

zander4dawin

Texas

2.28/5  rDev -38.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance- Cloudy, hazy, and golden...its downhill from here
Smell- Not too much of a nose, slight citrus notes
Taste- Yeast, orange, some staleness taste
Mouthfeel- Thin, way too thin

Overall- I really liked Black Metal Stout and Commercial Suicide but this beer is a pass. Boulevard/Deschutes Collaboration White IPA is much better if you are looking for a wheat IPA beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 01:40:36 | More by zander4dawin

mattmuck11

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +30.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a pint glass.

a - think and hazy. very cloudy, impossible to see through at all. yeast everywhere! Dark orange-gold with lots of carbonation visible. large, off-white head, resilient and rocky with large foamy bubbles.

s - citrusy but not without the malty/bready balance that makes the wheat characteristics shine out. hint of spice also in the nose. a bit fruity as well, not sure if that is a yeast characteristic or if it is the hops present.

t/m - sharp and smooth at the same time. really hoppy for a wheat beer but not so much that it loses its character. a bit spicy after the swallow. fruity and complex.

overall very refreshing and pleasant, a truly complex brew that makes you wonder just how far Jester King can go with their original creativity.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 20:34:04 | More by mattmuck11

specksnreds

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Good to see this one in a bottle. All dry hop in the nose. Like a basket of grapefruit. Yellow with some orange is showing through the glass. Taste belies the nose. Wheaty crispness with some fruit. Wonder what yeast was used? Green raisins maybe. Bubbles add some creaminess that is needed to bulk up its inherent thinness. Not a flaw, just a texture. I want more tomorrow.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 22:38:10 | More by specksnreds

diamondc

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap for $6 or $5 at the local beer bar.

A: Classic IPA .. pale, golden, frothy head. Looking good so far.

S: Grapefruit, citrus overload. West Coast IPA stylin' here.

T: Bitter grapefruit skin, orange zest, apricots. So much hops here its almost going into Lysol territory. But either you love it or you dont. I do.

M: Slightly thin on the mouthfeel here. Well carbonated, very quaffable if you're a hop lover.

O: First Jester King beer Ive had and I wasn't disappointed. This is a hop lover's beer. I'm happy to see more TX breweries on tap locally.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2011 07:57:37 | More by diamondc

Crunkle

Texas

4.8/5  rDev +29.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

16oz pints at The Holy Grail.

A - Slightly hazy, light copper with a nice fluffy white head that diminishes after a few minutes.

S - The scent is a fruity, almost piney aroma. Very floral, but not pungent. It's refreshing.

T - The hops here definitely dominate, but still subtle enough to stay drinkable and refreshing. Slight grapefruit and apricot notes. I don't know what the hop profile is here, but it feels like a West Coast IPA. The wheat and malts compliment very well with a nice biscuity backbone.

M - The mouthfeel is pretty light and fluffy in my opinion. There's a mild astringency and oily finish from the hops. Honestly I could down these all day long in the summer time.

O - JK knocked it out of the park again. Great idea partnering with Mikkeller on this one. I would love to see this bottled. You are definitely bringing something unique to TX.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2011 23:07:00 | More by Crunkle

Mora2000

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Common Table.

The beer pours a hazy yellow color with a large white head. The aroma is a great mix of wheat with some grassy and citrus hop notes. You can really get the Amarillo hops in the aroma.

The flavor is also very hoppy. There are a lot of citrus and grass notes mixed in with the nice wheat backbone. Light to medium bitterness and very easy to drink. For such a low alcohol beer, it is packed full of flavor.

Medium mouhfeel and medium carbonation. Outstanding.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 03:40:36 | More by Mora2000

crusian

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed on my phone, so shortened... On tap at black star coop.
Pours a nice apricot color with about half a finger of head.
Smells a very nice citrus... clean, and straightforward... not overwhelmingly strong.
Taste is about the same... it is a nicely done session beer. The hops are not overpowering, nice balance... almost reminds me of gumball head. Nice clean and crisp... wonderful on a hot summer day. Not too bad, but not terribly exciting either.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2011 00:53:25 | More by crusian

Fenris244

Texas

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1.5 soapy white, very sticky head, great retention, hazy light orange almost reminds me of a hefeweissen.

Big citrus peel aroma, an orange pulp aroma comes through strong as well, the hops are present in the aroma as well but the resin aroma definitely takes a back seat

Citrusy sweetness comes through well in flavor as well as the citrus peel flavor, a lively hop bitterness balances it out nicely. This beer has come clean flavors and a very clean finish

Very light in body but keeps from being watery, very smooth. I don't know what the abv is but I don't imagine it being very high, very drinkable

Overall? When can I get it by the case?

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2011 20:57:04 | More by Fenris244

champ103

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Anvil in Houston.

A: Pours a very cloudy golden orange color. A one finger white head forms, but recedes in a second. Very minimal lace is left behind.
S: A big hoppy aroma up front and dominate. Citrus, grapefruit, light grassy aromas. A large bitterness lingers in the nose.
T: Huge hops. Citrus, grapefruit and bitterness. I can't get anything else. The hops are very sharp and astringent.
M/D: Very thin, and almost under carbonated. Way to watery and lifeless. A thin and overly bitter. This does not make for a very enjoyable beer for me.

I love Jester King, but this is not for me. The sharp/astringent hops is to much, and too thin of a body. Jester King makes great beer, I don't think this is one of them though.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 00:48:51 | More by champ103

awinkro

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Flying Saucer Houston.

A: Hazy yellow appearance from the malted wheat. 50% barley, 50% wheat in this collab. Thin white head. Lacing lingers as the beer is drank

S: Great amarillo hop nose. Really throws off the appearance. Almost like a red herring. with the appearance of a wheat beer and the nose of an IPA.

T: Called a Pale Wheat Ale, much more like an IPA, which I'm ok with. Very refreshing, citrusy and floral flavor. Would love this beer on a hot, humid Texas summer day.

M: Nice carbonation. Doesn't linger on the palate, making each drink very refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2011 16:50:41 | More by awinkro

UTCengOwl

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Draught House. Glad to see it there front and center. I described it to my roommate as a Wheat IPA before we had some and he completely agreed after the first sip.

The beer is a hazy gold. Not hard to spot it as a wheat beer. Thin white head that left quite good lacing. Almost to the 4.5 level, but not quite magical.

The nose is pure Amarillo hops. Holy crap, this is beautiful. Do you think the Draught House would mind if I just sat here and sniffed the beer all night? The wheat is somewhat lost in all of the hoppiness, but I really don't care. More please.

The taste has some wheat smoothness and Amarillo flavor, but it's just too bitter to drink like I want it to. If this was a bit less bitter with the same hop flavor, this could have been one of my favorite beers ever. That being said, it's still a damned fine drink.

This seems to be standard Jester King so far. Great idea and some parts are beautifully executed... but something just slips past the QC and keeps the beer from being truly magical.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2011 05:52:30 | More by UTCengOwl

wagenvolks

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Jester King Danish Day Party (Mikkeller/Jester King Collaboration). Served in a snifter.

Sunbelt is bright and boisterous in the glass with a hazed goldenrod hue. The head dissipates to a thin veil of foam, but stirs easily to a tightly packed tuft of off-white head with a swirl of the glass. A heavenly aroma greets the nose upon a deep inhale. Tropical fruits dominate through notes of pineapple and mango, and the hops also add a hefty dose of pine and citrus flesh.

The wheat is somewhat of an afterthought in the aroma, but comes through more so in the flavor. Quickly, however, the palate is dominated by floral- and pine-ridden hop notes that add a juicy, earthy bitterness to the back. The body is a little low in carbonation, which makes the mouthfeel a bit thinner than expected with a drying finish. Overall, Drink'in the Sunbelt is a tasty, drinkable American Wheat that I would easily knock back in rapid succession. Kudos to Jester King and Mikkeller for a successful collaboration. Looking forward to the interpretation of Beer Geek Brunch!

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 04:20:19 | More by wagenvolks