Judge’s Review: 86 Rating – Rucksack by Monday Night Brewing

Hefeweizen / Weissbier | Seasonal | United States

By Rodney A. Tillinghast

Judges Rating: 86
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 35
Mouthfeel: 7
Overall Impression: 16

Rucksack by Monday Night Brewing was judged as a German Weissbier (Style 10A). A monstrous, pillowy white head rested atop the hazy golden brew, bubbling up with a very strong carbonation level. The beer offered up healthy aromas of spicy clove and banana, supported by a sweet, crackery malt backbone. 
Its flavoring followed the traditional interpretation, with its nice grainy maltiness, firm clove, and subtle citrus underpinnings. Hop bitterness was neutral and faded quickly. It finished a little sweet, which detracted from the overall impression, with a medium to medium-full mouthfeel. 
A little by more dryness would have enhanced the experience, but in the end, it came along with more than enough weizen-type qualifications to be enjoyable.