Everything’s coming up Blossom!

Citrus aromas mingle with bready wheat notes and loads of orange and lemon flavor for a springtime sipper that’s blooming with character. To get the full forecast on our new seasonal Wheat Ale, read on!

Reviews are done by Travis Houston, our Sensory Specialist, Certified Cicerone, and FOBAB Judge.

Blossom is a Wheat Ale; can you give us a little background on this style?

Wheat has been used to brew beer for thousands of years. When the Germany Purity Law, the Rheingeitsgebot, banned its use in brewing within Bavaria, areas not affected embraced beers produced with a large amount of wheat in the recipe. Soon, the law was amended, and even Bavarian breweries could create popular styles like Hefeweizen and Witbier. Beers brewed with wheat have a slightly smoother mouthfeel, along with a light, fresh grain character. This makes for the perfect malt bill onto which other ingredients can be layered to create a flavorful yet approachable brew. From spices to fruit to acid-producing mixed-culture fermentations, wheat is the base of many of the world’s oldest and most beloved styles. 

What are some things that citrus peel and coriander do for Blossom?

Another reason wheat became such a beloved component of beer is its ability to enhance the flavor of other ingredients, especially citrus. By steeping just the peel and not the whole fruit, all the citrus flavor can be extracted without adding extra acid or sugar, which would drastically change the finished beer. Coriander also has citrus notes, and adds a subtle complexity to the fruit profile. The final product is a beer with a citrus character that’s more than the sum of its parts, featuring a bright, fresh effervescence that wouldn’t be possible without the use of wheat.

What makes you want to drink Blossom?

Many classic wheat styles, with their light, often fruity flavor profiles, are tied to the spring season, which is rapidly approaching. Blossom is a modern take on those same traditional styles, and hits the same flavor notes that makes those beers so desirable this time of year.

Appearance: Bright gold with slight haze and thick, white, fluffy foam.

Aroma: Zesty lemon, bright orange, crisp cereal grain, and the slightest hint of spice.

Taste: Slightly sweet with mild bitterness and loads of bright citrus character.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a full, flavorful finish.

Overall: Bright gold with slight haze and thick, white foam, Blossom bursts with aromas of fresh lemon, bright orange, and hints of spice. Mild bitterness is balanced by wheaty sweetness, leading to a perfectly balanced, citrus-forward brew.

What foods would pair well with Blossom? Blossom would go great with sushi, or fried fish.

Ideal glassware for Blossom? A classic shaker pint.