According to Harpoon, they introduced their UFO White Ale in 2009. Yet here it is, a full five years later in 2014 and I’m just getting to try it now? How does that happen? I don’t know. Certainly, the beer has been sold here, and I’ve loved Harpoon beers since they were first rolled out and I lived in New England.

Anyway, I did manage to miss the beer, but when I saw this one on tap at Taco Mac the other day I decided to give it a try. The thermometer has been hitting the mid-90s of late here in Georgia, and a wit beer is a perfect summer quencher.

In the case of Harpoon, of course, UFO does not stand for unidentified flying object, unless of course you toss a bottle at somebody and they can’t read the label as it whizzes on past. No, instead UFO means “UnFiltered Offering”, and this witbier is indeed packaged with yeast. Here’s what Harpoon says about it on their website:

Light, crisp, refreshing UFO White follows in the tradition of spiced wheat beers that have been brewed in Belgium for well over 300 years. Brewed with orange peel and coriander, UFO White is the perfect choice for a summer’s barbecue, a night out with friends or any time you're thirsting for something a little different. Like all UFO beers, we leave UFO White UnFiltered.

Harpoon UFO White Ale has an alcohol content of 4.8% by volume and just 11 IBUs. It runs $8.99 a six-pack here, and I paid $6 for a full mug pour at Taco Mac.

My mug of Harpoon UFO White Ale arrived a cloudy yellow color with a moderate head formation and tart wheat and phenols in the nose. Taco Mac served it up with a slice of orange, but don't panic, I removed the orange slice before drinking. The palate here is tart crackery wheat with good coriander spice and soft citric orange, too. I really like the fresh malt and wheat flavors that keep emerging as I sip, and oddly enough I get some banana and vanilla too. The beer has a crisp refreshing finish perfect for this time of year.

Quite a tasty beer all in all, and one I think I’ll hunt down in the bottle now that I’ve enjoyed it on tap. Harpoon UFO White Ale may not be quite out of this world, but it’s a solid example of the style worth checking out.



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