~ 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!