Beer 179 - Hoegaarden Witbier

Brewed and bottled for Hoegaarden S.A., Hoegaarden, Belgium.  Another one of the beers bought back by Rigo on his last trip to the East Coast and drunk at home in Katy, while preparing Ajiaco (Colombian chicken, potato and corn soup with Colombian spices) for dinner.  Hoegaarden is owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev.  There is a good possibility that this beer is imported in bulk and bottled at one of the Anheuser Busch breweries in the USA.

The web site in English is: http://www.hoegaarden.com/en-us/home.html

The beer has been brewed since around 1445 when Monks brewed the beer using local wheat and added spices from the Netherlands East Indies, particularly curacao orange peel and coriander.In 1965 the recipe was revived and the beer was brewed once again, Artois took over in 1985, then Interbrew (the predecessor of AB Inbev) took control in 1987 and turned Hoegaarden into a global brand.

The web site says" The original wheat beer is the oldest and most famous of Hoegaarden’s range. When poured, it forms a soft, white creamy head and leaves a generous lacing on the glass. Its naturally cloudy, pale hue shimmers when viewed through the glass. With an aroma of orange peel, coriander and spice, its characteristic taste is entirely unique: smooth, light-bodied, and simultaneously sweet and sour, with a subtle, spiced citrus flavour. Best served in its traditional hexagonal glass. 4.9% ABV."

This is an excellent description for the beer.  The aroma's are subdued but noticeable and the taste is great.  I liked this beer, the flavors work perfectly with light tasting dishes like chicken soup and salads or mild cheeses like Gruyere or Feta.