Here’s my first beer from North Carolina’s Lonerider brewery. Lonerider, of Raleigh, features beers with wild-west themed names, kind of unusual for a brewery that’s back east, but there you go. They feature seasonal beers in their Outlawed series, specialty brews in bomber bottles under the tagline Most Wanted, and their year round lineup of a pale ale, a brown ale, and the beer I’m drinking tonight, Lonerider Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen.

From the label:

Part vixen, part vigilante, Shotgun Betty uses her sharpshooting skills to target those that show a weakness for wheat beer with a body that won’t quit. This German-style hefeweizen features a rich, banana-clove nose and refreshing dry finish.

Shotgun Betty is bottle conditioned, as a true Hefeweizen should be. It has an alcohol content of 5.8% alcohol by volume, a little on the high side for the style, but only a little. I paid $8.99 for a six-pack at Uncle Jack’s Liquors here in Canton; Target is now selling the beer for the same price locally. That’s about the going average these days for a 6-pack of craft beer.

Lonerider Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen pours to a bright orange-yellow color at first, at least until I swirl the last few ounces of beer in the bottle, rouse the yeast and decant into the glass. Then the whole affair becomes decidedly cloudier. The nose is promising with hints of banana and clove, and the head formation respectable if short-lived. Taking a sip, I immediately am enjoying the crisp, tart wheat, touch of caramel, spicy clove, fruity banana, and subtle hints of vanilla. The finish has more of that wheat tartness and ends refreshing and very drinkable.

My bottle says best by July first but I am drinking this almost a month later; I’m sure this one is good for even longer. A tasty American take on the classic German style, and a perfect brew for summer.

Update 6/5/2017: Lonerider Shotgun Betty, a tart wheaty treat full of clove and banana on tap at Taco Mac! Just $5 for 20 delicious ounces and Brewniversity credit 997. The next time I have it here will be 23-ounces!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler



Home