St. Bernardus Witbier - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

Mar02x

Netherlands

3.3/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - A pale yellow hazy fluid with decent white head that quickly retracts, no carbonation visible.

S - Citrus (lemon) and yeast, inviting beer with some sweetness and sourness in the smell.

T - Good fresh dry pint, some lemon sour, yeast and saltness.

M - Good medium carbonation with some bitterness in the finish.

O - A good white, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 11:31:26 | More by Mar02x

EPseja

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Considering St. Bernardus Abt 12 and Tripel are two of my most favorite beers of all time, this Witbier has big shoes to fill. Served at slightly cooler than cellar temperature into my favorite Weizen glass.

Appearance: Coming from the bottle to the glass, the beer looks pale yellow-white and slightly cloudy. Starts to form head almost instantaneously as it fills the glass. Settles to a straw yellow color with vigorous bubbling from the bottom of the glass, gently buoying tiny bits of sediment (from my overzealous pour). Head starts at a full inch thick and is composed mainly of very small bubbles that gently climb up the edges of the glass, and shrinks to a thin layer after about a minute. No visible lacing as this beer is imbibed.

Smell: Candied orange peel, lemon zest, Irish sodabread, sweet yeast, other miscellaneous citrus overtones, coriander and hints of brown sugar

Taste: Sweet, candied citrus with a tinge of yeast in the front, turning into a huge lemon-vanilla bread as it washes around the mouth. Bold flavors seem to disappear during the finish, but come around again with a sweet but tart aftertaste accompanied by lingering citric acid.

Mouthfeel: Very small-bubbled carbonation that gives this particular citrus-laden beer a smooth, melted sorbet mouthfeel. Slight drying of the tongue after the swallow.

Drinkability: Quite intriguing for a beer that is definitely not one of my favored styles. A little too citrusy sweet for drinking any more than one.

In the end, I rated this beer compared to others of this style and not compared to the other stellar St. Bernardus offerings that top my personal list. My results reveal another solid St. Bernardus offering that, while it won't be sharing a permanent spot in my beer fridge, seems to rate highly among most lovers of this style.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2005 01:10:20 | More by EPseja

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearence: Poured into my Lindeman's flute, it's a wonderfully creamy hazy light orange with a white head.

Smell: The smell is an odd orange and oak mix, with a strong spicy hint.

Taste and Mouthfeel: The taste kinda has that smooth creamy good witbier start, followed by a poor sunscreen taste. The initial taste is brilliant - the end, rough as hell. So I guess it's middle of the road at 3. THe mouthfeel is nice though, being rich and creamy.

Drinkability and Overall: I love St. Bernardus's other brews, but this one isn't that great. It looks, smells, and feels good, but the taste is not that great. Dissapointing. Oh well I got plenty of others to try today. Blanche De Chambly is much better.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2005 20:17:29 | More by santoslhalper

doubleipa

Georgia

3.33/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very small, fizzy, off-white, head. Fully dimished with a hazy, kind of funky yellow color. Aroma was light malt and bread, light hops and light yeast. A tiny bit of banana and pineapple. Small aroma compared to many witbiers.Light to medium body that was kind of watery. Not nearly as good as I had expected and hoped. Needed bigger aroma and more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2006 14:40:15 | More by doubleipa

Boilermaker88

California

3.33/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presnted in an 11.5oz bottle and poured into a witbier glass.
Appearance is dark golden in color, unlike any other wit I've encountered to date, and topped with a scrawny white head that imploeded and left no trace.
Smell: very potent; lots of orange peel and wheat but with an odd almost salty aroma.
Taste: very bold flavor that lasts a long time. Has a very strong orange taste that I finally pegged as a vitamin C tablet or Tang-like. The orange simply buried all the other potential flavors as it struck my palate. I simply couldn't get past it.
Feel: light and refreshing.
Overall: not really too sure where I stand on this one. The heavy orange flavor is almost a distraction and, in my opinion, compromises the other flavors. Not bad, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 01:16:08 | More by Boilermaker88

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The ale is a hazy orange color with a moderate head.

S: The ale has a strong peppery coriander nose.

T: The taste is a letdown. There is a strong metallic (not oxidized, mind you) flavor that dominates the ale. Hints of spice pop up from time to time, but not in enough concentration or frequency to make a difference.

M: The spices help out, but can't salvage the flavor. The taste drops off significantly from the nose.

D: St. Bernardus shines when making abbey ales. It seems as though they struggle when it comes to other belgian styles.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2006 14:45:06 | More by akorsak

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Cloudy white brew with a peach tint. Small foamy head with dense smatterings of lacing.

S - Fragrant flowers, strawberries, pineapples and oranges.

T - A light malt, some floral flavor and a bitter finish.

M - High carbonation, astringent, a little refreshing.

D - Okay. Not terribly worth the effort. If you are a fan of St. Bernardus's other offerings (I am not), then this might be enjoyed more.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2007 16:21:53 | More by mrasskicktastic

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: minimal head, hazy, orange-brown in color, high carbonation

Smell: candied pear and citrus

Taste: citrus, cardamom, coriander, orange, wheat, a touch of apple and pear. Way better than the smell

Mouthfeel: light body, semi-sweet, and high carbonation

Drinkability: I found this to be a different witbier than what I have tasted. This one is very fruity, almost like a tropical drink. I do want it again and it was enjoyable, however for the high price, I think there are better alternatives.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 04:47:34 | More by tigg924

NiceGuyMike

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark yellow to pale golden color. Not much of a head, but some lacing present. Smells of typical Belgian yeasts with some fruitiness. Initial taste of yeasts and slight citrus. Citrus flavor melds into medium bitterness. Medium body with a bit of fizz.

Overall not a bad white but not great either. It is expensive. I may purchase it for my wife to try since she enjoys whites (specifically Hoegaarden).

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2005 22:09:58 | More by NiceGuyMike

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dirty yellow/straw, not a lot of head, but some lace.

S: Citrous, corriander, wheat (flour-like).

T: Citrous, slightly spicey, earthy, slight tang to the aftertaste. Sadly, Hoegarden has more (and better) flavour.

M: Light to moderate body, moderate carbonation (could use some more bubbles & head).

D: Easy drinker, somewhat refreshing, but not very engaging.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2005 01:51:58 | More by Derek

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.43/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in an over-size wine glass, it was a cloudy yellow color with a small head. Aroma seemed a little lacking: a little bread, a little malt. It had a lemony taste, but also was a little lacking. An OK beer, but not as impressive as I had hoped. My wife, who loves witbiers, thought it was great.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2006 11:58:59 | More by lordofthewiens

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy straw color with a thin head that quickly recedes to a thin film on top.
Has a faint bananna and honey smell.
Has a biscuit and lemon flavor. Nice honey like sweet finish. No bitterness.
Feels a bit thin and heavily carbonated in the mouth.
A very smooth easy drinking summertime beer.
This is not a favorite style of mine but I might revisit this beer occasionally during the summer months.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2006 05:25:47 | More by wcudwight

janubio

Spain

3.45/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pale yellow color, very cloudy. White head, not lasting much. Aroma of bread, wheat, yesast, with some citrus notes, not as much as expected. Flavor is not as much acidiand spicy as usual in the style. Some citrus, a hint of clove. very refreshing in summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2006 13:22:14 | More by janubio

theopholis

California

3.45/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appreance- Nice. Fairly cloudy straw color with creamy head that has very little head retention, but leaves a decent lacing..

Smell- Citrus. Lemon, grapefruit, a nice wheatiness. Undertones of yeasty smell is hiding underneath with cloves and bananas.

Taste- A nice, general what beer. Kind of light on the banana and cloves. Lots of citrus.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, good carbonation..

Drinkability- About average for a wheat beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 00:11:55 | More by theopholis

Liquids

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a Peachy colored yellow with the characteristic haze, with little more than a scum ring head. Aroma is all wheat, hopless to my nose, rather mild and subdued. Not ultra sweet smelling, which is good thing here. The taste is rather yeasty up front, but overall my first sip is better than expected. It is dry, not cloyingly sweet, with a light hop zing in the finish. I detect little to no outstanding spices here. It's really yeasty, too much so for me, but it is refreshing. As I sip on, a slight epoxy(?) flavor is emerging, a little like MH Circus Boy, and again this could be the yeast characteristic flavor. Mouthfeel is not overly heavy for a wheat beer, and there is a tangy zip on the tongue. A fair but bland and somewhat off tasting drinker.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2006 13:22:08 | More by Liquids

JayS2629

Alabama

3.48/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tasted several different types of wheat beers tonight. This one isn't my least favorite, but there are better. It wasn't worth $17 a 4 pack like Abt.12 is.

A- Nice. Cloudy yellow with creamy head that fades fast but leaves creamy walls of lace.

S- Citrus. Strong citrus. Grapefruit. Very tart pungent and strong smell hits the nose strong. Hints of lemon. yeasty smell is hiding underneath with cloves and bananas. You gotta let this beer warm up.

T- Very lemony. Thats what sticks with you. There are moments where banana and clove come in and there is a backbone of a nice wheat, but lemon is in the front and the back end. Thats what you taate on your lips when you finish.

M- Slightly overcarbonated, creamy and medium bodied.

D- Easy sipping beer, but tartness is too much for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 04:03:16 | More by JayS2629

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a hazy white tinted golden ale with a small bubbly white head with just better then average retention. Aroma of coriander and wheat is quite dominant. Taste is also dominated by the wheat and coriander with an above average body. Very good for a style that often produce boring beers but definitely not the best from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2006 16:37:30 | More by Phyl21ca

kmpitz2

Tennessee

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to clvand0 for sharing this with me. It pours a dirty cloudy yellow color with a finger of head that falls to coat the beer. The nose is slightly raisiney and slightly bready with a moderate spice dancing around in the background. The flavor is just okay. Lots of breadyness with slight raisin tnes on the finish. Not sure how I feel about this as a whit. The fell is moderate with a light carb. Not a really great beer in my book. There are many other whits I would take over it.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2005 21:31:40 | More by kmpitz2

Crosling

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Yellow haze below a creamy froth. Bright spicing (coriander and orange peel) in the aroma, which also spews out farmy odors, vanilla, baked biscuits, tart wheat and a hint of toffee. Soft and watery palate, which is bubbly in large doses. Tartness in present, while being quite dry and peppery. The spicing is fairly subtle and could be amped up a bit (I like my witbier full of spices) Light hint of butter toffee on the finish. I like it, although I still havent found a witbeir that truly satisfies.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2006 06:29:15 | More by Crosling

katan

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle labeled 020209.

A - Pours a hazy dark gold color. Very thick looking from the outside. Pours a centimeter size head that is retained.

S- Not very strong smell. Very subdued. I would say the coriander and a light orange peel are the primary things I smell.

T- Very interesting flavor. Finishes with a stronger hit of orange peel than I expected. Is intermixed with a yeast sour background. The first flavor is similar to the taste - very light. Might be at most some of the wheat malts.

M- Has a been of carbonation to it that I can feel. Drinks generally smooth - although it seems like alot for the style.

D- I could drink a few more of these, although the complex orange peel aftertaste wears on me as I drink this.

All and all, not a bad beer. But, for the price, and my inflated expectation that this is the best witbier ever left me wanting.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2007 04:06:58 | More by katan

ZAP

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

210909 marked on the bottle.

A-Pours a volcanic head that fills half the glass. I poured it slow and it started with only about a 1/3 inch of head but it grew and grew and grew....looks volcanic as the bubbles from the bottom fire up to the top....Body is a glowing yellow color...

S-Huge yeasty somewhat stale aroma that overrides everything...faint hints of lemon in the background.

T-Quite a quencher...low on the spicing which is just fine by me....a good dose of yeastiness on the taste as well as a sweeter citrus element.

M-Lighter bodied but not thin...ample carbonation...

D-Nice drinker...the big head on the pour set things back a little bit...I like the fact it is low on the spices. The yeasty notes a bit much however and personally I would not rate this anywhere near the top of my list of favorite whits...It is good though...

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2008 04:28:31 | More by ZAP

angelmonster

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a huge white head. Hazy yellow/orange body with lively carbonation. Head retention and lacing was good

Smells mostly of citrus, some malts. Also faint coriander, no hops smell at all

Taste was similar to carbonated orange juice. Citrus was main flavor present. Some malts were also there.

Mouth feel was a little over carbonated but not too much. Nice consistency , not as watery as some witbiers

Over all was a good beer. Flavors and smells were a little subtle, was hoping for a more bold taste. Bottle that it came in was nice, just wish that it tasted as good as it looked

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 19:11:22 | More by angelmonster

DUBinMIA

Florida

3.53/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

poured into a heffe glass from a bottle. yellow haze with a slight orange tint. Thick 3 in. white foam head. lots of lace.

citrus and some banana aroma. malt and wheat noticeable and gives a very sweet smell.

kinda of a shock at first. was expecting really sweet malt but hit with a tart bite of citrus and then a grainy wheat flavor. good. just not what i would expect from the smell. crisp finish but watery in some aspects too.

light bodied beer with good carbonation

overall a good beer. i was expecting a little bit more from one of my favorite breweries but still a must try. very light crisp and refreshing beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:38:51 | More by DUBinMIA

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Four fingers worth of crispy airy fluffy dirty white colored head… Impressive retention… Loaded with large bubbled very quickly paced carbonation throughout… A medium yellow gold color with a slight glow…

S - Hay… Straw... Citrus… Orange zest… Faint hints of sweet lemon… Passion fruit… Some toasted malts… White bread… A touch of rye… Simple and straight-forward… Rather enjoyable…

T - Wheat... A bit of white bread crust... A slight rye spiciness... Orange zest... Lemon zest...

M - Medium bodied… Lively and spry… Loaded with prickly carbonation teetering on fizzy… Slightly sleek… A little harsher than I like for the style…

D - A solid and respectable witbier, however the St. Bernardus label leaves me expecting a bit more… There is nothing outstanding nor detracting… I can think of several other, less expensive Witbiers that I would opt for over this one…

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 02:14:11 | More by philbe311

edbeered

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I'm not sure about this beer. It pours a nice cloudy yellow, with a small head that lingers. The smell is complex, with cloves and a sweet smell hard to pin down(apple?peach?). The taste is initially very complex and pleasant, with the aforementioned clove,apple, peach and a subdued banana flavor as well. If this was the end of it, this would be a most impressive beer. However, there is a distinctly salty flavor that manifests itself at the very end, thus robbing it of any thirst-quenching properties. At first I thought it might be starting to spoil, but other than the saltiness at the end, this is a very good tasting beer. The finish makes this somewhat disappointing. Don't have it with pretzels!

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2005 23:59:35 | More by edbeered