Thursday, December 1, 2011

December 1 - Hoegaarden


Why we picked it:  96 out of 100 rating from Total Wine.

About Hoegaarden: The original wheat beer is the oldest and most famous of Hoegaarden’s range. When poured, it forms a soft, white creamy head and leaves a generous lacing on the glass. Its naturally cloudy, pale hue shimmers when viewed through the glass.

With an aroma of orange peel, coriander and spice, its characteristic taste is entirely unique: smooth, light-bodied, and simultaneously sweet and sour, with a subtle, spiced citrus flavour. Best served in its traditional hexagonal glass.


The Pour: There is a specific way to pour a Hoegaarden that maximises both the aroma and the taste experience.

When pouring from the bottle, the hexagonal glass should first be rinsed and, ideally, laid in ice to ensure it is perfectly chilled.

When ready, tilt the glass to a 45-degree angle and pour two-thirds of the bottle. The bottle should then be swirled as this awakens the head of the beer and enlivens the yeast that may have settled during storage.

Stand the glass in an upright position, and twist the bottle around as you pour out the remaining beer to create a thick head of creamy foam.

ABV:  4.9%

Case Cost: $35

19 comments:

  1. It's so good, once it hits your lips it's so good.

    12:01 12/01/11...it begins!

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  2. This one gets a check plus. It's the only beer of the 24 that I've had before and it's one of my favorites.

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  3. That was delicious...I'll give it a B+...8.5 out of 10. I've had this before and it's one of my favorites. Very refreshing.

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  4. No wonder you liked it - ORANGE PEEL!!

    Now did you make sure to pour it into a rinsed/chilled hexagonal glass at a 45 degree angle until the bottle was 2/3 empty?

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  5. I couldn't find a protractor this morning to make sure I was at the proper 45 degree angle for pouring... but regardless, it was a pretty delicious breakfast! I give it a 7/10...

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  6. For a wheat beer(not my favorite), I actually thought it was pretty good. Lighter than I thought it would be, though the fruitiness(fruit has no place in beer despite Tony's desire for it to be) was a bit of a turn-off.

    Since beer for me is all about a means to an end, I'm going to rate all of my beers on a scale of sober to black out-drunk.

    This beer: Nice Buzz.

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  7. Actually followed the instructions, glad I did.

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  8. My first time trying this beer...not bad. I feel like I can drink a bunch of these. Plus I love the name.

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  9. Tony/Mark- why didn't you get this as one of our beers? http://www.funnysigns.net/files/bierbitzch-400x277.jpg

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  10. This was good. I like the fruity taste.

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  11. Pretty good for a wheat beer (not my favorite either). I'm sure if I had the appropriate glass it would've tasted better. Rating: 6

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  12. Had this quite a few times before. Not a huge fan of Belgian wheat beers except for Allagash, the American version, but I do like Hoegarden. I didn't properly follow my instructions. I didn't have a hexagonal glass so found some 9 sided drinking glass. As a result, I did not have a creamy head as advertised. I also didn't swirl my beer to enliven the yeast.

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  13. a fruity tasting beer, but very enjoyable. I didn't have a hexagonal mug so I used my frosty Redskins mug as a substitue. Maybe that's why I liked it so much. I give it 8 out of 10.

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  14. Not getting laid equals bad beer. Thus, this beer, FAIL

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  15. I'm going to compare this and all of the beers to the World's Greatest Beer (Miller Lite 12 oz. can - duh). The key point for me in the comparison of the Hoegaarden to the WGB is orange peel taste. I'm going to go with the beer with less of it - Miller Lite, still champion.

    That being said, the Hoegaarden was a solid beer. Would drink again.

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  16. A very unique beer. I also am not much of a fan of the wheat beers, but this one was facinating. Not sure if any of you picked up on the banana and clove aromas and flavors. I'm a fan.

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  17. I love wheat beer and have had this before. And I did not like it before, and do not like now. It is very smooth and light with nice aroma but I do not like the after taste of this beer, never have. I am looking forward to the other Wheat beers.

    rating 6 out of 10

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  18. Beer is very good. I have had it previously and had have always enjoyed it although I like most Belgium beers. The first time I had Hoegaarden, I had it in Belgium and iI asked my buddy who lives there as well as several bartenders about the the hexagonal drinking glass. They all said that all of the breweries promote their own special drinking glasses for their respective beers because it will supposedly release different favors, aromas, etc. but in the end, it is all marketing bullshit. I'm looking forward to the next one in the case. Guinness is still the best beer in the world!

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  19. Sorry i just realized i can post comments here without some stupid blog thing. Wheat beer sucks, this is better than most but wheat beer still sucks.

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