Saint Benjamin Brewing Company
Glimpse of the outside of St. Benjamin Brewing Company
Philadelphia is hosting the National Football League Draft coming up in two weeks. A lot of out of towners will be coming through the city. Cheesesteaks is the thing to get in Philly. You have to be careful, if you do not know how to order, some places will kick you to the back of the line. If you want a Cheesesteak, whiz and onions, you say cheesesteak wiz wit. If you just was steak and whiz, you say Whiz Wit Out. The beer I am trying tonight, pays homage to the city and this delicious treat. Time to find out more about this brewery that created the beer I am drinking tonight. Saint Benjamin Brewing Company is located in Kensington, Philadelphia. The brewery used to be an old carriage house and stables for Theo Finkenauer Brewery. St. Benjamin's focused on preserving the space and the history of the building. The name of the brewery is in reference to one of the founding fathers. The founding father Ben Franklin and is where the brewery derives its name from. Many people do not know that Ben Franklin was an avid Home Brewer. Yards Brewing and St. Benjamin Brewing both pay homage to this founding Father.
Can of Wit or Wit Out
Tonight I am trying Saint Benjamin Brewing Wit or Wit Out. Wit or Wit Out is a Belgian Style Witbier or if you do not know White Ale. This ale has an alcohol by volume or ABV of 4.6% and an IBU or bitterness of 17. The reason witbiers are referred to as white ale's is due to the cloudiness in the beer.
Appearance of Wit or Wit Out
Aroma of Wit or Wit Out is classic to this style of beer. You first get hit with a lemon zest note. After the lemon zest notes, comes the Belgian spice notes. Coriander comes through the strongest in the aroma. There is a hint of clove in the aroma as well. The next aroma note is a yeast aroma to the beer. The aroma is zesty and has a zing to it. This beer gives off a refreshing aroma that pulls you into this brew. The color of this beer is a pale golden straw hue. There is a haziness to this beer and a good amount of carbonation to this ale. This white ale has a cloudiness to the beer, in keeping with the style. The foam of this beer was big at the beginning and very quickly dissipated leaving no trace at all. The beer almost looks like a sour ale, wit out its foam atop the glass.
I enjoy most witbiers, now to see the taste behind this wit from Saint Benjamin. I took my first sip and I noticed the lightness of the beer, right away. There is a refreshing zestiness to this beer that is followed after the light body notes. In keeping with the style there is hints of coriander on the tongue, but not too much to be overpowering. There is a subtle hint of pepper notes in the taste to add to the zest of the beer. Almost like a yin and yang to the coriander. After the spice hints, I notice the slightly tart taste notes of the beer. Could be the combination of orange peel and lemon zest into the beer. The tartness of this beer is refreshing and is combined with the spice and the light body to create a smooth witbier. The light body comes through in the pilsner malt used to create a lighter witbier. I will have to look for more brews like this style with the addition of the pilsner malt. There is a slight subtle hop note to this on the finishing taste, treats it like a blonde ale finish.
Wit or Wit Out
So next time you are in Philadelphia, get a Wit or Wit Out. Make you feel like you're a Philadelphian. I think that Saint Benjamin Brewing did a great job and creating their own take on a Belgian Style Witbier. It is tart, zest, refreshing and should be a great ale for the spring and summer heat. If you are looking for a light refreshing ale this is the brew for you.
Check out Saint Benjamin Brewing Company on their website and their social media:
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