Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat Reviewed

August 1, 2008

I was happy to find during a recent Brew Club exchange that someone had picked out Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat!  I’d heard many good things about this Brewery’s products and I had also received several comments from visitors of to give it a try!

The Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat is a very cloudy, straw-colored brew that created a decent sized fizzy head in my glass.  This foamy head dissipated fast enough, and there wasn’t much in the manner of carbonation after that.

Sunset Wheat has a very different smell from other beers I’ve recently tried.  You can definitely pick up on the wheat and something of a sweet citrus smell as well.  Very nice.

When I first tasted this beer, I thought “wow - this is nice!”  It’s smooth in that there is no bitterness or bite, a little bit of the hops come through - and I could swear there is something orange going on in there!  I’m not saying this is an “orange-flavored beer”, no way!  Orange is however, a very strong component of the overall taste.  Again, very nice indeed.

It’s got a medium kind of mouthfeel - it definitely does not feel like you’re drinking water, but it also isn’t so heavy that is isn’t a refreshing drink.  I would say it was a step-down from the “crisp” category, and as a result I would even say that the Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat would make an excellent Summer Beer choice.  Why?  Because to me, Sunset Wheat passes the “Lawnmower Test”.  (Would this be a good beer to have after cutting the grass in the Summer?) Yes! This is a satisfying beer that has something of a spicy/citrusy thing going on that would make for a very refreshing Summertime treat!

I know a lot of people seem to enjoy the regular Blue Moon variety beer with a slice of orange added.  If you are one of those people, you might want to try this Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat for a change and I don’t think you’ll even need the orange slice to spice it up!  It does well enough alone!  Another beer that we tried that is similar in concept to the Sunset Wheat is the Shock Top Belgian White which also had that Orange and Spice taste, but in my opinion was not as good as the Leinenkugel’s.

Would I get this Sunset Wheat again or tell a friend to get it?  You bet.

Rating:

Related posts:

1. Hoegaarden Witbier Reviewed
2. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale Reviewed
3. Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss Beer Reviewed

Posted in 4 Star Reviews, All Brews Reviewed, American Beers, Seasonal Beers, Summer Beers, Wheat Beers