Wasatch Brewing : Belgian White Ale

This is a prime example of how when you are evaluating a beer, you really need to give it two or three tries, especially if you don't like it the first time around.  Much of the experience you will have in trying a new beer depends upon things that have nothing to do with the beverage: mood, food, personal bias, palate fatigue, etc.

When I first tried this beer, two or three years ago I was not impressed. I was at a conference, I was tired, I was eating greasy pub food, and I think that all overwhelmed the subtitles of this beer.

Also since that time, I have brewed a citrus-herb saison and a hefeweizen with moteuka hops (lemon-lime flavors).  Because of that, I'm better at picking out specific citrus flavors in beer.

This beer is a 6% Belgian White Ale flavored with orange peel, coriander, and spices. It bills itself as like Blue Moon but bigger, better, and bolder.  It pours hazy straw with a creamy white head.


I disagree, this beer is not like Blue Moon.  While I do like Blue Moon, Wasatch White Ale is so much better. Wasatch's beer has something that Blue Moon doesn't: lemon & lime flavors. In twitter conversations I've had with the brewery, I've found out that these flavors come from lemon and lime zest.

When I first tried this beer, I totally missed the lemon and lime in it. I pretty much missed the orange peel and coriander too. My impression at that time was of a flavorless White Ale.

Retrying this beer on its own, when I wasn't stressed out allowed me to experience this beer more fully. There is also a sour twang on the front of the taste that I completely missed on the first try.

It has been a pleasure to rediscover this beer.