Hoegaarden, what do ya think?

[mbritojr]

I am 3 beers into my first 6 pack of Hoegaarden Belgium White right now, and am at odds. I can't really decide if I like it yet...

Tonight I visited my local liquor store slash beer store (in Rhode Island they are one in the same) with quite a thirst. I was looking for something, a satisfying beer with a clean finish, a beer that would leave me with a smile and a light stomach. Not exactly a hub of beer activity, fine beers are alot more difficult to come by in Rhode Island than you might think. Hobbling around on a single micro brewery it is obvious to most that RI loves its rum more than anything else...what can you ask of a former Sugar Triangle trader? It is quite rare to find anything but the normal nationally produced barley-sodas on the shelf, so hopes of appeasing my desire were not too high. As I entered the store I saw the crowd one would excpect on Memorial Day weekend, attacking the beer wall and reducing its 30-pack towers to the floor. I immediately moved past the mob at the wall-of-blandness to the specialty import section (as I usually do) when I noticed a newcomer to the shelf. My mind was drawn to the unfamiliar white, blue, and silver six-bottle carrier, and curiosity took over. Being the daredevil that I am, I took it home to experiment with.

So here I am, 3 down & 3 left....but I don't know what to think! Hoegaarden is a Belgian wheat with a citrusy flavor that is bottle (22 oz) or keg (12 oz) fermented. It has a slight yeast smell and light bleachy smell accopanying its 5.0% ABV. Thick head and a creamy bright yellow are also characteristic of this Labatt import. Unfiltered and yeasty, it has it's appeal in concept. But now that it is in my mouth I can't decide what the verdict is yet. Is it satisfying my quest for a light yet satisfying brew? Yes. Is it what I expected? No.

Has anyone else had this beer? Go to your local brew man, grab a 6'er, pour the whole thing (sediment and all) into a short, heavy glass and enjoy. Leave some comments and let me know what YOU think....

Mike

[Bacchus]

I´ve only had it from the tap...served in this giant big chilled beerglass...in the summertime with a pot of fresh mussles to go with it...I loved it!
Maybe it was the situation, but I´ve got only positive memories from it!

[davesarman]

I think this is a wonderful beer, especially on sunny spring or summer days outside. Have it with some cheese or other light food. I like to swish the beer around a bit to get all the yeast in my glass. I think it makes for a fuller flavor that way. Citusy, fruity, refreshing!

[MmmBeer]

Hoegaarden is one of my favorites. Light, crisp, flavorful, and refreshing. Orange and coriander, yum! Had my first one in Belgium, and while the tap version in Brussells is the best one I have ever had I still drink it whenever I can get it on tap here. I too live in Rhode Island, but have found at least a decent selection of Micro-brew vendors in the area. I also live about 2 minutes from the Newport Storm brewery, they give tours (and free tastings!) on Friday evenings around 6 pm, I like the beer allright, the tours are cool and the guys who started the brewery are the tour guides, they are really chill and will answer lots of questions.

[chazwicke]

Wit beers can be a real delight this time of year. Refreshing and crisp. Hoegaarden is among the best and is the standard for the style.

[fidcastro]

Hoegaarden was one of my favorites before my trip to Belgium, and it is even more so now. They had it on tap all over the place, and it was HOT outside. It was particularly good on the beach when they served it in giant 3/4 liter tumblers...

[briansbelly.com]

At the moment I type this, Hoegaarden is filling the number two slot in our ratings:

http://www.briansbelly.com/beerbelly/hoegaarden.shtml

It is an excellent brew.

Dave

[steveh]

Right behind Caffrey's..? I don't think you can even find that in the Chicago area any more, it's sales were so bad.

S.

[briansbelly.com]

I find it interesting to follow the rankings of the beers on Brian's Belly... they are not locked into place like one might think. The number one beer right now--Caffrey's --is personally one of my favorite Ales (my Brian's Belly Review here (http://www.briansbelly.com/beerbelly/caffreysirishale.shtml)) even though I live in the States and can no longer get it (not because it didn't sell well, but because Coors Brewing now owns it and I guess they feel that Coors with Red Dye #5 (Killian's) is more important to them).

In March around St. Paddy's Day, Guinness (http://www.briansbelly.com/beerbelly/guinness.shtml) was number one at BB. Prior to that, Fat Tire Ale (http://www.briansbelly.com/beerbelly/fattire.shtml) was sitting at number one for quite some time.

Dave

[steveh]

Originally posted by briansbelly.com
The number one beer right now--Caffrey's --is personally one of my favorite Ales > snip < can no longer get it (not because it didn't sell well, but because Coors Brewing now owns it and I guess they feel that Coors with Red Dye #5 (Killian's) is more important to them). [/QUOTE]

And Killian's is more important to them because it sells better. Honestly, I asked a bartender friend at a bar that once carried Caffrey's why they didn't any more. He said that it just wasn't selling (around our area) and the distributor took it off.

Personally, though I would drink it once in a while, I was never impressed with the stuff. I think that if you took away the nitro it would have been terribly bland. That said, I've never had it out of the can - only on draft, in the Chicago area and in London.

AFA the question of Killian's, well...it's just not worth the trouble to discuss. In a word, bleh.

S.

[chazwicke]

I had it in the can and was also unimpressed. I had high expectations and ended up with 3 of the cans languishing in the back of my beer fridge. My wife may have used a couple for cooking. There maybe one left in there still and I bought them when they first hit the market.

[hopjack13]

QUOTE]Prior to that, Fat Tire Ale was sitting at number one for quite some time.[/QUOTE]

flat tire? #1 ? i saw the site and it's #4 now? i think that that beer is highly over rated, i said it i don't know how many times before but it lacks character and depth, not a very interesting beer in the least. and im with steveh on the killians, it's not even worth discussing. why is there no mention of stone brews on your site? dogfish head ? victory ? three floyds? alesmith?bridgeport ? hair of the dog? kalamazoo bells ?
flat tire over sierra navada pale?????
shiner bock over fullers 1845 ?????
and this is the one that really really gets me,
pabst blue ribbon over sierra navada celebration???????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????

[briansbelly.com]

why is there no mention of stone brews on your site? dogfish head ? victory ? three floyds? alesmith?bridgeport ? hair of the dog? kalamazoo bells ?

We're not a database of beer that exist, and I don't need to tell you there are alot of beers!

flat tire over sierra navada pale?????
shiner bock over fullers 1845 ?????
and this is the one that really really gets me,
pabst blue ribbon over sierra navada celebration???????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????

I'm sure you realize that I personally don't put them in order... there is a rating system... and everyone has their favorites.

Dave

[hopjack13]

We're not a database of beer that exist, and I don't need to tell you there are alot of beers!

im ment in your ratings or on your site , or anywhere!

I'm sure you realize that I personally don't put them in order... there is a rating system... and everyone has their favorites.
well whom ever they are i think they have too much yardage between thier goal post's , maybe the cheese has slid off their crackers.

oh well...im going to the goathill tavren and get stoned like the arrogant bastard i am!

[ratman03]

I'd like to comment on a few of the aforementioned beers.

If you guys like Hoegaarden, you should have tried Celis White (RIP). I thought of Celis as a fresher, more intense version of Hoegaarden; maybe not as delicate, but tastier. The founder of Celis, Pierre Celis, started brewing Hoegaarden a while back, and then sold out to a megabrewer. He then went to Texas and started Celis. Alas, Miller bought a controlling interest in the brewery and closed it a few years ago. So we are left with Hoegaarden again... It is good, but everytime I taste it I pine for the distincitve, wonderful brew that was Celis White.

Fat Tire is like Pete's. They both started off good, but when they went corporate, predictably they declined in quality. I live in Colorado, and don't particularly like Fat Tire; however, people tell me that it was a lot better years ago, just like I remember Pete's being delicious about 12 years ago.

When I was in Ireland some time back I went drinking with some Irish chaps and they told me that Caffrey's was like the Bud of Ireland. I thought it was decent, but it suffers from a lack of respect even in its homeland.

[davesarman]

RE: Celis
The rights to the brand were acquired by Michigan Brewing Co. a year or two back and it is in production again by them. It is said to be a faithful reproduction of the original Celis. I have not had a chance to try it in it's second life, but it was reviewed in the May issue of All About Beer magazine. Fred Eckhardt said it followed the other version closely, Garrett Oliver thought it was a bit sweeter and Michael Jackson said it mimicks early Hoegaarden.

[chazwicke]

Celis beers have again risen from the dead. A Michigan brewery bought the rights and recipes and is again making Celis beers. I was fond of the White. Pierre Celis brought his fine beers for a tasting at the Brickskeller years ago.

[ratman03]

Thanks for the heads up on Celis. I live in Colorado and will be contacting Michigan Brewing Co soon to see if I can get some out here. According to their web site they are brewing the original recipes with the support of Pierre himself, but I'll reserve comment until I can taste some.

http://www.michiganbrewing.com/

[le qwak]

Hoegarten is a fine beer though an aquired taste
obviously another fine summer thirst quencher is a Hefeweizen
again it's aquired taste but certainly one worth aquiring!! The
German originals are the best if they are fresh though I've had
domestic varieties that approach the gold standard. BUT PLEASE
NO LEMON!!! I can't say I'm impressed with Caffrey's though I
really like a well made ale from the British Isles. Fullers has to be
one of my favorites I also like Highlands(I think) brewery from
Scottland makers of Old Jock etc. Finally on the Beer Belly rankings
to put Pabst over Sierra Celebration is laughable. I'd rather drink
my own urine (dosen't even have to be cold) then a Pabst!!!

Cheers!!!

[Richard English]

Quote "...I can't say I'm impressed with Caffrey's though I
really like a well made ale from the British Isles..."


One reason for this might be that Caffreys, whilst being brewed in the British Isles, is a Northern Irish beer, not an English beer. Most of the beers you will have experienced and loved will be English (as is, of course, Fuller's); a few will be Scottish and some will be Welsh. Very few will be from Northern Ireland - Hilden of Belfast being about the only brewer of any merit.

Guinness, probably the best-known beer in the world is, of course Irish and thus not brewed in the United Kingdom at all (although brewed in the geographical region of the British Isles).

I do not consider that Caffreys is a beer of any quality and it is now owned by Coors - whose ownership is, I suggest, unlikely to improve it.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English I do not consider that Caffreys is a beer of any quality and it is now owned by Coors - whose ownership is, I suggest, unlikely to improve it.

Richard, I couldn't help but think of you a few days ago while in my local liquor store. The proprietor was helping a gentleman with the purchase of a case of Boddington's - to my surprise, this gentleman had an English accent (and was wearing a BBC-America t-shirt as well)! After this misguided brethren of yours exited, I asked the store owner why he chose Boddington's over the wide selection of Young's available - especially since he should know better! The owner couldn't answer. :/

S.

[Richard English]

Well, of course, it's possible he hailed from Manchester and was buying Boddingtons out of some misplaced sense of loyalty or maybe a belief that it is still brewed there by the old company.

Or maybe he was just ignorant.

[BREWERDLUX]

This is one time that it is good to live in Texas...... We were told from the start, by the owners of the Michigan Brewing Co. that we would get shipments of the new Celis White and the Pale Bock. They did us right on their promise. I am able to get it at will and it is worth a taste. I think it is a little sweeter, but still a quality product.

[BelgianBeer]

I think it's fair to say that Hoegaarden is considered something of a "stepping stone beer" here in Belgium. It is one of the key brands of brewing giant Interbrew, and it has basically become a brew for the crowds around here. They serve Hoegaarden nearly everywhere, often in draught form. Add that it is almost as cheap and easily drinkable as your regular pilsner, and you understand why for many people, as they grow up, it is their first alternative when looking for the "good stuff". But since the the "good stuff" is truly great around here (If I may say so myself), Hoegaarden sort of pales in comparison. Having said that, it still remains a great beer if it gets really hot (but personally I'll gladly take an authentic gueuze or even better, draught lambic instead), and it goes well with many dishes (because of its subtle sourish taste). Also, it can be a real life-saver in truly lousy bars (think hotel lobby or airport).

Celis, incidently, is reported (last I heard) back in Belgium, and working on his latest experiment: "grottenbier" ("cave beer"), a dark, spiced beer conditioned and matured in big bottles stocked in caves 50meters below the surface. I have seen it sold and/or sampled on a few occasions, but haven't gotten around towards tasting it yet...

[pasenafan]

Weihenstephaner from the "oldest brewery in the world" makes a kristall weissbier that is out of this world. I find it crisp and favorful, without the murkiness of hefeweizen. It's a wonderful summer beer and, I concur, sans lemon ! Prost!

[steveh]

We have an intern from Stuttgart working in our office this Summer. He tells me that, at least in his neck of the Deutches Wald, Kristalweizen is the only Weizenbier that is served with a lemon. In none of my trips to Germany did I ever have any Weizen but Hefeweizen - and never once was I served a lemon. I guess I'll hunt down Kristals on my next trip.

Don't be afraid of the "murk," it's good and healthy vitamin B! Had two Hacker Pschorr Hefeweizen at my local last night (no lemon, thank you).

S.

[elzie]

I didn't care for Hoegaarden. It was too cidery or tart for my liking. I purchased a six pack about six months ago and still have three left. There would've been five left, but my brother likes it.

It just reminded me of when I had a Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic. A taste that I did not expect to say the least. Maybe if I was ready for it or had an idea of what to expect, but when I expected a malty flavor and got citrusy, my taste buds revolted.....


I won't rule out trying it again, after all, it IS beer.

[Jake]

Here is an interesting site I found: www.ratebeer.com.

When I want to try a new beer I like to see what others are saying about that beer. Its kinda fun to comparing what you think of a beer with others.

[Richard English]

Quote "...Don't be afraid of the "murk," it's good and healthy vitamin B!..."

Most of the world's finest beers (like the world's finest wines and champagnes) will have some sediment, although the amount may be small. Any beer that is crystal clear and sparkling (like A-B Budweiser) I would treat with considerable suspicion!

Some beers (like Australia's Cooper's Spakling Ale or England's Hop Back Summer Lightning) throw huge sediments - and are certainly none the worse for that. Others (like Goose Island IPA) throw a sediment that is almost invisible. But sediment there is and I actually make a point of looking for it before I buy any new beer. No sediment, no sale!

[steveh]

Originally posted by Richard English
No sediment, no sale!

I can't limit myself so, Richard. There are too many good beers (Capital, New Glarus, Sprecher, Lake Front, Summit) around me to turn down something just because it isn't bottle conditioned.

Hey wait a minute, that bottle of Capital Maibock I presented you with wasn't BC! ;)

S.

[Richard English]

You're right, of course. There are good beers that aren't bottle-conditioned just as there are good draught beers that are not cask-conditioned. But I've never had a bad bottle-conditioned beer, though by golly, I've had some dire brewery-conditioned ones.

[denver brewhoo]

Dang!! Think the earth just shifted or something. Anybody else feel that?