Two Jokers Double-Wit - Boulevard Brewing Co.

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from 12/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a clear orange amber with nice carbonation. Thick white head leaves lots of lacing. Somewhat sour, citrus and light fruit start. Coriander, citrus and light hop finish with a hint of wild yeast. Nicely made, but a bit too sour and coriander forward for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 22:57:18 | More by LiquidAmber

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: Nice 750ml bottle, corked and caged

Appearance: Hazy dark straw/orange beer with medium streaming carbonation and a big creamy white head which soon fades to a thick film with nice retention

Smell: The expected orange and coriander notes are present, but with big doses of lemon creme and hints of alcohol as well.

Taste: Kind of strange; it's not really like your typical wit (which is expected). The booze comes through fairly strong, though it's not really hot; it's almost perceived more in mouthfeel than anything else. There are definitely orange and coriander flavors in the forefront, while the lactic yeast culture mentioned on the bottle struts its stuff with some mild sourness. There are also nice hints of lime peel.

Mouthfeel: Fairly heavy actually

Drinkability: Medium to medium-high

Conclusion: This is definitely an interesting beer and is fairly tasty. It's kind of like a cross between a Saison, a Tripel, and a really freaking boozy/heavy Wit. Which is all kind of strange. It's not something I love, or something I'd necessarily go out and get again. Something about the full body and the flavors just doesn't quite work for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2009 05:14:29 | More by BedetheVenerable

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks n8 buddy!!!

Without the yeast, you have an almost golden amber color with plenty of visible carbonation. Once you get to the yeast at the bottom of the bottle, you get a merange like orange and tea color. Hard to see any bubbles in this fog. The head is pronounced after the first two pours, but scurries away in shame after that to nothing.

The aroma is heavy herbal with some sweet toast bringing up the rear. That coriander dominates the nose all day. Maybe a little too strong for high accolades. I also get a little note of chammomile tea lingering that brings the smell rating up a bit.

The taste is equally herbal with coriander and a few tingling notes of chammomile tea. Add to that a strong toasted malt biscuit backbone throughout the palate.

Add to the flavoring a thin carbonated syrup feel of sweet biscuits.

Good double wit that I am so glad to try.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 03:45:10 | More by scruffwhor

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.63/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazed but not as cloudy as some wits, orange color with an initially tall head that doesn't stick around for long. Not much lacing is left by the white foam.

Nose is strong with lots of yeast influences; phenolic and herbal overall. Lots of clove with hints toward the flowery side, enough citrus to be interesting.

Flavors of lavender, coriander, citrus, and a touch of the grains of paradise. There's really a lot of herbs going on, and combined with the high alcohol it has a bit of a 'cough syrup' feel.

Highly carbonated, a little thin but just fine for style. Lots of carbonation in the finish, a little biting with the citrus and herbs. Not a bad take, but not among my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2009 00:04:03 | More by BretSikkink

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Purchased n Minneapolis in Feb/2010 @ Surdyk's. Batch No 1-2009

Poured a cloudy yellow with average head and no lacing. The aroma was spicy, with pepper,and light fruit,mainly citrus. The taste was spicy overtop a light maltiness. Some sweetness was evident and pepper was evident. A citrusy fruit was evident in the finish. Strong carbonation in the mouthfeel,which enhanced the wit flavours. Spiciness was a bit too strong to make this a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 04:04:18 | More by kjyost

katan

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mil into a goblet - batch 2-2009

A - Pours a very hazy orange to golden color. Lots of yeast floating around inside from the bottle fermentation. Head formation is incredibly strong, well retained as well. Still at least a 1cm in height, white to just a bit dirty.

S - A goblet is not the best glass for this beer. You really have to capture the spicy aromas coming off this beer. A nice yeasty, spicy combination hits my nose. Some coriander, and just a hair of wheat astringency.

T - Starts off rather muted, with only the lightest of malt sweetness. No hops. Not as much spicing in the early tastes as the smell would indicate. Some orange sweet notes build along with the bitterness as it rolls off the tongue. Phenolic tones are light. Finishes with the most potent flavor, with a tripel like yeast bread note and some more malt sweetness. The aftertaste is a somewhat odd wheat astringency - have to say it doesn't align with the rest of the beer.

M - A nice body for a witbier - the beer itself is moderate, creamy and not thin. The above average carbonation (normal for a wit) are somewhat stinging.

D - ABV is not out of line for a...well...a..double wit? Since that doesn't exactly exist, I would have to say this is a wit that can sneak up on you. It is also a bit filling from the carbonation. I would call this a summer "one and done" beer for me.

As a witbier and tripel fan, I have to admit I was really looking forward to this one. I have a mixed reaction to this beer - I really like it, but it doesn't meet the monumental expectations I created for it in my head. After the rest of the Smokestack series, I was expecting my dream beer. I'm guessing it is impossible to live up to that expectation.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2009 23:42:09 | More by katan

morimech

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy golden colore with a huge white head. In fact the first pour was a glass full of foam. The head slowly settles to a thin cap. Moderate amount of lacing is left on the glass. Big aroma of lemons, maybe some vanilla, and alcohol. Wheat malt flavor with citrus hints, mostly lemon, and yeast phenols. Alcohol warmth in the finish. No need for people to add a lemon to this beer. Carries the alcohol well. The beer label claims tartness but I could not detect any or any other added spice. Still has a nice flavor. Bigger body than the average wit as expected. The level of carbonation is lively without being harsh. Slightly tingling. I do not think it lives up to the claims it has on the label but still has nice flavors. The high ABV limits drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2009 23:56:07 | More by morimech

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Corked and caged Smokestack bottle, Batch 1-2009. Served at 50 degrees in a tulip glass.

Golden-orange in color with 3 fingers of frothy white head that falls back into wisps of bubbles on top of the beer after a few minutes. The high amount of effervescence is barely noticeable through a thick, yeasty haze.

The aroma is full of spice. The obvious coriander is there but the lavender, cardamon, and grains of paradise lend a more complex spice note than most witbiers have. It is difficult to discern which of the spicy and floral tones are from the yeast and which are from the actual spices. A tart sourness is also quite noticeable.

The taste is again ultra spicy and herbal. No single spice is discernible on its own, but they team up to deliver a massive tomahawk of muddled spiciness to the tongue. Lactic sourness competes with the spices for total dominance in this beer.

The finish is pretty dry and crisp but the spices and lactic sourness combine to make finishing an entire bottle on my own a chore. This beer would be great for a tasting or for pairing with a dish at a dinner party, somewhere where each person only gets a few ounces at a time.

I had this beer when it first hit shelves and it was overwhelming, however trying it again several months later it has definitely mellowed into a much better beer. Still my least favorite of the Smokestack series so far.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2009 00:28:45 | More by bump8628

maximum12

Minnesota

3.7/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Found this Smokestack bomber recently tucked into a small, out-of-the-way store, covered in dust from its long stay on the shelf. 1-2009 batch listed on the bottle. The Smokestacks have been uniformly good; I hope this one didn't suffer light exposure or any other indignity while it waited for me.

Pour is pure wit, a bubbly, white-haired, pale orange. A few floaties are polluting the glass. Carbonation is rampant. Smell is spice gone wild, heaps of coriander, white pepper, orange. Very nice, but on the edge of overwhelming. Into the lion's mouth we go.

I never had Two Jokers fresh, but after at least a year-and-a-half, it's aged like a champ: this is a spice rocket. As the nose knows, coriander, orange, pepper. Yeast is a bit over-evident. Herb mix comes in at the end, almost no 'wit' wheatiness at all. Effervescent, & a slugger, this could disapper in a whit.

Everything about this brew screams 'extreme' & it comes close to delivering. Hits its high point in the nose, spicing is over-the-top but tasty nonetheless. Another good beer from Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 02:43:03 | More by maximum12

dpnelson1978

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into snifter
55°F

$9.99 / ea.

A: Cloudy straw body topped with a big loose head that quickly dissipates laving no lacing or cover.

S: Very noticeable orange peel and coriander aroma. The boasted lavender aroma is faint, but detectable if you are looking for it. Slight booze as it warms.

T: Wheat backbone with strong citrus and coriander notes. Perhaps a little more spicing than I would like to see, but the taste is not offensive. "Tart" finish is very light, and does not come across as truly sour (a good thing).

M: Medium body, with medium carbonation. Slightly acidic with noticeable sour character on the tongue.

D: Easy drinking double, with plenty of flavor. Easily accessible to a wide variety of pallets.

O: Solid selection, but nothing that blew me away. Pretty safe profile to introduce to less obsessed beer crowd.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 01:26:49 | More by dpnelson1978

rtepiak

Poland

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a bit darker as expected for the 'imperial' aspect. almost orange... good head but mild in retention. nose is quite herbal. palate a bit sweet and excessive coriander and orange peel in comparison to the malt, wheat, and hop qualities. a bit astringent. sour wouldn't be the right word seeing as the lactic qualities were undermined by spicing. good for american beligan... but not something i would recommend to wit fans. bottle was a bit mealy.. may been a bit off.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2009 10:07:28 | More by rtepiak

thetomG

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fairly standard yellowish pour with a layer of white foamy head.

Aroma has a bit of pepper and other herbs & spices, and the flavor follows but is much more potent with an additional note of some orange/citrus. The alcohol comes through a bit in the end too.

Very bubbly and lively as you drink, the high carbonation level is very apparent.

Tasty beer and something I'm glad I tried, but it might be a bit much for me. I think a more traditional wit is more my style...

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2010 22:42:16 | More by thetomG

antlerwrestler19

Nebraska

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a copper orange color that is too thick and hazy to see through with a thick 2+ finger off-white foamy had after a relatively aggressive pour. I'm getting a sour citrus aroma with bits of lemon, orange, sour grapes, and spices. The taste is definitely an American take on a Belgian Wit hosting a truly unique flavor of the yeast and an odd fruityness that is somewhat sour at the same time. I taste the spices at the back of my tongue and palate once done sipping. The mouthfeel for me is almost like drinking a dry champagne, which I'm not a big fan of. This is a decent beer on a hot day being that my AC has went out but I personally wouldn't go out of my way to get it again.

Enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 04:57:43 | More by antlerwrestler19

illidurit

California

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy Diomede. Pours a hazy gold color with a big off-white head. Aroma heavy on spices with some apple/orange/banana esters and a bright coriander note. Fruity flavor with the same ester profile, a little tart, coriander and orange peel are apparent. Body is pretty full, carbonation is medium. Sweet but not too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 22:12:05 | More by illidurit

BeanBone

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: A thoroughly hazy golden-amber body capped by a massive mountain of whitish head that leaves patchy lacing.

Aroma: A mix of sweet cereal grain malt, non-descript spices, apricot, citrus, and something that's menthol-like (in a good way).

Flavor: A strong base of bready wheat-like malt, some slightly sour qualities, spices, and some very mild hops. The citrusy menthol-like element returns, and again, is a pleasant addition. Not much sign of the eight percent booze to be found.

Mouthfeel: A smooth medium body with medium-light carbonation and some bare hints of burn from the alcohol.

Drinkability: This drinks much faster than an eight percent brew, so watch yourself.

Verdict: Kind of a wild card, think of Two Jokers as a strong Witbier with some slightly sour and menthol notes. I expected another boozy and bland "double Wit," but found something a little more interesting.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 01:49:06 | More by BeanBone

gford217

Georgia

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750ml bottle courtesy of EchoCharlieEcho poured into a tulip.

Pours a hazy golden yellow with a big fluffy head that recedes fairly quickly to a clump of foam on top and leaves a little lacing.

Aroma is spicy up front with coriander and grains of paradise as well as some orange zest and tart lemons. The underlying wheat characteristics are present in the background with bananas showing up.

The taste is more of the same with the banana sweetness of the wheat forming a backbone for the spices - coriander and lavender especially. The finish is spicy and dry with a bit of alcohol burn which surprised me a little.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied for a wit and dry and spicier than most in the style.

An amped up wit with a hefty dose of additional spices, this is certainly one of the more interesting versions of the style I've had. It's bigger than most though and the burn actually limits the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 04:19:25 | More by gford217

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Hyvee in Council Bluffs, IA
Date: Batch "12010 04/2011"
Glass: New Belgium globe glass

Overall, this is a good, tasty beer, but I'm not sure if it's suitable for 750ml bottles: it would be much more enjoyable to have a glass of this to mark the end of the night, rather than worry about finishing off an entire 750ml. This was a good, solid beer, but I'm not sure if I would get it again due to the bottle size.

Pours a generous >2cm head of slightly off-white foam, composed of small bubbles and quite dense, creating a nearly meringue-like image. Head retention is above average, it very gradually fades to a 0.5cm cap atop the beer. The head leaves some lacing along the sides, a few small lines and dots, about average. Body is a hazy, light copper brown, with light bringing out brighter shades of yellow and orange. Carbonation is visible, streaming from the center of the glass.

Aroma of nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and some orange peel. In general, the scents are light, fresh, and spicy, reminiscent of a freshly baked sweet potato pie

The overall flavor profile is of distinct spices with a background of fairly substantial wheat and barley malt and a touch of ethanol. Tasting opens with mixed-malt sweetness tethered to flavorful pie spices including nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and coriander. The orange peel from the aroma may be present, but the suggestion may induce the tasting. Mid-palate is sweet, with continued, substantial spices and the first showing of ethanol, all amidst a background of sweet malts. Back of palate picks up ethanol sharpness, with heavy malt sweetness and residual pie spices. Aftertaste is mildly sweet, with cardomom and vague nutmeg being the spices I'd use to most closely approximate it.

Body is medium to medium-heavy, with mid-level carbonation. The beer foams up across the palate, resulting in a generally smooth mouthfeel. Still, the ethanol presence is easily felt, giving a subtle burning sensation across the tongue and into the nostrils. Finish is semi-dry.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 06:17:30 | More by falloutsnow

TheSarge

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured this brew into a La Chouffe glass, just like the last tasting.

Makes lots of bright white foam, and has a hazy golden colored body.

Orange peel and coriander are vividly evident, and has a powder sugar kind of smell like cotton candy.

The taste is of orange peel and coriander too, but has a kind of vanilla and metallic flavor too.

Nice and smooth. Not as prickly as I would have thought. Refreshing to the palate, even though it's hot as balls outside.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 19:32:07 | More by TheSarge

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy golden with a timid white head.

S - Funky hay, lemon citrus, wild flowers, coriander, faint honey.

T - Tons of tart lemons, some sour wheat, nice amount of spice, the citrus rides through to the end. A mix of sugary fruit hides underneath to combat the acidic citrus. Finishes dry and very crisp.

M - Soft and creamy, light to medium body.

The acidic tartness was a nice touch and unexpected. A great summertime beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 22:33:19 | More by StaveHooks

alcstradamus

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Murky orange pour with a monster 3 fingers of fluffy head. Smells strongly of apple skins and orange peel, clove, hints of spices, and biscuity malts.

Taste kicks of with strong spiciness, clove washes it down. Some orange peel is still present. Fairly refreshing although the spices overwhelm if drank too quickly. Might be a tad too much carbonation sting, but overall this isn't too bad. I would drink again but probably wouldn't buy again just because the spices weigh a bit too heavy on my palate.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2009 04:23:06 | More by alcstradamus

jera1350

Minnesota

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

Served in a chalice, the beer is has a slight haze and is golden in color. The head is ever so tight and creamy and leaves spots of lacing.

Picking up some wheat in the nose along with a generous amount of fruit. Orange, peach, lemon zest and notes of spice with coriander among them.

Has a very belgian flavor to it. The wheat is there, belgian yeast, fruity sweetness with orange peel for a citrus spike along with spices. A peppery aftertaste. The alcohol is slightly noticeable as well. Pretty nice complexity going on that keeps the palate guessing.

Around a medium body with lightly fizzy carbonation that is very tiny feeling, yet isn't quite creamy or smooth. Slight puckering effect that finishes extremely dry.

A very nice beer that drinks decently. This definitely drinks more like a triple or a quad more so than a wit.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 00:40:58 | More by jera1350

htomsirveaux

Texas

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

750 mL bottle tried 4 Jul 2009.

Served in the 0.4 L Steiner Pils snifter. Very thick tight creamy head. Cloudy golden honey color. Tart yeasty lemon zest and coriander aroma. Taste is quite lemony, juicy. Citrus present throughout with a sweet caramel balance. Finish and aftertaste are tart but not puckering. Light peppery bite in the aftertaste. Medium body. Ethanol hidden until the end.

Cork was almost impossible to get out of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 19:08:55 | More by htomsirveaux

rlee1390

Indiana

3.89/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A-Cloudy bright orange, not much carbonation, one finger fluffy head.

S-Wheat, grass, orange, lemon, mild funk, grass-like spices as well.

T-Good deal of orange and lemon, slight wheat. Mild tartness. Not much in the way of spices.

M-Light and not much carbonation. Lack of carbonation, makes it seem a tad syrupy.

O-Yeah the bottle was older as it has been discontinued. Fresh maybe it will be better. Drink it now if you have any lying.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 23:31:17 | More by rlee1390

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml corked and caged bottle, big thanks to grub for sharing.

Pours a slightly cloudy dark orange, some amber highlights, very thick white head forms, slowly settles down to a thick layer and ring around the glass, some chunks of lace stick to the glass.

Smell is interesting, very spicy, some yeast, wheat, cork and earthy, honey and caramel sweetness, toasty, malty, slightly lemony, coriander, lots of citrus, pretty neat.

Taste is similar, pretty malty up front, wheat, caramel, lemons and citrus, orange peel, coriander, really neat spiciness in the finish, almost cinnamon/nutmeg like and slightly peppery.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with high carbonation, pretty refreshing stuff. Thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 22:45:28 | More by Viggo

beertunes

Washington

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

Bottle from batch 2-2009. Poured into 16oz balloon. Poured a very pretty orange/yellow color with about an inch of white head that dissipated quickly and left just traces of lacing.

The aroma was a very nice blend of spice, yeast, fruit and grain. The sharp spicyness that hits the nose first quickly melds with the grain and the various other scents play their supporting roles well. On the tongue, everything that was on the nose is amplified, bigger, bolder, stronger, more. A very tasty treat.

The body was a bit different than typical, a touch more syrupy and thicker. Still nice but not what I'm really looking for in a Wit. Drinkability was very good, despite the thickness. I can see drinking several of these during the upcoming summer, as Wits are my favorite summer style.

Overall, a very nice beer, certainly worth your time.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2010 21:17:30 | More by beertunes