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I will add the tag for Brooklyn Brewery to this review, as the brewmaster there appears to have assisted in the designing of this beer. Will that make it better? Will the fact that it's an anniversary beer make it better? Well the fact that they decided to name it something that wasn't English make it any better? I don't have a label set aside for a wit, so I'm going to include both the white ale and wheat ale labels. Technically, this is neither of those beers. In fact, it would probably be more appropriate for me to call this a Belgian ale. Nevertheless, I've made choices in life, and the stupid labels on these reviews is one of them.The beer pours a clear yellow that is quite pale. What little head erupts then fizzles away relatively quickly, but it leaves a nice ring around the sides with the suggestion that it will leave lacing, but it's not actually going to leave any. The aroma is Belgian yeast, coriander, and wheat. They say that there is orange peel, but I can't smell it over that coriander. Ordinarily, Belgian yeast is a welcomed entry into almost any beer, but it really seems like it's overpowering almost everything else in this one. Mind you, that's just from a sniff.
First sip is very good. The Belgian yeast is mixing with the coriander very well, and the sweet and orange make for a nice backdrop. There's a little bit of a floral nature that comes on after the sip is gone, but the sip itself is gentle, calm, and it does exactly what it should do. As usual, the Belgian yeast is a little strong, and it tends to own whatever room it walks into. I have commented before about the way that brettanomyces yeast in a beer tends to take the whole thing over, and the hops are a secondary thought (if that) and Belgian yeast is very similar in that respect, but it is smoother and easier to mix with others. It's the difference between concrete and cement.
Tip-in is yeast upfront with coriander next to it. The middle shoves carbonation to the roof of the mouth, but it's not particularly egregious as the coriander and yeast dance in the middle of the mouth with flowers and orange peels nestled around them. The finish is a quick hit of yeast before orange peels seem to take over everything for the trail off.
Bottom Line: Yes, I could drink another.
3.25/5
