Do you love lemongrass? I sure do. It’s simply wonderful in many an Asian dish, with its decided citric lemon and soft grassy flavors lending an exotic flair. I’m sure you know where I’m going with this, but lemongrass is great in beer, too. I truly adore beers made with lemongrass, as I think the citric and grassy notes are a perfect match to similar notes imparted by hops. On that note I give you Sweetwater Grass Monkey Hoppy Wheat Ale with Lemongrass.
Grass Monkey is a new beer for Sweetwater in 2017. It debuted in February and is ins season until April according to Sweetwater. I enjoyed it first on tap at Taco Mac (surprise!), but not in Canton, in John’s Creek on February 26th. Here I met Jimmy White and his lovely family, down from New York and traveling through Georgia. Always nice to meet up with a beer group buddy and enjoy a brew in real time.
Sweetwater says:
Get sprung this spring with this funky monkey of a wheat ale. A big stash of Lemondrop hops were added to the kettle and the dry hop, delivering a big citrus blast. Lemongrass herbs were added for a refreshing twist and exotic aroma. The light malt bill lets the piney, grassy, lemony notes shine. Light in body with bright citrus notes, this is an extremely complex but very easy drinking brew.
Grains – 2-Row, Wheat
Hops – Lemondrop
Sweetwater Grass Monkey Hoppy Wheat Ale with Lemongrass has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume with 35 IBUs. It runs $9.99 a six-pack and I paid $5.50 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac, the second time on pint glass night in Canton (Sweetwater beers were featured for March), when my Grass Monkey came with a glass, monkey.
My mug of Sweetwater Grass Monkey Hoppy Wheat Ale with Lemongrass arrived a beautiful golden color with a thick fluffy but short-lived head formation and a big lemony nose. Taking a sip, I get citrusy bright herbal lemongrass right away, lemon rind and piney resin on a tart wheat palate, with a balancing dry bitter finish.
This beer is truly delicious, very refreshing and it’s hard to tell where the bright lemongrass leaves off and the citrusy hops begin. Be that as it may, this is a wonderful beer that is worth stocking up on, as it will refresh perfectly in the warming months of May and June. It paus well with spicy Asian fare though not exclusively (I enjoyed my first mug with Calamari drizzled with fresh squeezed lemon juice and dipped in a spicy sweet chili sauce).
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