Beer Of The Week: Allagash White

By Jason Baldacci in Food on May 17, 2015 7:00PM

For our latest edition, we're turning to the East Coast for the perfect beer to enjoy on the warmest weekend we've had in nine months.

Allagash White is a Belgian-Style Wheat Beer from Portland, Maine. It pours a cloudy, golden-blonde color in the glass with thick, frothy foam on top and has an aroma of peppery spice and citrusy yeast. On the palate, the biscuity malts lend a hint of sweetness up front, and the wheat in the grain bill keeps the mouthfeel nice and creamy.

Following in the tradition of Belgian Witbier, Allagash White is also brewed with coriander and dried orange peel, both of which lend a spiciness to the beer that's very prominent on the mid-palate and lingers through to the finish. At 5% alcohol content, Allagash White is complex in flavor yet very easy drinking, and a beer that would be incredibly enjoyable for both a novice and a connoisseur.

While we usually focus on local, or at least Midwestern, beers here at Chicagoist, we've decided to deviate and give a nod to Allagash this week for a couple reasons. Despite that it comes to us from Maine, Allagash is still very significant to Chicago since we're one of a handful of places outside of the East Coast where the brewery distributes their beer. In addition to that, Allagash is celebrating their 20th year in business in 2015, which makes them one of the craft breweries who have been around long before the craze. In our book, that counts for a lot.

Allagash White is available all around town on draft and in 12 oz. bottles. Check beermenus.com to see where you can grab a pint in your neighborhood.