Montana Trout Slayer Wheat Ale - Big Sky Brewing Company

jesseejames

Montana

4.05/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Here in Missoula I stop by the Brewery once in awhile to have my free sample. This is one of the best beers they brew. It has a wonderful smell. The color is a rich golden wheat. It is way too drinkable and I am glad they limit you to only a few sample glasses.
The aroma of this beer actually overwhelms you in their tasting room where they are serving a lot of other brews. It also has a head that won't quit. I really like this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2013 18:52:43 | More by jesseejames

Forb

Nebraska

4.35/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served on-tap at Grizzly Rock Turlock, CA...

Appearance: Lovely hazy golden sweet body. Fluffy minor head with and inviting dance of carbonation.

Smell: Grainy wheat goodness with a sweet element that is difficult to discern but clearly puts this beer at a unique position for the style.

Taste: Light, crisp, deliciously sweet wheat ale flavor gives this beer a high drinkability.

Mouthfeel: Lively but balanced carbonation with a just more than standard light body that goes down smooth and refreshing.

Overall: Easily my favorite pale wheat ale. A delicious addition to a commonly so mediocre style.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 21:50:53 | More by Forb

Lillenk

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Grill One Eleven.

Appearance was a very nice light golden yellow color with a nice white head.

Smell was a little lacking. A little hops with a little bit of that wheaty, grassy note.

Taste was ok. Not a whole lot going on. Very light in flavor but no bad flavors coming through.

Mouthfeel was nice and light and the beer was very crisp and refreshing whick would make it very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 22:42:28 | More by Lillenk

bnes09

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden yellow in color. Thin head which lasts for only a minute or two. Not much lacing either.

Clean aroma of wheat and faint lemon.

Flavor is mostly wheat grain. Some mildly citric hop. Crisp, even finish.

Fairly light consistency. High carbonation.

Pretty average for a wheat ale. A descent beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2011 04:44:40 | More by bnes09

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the brewery in August 2009. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a hazy light golden color with a white head. Nose brings forward a bit of generic wheat with hints of citrus hops. Some slight graininess. Taste is of slight sweetness and a bit of light wheat and grain. Bits of citrus in passing. Maybe orange and a bit of lemon. Mouthfeel is light and well carbonated. Drinkability is average for the style, without much flavor there to really carry the beer over an extended period.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2010 23:54:45 | More by Thorpe429

schleprock

Illinois

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Draft served in a tulip glass
A: Beer pours a straw color with a very nice head

S: Lots of fruity smells here, very pleasant. You can smell citrus hops in here.

T: Starts with a wheat flavor and the citrus flavor coming from the hops kicks in.

M: Smooth and crisp with medium carbonation.

D: This is a very good beer not extremely high in alcohol, although you know it's there but it's pretty drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2010 03:10:42 | More by schleprock

Whiteweasel

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank on tap from a pint glass.

A: Hazy yellow and golden, good and thick consistency to the head with nice lacing. Pretty transparent.

S: Quite hoppy, sweet, and very fresh smelling. This is one for the tap. Its very similar to Two hearted ale. This smells heavenly and i can't get enough

T: Very pale, significantly malty, but mostly hoppiness prevails. Still retains sweetness in spite of the delicious bitterness.

M: Smooth, a tad boozy which was suprising for its actual abv-(I actually bet my buddy a round that it was over 6.5% and lost bad...) with only a little carbonation

D: Tad boozy psychologically, but in a good way. Interesting and complex tasting, which lends itself well to drinkability. High marks

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2010 20:42:40 | More by Whiteweasel

exonthebottle

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

this beer isn't very good on tap. It is a step above a high end macro and all but still not very complex. look like a macro small head and clear. smooth light beer not really what I expecting but a nice beer to try when it is hot out. I can't really taste much of the wheat although it is sweet. feel is good but hard to have more than one since it so sweet and boring.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2010 20:03:32 | More by exonthebottle

jrallen34

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On tap at whole foods into a pint glass...A very bright clearish straw, like a macro. Light white nead, decent retention and lacing...Aroma is light not wheat but light hops slight skunk...Taste is ok, a little bitter a little skunk makes it hard to drink, had to split it with my gf. Its also to sweet. Overall, nothing special, a step above a crappy macro.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2010 23:05:51 | More by jrallen34

joshuadlight

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at Pizza Outback in Taos, New Mexico.
It was difficult to see that this was a wheat ale. It was yellow and clear. The head was small and a clean white. It smelled dry with possibly some faint earthy scents. The taste was clean and low-profile. I could sense the hops in the finish with some of the same earthy notes upfront. It wasn't outstanding, I couldn't catch the wheat, and I didn't feel like having another, but it did a fine job washing down the largest slice of pizza I have ever eaten.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2009 21:10:30 | More by joshuadlight

SurlyDuff

Oregon

3.73/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Prepare to meet your maker...trouts!

I've had this in bottles, but this review is for the pint I had at Bend Brewfest.

Pale golden straw with a weak head. Relativly clear.

Aroma is crusty bread, raw dough, and wheaty yeast. Tad bit of spicy hop in there.

Grainy grass at first, then some light smooth caramel malt. Some honey and lemon sweetness. There's really not much as far as complexity, honestly. It's a really good drinkable summer brew. I could imagine downing these while fishing. At only 4.7%, this'll make a really solid session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2008 00:58:11 | More by SurlyDuff

Alextricity

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a 12oz mug at Green Dot Stables in Detroit, Michigan.

I am shocked I like this so much more than the majority... but hey, everyone has an opinion.

Appearance: A yellow color with a pretty big three finger or so head... took awhile to die down so I could get the whole beer in my glass. Phenomenal lacing... maybe the best part about this beer.

Smell: A significant wheat note, but a nice fruity aroma in there as well from the hops. Somewhat sweet.

Taste: Excellent wheat beer... I have to go with the bros. on this one over the mass majority ... I'm sorry, this deserves higher than an 82 rating. Again, I know it's all subjective. I WAS a beer deep, but it wasn't a super strong beer that'd throw me off. Trout Slayer has a nice wheat profile, but it's not overwhelming... the hops in this give it a fruity/floral flavor without making the beer too bitter, so it's still incredibly drinkable. Hard to believe this is only 4.7% ABV.

An incredible Pale Wheat Ale ... a nice, big flavor, a pleasant hop presence, and a great first beer I've had out of Montana. You have to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 04:33:50 | More by Alextricity

Spikester

Oregon

3.76/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Clear gold with one finger of white head. Good amount of lacing follows head recession.
Smell this is one of the first wheat ales that smelled like banana to me.
Taste is equally banana, slight cloves, a nice compliment of hops.
Mouthfeel was slick with a bit more carbonation than usual. Medium bitter finish. Slight dryness.
Overall a tasty and enjoyable wheat ale.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 06:09:17 | More by Spikester

Bowers-Brew

Illinois

3.61/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Not real hazy for wheat beers - sediment a little chunky.

S - Nice wheat body with citrus notes.

T - Clean taste, not as much wheat flavor as I hoped for.

M - Not excessively carbonated, but goes down smoothly and tingles the tongue a little.

O - Good beer. I've had better from Big Sky. I could imagine putting a few of these back whilst flicking a jig.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 22:10:41 | More by Bowers-Brew

tronester

Oklahoma

3.56/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear golden with almost no head. Smell is of green apple and some grain. Taste begins with some light caramel, then some bread, followed by some mint, anise and fennel flavors. An herbal, tart finish. Mouthfeel is good, though carbonation a bit low. Overall a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 23:37:30 | More by tronester

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best before 3/7/2013. Pours hazy golden straw color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy white head with great retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings down the glass, with some light streaming carbonation. Aromas of lemon, pear, pepper, orange zest, wheat, clove, bread, floral, grass, herbal, and light banana. Very nice aromas with good strength and balance of malt and hop notes. Taste of lemon, pear, pepper, orange peel, wheat, clove, floral, grass, bread, herbal, and light banana. Lingering notes of citrus, light fruit, pepper, wheat, clove, floral, grass, herbal, and light banana on the finish for a bit. Very nice balance of citrus, malt, and spicy hop flavors; with a good amount of robustness for 5%; and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy, smooth, and crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice pale what ale! Very nice balance of citrus, malt, and hop flavors; and extremely smooth to drink with plenty of flavor. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 03:51:17 | More by superspak

BoFoSho

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I usually don't like beers with deceiving names. But Big Sky's Trout Slayer is one exception. This is what I call a mild wheat beer, very refreshing and easy to drink. The smell was a tad unusual, with hints of grape and apple. It almost smelled like a cider. Besides that aspect I enjoyed drinking the Trout Slayer. Drinking a few of these will make you believe you're a decent fly fisherman. Now go slay some trout!

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 07:08:11 | More by BoFoSho

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this American Wheat Ale from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Poured a nice white head, great retention and excellent lacing. The aroma consisted of fresh baked bread. Medium bodied, there is a foundation of malted wheat, floral hop flavor and it has a semi dry finish. Great session beer, smooth and a big dose of hops. Probably my favoirte American Pale Wheat Ale.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 17:36:43 | More by GossageBrewery

Rwalford74

Australia

3.66/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Thin head that vanished quickly.
Appearance is very appealing golden straw colour.
Taste is really easy drinking with no strong stand-out flavours for me. More body than the Beerfist Caterpiller that I had before it.
Again, an easy drinking beer that would be great on a hot afternoon, but for the price give me a Hop Hog any day.

Serving type: can

02-21-2013 08:04:40 | More by Rwalford74

pkalix

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

as straw as they come, with a little fluffy white topping.
smells straw, smells like a run of the mill commercial lager....
taste is okay. easy to drink. mild (very mild) hop bitterness. nothing amazingly eye-catching (or palate catching).
overall, for a weak abv, straw-colored whatever they wanna call it, it's okay. can drink many in succession, for certain, but would you want to? there is a certain richness to it, as a hefe might be, so that may slow down your session. but it's drinkable. it's likable. it's way better than the commercial crap i was originally comparing it to. for montana, i imagine this might be a 'lady's beer' ? ?

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 21:26:53 | More by pkalix

Strix

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy bright yellow, nice frothy head that leaves gobs of lace.

Wheat, lemon, slight pilsnery yeast note.

Biscuity, with herbal hops, a lemon and black pepper note, crisp grains, and a dry finish. Really refreshing.

Medium-light mouthfeel, crisply carbonated.

I was quite surprised by this. Thirst quenching and crisp in exactly the way I was looking for. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 02:27:50 | More by Strix

BucannonXC5

California

3.33/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12-oz. bottle into a pint glass at my house on Sept. 14, 2012 (purchased at BevMo! In La Mesa (San Diego, Calif.) for a variety12-pack price of $13.99 (w/ card) on Sept. 14, 2012). Finger or head. Golden pale with white head. Good retention on the top, none on the sides.

Smelled grass, lemon, honey, bread, cereal and hay. Surprisingly not too bad.

A lot more grassier taste than the smell. Got grass, bread, cereal, hay, honey and earth. Slight lemon sweetness on back end.

Light body. Thin texture. Above average carbonation. Long, grassy, watery finish. Refreshing.

OK for a wheat beer. Refreshing and a good summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 03:13:36 | More by BucannonXC5

barnzy78

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, pours clearer than expected, golden with a white head that holds good retention and leaves some lacing on the glass. Aromas are wheat, yeasty, faintly herbal. Tastes are wheat, lemongrass, yeast. Mouth-feel is medium and smooth. Overall, I thought this was slightly better than average for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 03:06:35 | More by barnzy78

Ben4881

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pale, straw yellow, good clairty, and bubbly. Moderately thick white head with great retention. <4.5>

S - Strong, sweet banana aroma and bready malt character. <5>

T - Begins sweetly and malty, as the aroma would suggest. However, it gets bitter in a hurry. The taste of pine needles leads to a rather dry finish with a slightly bitter aftertaste, which mellows with alcohol remnants and the banana sweetness returns. <4>

M - Fairly light body, carbonation is slightly present. <4>

O - A tad on the bitter and dry side for a wheat offering. The contrast between the smell and the taste is quite perplexing, it certainly gives me pause, especially without a date on the label. <3.5>

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 03:24:09 | More by Ben4881

mactrail

California

3.08/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Nice foam-up in the tall glass. Light golden in color. Not much body but has a pleasant wheaty character.

Fairly malty with a touch of sweetness. Pleasant enough with some faint rich malty grain flavors. Ends with an earthy bitter note. Something like a malt liquor with a touch of hops. Rather sharp and dirty.

Not bad, for the American wheat style, but not a memorable beer experience. Devoid of any yeasty or estery flavors, but clean and well made. From the 12 oz bottle purchased at Grapevine Liquors in Denver.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 05:57:05 | More by mactrail