A Pint Half Full

Purchased from:
Free aka gifted

ABV%:
8.2%

Type:
Weizenbock

Color:
Cloudy, muddy brown.  You can't see through it.  Characteristic of wheat beers (the cloudiness that is).

Aroma:
Cloves mixed with bananas, a bit of light bitterness and some toffee/raisin-y sweetness in the background.

Taste:
Really smooth with a medium mouthfeel - not too syrupy though.  Definite clove presence but balanced with the toffee malt and a bit of bananas .  The sweetness is met by some hop bitters in the finish which is balanced by all the other flavors.  Complex and enjoyable.

Overall:
This beer was very tasty.  It went down so easy and every sip brought different flavors out.  The Schneider Aventinus is a wheat beer which lends itself to another layer of flavors beyond the malt and hops.  You smell bananas and spices in the aroma.   The higher level of alcohol is not really noticeable due to the fantastic balance of sweetness, bitterness and spice.  It reminded me of other Belgian beer flavors (clovey) yet didn't leave your mouth dry as some Belgians can.  This is a beer that needs to be savored.  The only bad thing I'd say is that the cloves flavor can at times overpower everything.  But overall, so good.  I wanted more when I was done with the bottle. 

4.5/5