Spring Heat Spiced Wheat - Anheuser-Busch

logansboat15

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +34%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A real surprise from Anheuser-Busch. I tried this on tap with some good friends at a cafe in tiny Onekema, Michigan. One of them ordered "Spring Heat" and it looked so good, I needed a taste. It poured a thick hazy pale yellow and smelled of coriander and lemon peel. The taste was almost buttery with heavy coriander notes and a fruity finish. The mouthfeel was creamy smooth and delicious and is a highly drinkable warm weather brew. It was so good that I ordered a glass for myself, after I finished my Founder's Centennial IPA. It was a terrific night, capped off by excellent conversation paired with a Portabella mushroom grilled Panini sandwich and waffle fries.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2007 18:14:40 | More by logansboat15

cliff1066

Virginia

3/5  rDev -4.8%

12-16-2012 19:50:39 | More by cliff1066

bzach

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -20.6%

10-16-2012 07:12:40 | More by bzach

JohneHoodlum

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +11.1%

12-06-2011 21:14:04 | More by JohneHoodlum

Burt

Rhode Island

3/5  rDev -4.8%

11-26-2011 03:22:26 | More by Burt

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine May 2007.

The Belgian White Ale has become popular enough to lead some of the biggest brewers to come up with their own. A-B sticks to a spring seasonal format, though they could easily sell this year-round, but for the pigeonholing name.

Cloudy pale yellow in color, with a thin layer of yeast that sticks around for awhile. Even after swirling the bottle, there is still some sediment left at the bottom.

A bucket-load of soft coriander with a twang of orange peel and mealy grain. Heavy crispness shows off a velutinous mouthfeel and moderate body. Citric tartness and thick coriander notes engulf the taste buds. Hint of black pepper is pursued by an ever-so-pungent orange peel blast. A bit watery in the finish, with a quick dropout of malt and a clean aftertaste.

Not a bad stab at the style, but it doesn't stand as tall as the rest within the Belgian White Ale style. A thin slab of aged goat cheddar with water crackers and orange marmalade made for a great pairing.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 18:32:04 | More by BeerAdvocate

connecticutpoet

Connecticut

2.93/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Didn't know this one was retired... so I guess it was in my cellar for longer than I thought.

This beer produced a one finger head atop a yellow body. It was somewhat hazy, with visible floaters. The head was rather fizzy and dissipated quickly.

Aroma was pretty good. I got some spiciness, as expected. There was also a doughiness and some biscuity malt in there, along with some sweetness. Wheat was noticeable. It also smelled somewhat tangy... perhaps it was down there too long?

Taste started with some apples and pepperiness. Wheat malt quickly took over. However, whereas the small was nice, the flavor just did not deliver. It was quite bland.

Mouthfeel was thin and watery. I know wheat beers aren't supposed to be heavy, but this had no body to speak of.

Drinkability is average. Better than AB's regular fare, and I'm glad I got to try it (albeit late), but I am not disappointed that it's gone.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 04:26:42 | More by connecticutpoet

Domingo

Colorado

3.48/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this as part if a mixed sizer someone brought over. It's not Spring...but I figured I might as well try it.
Pours a pretty hazy creamy-orange color. I swirled the last little bit to get the yeast sediment, and it gave everything a pretty nice head to boot.
Smells of wheat malt and mild citrus.
I was surprised to actually taste a crackery malt characteristic in this. Mild citrus zest, crackery malt, and a little bit of coriander.
This isn't world class, but it's not that bad.
I'm sure the anti-AB crowd will rail on it, but as a pale wheat beer (it's closer to that than a wit), it's okay.
I don't think I'd seek it out, but at places like chain restaurants that will carry this rather than a true craft offering, I'd have no issue ordering this again and enjoying it.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2008 19:48:29 | More by Domingo

kinger

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Interesting name got me intrigued during my night out with some friends, after a few stouts I wanted to end the night on a lighter note. This beer was served in a large glass. Fruity aroma with spicy notes it smelled wonderful. A nice vibrant yellow color with a splash of orange, there was a medium sized head that actually left decent lacing, strong carbonation rounded out a good appearance. Solid on the palate this wasn't thin and a crisp finish really capped this one. The flavor is mild and good. Lots of citrus and spice flavors. Not top of the line but it was a good find on draft. Surprisingly enough I had no clue that this is brewed by Anheuser-Busch, hats off to expanding your horizons beyond undrinkable swill.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2008 20:28:48 | More by kinger

1099

Texas

3.25/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sampled this beer in an unfrosted mug at a local restaurant.

A: Very cloudy, almost looks like cloudy chicken broth in my mug. This is a definite switch from the usualy filtered, clear beers I'm used to.

S: I could smell the spice, but for the life of I can't equate in my mind what it could be. Smells quite nice though. I do smell some malt below the spice.

T: The taste was not bad at all. The malt came through, along with some hops and the so far unnamed spice. It all balanced nicely, making for a rather tasty brew.

M: Thin, but for a wheat beer, thin is about the norm from my experience

D: Is good. I like this style a whole lot.

This is quite a switch for Anheuser-Busch, and truth be known, is a rather nice switch from the usual fare. If I can find this outside of a restaurant, I will buy it!

Prost!

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2008 00:51:53 | More by 1099

maddogruss

New Jersey

2.33/5  rDev -26%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Had a glass of this when I was staying in Joliet, Ill.

A: Pours an orange-amber body with minimal lacing. No head or retention of significance.

S: Slight hints of citrus in the smell, but nothing of great significance.

T: Hints of a citrus taste. More of an orange taste in the beginning with a grapefruit/lemony aftertaste. Reminded me of Blue Moon, but more watered down.

M: As noted above, this beer proved to be pretty watery. Also, seemed a little flat with the low carbonation.

D: A pretty drinkable beer, but that is mostly because I feel this beer lacks a little substance. A thicker mouthfeel and a better taste would have made it more drinkable overall, in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2008 20:44:38 | More by maddogruss

jasonpeckins32

Michigan

2.7/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours an extremely pale, soft-orange color. A little bit of head, but not much, and it leaves quickly.

I notice a few fruity notes and some souring astringents in the aroma.

Taste is quite bland. A few hints of oranges or something that points out that this is a wheat ale, but not many. More of a boring liquid corn starch or flour taste.

The mouthfeel is decent, a bit bigger than most a-b products, but definitly not the "belgain-style wheat ale" that the bottle claims it to be.

Drinkability is good. I could drink quite a few of these, and did, but I'm hoping that I never get stuck in that situation again.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2007 05:50:31 | More by jasonpeckins32

Atron67

Wisconsin

3.2/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- poured a foggy straw yellow with a little head, not much lasting power and it faded completely away

S- wheatiness, but not much

T- pretty flavorful from waht i was expecting. pretty good but not great

M- light body, with light carbonation

D- its better than i expected, but theres better witbeir.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2007 22:12:26 | More by Atron67

Pegasus

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Hazy yellow brown, with a massive, persistent white head, a few fat, fast-rising bubbles, and scattered, broken lace.

Aroma: Mild aroma of coriander, bready yeast notes, and citrus peel.

Taste: Opens with a mild citrus peel note, followed by a wave of coriander, as the taste progresses, the mildly tart wheat malt comes into its own, towards the end of the taste, a restrained herbal hop bitterness appears. Finishes with just a hint of lingering bitterness.

Mouth feel: Smooth and full, quite pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: Considering that this is an Anheuser-Busch product, I was prepared to dislike it. All in all, though, it is pretty good. Clearly, A-B has the ability to make better beer when they choose to, its just not often that they do, alas.

Presentation: Packaged in a twelve-ounce brown glass longneck bottle with a twist-off cap, served in a standard pint tap glass.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2007 02:30:30 | More by Pegasus

chilidog

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Going off notes here for I bought thisone back in March, 07, when I first saw it. One of thoughs, oh ya, i'll get to that reviews.

It pours a hazy pale yellow. The head was full, lasting and laces pretty well. White in color.

The aroma was yeasty coriander

The taste shared that yeasty, citric and coriander purge. Other citric notes follow like orange peel and lime. A spiced malt background hinting of black-pepper.

The mouth finish is clean and crisp for this medium bodied brew though alittle watery toward the end, esp. if the beer warms of sets.

A good spring release, id most likely buy again, perhaps next March.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2007 13:28:45 | More by chilidog

MTNboy

Missouri

2.93/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance- A super cloudy and foamy beer. The head disappears slowly and evenly leaving a decent lace. Mostly an orange amber colored body.

Smell- The smell is a fruity biscuit type odor which I am still not sure if I liked or not. It was also pretty faint.

Taste- A lot blander than I was expecting. Some citrus tone but pretty weak. A very mild bitterness followed by spice. I’ll have to give then their due at least they did not over spice it.

Mouthfeel- Marginally smooth and body consistency.

Drinkability- A middle of the road beer for a beer in its class but alright.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2007 11:18:17 | More by MTNboy

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.78/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a two-finger white head that fades slowly to a thin layer leaving some lace. Cloudy pale amber color. Orange/lemon nose. Light carbonation and light bodied. Flavor is like unsweetened orange/lemonade. Good lawnmower beer. 12oz bottle dated 24FEB2007, $1.49 from Case N'Keg Laconia, NH.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2007 22:54:57 | More by jdhilt

biggmike

Mississippi

3.43/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured with nice head that lasted for a while. I have to admit this was better than I thought it would be. I like witbiers and this wasnt to bad for an Anheuser-Busch product. Very cloudy appearance. Aroma was spicy wheat like Blue Moon. Mouthfeel was pretty decent. Not heinous like I anticipated.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2007 20:45:45 | More by biggmike

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

3.43/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a lame duck yellow, slightly cloudy, with a good starting head and a bit of lacing. The aroma is a kind of funky mash of citrus, orange and lime mostly, some lemon too, some coriander. The lime is what gives it a neat twist. The taste started off good, but maybe I was expecting too little, or trying to be unbiased. Its just thin, weaker than the nose, the same characters coming in play, but watery in both feel and taste, and similarly the taste fades extremely quick. A good bit of carbonation is what saves the mouth feel, but it can't do anything with the taste, cause it needs work. Overall, pretty easy to drink, not bad tasting, but nothing all that serious.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2007 03:37:09 | More by objectivemonkey

RBorsato

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +34%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Nice hazy white-ish wheat color with a low white head (nicer after a swirl). Nice orange peel aroma with touches of coriander. A bit fruitier than spicy but nicely balanced and smooth. Medium bodied and creamy with a nice balanced wheat, citrus, and spice finish. Smooth !!

A very nice Wit from a big guy ! Much much better than Blue Moon !

Per label: "Belgian Style Wheat Ale brewed with spices" & "Brewed with Orange, Lemon and Lime Peels, and Coriander"

Per A-B website: Brewed with orange, lemon and lime peels; the spice of coriander; two-row barley and wheat malts; as well as a blend of domestic Cascade and Willamette hops and imported Hallertau hops.

Born On: 02/10/07
Tasted: 05/25/07

($1.49 / 12 oz.)

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2007 14:59:05 | More by RBorsato

plaid75

New York

3.85/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy deep straw hue with a one and a half finger creamy white head. There was good retention and good sticky lacing.

The smell featured an estery yeast with elements of orange and coriander. Nice wheat spice as well. It actually had a Fruit Loops like aroma.

The taste consisted of a spice wheat malt with a solid yeast presence. Varied citrus fruit flavors as well.

The mouthfeel was of average fullness with some good chewiness. There was a linering spiciness but a strange off aftertaste.

Overall a very impressive wit. I wish they would make this a year round offering. I would place this beer above Blue Moon and on slightly below Leine's Sunset Wheat. Very well done. Congratulations A-B.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2007 00:55:41 | More by plaid75

jasrbrd

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +38.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer has some nice spice flavors with a good aroma. I think it actually tastes close to a micro brew. Pretty good for an Anheuser-Busch commercial product. Nice fruit flavor that doesn't overpower the beer. Next time spring comes around it's definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2007 22:45:21 | More by jasrbrd

Billolick

New York

3.9/5  rDev +23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ouncer, twist off, with "Born on" dating...label even gives direstions on swirling/rolling the bottle to get the yeast into your glass, nice touch, pours typical wit beer, light yellowy apricot, cloudy, minor, soft off white head, light lacing, fruity, citrus nose, lemony easy drinking brew. Typical and respectable wit characteristics, citrus, wiff of yeast and wheat malt. Some balancing hoppyness late, all in all a quite respectable summer offering. Fine with newbies and with a summer BBQ, enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2007 13:30:34 | More by Billolick

hero27

Iowa

3.13/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle.
5.2% abv
Bottled Feb. 24, 2007.

Pours a hazy orang-ish/yellow color. Bright white head of foam tops it off.
Subtle aroma of lemon zest, orange, and spices.
Plenty of orange & lemon in the taste..quite sweet & tart. Spices are nothing incredible, but add another element to the brew.
The texture is somewhat grainy and overall the beer is a little too sweet in my book.

While it's a pretty decent refreshing beer, I don't think I'd want to have more than a couple of them in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2007 00:03:32 | More by hero27

Procrastinator

Florida

3.55/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle from a six-pack I purchased out of curiousity. I drank the first five bottles over a weeklong span and I'm reviewing the sixth bottle. Poured into a pilsner glass. Born on date 24Feb07 on bottle label.

Appearance: After swirling the final ounces in the bottle, I finish pouring this straw colored, cloudy brew into my glass. A white creamy head quickly dwindles into a 1/8" layer of foam. Swirling of the glass entices mild layers of lacing.

Smell: Light scents of wheat and citrus, mostly orange and lemon zest. Very faint aroma of coriander and other spices.

Taste: Upfront wheat and mild sweetness offset by slightly sour lemon with nice subtle dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, refreshing and light body with very agreeeable carbonation seems just right for this style. A bit dry on the tongue with citrus tanginess.

Drinkability: Easily drinkable at 5.2% ABV and quite satisfying on a hot spring or summer afternoon. I'll definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2007 18:00:33 | More by Procrastinator