ZÔN - Boulevard Brewing Co.

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Trying the ZON for the first time in awhile. I found this in the reduced price bin at Binny's. The beer pours a pee cloudy yellow with almost no head and no lace. The scent carries wisps of spice and lemon citrus. The taste follows the scent fairly closely. Some decent bitterness with good balanced sweet belgium style malt. The mouthfeel is lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its OK....good fro warmer summer months.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 00:24:54 | More by WoodBrew

ranger7

Texas

2.36/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Got this in a custom 6-pack from World Market.
Poured from a bottle into a chalice.

A - Hazy yellow, like freshly squeezed lemon juice.

S - A hint of orange, but nothing else.

T - Very light taste, maybe some citrus flavor, but not much.

M - Carbonated and easy to drink with little to no aftertaste.

Summary - Not very good overall. It's really not much of a beer. It's too light and flavorless to be a Witbier. I'm not getting this one again. Glad I didn't get a 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 01:04:58 | More by ranger7

DoubleJ

California

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Starting the 2,118th installment of beer reviews with this witbier from the city of KC. Best by 11/15/12 is printed above the label. On to the beer:

The stereotypical looks of a witbier. Cloudy, super pale yellow body crossing into white, and a sturdish inch thick head on the pour. Creamy strokes of lace cling around the glass. But not to be outdone, the aroma matches that of the stereotypical witbier as well. Soft, spicy nose, creamy of wheat, dash of citrus....it's too bad summer is over, but I can pretend it still is.

A little lighter in taste than I was expecting, yet still is tasty enough and remains very refreshing. Coriandor hits first before gentle orange notes slide into play. The spice kicks up in the aftertaste. Subtle grassy hop note brings a slight bitterness. The beer is light bodied, slight creaminess at points, with moderate yet active carbonation.

Right on the mark per style. ZÔN is an obvious choice for those hot Midwestern summer days.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 05:03:37 | More by DoubleJ

outdoor7or24

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle from boulevard's 12 pack sampler pack poured into pint glass.

A: cloudy golden straw yellow, 1 finger creamy off white head that slowly fades, some initial lacing, bubbles from carbonation, some yeast in bottom.

S: clove dominates the nose up front, banana, mild lemon and orange peel scent.

M: light and slightly watery, some carbonation

T: clove hits the tongue first, coriander, followed by banana, slight wateriness, lemon tartness, orange peel at the end

O: I really enjoyed this boulevard selection, will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 17:10:38 | More by outdoor7or24

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.9/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to FTowne for this bottle...

A: Pours a cloudy light straw with one full finger of pure white head. The foam settles pretty quickly, leaving a tin right around the edges of the glass. There is just a bit of lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is banana, cracked wheat, and slight orange peel. It smells good. Light and refreshing.

T: It starts off light with mild banana and a touch of clove. As it moves to the middle, the banana picks up a bit and mixes with some juicy citrus. Some spice begins to take hold in the finish, where the banana comes on strong.

M: Light bodied beer. This beer is pretty par for the course when it comes to wheat beers. Light, refreshing, flavorful, and super drinkable. Nothing lingers for longer than it is supposed to.

O: Solid beer. It's a good wheat beer and would be perfect on hot summer days. The flavors are nice, but nothing about this beer really stands out. I would have liked a bit more clove punch and maybe some stronger banana esters. But overall, I dig it. I'd drink it again if it was around, but I don't see myself buying a whole lot of it.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 16:26:15 | More by trxxpaxxs

rlee1390

Indiana

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Cloudy bright yellow orange, well carbonated with a light two finger head.

S-Lots of clove, banana and wheat. Along with some lemon.

T-A let down from the nose. Clove, banana and wheat flavors are still there but not as strong. No bitterness.

M-Light, highly carbonation and borderline crisp.

O-An easy drinking summer beer, it smells great but the rest of the beer doesn't hold up.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 23:23:52 | More by rlee1390

lwillitz

Florida

2.68/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12-oz bottle into small glass mug

A - large foamy white head over a cloudy light yellow body; lots of small rising carbonation bubbles

S - funky like Belgian yeast, cloves, maybe a hint of wheat; not appealing to my taste

T - Belgian yeast, orange and spice, wheat

M - creamy light body, low/medium carbonation, refreshing

O - just not very good all-around

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 19:45:21 | More by lwillitz

metter98

New York

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is cloudy light yellow in color. It poured with a thin bright white head that gradually died down, leaving wispy lacing on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are moderate aromas of wheat in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste has flavors of wheat along with notes of lemon citrus.
M: It feels light-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink, refreshing and thirst-quenching. I would have no problem drinking several of these back-to-back on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 19:25:15 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a cloudy pale straw yellow in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation right at the surface of the beer. The beer has a finger tall bright white head that quickly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of wheat with notes of yeast and lemon/citrus. Very light hints of peppery spice.

T: Moderate flavors of creamy wheat with a light tartness from the lemon citrus and lots of yeast - including some light peppery spice.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Refreshing, easy to drink, and very sessionable. A very nice beer for the summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 21:53:58 | More by dbrauneis

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from 7/2010 notes. Poured into a Celebrator pokal. Pours a pale opaque yellow; no head nor lacing. Aroma of light wheat, Belgian yeast and citrus. Flavor is pleasant slightly sweet wheat,tangy light coriander and citrus. Light bodied. A decent low ABV wit. Will try again.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 23:34:49 | More by LiquidAmber

dbossman

Nebraska

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy lemon meringue hue with a two-inch steady head; lacing is mediocre

S: Somewhat subdued but citrus, lemon rind, apples, bananas, grass still manages to peak through

T: Much more flavors stand out compared with aroma: apples, citrus, grains, grass, lemon zest; this is a very refreshing, light, crisp, sessionable beer

F: Decent creaminess though the body is a bit thin

O: This is a refreshing and decent summer beer

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 19:01:36 | More by dbossman

rfbenavi80

Missouri

4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle Best by 10-15-12.
Poured into a Nonic Pint.

A- Pours a very cloudy light yellow with 3 fingers of pillowy white head that is leaving some chunky lacing.

S- Spicy Belgian yeast, lots of banana, and other spices. A little bready.

T- Spicy Belgian yeast hits the tongue first. Followed by the smoothness from the wheat. The banana and clove flavors really stand out here. Follows nose well, and has a nice twang to it. Crisp and refreshing.

M- Very easy drinker here. Goes down good. Pleasant amount of carbonation to keep it refreshing.

O- Another solid seasonal from Boulevard. Keep them coming.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 09:44:12 | More by rfbenavi80

mtlasley

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Zon pours a stiffly cloudy bright yellow. An incredibly active head is just about two fingers high, very soapy on the top and disappears quickly. There's a thickness when held up to the light. lacing is mild but present.

The nose is forward with a creamy wheat scent followed by the spice of Belgian yeast. Notes of bananas, cloves, and orange followed by a light bread scent. There's also a light tartness here.

Very Belgian with a light tart flavor up front followed by a peek of orange and spiciness. Bread and creamy wheat start up next but everything closes exceptionally clean.

Creamy but carried extremely well. Just the perfect amount of carbonation

A wonderful example of the witbier style and the first one I've really loved. Something easy that I could drink anyday.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 06:09:00 | More by mtlasley

TheCondor

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this up in yet another mix and match sixer. This mixer I specifically put together because I am trying to gather as many Boulevard labels as possible for a sweet idea I have for a future home bar use. But I digress…..Side poured with standard vigor from a 12oz bottle into my Boulevard tulip.

Appearance – Pours a cloudy straw color, very cloudy indeed. Fairly thin head on the brew dissipates quickly, but it left good lacing throughout the drink. Pretty impressive looking brew poured into the tulip I must say!

Smell – Yeast, citrusy hops, some orange peel, maybe even a little spices in there. A nice, pretty complex nose. I’m not much of a witbier drinker, but it is a style I should explore more because it seems like I really like them when I drink them. This is how I caught onto the saisons!

Taste – Suprisingly, the most dominant feature for me was certainly the funky banana esters that I got from this brew, much like that in hefes, tripels, and other Belgian/German styles. There is a sweet twang at the front of the taste, but the banana esters really come through in the middle. There is a background of wheat, bready yeast, and spices, but that banana really threw me, I wasn’t expecting it!

Mouthfeel – The brew finished with a bit of hop kick, a tinge of orange peel that we smelled in the nose. Finishes pretty smooth and clean, good aftertaste, excellent carbonation level and body.

Overall – I really enjoyed this beer, shockingly so. I did not expect a witbier to impress me so much, so I may need to research this style a little more (read: drink a lot). The nose and palate complexity was nice, easily drinkable, 4.4% you could session this one easily. The most surprising part about the whole deal was that the misses asked if I could get a six pack the next time I was out. She generally hates beer, and especially the porters and stouts that I like, but she enjoyed this. Kudos to Boulevard. I would highly recommend it, and I would drink and buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 03:12:32 | More by TheCondor

swampski

Louisiana

4.48/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Spending some time in southern Illinois a few years back, I got to sample some of the regional brews, with this baby easily being the most memorable. It is close to the classic witbeer formulation, but with a subtle difference that is hard to describe - more full bodied, perhaps? Whatever it is, it most definitely works. Great citrusy flavor on top of a refined malt. This can be considered to be the American answer to the great Belgian Hoegaarden. And did I mention how cloudy it is? Can't beer a real wheat beer without being cloudy!

As I understand it, this is only a seasonal beer - summer, of course - and boy what a session beer for a hot humid American summer day! I could see being at an all day 4th of July picnic knocking down a six-pack (or two, if not driving!) with no problem. I just wish it were sold outside of Missouri and its bordering states.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 18:10:52 | More by swampski

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pretty neat little belgian ale here. very summer. pours a hazy small headed hay color with a nose of belgian yeast, wheat malt, and citrus. sort of pollenated feeling flavor, yeasty and bright, orange and spice. mouthfeel is nice too, pleanty of bubbles and a moderate mody, this side of medium. cloudy mashy finish lends well to the experience. nice beer, more suited to july than january, but a nice brew

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 04:37:16 | More by StonedTrippin

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

2.13/5  rDev -39.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Bottle best by 10/15/11

P: Poured a light golden pineapple juice appearance with no head. Good amount of bubbles but docile for the most part.

S: Wheat, yeast, Taft mild citrus with small amount of spice.

T/M: Nice carbonation, mild bitterness, citrus and dirty wheat. Tastes like watered down grapefruit juice with a lingering b-vitamin aftertaste.

O: Not a fan! I was excited to try this since I loved the Two Jokers, but odiously this one has it's flaws. I will try a fresh bottle next time to get a fair evaluation.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 04:08:51 | More by Hopswagger

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours cloudy golden yellow. Good haze. Light foam. Nose is wheat, slight citrus. Taste is a subtle tart, lemonym banked by a clean wheat. Easy finish. Light carbonation - smooth and balanced. Good summer beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 10:44:48 | More by KTCamm

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very cloudy, dark golden banana color with a thin, fizzy white head that quickly fades. Minimal lacing left behind.

The nose of this beer is dominated by zesty, peppery spice with lots of clove and coriander along with hints of citrus rind and bready yeast.

Fuller bodied than expected with a nice crisp, spicy bite that lingers over the sweetness into a slight dry finish. Lots of zesty spice with hints of pepper, clove and lemon zest which is countered mid-palate by the bready yeast, citrus fruit and banana. The yeast adds fullness to the palate and along with the sweetener notes provides flavorful balance. Complex, flavorful and very easy to drink, especially in warmer weather.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 05:22:28 | More by corby112

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a weizen glass.

A: Pours a cloudy straw yellow-gold with three fingers of white head.

S: Nice Belgian yeast aroma. Citrus hops are also present, along with lemon and spices.

T: Wheat twang is mild and hops are weaker than I thought, but the spice isn't too strong and the balance is nice.

D: Great drinkabilty. The flavours are a little weak but its quaffable stuff. Mouthfeel is a little too thin.

Overall: Not a bad brew, but there are better Wits out there. I bought the Boulevard sampler pack and this was actually one of the better ones from the overall weak pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 01:58:34 | More by JohnnyChicago

Forb

Nebraska

3.55/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle...

Appearance: Vivid yet hazy golden body with a minimal white foamy head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind a clean glass.

Smell: A common scent here for the style with the yeast and wheat elements coming through most predominantly.

Taste: Wheat, yeast, lemon zest, corriander, orange peel, and a spicy quality that is interesting and unique to this specific beer.

Mouthfeel: Clean, crisp, and a highly drinkable level of refreshment.

Overall: Great summer choice but then again this beer is representative of the "Sun."

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 01:50:53 | More by Forb

Mississipping

Mississippi

3.7/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a cloudy bright golden color with a small white head that dissipates quickly, settling to a thin patch foam and a small ring.  Almost no lacing is left behind on the edges of the glass. 

S: The aroma is pretty typical for a Belgian wit beer.  There is a good bit of citrus peel, coriander, and wheat.  There is a hint of clove as well, but it is subdued, fortunately.  Malty sweetness is miles behind in the background, but it adds a bit more complexity.  There is also a hint of alphalpha, which reminds me of feeding my hamster as a child.  It's comforting, I suppose, but it's out of place.

T: There is a nice sweetness up front that accompanies the citrus and the coriander.  The citrus and coriander, and the clove, become a little more pronounced through the middle and then the finish ends strong with coriander, orange peel, and clove.  It gets spicier and spicier with each taste, and as the beer warms.  

M: Thinner side of medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.  Creamy, yet a little prickly on the tongue.  Starts out slightly sweet and transitions to a nice spiciness with a touch of hops.  Only a little drying at the finish. 

D: This beer goes down extremely easily.  This isn't one of my favorite styles, but it is a very easily approachable one.  Tasty, slightly complex, and well balanced.  Pretty solid beer from a very solid brewery. 

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 04:49:25 | More by Mississipping

homebrew311

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: pours pale yellow, a bit hazy, thin dense white head, heavy lacing

S: the nose features loads of lemon zest, doughy yeast quality, a dash of coriander, a bit of a citrus twang on the end

T: front is light, fruity, notes of lemon and orange, this is followed up by heavy yeast/dough/bread character, finish is spicy and yeasty. Not a great balance of flavors here, the yeast and spice outweigh the malt character

MF: very light and thin, medium carbonation

O: this brew is kind of blah, some good flavors in there but they don't balance with each other

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 05:25:33 | More by homebrew311

nach0king

Texas

2.68/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Not impressed.

A: Anaemic, and a thrilling installment of the Great Disappearing Head Mystery.

S: Redeemed itself a little here. A little bit of cinnamon then lemony wit smells.

T: Fairly substandard. It's got a little bit of tang to it and a fairly appealing sweetness halfway through the glass but you could forget that this is a wit.

M: The one thing I expect from a bottle is good carbonation. That just didn't happen here. Feels thin and dishwatery, especially so when coupled with the look.

Would drink this again on a hot day but will never go looking for it.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 01:09:02 | More by nach0king

bashiba

Iowa

3.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a slightly cloudy yellow with a very thin off white head quickly leaving nothing but a white soap ring.

The smell has a generous wheat aroma with a light sweetness and a bit of citrusy lemon.

The flavors are all mild with a light sweet bit of wheaty malt mixing in with lightly spicy yeast notes along with a good touch of Lemony citrus in the finish. Some pepper notes start to come through the more you drink in the finish.

The mouthfeel is thin with mild carbonation.

A pretty standard affair Belgian Wit, the flavors are all good but seem a bit lacking overall and the carbonation is a bit thin.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2011 01:31:06 | More by bashiba