Two Jokers Double-Wit - Boulevard Brewing Co.

Smurf2055

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Reviewed Nov 2011

In my Duvel Tulip. Pours a cloudy golden with two to three fingers of white head. Very pretty looking beer.

Aroma is bananas, cloves, gum, sweet and citrus fruits. Wheat and sugar, very inviting and complex.

The taste is an entirely different thing than the aroma. It’s sweet and sour, all the citrus comes out in it.

Palate is great! Good carbonation and rolls smoothly along the tongue. There isn’t much of an after taste to speak of.

Overall a very interesting brew. I’ve never encountered a beer that accomplishes what this does, giving off an aroma that isn’t anywhere close to the actual taste. Beautiful.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 07:42:09 | More by Smurf2055

rlee1390

Indiana

3.89/5  rDev -3.5%
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

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
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

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a hazy darker golden-orange color with a tall frothy head with several minute's of stability and decent quality lacing. Smells and tastes exactly like a 40-60 ratio hybrid between a Berliner Weiss and a higher-gravity Belgian Wit. (Tart lemony lactic pucker with florals, phenolics, and a touch of horseblanket funk combined with spiced citrus peel / citrus juice and garnished by white pepper.) Balanced exceptionally well in the precise middle point between dryness and sweetness. My only criticism is that the body came across as somewhat too far on the heavy side of medium thickness for my preferences, despite the valiant efforts of the carbonation, it got a bit sludgy and left a thin sort of residue / coating film on the inside surface of my mouth. But I can deal with it because the lingering film has a flavor that I actually enjoy. I just... wish it didn't cling so much.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 19:23:29 | More by WastingFreetime

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -11.9%
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

estlinska

Arkansas

4.4/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a shaker from the bottle. Pours a hazy burnt orange with globs of yeast that settles to the bottom. Big frothy head, minimal lacing. The nose is slightly phenolic, but lots of sweet citrus, banana, and robust wheat. The taste is huge banana and clove, very sweet and very tart. The tart does help balance out the sweet fruit flavors so they are not cloying. The mouthfeel is creamy with the tart dominating the finish. Overall a good wheat beer. I think the tartness was unexpected, but really helped balance the beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 23:55:43 | More by estlinska

stercomm

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a Hennepin tulip glass.

A - Hazy light orange with a very large white head that takes a while to recede, leaving a nice white layer on top, with great lacing.

S - Getting sweet orange, some lemon,almost bubblegum scents, some slight biscuity malts.

T - Starts out with candied orange and almost a sour lemon, finishes a bit dry which is nice, good malty backbone, alcohol is hidden well.

M - Medium bodied, mild carbonation.

O - Excellent wit, lots going on.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 01:34:17 | More by stercomm

oline73

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Chimay goblet.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy orangish amber with a finger of fluffy white head. The head sticks around pretty well.

Smell: Chalked full of Belgian spice and sweet malt. I'm getting some mild ginger and candied fruit. Quite nice.

Taste: The spice from the smell is there. I'm reminded of ginger and candied pineapple. Fairly crisp given the abv. Sweet and spicy in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with fluffy carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This beer grew on me as I drank it. The spice was quite nice and the malt backed it up perfectly. I would have another.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 03:31:23 | More by oline73

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to JeepCop for this bottle...

A: Pours out a wonderfully bright translucent yellow two fingers of pure white head. The foam taste awhile to settle and there is a good amount of lacing left on the glass. Decent lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose smells of belgian yeast, wheat, lemons, oranges, and a touch of booze. There is a bit of earthiness to this beer, mainly grass, that I like.

T: It starts out sweet and fluffy on the palate. But as the beer makes it way towards the back of the mouth, the sour and tartness starts to come alive. It's big on the lemony citrus notes without being too overdone. I have to say that it was a nice tang to it. The finishes is that familiar belgian yeast taste. Part bubblegum, part candy cigarette, part funk.

M: Medium bodied beer. Don't be fooled by it's color, this beer has a bit of heft to it. The carbonation is spot on, and the flavors mingle nicely on the palate.

O: I think this is a really solid beer. It's smooth and creamy to start, but finishes tart and dry. I like it. I don't think I could drink this on the regular, but if I were in the mood for it, I'd seek it out. Another impressive offering from Boulevard.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 16:53:48 | More by trxxpaxxs

chocosushi

Oklahoma

4.3/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Smokestack Glass
A ~ Pours slightly hazed peach. Head is silken and lacing is spotty & scattered.

S ~ Floral notes & bready pale malts jump out of the glass. Note of nectarine, orange peel, & garden greens. Coriander smells very fresh & green. Very glad that oversaturated (artificial) orange peel is not shining here. I expected this to be an Orange bomb hearing double wit.

T ~ Coriander, blood orange, & lime zest...Bitter orange peel & firm peaches on the finish. Herbal notes of grass & mint with a slight rosemary hint. Twinge of lemongrass.

M ~ Peppery & not too clingy. Very herbal...Boulevard has the most unique way of expressing coriander in their Belgians. Off-dry finish.

D ~ Really great wit. So much attention to detail. Not much else to say, the Smokestack series has not disappointed me yet. Their Belgians especially!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 02:13:03 | More by chocosushi

warnerry

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by 12/2011

A - Pours a somewhat hazy golden brown with three fingers of white head. Head has excellent retention and leaves some lacing, but less than I would have thought.

S - Wheat, lemon, faint coriander and cardamom, some slight yeast funk, a bit of green apple.

T - More tart up front than I was expecting, but it is really enjoyable. Lemon and lactic tartness, followed by a nice wheat body complemented with subtle spicing and a bit of earthy yeast funk.

M- Medium mouthfeel. A bit heavier than most witbiers, which works really well on a cold winter night. Bright carbonation, finishing with a dry earthiness.

O - This is a perfect witbier for winter. A bit on the heavy side for the style, light but noticeable spicing, and a very pleasant tartness. I'd love to have this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 03:06:57 | More by warnerry

rbmjr1

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bomber.
Wow! It looks, smells and tastes great. It reminds me of Blanche De Bruxelles but much more robust. Bubblegum, bananas, lemon all in here with an overall slight tartness. Everything is very well balanced. I love the lemony aftertaste.
I can't believe this is 8% abv. I've probably had over 200 different beers in the past 4 years. And never have I encountered a beer that masks a high abv like this one. I'm tasting none of the alcohol, though, I am feeling some of it... :-)
I'd probably give this a 4.75 across the board. However, since I can't I tried to approximate it in my scores. I wouldn't give any beer a perfect score, only a near perfect score for my very favorites.
This is a great effervescent beer. It makes my top 10 list of too close to call beers.
The first chance I get I'm heading back to where I bought this and cleaning their stock of 2 jokers out.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 11:34:06 | More by rbmjr1

superspak

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into tulip, bottled 1-2011; best by 12-2011. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice 2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big banana, pepper, clove, herbs, ginger, wheat, citrus, bubblegum, light bread, and yeast spices. Some very nice and highly complex aromas, with great balance. Taste of big banana, bubblegum, pepper, clove, apple, citrus peel, light herbs, bread, grainy tartness, and yeast spices. Fairly dry finish; but some lingering notes of banana, bubblegum, tart grain, bread, spices, and citrus on the finish for a bit. Medium body and elevated carbonation; with a slightly creamy and slick mouthfeel, with some light prickly carbonation. Extremely smooth to drink; with pretty much no alcohol noticed at all for 8%. Overall this is an excellent imperial Witbier. Great balance of flavors; big complexity; and very smooth to drink for the level of alcohol. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 04:22:25 | More by superspak

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes:

P: Big head with great white lacing and retention. A cloudy golden yellow color with streaming bubbles.

S: Herbs, orange and lavender, spices very evident.

T: Tart orange with mild malt flavoring. Great bubbles and a wonderful mix of herbs and spices. The flavors compliment each other nicely. Champagne like and very refreshing.

O: 1st witbier and will not be my last. Very impressed with this brew and will enjoy more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 22:26:08 | More by Hopswagger

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Currently, this is the #6 ranked Witbier here on BA.

I poured this into a FFF pint glass.

A: cloudy overall, but it still had a transparent-around-the-edges disposition. The soft head was irrelevant.

S: This was NOT a coriander bomb. As a matter of fact, it"s tough to place this one in any particular spice class, but I'll try: Orange peel, cardamom, and milk.

T: Great Witbier-esque qualities. Citrus, spices (same as the nose), along with Boulevard's signature fresh, filtered water taste profile.

M: Spritzy enough on the carbonation side, and not too sweet or spicey. The lacing was non-existent.

O: The price was right, and so was the taste. Great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 00:22:55 | More by Chaney

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tried the Two Jokers at a beer tasting last night. I think this beer should be called a ginger beer…it has a huge ginger ale taste and smell with punch of lemon/lime big carbonation white foamy head not much lace. The beer is cloudy/hazed straw yellow color with massive carbonation. The high ABV is well hidden. The mouthfeelis medium to big body. Overall I would say this is a sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 23:39:53 | More by WoodBrew

RickS95

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A good looking American rendition of a Belgian white. A golden shade of orange, dense, but not so much hazy or cloudy, sitting under a very white, moderate-sized head.

The spices are there, but it lacks the funky Belgian yeast scents. Coriander and orange peel are the most prevalent notes.

It's got some strange flavors. Nothing bad, but it's weird. Lavender is noticeable, and I don't know what grains of paradise taste like, but I think I picked it up too. (Just looked up grains of paradise and it's a peppery flavor...that's pretty easy to pick up).

It's kind of sweet and kind of spicy, but only slightly bitter and definitely dry and tart. More of a puckering kind of tart, rather than a cleansing kind of tart.

Certainly not a bad beer, just something I haven't quite developed a taste for. Too many competing flavors and sensations. I guess you could say it's complex.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 04:48:52 | More by RickS95

Jayli

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Acquired from a co-worker who lives in MO.
750 mL bottle batch 2011-2
Poured in to a snifter

A: This beer pours a hazy straw yellow with a 3 finger of bone white sudsy head. Head retains nicely and leaves minimal spotty lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is yeast, spicing - coriander, banana, and wheat.

T: Taste starts quite fruity, light banana notes, before a strong but not overpowering pepper and coriander flavor comes in. Yeast and wheat notes mingle in with the spicing nicely. Finish has a touch doughy note and a bit of lemongrass and orange rind in the after taste.

M: Lighter side of medium body, medium carbonation, prickly at first and then becomes oily with a sticky finish.

O: Goes down easily, tasty, not too filling, well hidden kick, nice representation of style.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 01:30:31 | More by Jayli

tito42

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from 750mL Smokestack champagne bottle to a Smokestack tulip. Batch 2011-2, best by 01-2012.

A: White, fluffy head that dies down quickly but sticks around. Straw in color with plenty of unfiltered particulate.

S: Doughy yeast, wheat, orange peel, coriander, slight banana.

T: Wheat forward with a very strong, very tart burst of apple and tangerine. Coriander, cardamom, and lavender spice the finish and cleanse the tartness. A peppery kick in the aftertaste as the brew warms.

M: Refreshing and light-medium bodied, this is a great summer brew, yet has enough body to be a nice beer any time of year. Active carbonation adds a nice zing to the finish along with the spices, but doesn't dry the mouth out at all. No hint that this is 8.0% as you enjoy it. Well done.

O: A very good witbier. I personally do not prefer the tartness of the citrus in the taste, but many likely will. Still a very nice wit that I will enjoy next summer!

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 02:37:48 | More by tito42

mdaschaf

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review form notes.

A: Pours a hazy golden color with a very large white foamy head that dissipated rather quickly leaving nothing behind. Minimal lacing as well.

S: Very fruity and crisp, there is some apple along with a lot of spices. There is pepper and coriander and a little bit of wheat.

T: A good amount of apple and some other fruit (little orange and lemon). There is a slight tartness which is very nice. The spices shine through nicely with cloves and pepper.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium bodied with low carbonation.

O: Quite tasty, and surprisingly high in abv, but showed no sign of it at all. Nice beer, except it seemed a bit low in terms of carbonation, which is a bit odd for the smokestack series.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 00:08:52 | More by mdaschaf

Boto

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle: This one pours a cloudy, golden yellow color. There was a huge white frothy head on it. the head lingers awhile and leaves some lacing. Decent aroma to it. Wheat, citrus and some coriander and other spices. The taste is very good. Good wheat body. Definitely more than a typical wit. Wheat, lemon and other citrus dominate the taste. Some spices, other fruits (banana, other tropical?) in there also. Nice. Another keeper from the Smokestack series.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 20:22:00 | More by Boto

FreshHawk

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Hazy tangerine orange with a large, billowing, thick, frothy, white head. Great retention leaving a nice layer of lace.

S - Spicy and fruity. A good amount of coriander, white pepper, touches of lavender, and a good amount of lemon and rind. There is also banana esters, grapefruit, and other hints of tropical and citrus fruit.

T - Again, not a typical witbier flavor. Starts fairly sweet with a strong wheat backbone. Sweet citrus and tropical fruit flavors along with banana esters. Mid sip the spices and lemon come out a bit stronger with a nice little bite at the finish.

M - Medium body with above average carbonation. Nice dry bite on the finish.

D - Easy to drink as the spices and the fruitiness balance each other well. Refreshing and the alcohol is very well hidden.

Notes: Not a typical Witbier, more like a mix between a Wit and a Tripel. Overall it was pretty tasty with a nice amount of fruitiness but nothing overly sweet. Enjoyable beer, especially for a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 19:42:06 | More by FreshHawk

JackieTH

Minnesota

2.05/5  rDev -49.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Hazy golden-orange. Zero lacing from a foamy white head that disappeared quickly. Smell was tart, along with some fruity white grapes. Somebody else mentioned Sprite in their review, that's certainly near the taste, something like a fruity punch spiked with Sprite. The mouthfeel is bright, crisp, highly carbonated. Quite frankly I wish this was 750 mL of Sprite. I could use a Sprite right now to cleanse my palate.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 04:22:27 | More by JackieTH

mmva321

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good Good Good Good Good.

That's really all I have to say about this particular beer. Boulevard are able to churn out these beers like a beaver can churn out a suitable dam log. It's all good and useful and quite well appreciated but there aren't many dam logs you look at and say, "Man, that log is really something else!"

So yea, the appearance is good. Yellow haze with an orange tint that has some head and lacing. An aroma of pungent citrus, coriander, hops and grass. Very nice, a little off balance but still good. THe coriander and grass take over the taste. It's very off balance but still tastes pretty good. I'm beginning to think that Boulevard have a coriander fetish with its strong taste being the detriment to more than a couple beers by the boys in KC. Feels light and carbonated, almost too carbonated. Very drinkable and relaxing.

Now I'm done. Drink it for a pleasant evening when the beer shouldn't be the main attraction.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 06:37:23 | More by mmva321

Arithmeticus

Maryland

2.6/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured chilled in ale glass

A: clear golden yellow, thin head, no lacing;
S: pear, paint thinner (in a good way); inviting
T: very distinctive, lemony, acidic; exudes a Diet Sprite flavor with orange overtone; the alcohol is disguised well; the bottle conditioning is not as pronounced as I would have expected.

Overall, I'm not very impressed with this beer, a rare naysay for this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 15:21:04 | More by Arithmeticus