I have been on a wheat beer kick this Spring and my recent discovery of the bar down the street from my house has furthered this current scourge. The bar only has two prices for beer, one of domestics and one for imports. The night I went over there, I discovered this and sought whatever microbrew or interesting beer I could find in their selection. Thus, for the same price as a piss beer like Bud I was able to get a bottle of Ithaca Apricot Wheat. After one bottle turned into three, I went home realizing that it was quite a good beer.

I often refer to fruit-infused ales as “queer beers”. This isn’t to say I don’t drink these beers at times, but I coined the termed to describe the types of beers that my friend Dan drinks. I enjoy several varieties of such, specifically being a fan of Kasteel Rouge, Rodenbach’s Redbach, Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, and now… Ithaca Apricot Wheat.

The event that fueled this blog was that I went to the same bar for dinner with my wife and a friend and I grabbed a six pack (for only $7) of Apricot Wheat to bring home. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to consume a few of the aforementioned beers and it inspired me to spread the gospel of the apricot.

The choice of apricot being paired with wheat ale was a good one. Most wheat ales that I have had through this point are coupled with citrus flavors or some type of berry. One of the most popular wheat ales in American is the Belgian white style Blue Moon, which is brewed with orange peel and coriander. Based upon drinking many Belgian whites, some German hefeweizens, and assorted American style wheats, I have to say that I wish I found out earlier about a wheat ale that utilized apricots… because the pairing is perfect if you are seeking a light, refreshing beer.

Ithaca Apricot Wheat is not overpoweringly fruity, however. A beer like Redbach (a sour ale that is mixed with 100% cherry juice) or Berry Weiss (Leinenkugel’s extremely berry tasting wheat ale) use the fruit as the main palette. Apricot Wheat is much more subtle. The apricot taste is there, but the full flavor of the wheat malts is still notable.

A great drinking beer, Apricot Wheat is mildly hoppy and extremely refreshing. It is by no means too high in alcohol content (4.9%), so drinking a few will leave you buzzed but not blitzed (unless you usually drink yellow fizzy beers, which typically clock in around 3.5%). If you are lucky enough to find a bar that carries Ithaca as cheap as my new favorite bar does, then drink up. Otherwise, go hit a distributor or find a six pack and enjoy!