Though it is common in a lot of places that brew beer now, Michigan is one of the places that does not think twice about piling on the hops in almost every style of beer. Being a self professed hop fiend myself this has been a great thing when it comes to giving something a try. Lately though it has gotten to a point where it has become a bit of silliness.
When perusing the beer aisles recently I spotted a psychedelic/pop art label bearing the name of west Michigan brewery Saugatuck. It caught my attention so I gave it a closer look.
"For real?" I thought to myself. "Do they really need to turn up the hop volume up to eleven on wheat beers now too?"
While mulling the though of purchasing it over I remembered that Indiana's Three Floyd's does such a thing with their Gumball. Gumball is a pretty awesome brew so I figure "Eh, what the hell" and put my money down on the counter.
Hazy brass in color and a very slight but still rocky head from a light pour this beer instantly gives off aromas of orange marmalade and an assortment of tropical fruits before even lifting it up to the nose for further investigation. Once giving it a closer sniff notes of wheat bread along with tinges of banana and clove poke their way up through the bright tart smells that stand tall on top.
Tangerine, mango and tart kiwi are very noticeable on the taste buds at first sip. These tangy and slightly oily bits of zest move over to the side a bit towards the middle to let some doughy yeast and coriander through. It finishes fairly clean with some citrus note lingering for a little while after.
To say this is a Michigan answer to Gumball could be a fair assumption but it also seems a little unfair. I'm not saying that Saugatuck may have not been inspired by the idea but they have done their own take on it. Sure, maybe hopping out a wheat beer is not what is "suppose" to be done with the style but this has quite a refreshing taste. As a whole there is a funky farmhouse/saison thing going on here that could be intentional or could just be a happy accident. Add this to your rotation list of sunny day beers for this summer.
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