Mudshark Full Moon Belgian White

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

looks like your average wit, cloudy off-white/yellow. thin head. the aroma is pleasantly fresh - spice, coriander, citrus and wheat. after that the feel and flavor fall a bit short, but are ok.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

Draft in Flagstaff. The pour was cloudy yellowish, full initial head, retention ok, lacing pretty solid. The aroma was spicey ginger and coriander, not much citrus, orange, but an overall light fruitiness. The flavor was ok, but the malts weren't exciting enough for me, body coming across light too, and just too much spice, ginger seemingly present alongside the more traditional coriander type flavors. Not an enjoyable drink after half way through the pint.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

12oz Can, Sampled September 2007
The beer pours quite clear at first, but then a bunch of sediment comes in at the end. This produces and opaquely hazy, orangish-tinged, straw color. The head is initially one-finger thick and is a pale, tan tinged, off-white color. Aromas of orange peel are the first thing I notice, bread-like yeast notes, grassy malt and perhaps a hint of earthy spice character are also found in the aroma.

The flavor is yeasty, slightly sour and has a bready malt character to it. The beer finishes with a touch of astringency that is perhaps a mix of yeast, hop and spice character. A touch of malt sweetness. The yeast seems to contribute a slightly phenolic, almost plastic like note to the finish that, while not overly noticeable, definitely has an impact on the flavor. The finish almost seems a bit hot, or perhaps green. The orange, which is much more noticeable in the aroma, plays a much more subdued role in the flavor; it contributes a light, watered down orange juice like note. This is quite light, but does have some body to it that keeps this from being watery.

This has a lot more character than the just sampled Mothership Wit, but I am not sure this is much better. Here the yeast character contributes subtle off flavors. The coriander notes are much more subdued here, but overall this is a much more complex beer than the New Belgium offering. Not a bad example of a Wit, and it even seems to grow on me a bit with time. If you dig around in the aroma the malt notes become much more distinct; a by product of the yeast, wheat and barley interaction.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson, AZ