![widmer_cherry_oak.jpg](http://www.leisurenouveau.com/images/prod/widmer_cherry_oak.jpg)
Years ago, Widmer Brothers' Hefeweizen was the only microbrew available on tap around here, and I drank a lot of it. Later on, I realized to my dismay how many drinking-man-hours I'd wasted on my poor tastebuds, and I haven't really forgiven Widmer for that affront. To this day, I approach all of their brews with skepticism. After all, this is a "microbrewery" that sold part of its soul to Anheuser-Busch! As far as craft breweries go, Widmer Brothers is big, big big.
So I wasn't expecting a lot from this beer, and I was wrong. Wrong to judge it by the label alone, for the Widmer Brothers have done something truly remarkable with this brew. This beer pours a dark brown that shines with a beautiful deep ruby hue when held up to the light, and is topped with a medium-sized off-white head that doesn't leave much lacing. On the nose, it presents dark fruit aromas, perhaps some yeasty esthers, and a hint of alcohol. It weighs in at a hefty 9% ABV, so the latter is not a surprise.
I'm writing this review with a lot of hindsight, so I should say that after looking at the beer and sniffing it, I was still not convinced. I expected some sort of fruity monster to hammer at my tongue with a maul made of berries and syrup, but what I got was a complex, malty doppelbock. With a medium body and a pleasantly light effervescence, the dark malts of this beer are complemented by a mellow tartness with fruity undertones. As the delicious brew departs your palate, it leaves a creamy aftertaste and lingering oaky cherry flavors.
I would highly recommend this beer. Throw your preconceptions about Widmer Brothers by the wayside, just this once, and let this beer prove to you that a giant brewery can, somehow, make a world-class brew.
So I wasn't expecting a lot from this beer, and I was wrong. Wrong to judge it by the label alone, for the Widmer Brothers have done something truly remarkable with this brew. This beer pours a dark brown that shines with a beautiful deep ruby hue when held up to the light, and is topped with a medium-sized off-white head that doesn't leave much lacing. On the nose, it presents dark fruit aromas, perhaps some yeasty esthers, and a hint of alcohol. It weighs in at a hefty 9% ABV, so the latter is not a surprise.
I'm writing this review with a lot of hindsight, so I should say that after looking at the beer and sniffing it, I was still not convinced. I expected some sort of fruity monster to hammer at my tongue with a maul made of berries and syrup, but what I got was a complex, malty doppelbock. With a medium body and a pleasantly light effervescence, the dark malts of this beer are complemented by a mellow tartness with fruity undertones. As the delicious brew departs your palate, it leaves a creamy aftertaste and lingering oaky cherry flavors.
I would highly recommend this beer. Throw your preconceptions about Widmer Brothers by the wayside, just this once, and let this beer prove to you that a giant brewery can, somehow, make a world-class brew.
![*****](/images/5-stars.gif)
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