Celis White - Michigan Brewing Company

charlzm

California

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed at Steingarten, Los Angeles, CA on February 25th, 2012.

Beer is a clear, lemony yellow with a fine, one finger white head. Moderate sheeting.

Aromas of banana, lemon, coriander.

Palate follows nose with addition of some grassiness. No bitterness.

Well carbonated, some prickle on tongue.

Goes down smooth and easy; a great hot weather beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 23:37:57 | More by charlzm

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pale, whitish yellow with a thin white head. Some nice lacing.

Smells yeasty, fruity and citrusy maybe some coriander and spices.

Tastes like a typical witbier but with a slight sourness to it, which isn't bad. Pretty sugary and sweet with lots of orange, lemon and coriander.

Overall a good witbier but nothing amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2011 23:46:54 | More by GodOfBeer

rings

Michigan

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Celis White has a mild citrus nose and pours pale yellow in color with a nice full head. The body is crisp and tastes are effervescent on the tongue as the carbonation exaggerates the orange and spiced flavors. There's a light, hoppy bite and the flavors round out smoothly with a hint of banana and cream, along with the citrus fruitiness. It's delightful and surprisingly complex for a lighter brew.

This is an easy recommendation and a fine effort by Michigan Brewing to continue the tradition of Pierre Celis.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 19:45:50 | More by rings

alleykatking

Indiana

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap.

A- Came to me with a nice 2 finger white creamy head that went down after a little bit of time. Lacing stuck to the sides of the glass but nothing too big. Nice hazy golden yellow color.

S- True to the style I picked up a lot of clove right off the get go with some orange citrus undertones that mingled perfect. Some lemon zest comes and goes. Nice yeasty bready smell that comes through as a whole. There is a spicey aroma I pick up as well but don't know if I like it or not.

T- Big doughy yeast taste right up front. Some bitterness to it actually. Nice clove taste in the middle along with a hint of banana I think with some orange zing to it. Good tasting beer with a bit of funk taste at the end which makes it a little more enjoyable.

M- This had a medium-heavy mouthfeel to it. Good carbonation with this beer makes the tasting more enjoyable. Leaves a sweet funky taste in the mouth that is neither bad or good just kind of different.

D- I was suprised with this beer and had a couple more glasses of it when I was there. I would recommend this beer to someone who isn't a big fan of the style to help break them into it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2009 04:42:25 | More by alleykatking

rugerj

Virginia

4.47/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer pours a hazy, light, straw yellow with a 1 finger head that dissipates quickly, some lacing left in glass. Smell is of bitter orange peel, coriander and some citrus zest. Taste is of citrus and orange peel, citrus zest and coriander that are blended well and not overdone. Carbonation is good, not over done. Mouth feel was soft and tart.

A great beer from an American brewery where Wit beers are rarely done as well and their Belgian counterparts. Refreshing and well done, especially as it warms closer to room temperature.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2009 14:50:12 | More by rugerj

cpn920

New York

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at Pizza Plant on Main st. in Williamsville, NY. Poured white with a big head that was gone quickly. Smelled of orange zest and wheat. Tasted spicy with hint of sour. Medium carbonation with a light finish. Nice for a hot summer day...not my favorite but a decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-10-2009 20:28:08 | More by cpn920

WillieMoe

Massachusetts

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

Has a beautiful, sunny, coloring, a bit cloudy.

Has a citrusy smell, with a heavy orange peel scent.

Has a delicious orange flavor to it. As far as witbiers go it is above average, but doesn't really blow you away. Definitely a refreshing brew that I would recommend to a lover of wits or flavorful fruit-tasting beers. Does not have an overwhelming aftertaste and goes down smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2007 15:07:01 | More by WillieMoe

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

On-tap at Clark's Ale House

I'm surprised to see this is under 4% abv as the mouthfeel is a bit thicker than several other wits I've tried like Whirlwind Wit (for example). This is a pretty straightforward wit with lemon, corriander and spice. Not world class, but still a nice drinking beer. I'd order another pint.

Serving type: on-tap

11-06-2006 15:03:43 | More by tempest

oberon

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A beer I have had a few times back in the day and now I see its new to western NY on tap,poured a slight hazed dirty blond with a thin white head.Lighter aromas of coriander spice and lemon rind with some toasty wheat malt underneath,somewhat watery going down when compared to the Rocky River SubChaser I had before but it lended to its drinkability a bit.It seemed a bit lighter in flavor than from what I remember light citrus and toasty malt with hints of coriander.Its refreshing and very delicate but I could use some oomph but it is good for what it is no doubt.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2006 01:39:02 | More by oberon

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Prominent white colour, wheat sour and strong carbonation worked. Coriander and orange taste, some pepper and spiciness. fresh tasting though it's the Fall. Rounded with malt and smooth and drinkable. Light-medium mouthfeel. Tangy acidic aftertaste, drying.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2005 03:19:01 | More by northyorksammy

MuddyFeet

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a straw color with hardly any head to mention. Spotty, wimpy looking lace. Nose was of cut peaches, but not fresh peaches. Flavor was strong of wheat. Citrus came through as well as some unripe peaches. Mouthfeel was almost dry, but not quite. I found this beer very easy to drink, but overall it was not very inspirational.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2005 00:23:19 | More by MuddyFeet

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Well there's not much to be said here that hasn't already been said; and I wish I could avoid the comparison to the original and just let this beer stand on it's own, but I can't. It's more malty than the original, and that drags down its drinkability a bit. Otherwise, it's pretty much right on as I remember it. The yeast is not quite the same, and the coriander was a touch heavy handed, but I'll certainly have another! I'm glad to see one of my favorite beers revived; and quite relieved that it's been done fairly well.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2005 11:27:32 | More by NeroFiddled

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appears a cloudy yellow with a fizzy white head and hardly any lacing.
Smell is of heavy, pleasant whiffs of orange peel and clove.
Taste is of the same pleasant aromas that grace this glass, along with a slight taste of white pepper along with the clove.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and flavorful with a spice and orange taste coming through the body.
Drinkability is excellent. This is a nice treat on draft.

Finger licking good.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2005 17:57:14 | More by weeare138

ken3c

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Conor O'neils in Ann Arbor.

medium yellow color, very clear. Slight head leaves just a little foam by the end of the glass. No lacing.

Stick your thumbnail into an orange and smell. Same thing.

Tastes like a sweet orange. The kind that doesn't leave the state of Florida. There is a slight bitterness that seems to come from orange pith rather than any hops.

Mouthfeel is light with low carbonation. Very refreshing.

Hot day...Celis White...Cool day.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2004 06:45:58 | More by ken3c

Truh

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dropped some non-sequitors with this one on 6/25/2004. 16-oz. pour in shaker glass at Redbones.

Doplleganger head on top; like watching thin clouds scud across a golden sky. Light, hazy yellow hue that verges almost on white. Wheat is heavy on nose, tart lemon grassiness follow in short order. At taste, oranges and buckwheat power through, lemon rind too. Penultimate summer brew as there is a jumpy carbonation giving it the aspect of a soda, and reminiscent of an Orangina.

One of the first finer brews that I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of was Celis Grand Cru back in the fall of 1993 at a brewing supply store in Burlington, VT. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the word “Celis” up on the chalkboard at Redbones; I would have preferred the Grand Cru, but this was a start.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2004 21:55:37 | More by Truh

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at Red Bones.

This white poured a cloudy, yellow color with white foam that settled. The smell was yeast and citrus with a very light sweetness. The taste was citrusy (lemon) with flavors off yeast, wheat, light sugar, and very, very faint spices. The mouthfeel was smooth though a bit tart with medium body and good carbonation. The lemony citrus flavor dominated the finish. This was an OK witbier.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2004 21:51:47 | More by UncleJimbo

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Redbones. Pour was a cloudy lemon yellow with some orange highlights. Aroma came across as powdery, spicey coriander. I thought the taste was more spice than fruit, but I found it to be very smooth with no rough edges. Hoegaarden was also on, but I would choose this first if only for the freashnes factor. I enjoyed this.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2004 19:01:45 | More by PatandDavid

DrunkMcDermott

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A 2003 GABF Gold Medalist.
Not my style, but even I can tell it’s excellent. A whitish yellow body brings in a fine wheat and creamy taste. More hoppines than in others I've tried in this style, which adds to the citrusy aspect. Also plenty of coriander and grains of paradise spices. A refreshing summer beer dressed up a “special occation” brew.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2003 15:42:58 | More by DrunkMcDermott

yen157

New Jersey

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pretty standard looking Wit, slightly hazy, paly yellow body topped off by a moderate, but fleeting, fine white head. Citrus is most obvious spice addition, but mild hints of corriander tie the orange peel in with the sweet-ish pale malt. The aroma is mirrored by the taste. No surprises here, just a good, faily simple wit. Soft mouth feel is very nice.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2003 13:55:44 | More by yen157

freed

Oregon

2.6/5  rDev -31.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I picked this beer at OBF when I was to walk from one end of the venue to the other. It was a poor choice for travelling with.

The ale poured a hazy white with very active carbonation, almost like seltzer. The smell was ripe fruit and sugar. The taste was overwhelmingly of white grape, and unpleasantly sour. The aroma and taste were accurate reflections of each other. The body of the beer was clearly missing as there was no detectable malt sweetness, rather just the almost grainy sweetness of fruit. The further I walked, the flatter it became, and oddly enough, the more drinkable. The last sip, quite warm and flat, was probably the best.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2003 16:11:17 | More by freed

LarryKemp

Texas

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured a very pale very cloudy yellow straw color. It had a very minimal head that did not linger. There was no lace. It had a very minimal aroma. The taste of the orange was nice and not strong. The carbonation was evident and stung the tongue. The beer itself was light but the tingling was quite evident. It was a very drinkable beer. I had a couple pints tonight and enjoyed both.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2003 20:06:23 | More by LarryKemp

GRPunk

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this beer. With the recent closing of MBC's main facility, I'm glad I was able to pick up a bottle. Who knows what will happen to this fine brew?

Bottle etched (07/28/12)poured into a Hoegaarden hex glass.

A- Beautiful for the style. 1-finger white head sustains at a thin film throughout. The body was a hazy pale/straw color with moderate carbonation. A later yeast swirl adds to the haze/cloudy body. Really good stick left on the glass.

S- Nice and sweet. At first I imagine lifting the lid from the mash to inhale the wheaty goodness. Citrus, hints of peppery spice. Lemon becomes more prominent later.

T- Lovely and delicate. A solid dose of citrus (lemon/orange zest) and spice (grains of paradise, black pepper, corriander?). Black peppery without the bite. Malts are cracker-like. Clean finish.

M- Fairly light bodied. Lemony flavor helps to dry the finish.

O- Crisp and refreshing. Great summer beer. I can drink more than a couple in a sitting. The bonus is that I can share it with my wife.

I really hope somebody can continue with the recipe and name (especially locally). It's too good a back story to end with the closing of MBC's main brewery.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 19:59:35 | More by GRPunk

gpogo

California

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Light cloudy straw yellow body with a small white head. Lots of carbonation.

A- Light sweet aroma with lemon. There is a definite sour tartness.

T- Light sweet tart flavor. Light lemon and no noticeable corriander flavor. A bit light on flavor.

M- Light body and high carbonation. Very smooth drinking.

D- Pleasant beer, but a bit light on flavor. I am more partial to a heavy coriander flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 01:47:01 | More by gpogo

MCDuhamel

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a weizen glass. Pours a very pale straw, hazy, effervescent very light. The one inch white head collapses to a thin foam quickly, leaving moderate lacing. Coriander and lemon on the nose. Coriander dominates the flavor, with lemon zest and a bit of wheat toward the middle; the finish is lemon rind. A bit sweet. Very quaffable; light bodied. Seems a tad heavy on the spices to me.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 21:55:42 | More by MCDuhamel

UCLABrewN84

California

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle date of 5/12/12.

Pours a murky yellow with a 1 inch foamy white head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, celery, lettuce, and spices. Definitely some weird aromas going on here. Taste is of grain, yeast, spices, and a very slight vegetal flavor but nothing like the smell. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer flavor wise but the aromas of leafy vegetables are definitely quite odd.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 05:13:34 | More by UCLABrewN84