Harvest Dance - Boulevard Brewing Co.

chanokokoro

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Boulevard Smokestack Series branded tulip glass

Pours hazy golden with amber and orangish hues. Substantial fluffy white two and half finger head. Excellent retention and abundant splotchy lacing. Citrus, honey, flora, and peppery alcohol on the nose. Bready as can be but very smooth, light citrus, and white grape skin. Hints of oak...Yeasty-hints of Belgian yeast typical of Belgian tripels. Very malty but finishes very dry with spicy, peppery alcohol. Heavier side of medium body, smooth and a touch of syrup on the edges. Persistent carbonation. Certainly one of the better wheatwines I've enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 03:52:13 | More by chanokokoro

BeerWizard

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

My wife got me this for my birthday, and first off, awesome label: folky image of the Grim Reaper dancing with a bail of wheat.

Pours a medium, slightly burnt peach color, hazy with visible sediment, and has a big billowy head of soapy bubbles, diminishing after a few moments and leaving some rather thick lacing on the glass. Orange-candy citrus and peach mainly on the nose with some oak underneath. Nice flavor of peach, canteloupe, citrus, wood and alcohol, though the alcohol is well hidden. Impressive, as it is 9.5%. Nice balance. The mouthfeel I gave a perfect five; light, but hits all the right notes and doesn't leave anything lacking.

Overall, I dig it. First time I've had it, and definitely one of my favorites from Boulevard's Smokestack Series.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 03:03:39 | More by BeerWizard

kemoarps

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The pour yields a golden straw coloured liquid. Medium opacity and particilates.

Nose is spicy with that musky wheatiness. Some fruits in there as well.

Taste follows suit. Bready yeast with some wheat spice and musk.
Decent carbonation. Good overall but not one i anticipate fiending for

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 06:13:02 | More by kemoarps

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL bottle from Hop City (Atlanta, GA). 7.99. Best by 06/2013, I think bottled Sept or Oct 2012. Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Pours briliant gold with orange hues and four fingers of pillowy off white head. A good bit of clumpy lacing.

Smells of yeast, clove, wheat and just a wisp if faint grassy hops.

Flavors of citrusy orange and lemon peel, clove, wheaty cereal (almost Cheerios), pepper, oaky vanilla, earthy hops, yeast, red wine and a tickle of alcohol. Interesting and smooth blend.

Medium full, moderately creamy feel with hefty carbonation. Nice long dry oaky smooth aftertaste.

I've been enjoying Boulevard's offerings over the past few months since they started distribuing to Georgia. Being a huge fan of wheat wines, I had higher hopes for this but it is good (and I'll definately buy a couple more). I like the smooth earthyness that the French oak and yeast give it.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 22:59:40 | More by ThickNStout

Kromes

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Boulevard Tulip glass. A hazy orange/gold color with a thick and fluffy white head that leaves sheets of lacing down the glass.

Aromas of earthy and grassy hops with a little bit of pine.

At first there is a very sweet malt flavor with a mixture of vanilla, oak and grape in there also. The hops then kick in with some floral, citrus and grass flavors and cut through the sweetness. Very nice. The alcohol flavor isn't very apparent but the alcohol warmth is there in the finish. Finishes sweet with a lingering bitterness.

Medium body with alcohol warmth and a smooth, soft, and velvety feel.

I really liked this beer. I haven't had too many Wheat Wines and this beer makes me want to seek out more. Lots of flavors with the vanilla, grape, citrus, oak, and others. As with all the other Smokestack series offerings, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 23:48:35 | More by Kromes

TheCondor

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First wheatwine that I will be tasting or reviewing. This beer came out a little while ago, hitting the shelves in the area. Not sure how the general public has responded to it, because I see a lot of bottles still out there. But, alas, I bought and drank two of them. Side poured with standard vigor into a snifter.

Appearance - Pours a nice golden orange color with a big pillowy two finger head on each glass. Since I separated it into two glasses, I noticed there to be much more cloudy than the first, and with a little better head development. Lacing is phenomenal, leaves a mark on your glass for every drink you take.

Smell - Wheat (duh), bready yeasts mixed with some ginger or clove. Certainly a spicy zip to an otherwise bready yeast backbone.

Taste - Although not as potent as with the German weizens, this certainly has the yeasty banana esters. The first part of the drink is smooth yeast breads and some fruits, followed by a light zip from the spices and then the banana. Balanced, complex, delicious.

Mouthfeel - The banana esters carry over into the aftertaste. Medium/thick bodied with medium carbonation. Alcohol is well masked not only in the taste but in the mouthfeel as well.

Overall - I would certainly recommend to try this beer at least once. It's not anything to freak out about, make a special trip somewhere that carries it, or anything like that, but it is a solid beer that will get the job done. I would absolutely buy it and drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 04:31:25 | More by TheCondor

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Split a 750ml batch # 2012-3 poured into a duvel glass

A: first glass, pours a clear orange amber with a finger if white fluffy head, second glass is cloudy with yeast and gave me a fat 2 fingers of fluffy white head... In the clear pour you can see carbonation bubbles rushing to the top of the glass. Head dissapates nicley And leavs pleanty of sticky lacing.

S: Belgian yeast and wheat, notes of bannan and clove, some oak and vinous character from the muscat juice. Wheat and Belgian yeast seem to dominate overall.

T: much like the aroma, I get wheaty notes accepted with Belgian yeasty spice notes if clove and light bannana, then I get a light bit if citrusy hop notes, but not as much as i expected, the oak and vinous notes seem to come in mostly on the finish.

M: medium body with high stinging carbonation, a little bit too high for my tastes, dry and oaky on the finish, with a lingering wine like quality.

O: this is not a bad beer, I not a huge fan off all the Belgian yeast notes... Also I wish the hops were a bit more prevelant, I am also not a huge fan of wheat beers, although I do tend to enjoy wheat wines... Decent brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:16:29 | More by PeterIngemi

ChrisKuhns

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours carbonated cloudy golden with a full white head into my snifter glasses from a 750ml bottle. Looked awesome as it carbonated fruit and wheat flavor heavily in the glass. There is a slight sour with a nice hit of hop along with clove. I definitely will like to get it again to be added to my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 21:53:57 | More by ChrisKuhns

bnes09

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful orange, transparent color. Towering, foamy head which never gives up and coats the glass with soap bubble-looking lace.

Big wheat bread aroma in perfect balance with the ginger, pine-like hop. Smooth yeast in the nose adds some extra depth.

Sturdy wheat backbone, smooth and breadlike. Assertive hop character, herbs and pine needles. Peppery. Yeast flavor does a great job at adding complexity and mellowing the flavor. Exceptional balance.

Medium bodied, very smooth with a semi-dry finish. Lively, well balanced carbonation. Lingering grain texture.

Great wheat wine. All the complexity you could ask for in perfect balance.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 09:06:37 | More by bnes09

UCLABrewN84

California

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Tieman for sharing this one at his tasting.

Batch 1-2011. Best by 6-2012.

Pours a slightly hazy orange with a foamy orange-white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, wheat, citrus fruit, and wood. Taste is much the same with a mild hop bitterness with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is fairly tasty but strong.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 08:52:21 | More by UCLABrewN84

Maltmaiden

Alabama

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Orange and murky. Great carbonation. HUGE thick head that leaves lacing and a strong film.

S: I smell orange, sweet malt, wheat, a bit of citrus hops but not a bunch, a tiny bit of pine. A touch of alcohol.

T: Breadiness comes through strong at first, along with a fairly strong alcohol taste. Orange, apricot, a little bit of butteriness and oakiness. Reminds me of a chardonnay.

M: Very lively and crisp but with a medium body. Sharpness on the tongue from the alcohol.

O: Just such a pretty looking beer. I wish the alcohol was a little more masked.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 19:02:46 | More by Maltmaiden

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big fizzy over carbonated head fades semi quickly with spotted lacing, semi clear semi hazy nectar orange color slight golden rosy hue.

Nose not what I expected, some Belgian golden malts and sweetness, earthy slight saison like farmhouse, light booze and esters, grassy light spicy like hops that bring some light lemony and grassy, lemongrass, and a bit of wheat.

Taste starts fluffy and effervescent, some bitter spicy grassy hops kick in right away, with fair bitterness. Then big malts, golden Belgian malt flavors, some wheat flavor as well, a decent warning and tingly booze, plenty of esters with fruity flavors, and light phenols with the booze. A light grassy flavor again from the hops and light farmhouse like saison flavors as well from the yeast, hint of lemony and touch bubblegum. A grainy earthy yeast flavor also comes through. Finish is dry, effervescent, lingering bitterness and grassy earthy spicy hops, light esters booze and touch phenols, light citrus all lingering.

Mouth is med bodied, quite a kick of warming and tingly booze, and tons of carb.

Overall pretty good, but nothing like I was expecting which I thought it was a wheatwine but it's more like Belgian golden strong and saison combined. But decent flavors, complex and all merge well, although maybe a bit too much booze and carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 13:43:07 | More by jlindros

smakawhat

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a De-struisse like tulip. Batch 2012-1, good till June 2013.

Slow decant even provides a real large head, ginormous kind of ridiculous with lots of retention and a sort of tan off white like color. The body flows with lots of small rising slow creeping carbonation, through a real nice orange amber hue. Head falls slowly with soapy retention.

Great simple nose on this beer. Mild caramel sweetness, and a light taffy powdery sugar. A real nice sense of light powder sugar comes out even more. It smells dense but in control.

Palate hits with a real nice fruit rush. Tropical thick punch and big hints of honey and lip smacking flavor. Mild clove sensations, with a real cinnamon slightly hot finish but with a great malty sweetness. Slight warming hits the palate without a boozy rush, and some playful carbonation just a bit. A real super caramel taffy quality to this.

Overall a real solid fantastic memorable wheatwine, will definitely seek this out in the future, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 00:16:06 | More by smakawhat

Curtis

Utah

4.9/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Awww Belgian! Have to agree with the last review... be ready for the volcano of foam! Talk about head retention! I was able to read reviews on two other beers before I got my first clear tsaste. Pours an unexpected light golden color. Dark bottle, grim reaper label, for some reason I expected a much darker color and a corresponding bite. When i saw the color, I knew I was in for a treat. Flavor was great -very similar to their other Belgian-influenced styles (Long Strange Triple especially) with light orange peel and corriander, never overwhelming, smooth flavor, good finish. Mouthfeel was smooth, but dissipated a little too fast. How do you fix that? Not a knock, just an observation. The only thing not a 5 was the aroma at 4.5. It was very good, just a little too light - I wanted more actually. Slightly stronger aroma and this wold be a straight 5 vote in my book. Why did I keep this one in the basement for so long without drinking it? Boulevard Brewery never ceases to amaze. Each new one I try makes it more difficult to decide which is my favorite. They may have out done themselves with this one and I fear what they will do to me next. Some may consider this mild... I consider it exceptional.
.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 04:08:43 | More by Curtis

Hades-GreatDivide

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Awesome Belgian style ale. Very unique and smooth. Has a citrus flavor to it. Do not pour into a normal glass or you will have a volcano of head overflowing onto your floor. Definitely one of the best I've came across in 2012. If I had to compare this brew with something I've had before it would come close to three philosophers belgian ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 23:18:31 | More by Hades-GreatDivide

sommersb

Tennessee

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tasted On: 10-07-2012
Freshness: Best by 06-2012
Packaging: 750ml brown bottle, corked and caged
Glassware: Cervoise glass
Purchased: Received in a trade

A: Clear, orange/golden colored clear beer, with tons of bubbles in the glass. The head is massive and off-white, showing excellent retention and very good lacing.

S: Aromas are mainly of hops -- citrus and pine, plus wood and oak notes and some fruity sweetness.

T: Taste is hoppy but also sweet, with citrus fruits and spiciness. A pleasing balance of flavors. Features a nice warming of alcohol.

M: The high carbonation lends to a crisp mouthfeel, on a medium body. Finishes moderately hoppy and also fruity, balanced well between sweetness and bitterness.

O: I liked this beer -- my first wheat wine. Reminded me a lot of a barleywine. This bottle was a few months past the 'best by' date, so I imagine the hop profile has faded off somewhat, but I like barley-wines aged to take off that bitter edge, so this one tasted good to me. Recommended

Thanks to fLax for this one!

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 01:14:32 | More by sommersb

DRyan

Texas

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Nice golden slightly copper with a very vigorous white head that sticks around for a long time, and laces quite nicely
S: Esters, fruity, some slight spice. Very little apparent hop aroma
T: Hard to put a finger on it. Wheat beer, but strong wheat beer, with some added kick and spice. Aftertaste had some definite bitterness and alcohol kick to it.
M: Medium-high carbonation, thin body.
D: It is one for sipping for sure, would not be an easy chug.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2012 00:33:02 | More by DRyan

bushbeer75

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

25.4 oz [750 ml] brown bottle corked and caged – best by date of 6/2012 and consumed 7/27/2012

Boulevard Harvest Dance Wheat Wine Style Ale poured a cloudy red color into a snifter producing a huge 2 ½ finger off-white bubbly head that held very well and left behind plenty of lacing. The nose is first hit with the citrus and hallertan hops, then a hint of spicy clove. The taste matches the nose, dominated by hops and followed by wine like tropical fruits and a dry oaky finish. The mouth feel is medium; smooth, crisp with a light tingly carbonation and light warmth from the alcohol.

Nice job Boulevard – I will have another!!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 23:07:06 | More by bushbeer75

mdfb79

New York

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Have had this bottle since February, finally cracked it tonight. Batch 2010-1, best by date of 07/11 on the bottle. Poured from a 750ml bottle into my DFH snifter.

a - - Pours a hazy burnt orange-brown color with two fingers of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident. Head lasts for several minutes and leaves light lacing on the glass.

s - Smells of tropical fruits, citrus hop, wheat, fruity malts, bready malts, oak, some grapes, and wine. Pretty nice and fruity; I like it quite a bit.

t - Tastes of same tropical fruits, fruity malts, citrus hops, grapefruit, alcohol, bready malts, wheat, some oak, and some light wine. Alcohol is more prevelant here, but just as fruity as the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation, with some heat from the alcohol in the body. A little too hot and a little too much carbonation, but otherwise nice.

o - Overall a pretty nice barleywine. Lots of fruits and while there is some alcohol in the taste, it gets better as it warms up. A little less heat and carbonation and this could be even better. Would certainly have it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 02:40:07 | More by mdfb79

claspada

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 Bottle release.

Pours a cloudy orange color with a white head. Sweet bready malt on the nose with a touch of banana.

Aromas begin with a light citrus quality, honey/candy sweeteness, floral hops and a touch of spicy yeast. As it warms I get some green apple, grape skin and a coninuously emerging caramel maltiness.

The tastes begin primarily sweet and malty forward dominated by caramel and slightly sour wheat bread with an emerging toasted bread note. As it warms there is a hint of banana along with citrus peel, floral hops and a touch of spice bitterness.

The mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied with medium-low carbonation. Finish is semi-sweet and citrusy bitter forward.

Overall this is a decent beer that is probably best drank fresh. I dont think saving this for a year did it any good. While the alcohol and sweetness probably subsided, most of the hop character also did. There is still some but for a Citra-forward Wheat Wine I would have enjoyed more but that's my fault. Will try to revisit and consume fresher next time.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 16:19:52 | More by claspada

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml caged and corked bottle, Batch 2010-1, best by 07/2011. It's got some age on it, but it still should be good. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a cloudy dark gold/orange color with about an inch off-white head that went away quickly. Not much lacing. The brew smells like wheat, citrus (oranges), white grapes, clove, and some tropical fruit. It tastes like white grapes, oak, peppery spice, cloves, and some wheat/bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick with low carbonation. I think this is a decent enough brew, but nothing really impressed me about it. Maybe I should try a fresher bottle next time. $8.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 21:30:25 | More by bluejacket74

womencantsail

California

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

Pours a cloudy orange color with a white head. Sweet bready malt on the nose with a touch of banana. A light citrus quality, a hint of vanilla, floral hops, and a touch of yeast. There is a light alcohol heat to the palate, but otherwise the booze is fairly well hidden. Primarily a sweet, malty beer dominated by caramel and wheat bread with a nice toast note. A hint of banana along with citrus peel, floral hops, and a touch of bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 21:32:52 | More by womencantsail

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from 5/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a slightly opaque orange brown with a massive tan head. Nice lacing as the head died down. Sweet malt and wheat aroma. Medium, bordering on creamy mouth feel. Wheat, bitter, malt in a nice blend with a malty middle with light fruits and bitter finish. The bitterness is a little too pronounced in the finish,but otherwise delicious. This brewery is becoming one of my favorites and this is one of my favorite annual beers.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 18:26:10 | More by LiquidAmber

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired from brewerburgundy courtesy of BA Secret Santa 2011 so a big “Thank You” goes out to him. Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter glass. Batch #2-2011, best by date of 06-2012.

A: The beer is a deep orange/gold color, with a very large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains a lot of citrus and floral hops along with some, wheat and caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out with a strong but not over-powering burst of hops bitterness that is followed by some citrus and caramel sweetness. Then some breadiness comes in from wheat and a hearty malt character creating a good balance. There’s a touch of an alcohol sting. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and very crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.

O: Tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a very solid beer worth drinking for a long time.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 02:21:32 | More by TheManiacalOne

cosmicevan

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

consumed on 7/8, while I was "on Hiatus." picked up in Chicago when I was there in 2011. enjoyed from my bells tulip while my wife enjoyed her pour from a half acre tulip.
batch 2-2011
best by 06-2012 (whoops - keep that in mind while reading this review)

a - looked identical to the long strange tripel that i just finished. brew poured a majestic transparent orange with a solid 3+ fingers of big frothy head. insane carbonation can be seen going wild in the glass. great head, retention, and chunky lacing...rather attractive.

s - big sweetness. belgian sweetness with a strong presence of wheat.

t - again, big sweetness. bananana bubblegum and wheat flavors. some spicy zing as well. hint of vanilla. booziness is also somewhat evident in the taste.

m - lively carbonation and pretty full bodied. a bit boozy.

o - another impressive beer from boulevard. i've long been a fan of boulevard, but for some reason haven't gotten around to this bottle, another perfect pairing with today. the time on the bottle doesn't seem to have done any harm to it.

bottle

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 01:36:24 | More by cosmicevan