Beer of the Week (Vol. CIV)

Another edition of Beer of the Week brought to you by the dynamic duo at Glen Lake Wine & Spirits who have the powers (and capes and matching tights) to safely guide you through the wide world of wine, whiskey, and beer. When it comes to the latter two categories, Glen Lake’s new manager Mark is your go to guy. Despite his youthful appearance, Mark is wise beyond his years when it comes to the finer elixirs of life. If you’re one of those wine people (shakes head sadly), Glen Lake’s owner/operator Dan is your man.

This week’s selection is our first from Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City:

Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to be the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, with full or partial distribution currently in 19 states. Since 1989 our brewery has remained dedicated to the craft of producing fresh, flavorful beers using traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Our selection of fine ales and lagers include the Midwest's best-selling craft beer, Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer, our flagship Boulevard Pale Ale, and The Smokestack Series line of artisanal beers. We are proud to be Kansas City's Beer, and Missouri's Largest Independent Brewery.

Best-selling craft beer in the Midwest? Who knew? Now you do as Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer is our Beer of the Week:

Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer is a lively, refreshing ale with a natural citrusy flavor and distinctive cloudy appearance. This easy drinking American-style wheat beer has become our most popular offering, and the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest.

Let’s see if it can live up to the hype.

12oz stubby brown bottle. Label has black background with hops and wheat framing a classic rendering of a farmer gathering up shocks of wheat with fluffy clouds and the sun rising (or setting) in the background.

Style: Wheat Ale

Alcohol by Volume: 4.4%

COLOR (0-2): Light gold, nicely clouded. 2

AROMA (0-2): Wheat with touches of sour lemon and banana. 2

HEAD (0-2): Bright white color, moderate volume and fades quickly. 2

TASTE (0-5): Again wheat with sour lemon and yeast, not as much banana as in the smell with minimal hops. Overall the flavors are muted and don’t stand out. Well carbonated, watery mouthfeel, with a lighter body. Refreshing and very drinkable. 2

AFTERTASTE (0-2): Not much follow through—hollow. 1

OVERALL (0-6): Wheat beers are among my favorite styles, especially this time of year. However, Boulevard’s Wheat offering was disappointing. While it looks good in the glass there’s no follow-through on the flavor front. There’s nothing in particular that’s off-putting, but there’s also nothing here that’s enticing either. Compared to other more flavorful wheat beers out there, I found it to be bland and uninteresting. Which possibly could be the explanation for its apparent popularity. Color me unimpressed. 3

TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 12