#10. Drink'in The Sunbelt - Jester King Brewery & Mikkeller

Tonight's drink is a collaboration between Austin-based Jester King and the Danish brewer Mikkeller. This is the first effort between the 2 and both are known for ignoring boundaries.

At 4.2 ABV this is a low-alcohol session beer. It is also bottle refermented which was evident by the nice "pfftt" when I pop the top. There is also quite a bit of head with larger bubbles.

The aroma is slightly piney with some funkiness to it, almost like an old towel. The funky towel smell goes away and some orange emerges, almost like an orange candy.

On the tongue there is a sour orange flavor and the hop bitterness coats the mouth. A slight lime flavor comes through at the end. The lively carbonation keeps the hoppiness in check.

This is a different kind of wheat beer which was expected from these 2 brewers. At first I didn't think think I would like this one, but the more I drink the more I am warming up to it. I am not sure this would be my first choice for a summer wheat refresher, but it would be something to consider when I am looking for a little bit different. 89 out of 100.

#9. Organic Hefeweizen - Brauerei Pinkus Mueller

I was at Central Market the other day looking for something different when I came across this one. A route salesman from a local distributor was there stocking the beer case and tried to steer me to the Banana Bread beer, but somehow that didn't pique my interest.

The first thing about this beer is the organic label. I try and buy organic foods whenever possible, but after trying several organic wines I have come to the conclusion that organic beverages are on the gimmicky side. Whereas I think organic apples make a better apple, organic beer and wine do not. Let's see if this one steers me a different direction.

This beer pours into the glass a little darker than pale with a very short living head. When I see unfiltered I think cloudy of course, but this one isn't so much cloudy as it is just a little opaque. On the nose is some slight citrus and some yeast, along with a little bit of honey and some grassy notes.

On the palate this is a light bodied beer that almost tastes flat. I've had a few other German hefes, so I don't think this is indicative of the style. I like a little more fizz with my wheats because I find them more refreshing that way. Flat can also be applied to the flavor profile - nothing really stands out. This is 60% wheat which will make it very light flavored, almost too light. There is some lemon on the back of the palate and a little hit of hops and sourness.

This is not an easy drinking beer because I am finding the flatness hard to overcome. German hefes are not supposed to be fruited like American ones, but a slice of orange would probably perk this one up a bit. Not my favorite hefe - 83 out of 100.

#8. Edelherb - Kulmbacher

After a week off, it's time to get back to drinking! Today's beer is a German pilsner called Kulmbacher Edelherb.

I have never truly appreciated this style mostly because I associated it with American beers. The label for Miller Lite says "True Pilsner Taste" which is just marketing. The flavor of this pilsner is so far removed from typical American lagers that companies like Miller should be charged with false advertising.

This beer pours a very pale, straw color with a good amount of head. On the nose there is what I think is the distinctive smell of a pilsner - mild grain with a slight hop backbone. There is a very crispness to the smell as it is very clean. It doesn't linger much, but you instantly know this is a pilsner. I also detect a little flowery perfume, almost like a lavender or honeysuckle but again it doesn't linger.

On the palate this has classic pilsner flavor. You get the earthiness of the malt with the punch of the hops, paired with delightful effervescence. The good thing about true pilsner is that it is a light style, but packs good flavor. Again the taste is crisp & clean and completely refreshing. This would be an ideal summer beer.

I think this is a great example of a pilsner, true pilsner. I had this one with a thin crust cheese pizza tonight and it was a great pairing. You should be able to drink this one with burgers, pizza, & spicy chicken wings. 90 out of 100.