Judge’s Review: 90 Rating – Whiffle by Rhinegeist Brewery

Witbier | Year-Round | United States

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 90
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 17

Whiffle by Rhinegeist Brewery is a Witbier and is being evaluated as such (category 24A from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Witbiers are Belgian wheat beers that are typically brewed with coriander and orange peel. Witbier is a refreshing style noted for its flavors of citrus and floral coriander. Whiffle is brewed with barley, wheat and oats and was hopped with Mandarina Bavaria hops.
Whiffle pours golden in color with a moderate haze and a medium, finely beaded white head. The aroma is of moderate lemony citrus and moderate wheat with a hint of black pepper. The body is medium-light and just slightly dry. The flavor is moderate wheat with a delicate light lemon and orange ester, spice and hop meld. The beer finishes lightly bitter with a light wheat and lemon spice.
This refreshing witbier is a little lighter on the coriander than more traditional examples and is unusually hopped with Mandarina Bavaria hops. Regardless, this well-brewed beer is a light and refreshing and is quite quaffable.