~ Second Tasting ~
February, 12th 2003
(1 Year, 10 Days)
Click on a photo for Tasting Notes

Steve Wagner President & Brewmaster	Lee Chase Head Brewer	Greg Koch Chairman & CEO	Arlan Arnsten Vice President of Sales	Chris Cochran Marketing & Promotions

Steve Wagner President & Brewmaster Appearance: A nice overall, golden haze. Aroma: An initial spicy, yeasty aroma – some fruit aspects. Has a slight phenolic/smoke/clove hint on the nose. Flavor: Good peppery and spice bitterness, but could really stand to mellow for another 5 to 10 years. Palate: Full mouthfeel and good body to this beer, I think the carbonation level is good for this style of beer at this point in time. Overall: Served a little too cold. Give this beer some time to age and it will really start to come around!

Lee Chase Head Brewer Appearance: Very clear, pale yellow until swirled and spiced with the yeast from the bottom of the bottle. Not much head after pouring. Aroma: Mmmm…a real nice coriander nose, with a lot of yeasty complexities. Blends nice with the spicy-peppery bouquet. Flavor: I really like this beer... tart, spicy and bitter (maybe with a little orange peel in there). If anything it’s too drinkable. Has a lingering bitterness on the tongue. Palate: Not as "creamy" as I would expect with all the wheat that it has in it. A little bit low in CO2 (carbonation) and not really "warming," but there is some alcohol presence in there. Overall: Super tasty - I didn't get enough in my glass so from now on I want to be the "One-Man" tasting panel, dammit!

Greg Koch Chairman & CEO Appearance: Poured clear golden orange, then swirled the bottle and poured some of the sediment into the glass which added a lazy haze. Aroma: Even though I’ve got a head cold today, the bright spiciness sailed through (although details of the aroma were difficult to pinpoint due to my currently muted sense of smell). Flavor: I don’t completely trust my palate today, however I clearly get hoppiness, crispness and coriander. Palate: Crisp beginning rounds out to a softness on the palate followed by a late lingering bitterness. Hints of orange peel come gently from all sides with repeated sips, which also take on the characteristics of dried apricots. Overall: Delicious! Doesn’t seem like it has changed that much in the past six months.

Arlan Arnsten Vice President of Sales Appearance: A golden-sunshine hue, small amount of head but pure white. Rather turbid after the yeast was swirled into the glass. Aroma: Spicy and peppery with fruity ester notes from the yeast – I think. Flavor: Flavor of pepper and a hint of apricot/orange. Some mild hop flavor and a notable hop bitterness. Palate: Medium to big body with a nice sweet finish without being cloying. Overall: Truly a unique beer. Lots of fruity characteristics with evident hops – drink now or see what tomorrow holds.

Chris Cochran Marketing & Promotions Appearance: A nice straw-blonde color that gains a cloudiness after the last pour of the yeast from the bottom of the bottle. Very little head. Aroma: A little less “vibrant” on the nose than the 6month bottle, but still has a nice spiciness. The yeasty smell is very nice – almost “earthy.” Flavor: Still (after one year) has a wonderful spiciness and seems to me to be not as overwhelming as when first released – a little more balanced. The yeasty overtones are wonderful! Palate: Initial crispness, and very smooth, lingering aftertaste. Seems like the progression of flavors is beginning, but will need to see with time. Overall: One hell of a beer! The peppery flavor is awesome, even though it’s a little assertive it is starting to mellow a little – can’t wait to try it in a year or two!