20. Eel River Açai Berry Wheat

The Eel River Brewery is located in Fortuna, CA, which is on the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California. We’re talking Redwoods and Paul Bunyan here. In addition to opening a second brewery in Scotia, CA, Eel River is the nation’s first Certified Organic Brewery. Take that, you evil bastards at large multi-national corporations.

Eel River Acai Berry Wheat has a subtle berry flavor in the nose that is not overbearing and balances well with the wheat malt. There is a light bubbly mouthfeel that pairs well with the golden translucent color—the beer is hazy, but only slighty. There is a bit of an alkaline/carbonation flavor at the start of the beer (something like seltzer water) before moving into the slightly tart and fruity berry flavors that run across the middle of the beer. Acai Wheat finishes with a tart and slightly astringent flavor that is not quite clean enough. The berry flavor not readily discernable as acai—could be any of a number of berry wheat beers, although this is less a critique and more an observation of the overall flavor profile. Does have solid and crisp flavor, and the lower alcohol content means it works well as a summer thirst quencher.

From the Eel River website: “Açai Berry Wheat (pronounced, ah-sigh-ee): A light-bodied wheat ale brewed with organic acai berries from Brazil, and a flavorful mix of four other organic berries. Acai berries boast high antioxidant properties too, so drink on!”

ABV: 4%
OG: 10.0º P

(7/20/2009)