Hoegaarden Original White Ale - Brouwerij van Hoegaarden

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Now this is definitely a white beer, pours out cloudy, the colour of diluted alfalfa honey. Smell is more subdued than I recall, a light peppery citrus. Sweetish flavour, that peppered citrus once again. This is very drinkable stuff and goes down very easy, I think I just might make it a session beer one night the next decent place I find it on tap. It beats Stella anytime for having a Belgian for a regular.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2003 19:48:46 | More by IronDjinn

beerguy101

California

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

Very yellow pale color, very hazy. Large head. Aroma is fruity and yeasty. Medium bodied wit beer. Fruity flavor, with oranges, coriander and ginger being the primary flavors. It a mildly sweet, lightly malty and slightly bitter beer. Clean, light and refreshing. Nice beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly swe

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2003 01:01:28 | More by beerguy101

freed

Oregon

3.4/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I'd been sampling wit beers lately, and this seemed like a difficult one to pass up. Cool cap & bottle.

Poured a nice light hazey golden, rich carbonation with an uneven head. Aroma was slight and of cider. Taste was also disappointingly mellow. Slight malt, dominating cider taste, though dominating is an awfully strong word to describe the taste with, as it was not an impression maker. Similar sweet, sugary and malty flavor with a candy feeling left on the tongue. Easy to drink and a nice after working beer. Still, not up to the previous Wits I'd tasted.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2003 05:01:45 | More by freed

clvand0

Kentucky

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a cloudy yellow (straw) color with a thick white head that leaves nice lacing on the glass. It was served on tap at the local pub with an orange slice on the rim of the glass. The aroma was very spicy with some fruityness backing it up. The flavor was not as spicy as the aroma would have predicted, but still just spicy enough to make for an interesting drink. There is also a very strong orange taste to notice. I really liked this beer and will have it again many times in the future -- if only it weren't so expensive.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2003 14:23:00 | More by clvand0

chaduvel

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured according to the instructions on the bottle. Nice pale yellow color with fizzy white lasting head, with bubbles snaking their way up from the bottom of the glass. Smell is of orange peel and some lemon zesty-ness with a light yeast aroma. Taste is lively with nice spiciness that you would expect from a great Witbier. Not the same amount of flavour as the top beers in this category, however. Has a nice citrus, orange peel bite on the finish. Very drinkable. This is a great beer especially considering its mass produced nature. I'd love to try this in Belgium!

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2003 14:24:48 | More by chaduvel

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I finally broke down and bought a six pack of Hoegaarden. I had too. It poured a light, cloudy, almost void of what I consider beer color. A nice white lacey head though. My impressions were two fold as I will explain. The first beer was great. Nice hops, almost a wheat like taste. It went down great. I wanted more. Now the rub. It seemed to "weaken" as I drank on, almost begging for a lemon wedge. No, I thought, don't give in to the evil citris wedge. I fought the impulse and paid the price: a bland beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 13:34:56 | More by bewareOFpenguin

RoyalT

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance – Super light, cloudy yellow body with a monster head typical of the style, although it went down quick and didn’t lace at all.

Smell – Yes, there’s yeast in that glass. There’s also a nice malt touch and some light fruit (watermelon, lemon), but mostly bread.

Taste – Nice, light, yeasty taste with some spices that I can’t identify. You won’t need to plop a lemon in this one – it’s already there.

Mouthfeel – Very typical of the style. Moderate to big carbonation on the cheeks, a smooth yeasty feel on the tongue, and a swallow that says, “You just ate dinner.”

Drinkability – Good, sipping bier that you’d find at any gasthause in Germany.

Comments – I know the style is supposed to be light, but this was just a little bit TOO light for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 02:44:49 | More by RoyalT

vitesse

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

served on tap at "the paragon" restaurant in providence.

this one tasted much different on tap than in bottles. much more carbonated and crispy mouthfeel this time. also, no yeast residue, so it was slightly less spicy. still plenty of great coriander flavor, so no complaints here. a very versatile summer beer that is becoming a staple in trendy restaurants. an all around cool beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2003 20:14:07 | More by vitesse

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

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

Not bad. Pours a cloudy faint yellow. Not a big head, but it's there.

Has a spicy aroma, which is rather pleasant. The taste is also slightly spicy, but this time with some citrus and coriander.

Very refreshing. I would say I like the Allagash White more than this one (maybe due to the freshness of it on tap at the GLB). However, this beer is good, and thankfully available at many places, so I will definitely seek it out again. pat

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2003 12:36:02 | More by PatandDavid

edchicma

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appeared like lemonade with a nice head. Got this offering as a 4 pack for my birthday. The smell was citrusy which gave a hint of what the brew would taste like. I admit that drinking this brew on the same night as an IPA was different, so I had to be open minded. The nicely carbonated brew was light and fruity in taste. I had to remember to half pour, swirl the yeast. then pour the rest. The resulting mouthfeel was smooth and light. Drinkability was excellent. One of the best in this category that I have sampled to date.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2003 01:03:02 | More by edchicma

euskera

North Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap last week. Pours out a cloudy yellow with a nice head. Smell is fruity with some malt character in there. Taste is good, but not that complex or well-defined. Some fruit in there along with yeast and malt with almost no hop bitterness. A nice quaffable beer that is refreshing...

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2003 17:49:30 | More by euskera

pezoids

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured out a cloudy and very pale yellow color. The thin foamy head faded quick. Nice citrus spiciness that comes with the style. Also got a strong sourness and some sweet yeast flavors. Very flavorful, highly drinkable, especially on a hot summer day.
Very enjoyable overall.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2003 06:44:15 | More by pezoids

ALEBOY

Australia

4.68/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Once again truly delightful Belgian ale. A white beer and white it is with a big soft head and a very light and hazy appearance. The nose is one of citrus and coriander with a slight sharpness to it. Taste wise Hoegaarden is in some ways slightly reminiscent of a cider, the citrus that could be smelled is still evident as is a slight tartness (perhaps from the particular yeasts used). It is very soft in the mouth and definitely a beer that I could drink all night. Hoegaarden goes well with many foods, last night I enjoyed it with camembert and lime, a combination that truly enhanced the sharp citrus flavours it contains.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2003 00:36:59 | More by ALEBOY

99bottles

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hoegaarden is a great beer. If not for the price, I would gladly never set down a pint of this from about May until September. It is refreshing, drinkable, and very tasty. I often get pitchers of this and sometimes I'll even garnish with the lemon slices that accompany it (though I hear people complain about it, I enojy the lemon at times, other times I just set it to the side-- no big deal. I see no reason to send it back or flip out about it. You can't expect every 20 something bartender to know the customs of serving a belgian beer. anyway) Ho pours the most unique looking pint of beer I've ever seen (sadly, the bar I frequent does not carry the right glass for it, so I take it in a pint glass). It has a lemon yellow body with a very hazy efferfescent look. Atop sits a tall fluffy head of white lace. Smells of citrus immeadiately predominate. The first taste is delicately sweet with a very refreshing mouthfeel. The aftertaste allows you to notice the spices used in flavoring the brew, most notably corriander and some clove. Orange, banana, and the taste of yeast all combine to make a very interesting taste, but one that is not strong at all. Essentially, this is a great beer to just sit back and enjoy, not to scrutinize over. The original Belgian wit is an experience all its own. Enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2003 16:09:39 | More by 99bottles

Jarod

Pennsylvania

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

This beer came to me a lemony yellow color that had a cloudy haze to it. It produced a pure white head that was creamy but not lasting, it fell and stayed as a ring on the sides of the glass, which produced a small amount of lace in some areas. The aromas were of citrus fruits (oranges (light), lemons), big spices (pepper, clove), light malt (warmer), and wheat grain. The tastes were of wheat, citrus fruits (lemons), spice (pepper), and light hops. Finished and left a dry wheat feel in the mouth. Light bodied which is perfect for summer. This is a smooth beer that is nice and spicy, quenches the thirst. Clean, rich, tart and sour all can be said about each sip. Not too bad !

Serving type: on-tap

07-24-2003 01:19:33 | More by Jarod

Boilermaker88

California

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Cloudy, very pale yellow color. Reminds me of pineapple juice but with a creamy white head that stayed throughout the drink. Minimal lace.

Smell: fruity/spicy aroma. Swear I smelled pineapple and light citrus. Very similar to German hefe-weizens.

Taste: Again, fruity/sweet up front with a underlying bready taste before the spiciness steps up. There is a slightly sour taste at the end with a faint alcohol bite.

Feel: light, smooth and crisp. Dry and refreshing.

Drinkability: this is strikingly similar to the German hefe's except Hoegaarden is not as heavy. This beer's low %ABV and smoothness make it a wonderful summertime refresher. Very easy to put away.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2003 01:06:47 | More by Boilermaker88

jerseyemt

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a slightly cloudy like-straw color. Bright white head, about 1/2" and fluffy. Sweet, yeasty smell with a touch of lemon.

Goes down very smooth, and very easy to drink. A bit of spice and hops on the finish.

Amazingly good brew for a hot summer day. Very refreshing and thirst quenching.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2003 16:33:56 | More by jerseyemt

Jon

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hoegaarden pours an incredibly pale yellow from the tap with a fizzy, retaining 1/4-inch head. Lacing is nice down the glass. The smell is a fresh melding of coriander, curacao, and earthy hops. Taste-wise is more of the same, with the spices and citrus notes playing major roles. This is a light-bodied brew which is lightly carbonated and refreshing. Due to its moderately low alcohol content and variety of flavors, this makes a perfect summertime choice. I prefer the tap version to that from the bottle. The classic Belgian wit.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2003 03:38:46 | More by Jon

bierman2000

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The original white beer from Belgium.. I used to really love this beer but alas my taste buds changed and Belgian style White beers just seem to have that odd coriander and orange peel flavor along with the fizzy head that doesn't meaure up to German style Weizen's IMO.. It is an interesting beer and with its low ABV very drinkable and not as carbonated as a wheat so enjoy if you can find on tap.. which is not difficult these day.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2003 10:11:50 | More by bierman2000

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.05/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

On draught at The Claddagh in Columbus, OH. It might be blasphemy to say so, but I like Blue Moon more than this. Pours a light gold color with a thin white head. Bubbly with very thin lacing. Aroma is very bready and yeasty and clean. Light-bodied and slightly sour flavor under the wheat. I could not detect much spice or citrus which usually makes Wits more tolerable to me. The finish is a little watery, with more yeast and a little banana.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2003 06:31:53 | More by Dogbrick

canadianbarman

Alberta (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

--Poured a cloudy, light-straw like in color.
--Nice head, that slightly remained throughout.
--Nice lacing.
--Smelled sweet, like lemons.

What can I say about this beer that has not already been said. This is a great summer ale. I tried it while sitting on the outdoor patio at the Bier Market in downtown Toronto after the Molson Indy. I liked it and would definetally drink it again.
Thx

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2003 21:01:53 | More by canadianbarman

steelreign

New York

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Man, this is the perfect summer brew. This is the cloudy white Belgian ale that involves a swirling motion of the last third of the bottle while pouring to produce the foamy white head. Light, crisp, and clean taste with citrus-y notes and a slightly sour tang that keeps you coming back for more! The carbonation bounces off your tongue and refreshes you instantly.

This brew would be best purchased by the case, as I did, to ensure you do not run out during those long, hot summer days. Drinkability is off the scale - truly refreshing!

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2003 07:24:58 | More by steelreign

hotstuff

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This Belgian White poured a large invigorating white creamy head with fine-small bubbles. The lacing was sparse on the sides of my glass. The body was a cloudy yellow. The aroma was fruity in my opinion and it had a slight bitter taste to it. I truly enjoyed drinking this brew while it lasted, right thedm?? This brew went down way too smooth!!

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2003 05:58:36 | More by hotstuff

TheDM

Indiana

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

This brew poured an envigorated head of creamy fine white bubbles and a carbonated cloudy light yellow body. It had a mild banana-hop aroma. It started fizzy and buttery then finshed smoothly in a banana floral flavor. Indeed, this was another very nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2003 17:15:07 | More by TheDM

ipogios

Cyprus

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Pours a beautifull pale yellow(almost white) colour. What's worth mentiong about this beer is that it is very smooth and goes down loke water.An impressive Belgian Style Wheat/White beer. A nice choice when you are lookinfg for a beer to compliment your steak or any other food.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2003 15:48:11 | More by ipogios