Monarch White Beer - Two Brothers Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.6/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brilliant gold with a patchy cloudiness that looks like a fog bank just rolled in. There are a few larger chunks that were definitely unexpected in a wit and that have now made their way to the bottom of the glass. Although I did manage to create a slim two fingers of vanilla colored foam with a vigorous pour, head creation is underwhelming. Glass coverage is... not too bad.

The nose is easily better than average. It doesn't, however, have that 'zestiness' that I look for in beer of this style. Orange peel is obvious... coriander is less so.

Monarch White Beer contains all of the usual witbier flavors, without combining them in a way that will seriously challenge the best versions of the style. The lack of fruit and spice boldness allows the graininess of the... uh... grain to be too noticeable on the palate. Sweet and bitter are present in nearly equal measure and effectively cancel one another out.

The mouthfeel is butterfly light (not necessarily a negative in a wit), but approaches thin and watery on the back end. There's an adequate amount of carbonation that is so fine-bubbled that it makes the beer seem less than energetic and not at all creamy.

Monarch is a decent effort from Two Brothers because it has no major faults and because it's warm weather drinkable. By the same token, there's nothing here that would compel me to buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2006 00:23:48 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bright hazy yellow with a nice two inch or so white head on top. Nice retention gave way to a good amount of lace. Lots of visible carbonation was apparent. Smell was full of wheat and yeast, very light with little in the way of any floral quality to it. The taste was decent enough, light grain mixed in with a touch of yeast, a little bit of a banana or some kind of kick in the in, with a smooth, and well carbonated light body to it. Overall not too bad, I have had better and I have had worse.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 02:26:36 | More by mikesgroove

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in a Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to try this beer, but here we are. Let's have at it. It pours a clear golden straw populated by a civilization of particulates and topped by a finger of white foam. The nose comprises orange zest, coriander, clove, cinnamon, and light black pepper. This smells more like a pumpkin spice ale than a wit... The taste brings in more of this spiciness, but without the cinnamon, with more black pepper, and with a sharpened orange flavor. It may not be much of a change, but it is indeed an improvement. The body is a sorta hefty-feeling light, with a moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, an okay wit at best, one that just doesn't seem to get off the ground.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 19:12:08 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

3.95/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a gold color with a 1/2" white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a crisp pale and wheat malt scent along with a nice, fruity orange peel and coriander aroma. It has a maltier aroma than some. The taste is good. It's smooth and refreshing with a wonderful fruity finish. The orange peel and coriander and done well without going overboard. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a great tasting seasonal, although it's a bit heavier in body than it should be.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 18:53:23 | More by WesWes

metter98

New York

3.53/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is slightly hazy light yellow in color and has a light amount of carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are moderate aromas of oranges and wheat in the nose.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and also has some notes of spices towards the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and a bit smooth on the palate with a low to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The beer is easy to drink and has some refreshing properties; however it isn’t quite as thirst quenching as other witbiers because it has a slightly heavier body.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 23:42:52 | More by metter98

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer pours out as a cloudy pale yellow with a fizzy white head. The lacing is light but does have a some scattered lines around the glass. The smell has a light lemon aroma with some yeast mixed in there. The taste is a little light could have been a little stronger. The mouthfeel is very bubbly and kind of bitey. Overall this beer doesn't really jive that well to me. I feel like it missing something.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 03:23:39 | More by Knapp85

emerge077

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a pastel pale yellow, with a finger of foam. Not cloudy, no sediment like a traditional Wit. Still, it has a bit of the champagne style carbonation, to a lesser degree than it's Belgian counterparts.

Smells of earthy coriander. Slightly wheaty.

Very easy drinking, as others have said, more like an American Wheat. Citrus and any sourness is nonexistent, but with a vague suggestion of orange flavor. Wheat, coriander, pale malt, and slight black pepper. Mild carbonation on the palate, not as lively as would be expected.

All said, this is a fine summer quaffer, very easy to put down several considering the low ABV. I'd still prefer Hoegaarden, but for a couple bucks cheaper, this is a fine local alternative.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2007 00:28:37 | More by emerge077

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I think this is better than a B- beer. The mouthfeel is a little thick and the flavor doesn't have the subtle complexity of a great witbier, but the flavors, aroma, and appearance all fit well within the style guide lines. It poured with a tall white head that left lacing. The aroma was a perfume-y mix of sweet white bread pastry and coriander. The flavor brings out the wheat character and the oats add an interesting earthy cereal flavors. Like I said, it's a touch thick, but it tasted good and went well with my red curry for dinner.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 00:15:07 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appears a hazed golden hue with a bright white head, leaves fine even layers of speckled lacing. Aroma has citrus peels and mild spicing. Nice herbal lemon balm tone with light biscuit and sharp wheat accents. Flavor biscuit dry yeast tones with sweet sharp wheat notes, seems like a honery herbal ale, but there's no honey additions here. Sweet rolling malt action going on, sharp wheat mild spice a bit of chammomile like notes in the herbal spice additions. Balanced perfectly light barely noticeable herbal hops peak through. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied evenly carbonated smoothing drinking session ale. A nice white that I wouldn't mind a whole sixer of.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 20:53:48 | More by WVbeergeek

Billolick

New York

3.55/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ouncer,with freshness dating, pours dull looking lighter amber, minor off white head, and leaving equally minor bits of lace. Nose hints of light Belgian spice, and perhaps coriander. Middle of the road wit. Drinkable and enjoyable enough, with more typical wit notes of light spice/yeast, hints of light coriander, and some wheaty malt. Nothing going on here that would make me reach for this one all too often. Would work as a summery sessioner in a pinch.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2010 00:19:03 | More by Billolick

ppoitras

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Marlboro, MA. Best before 7/28/06.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a minimal 1/4" white head over the light golden brew. Head is quickly just a memory, with swirly little bubbles, and average lacing. Aroma is wheat with a citrus twang, as expected. Taste is bland wheat with light tartness, but a mere shadow of what a wit should exhibit. Closes with a chalky aftertaste. Mouthfeel and drinkability are okay, but this isn't anything I would search out again.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2006 21:18:48 | More by ppoitras

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Clouded piss yellow appearance. Very slight white head. Lacing is sparse. Nose has wheat, Belgian malts, doughiness and spiciness. Taste is a little perfumey with the spices. A little minty. A little lime. Base malt is just not substantial enough. This lacks depth. That being said, there are no off flavors, just bland flavors. Mouthfeel is a little light on CO2. And the body is about medium. I wouldn't go out of my way to revisit this again.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2004 03:02:24 | More by Bighuge

plaid75

New York

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On draft at The Good Life, Massapequa Park, NY.

Poured a medium straw hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a slightly sweet malt with a touch if citrus and esters.

The taste featured a full upfront wheat profile with a touch of lemon zest. Nice residual doughiness.

The mouthfeel was full for the style and chewy.

Overall a serviceable wit, but nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2011 02:45:30 | More by plaid75

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clouded lemon or banana jello color, thin firm white cap, slips quickly away to a small collar, lacing is in minimal thin whispy stings. Aroma is set back a bit with some light lemon, dulled, still wheaty fresh with some restraining malty sweetness, a bit zippy with a crispyness;clove and nutmeg undertones. Taste is mild but with a bit of luster to it. Lightly lemony, lightly wheaty, barely a spice, but detectable, with a spritz of lime and clove. Feel is smooth and light with a shy medium body, end is dry, not as pulpy or thick as I like out of a white and it don't have any lasting qualities other then some slight spicey lime leftovers. A very average drinker, boring with a bit of something to carry through, but not nearly enough for memorable interest. Still was worth trying, thanks to Bighuge for given me a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 01:54:41 | More by tavernjef

ZAP

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

An interesting take on a Whit style....they actually toss some oats into this....creates a crisp, yet somewhat rounded mouthfeel....nose is soft but spicy...some whatiness to it...really doesn't taste much like I expect Whit's to taste like...lacks the strong corriander, orange peel notes...has a nice wheat flavor and some zesty notes but falls short in my book for the style....there's a good dose of Belgian Wheat malt and it's decent enough to drink but this is not one I will relish finding in the future...one is enough....worth trying for sure but nothing more than that..

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2004 18:44:10 | More by ZAP

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

thanks to tenderbranson69 for sharing this w/ me- poured chilled into an archer farms tumbler.

A - A dirty straw golden w/ visible rapidly rising carbonation to a thick froth of ivory capping. The cream makes rings on lace on the glass and the bead is ultra tight - I tarnish the appearance after the first sip as I pour in a bit of yeast from the bottom of the bottle

S - Slight spice in the nose w/ wheat providing the majority of the aroma in the wit, slightly nutty but grainy creaminess is noted w/ a slight pepper and mellow citrus accent, more or less a yeast ester, not really smelling of citrus peel to me. I like the nose but it could use a little something

M- The feel is creamy, and highly carbonated which makes for a smooth combo, but satiny from the wheat malt and vibrant w/ light chewiness and has a subtle tanginess of citrus w/ mild dry finishing w/ overall clean flavor, a mild yeast after effect is felt

T - The taste is great, mild yeast smooth with fresh wheat flavor and gentle belgian yeast phenolics creating a nice synergy of malt and spice w/ a light grainy quality and subtle citrusy note toward the finish w/ mild creamy wheat flavor

D -I think this beer just fit my mood which is unsual - I am not really a wheat/wit fan -this just on me over. I like the subtlety most since it doesn't try too hard, yet nails the flavors where it counts and the malt/yeast harmony is very pleasant -recommended!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2010 17:12:40 | More by Slatetank

dirtylou

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz single, Woodman's

appearance: poured into a hefe glass, slightly cloudy pale orange....overall appearance is rather dull. fluffy white head that fades into a light lace

smell: a bit boring for a witbier, which I typically find to have more potent aromas...light citrus, lemon zest, wheat, smaller than usual yeast presence

taste: its not that its bad, but its very boring...lemon juice, orange peel, wheat, light yeast, lightly spiced. meh, worst two brothers beer i've had

mouthfeel: active on the tongue, medium-light body

drinkability: goodish

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2006 03:20:18 | More by dirtylou

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.45/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 8/11/09. Bottle. Pours a hazy orange with a small ring of white head. Aroma of cereal grain (oats), lemon, melon rind, orange peel, candi sugar, coriander, and pepper. Flavor is similar with the cereal grains in the finish and lots of spices (coriander, clove, pepper). A little overspiced by the end of the glass but decent otherwise.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 22:53:05 | More by LilBeerDoctor

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Not sure about the last guy but mine poured pretty cloudy with some yeast particles swimming about. Head is a sad one with only a mild lace ring and mild bubbles of carbonation.

S - Smells of a typical Witbier maybe a touch mild with the lemon or coriander but yeast smells light and interesting enough.

T - A touch dry and kind of average but it's decently crafted with mild chalky yeasts, lemon, and a touch of spice. Drinkable enough.

M - Light to medium pretty much in line for the style.

Overall not a real great example of the style but better than your average one. Maybe it needed more carbonation to give the beer a more spritzy taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 01:35:40 | More by DrDemento456

Vancer

Illinois

3.15/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Semi-hazy golden yellow pour, with a very nice white head that left spotted lace. Aroma was fairly subdued, just some soapy malts. Same with the taste, a plain jane white - light spiced malts with a standard ale backbone. Not much coriander or other esters coming to the rescue.

Finish was sharp, crisp and dry. This could be a different summer session beer, but I think there are better ones out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2008 15:41:46 | More by Vancer

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A hazy, deep straw or yellow color. Big head, foamed almost out of control. Soft aromas of lemon, mowed lawn, and corriander come through in the nose.
Tastes of lemon, sweet apples and grain. They seem a bit watered down, though. I had this during the winter and would probably like it more in the summer. It quenches the thirst, but leaves me wanting something with some "stank" to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2007 00:36:48 | More by Mebuzzard

GbVDave

Illinois

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a 20oz imperial pint.

Best before 7/29/08

A: Nice looking hazy light peach color with a thick and sticky off-white head. Lots of tendrils of lace left over in the glass..

S: Mild citrus, mild spice, and mildly toasted malt. Everything is pretty restrained here.

T: The big player here is the toasted malt/oats. Second behind that is a muted witbier yeastiness. All the other flavors typically found in Witbiers are represented, just not jumping out at you. Restraint is the name of the game here.

M: Starts pretty creamy and gradually becomes dry and crisp by the time the finish rolls around.

D: Could session the crap out of this one in the summer! Could use a bit more character to hold my interest, though.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2008 22:28:57 | More by GbVDave

kmpitz2

Tennessee

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours pale golden color with a bubbly head that fades quickly to a ring around the top of the beer. Its a little darker than I would expect for the style. The nose is dominated by fruity orange and a bit of zesty lemon. There's a bit of spice in the nose as well, but I'm not sure what spice it is. The taste is spicy, without any of the fruity overtones from the nose coming through in the taste. There's a spicy hop finish. Interesting take on a white, but not overly impressive. There's a nice moderately thick feel in my mouth with not too many bubbles. This beer doesn't draw me to drinking it quickly or drinking it more than one at a time. Not bad but not great. It's worth trying for something different.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2004 22:17:03 | More by kmpitz2

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this nice summer complement from Vancer, thanks yet again Vance!

Hazy yellow body, with small wispy white head with little retention.

Smells very spicy, peppery. Just a little bit of citrus.

Coriander up front followed by some wheat flavors. Finishes with orange peel.

Pretty standard carbonation and body here.

Most wheat beers are pretty drinkable in my opinion, this one is about the same.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2008 19:38:02 | More by Hojaminbag

sweemzander

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into a nonic. Best by 6/6/11.

(A)- Pours a clear yellow color. Produced a good white cap of foam. Good retention and lace.

(S)- A big dry lemon-like biscuit.

(T)- Similar to the smell. A thin, corn-like dry lemon and biscuit profile.

(M)- A crisp carbonation level and a decent balance. Just a little plain and thin even for a witbier.

(D)- Not bad. Very straightforward and basic for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 13:38:54 | More by sweemzander