Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat: Appearance
Dirty blonde body. Translucent with plenty of visible carbonation. Pours to a large, white, foamy head which slowly dissipates and doesn’t lace the glass.
Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat: Smell
Nearly identical to most children’s green apple-flavored candy. No authentic beer aroma.
Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat: Taste
Beers like Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat are difficult to honestly judge. While I enjoyed the taste I experienced in this beer, it seemed quite obviously artificial to me. In fact, this doesn’t even really drink like a beer and is probably better considered as a flavored malt beverage (aka “alcopop”). Despite that, I have to say I liked the taste and drinkability, though I feel a little ashamed to admit that.
Just like the nose, the taste of the beer is quite similar to that of candy (especially Now & Laters). It’s a sweet flavor of green apple and sugar, though it is not rich or cloying. The label indicates that the beer is supposed to be “Belgian-style” and is brewed with cider, spices and a bunch of flavors added. There is no other information beyond that. I’m inclined to believe the cider and spices are used sparingly and all that “natural flavors” are in abundance. Since it tastes like candy, the palette is appealing. But as a true beer enthusiast I want something much more authentic and complex.
Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat: Drinkability
If ever there were a beer meant to be drinkable, this is it. The mouthfeel is akin to juice in that it’s a little thicker and more tepid than your average lager. Though it does have a bit of a watery texture to it and the finish is almost completely clean. Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat is refreshing though, I have to admit it. It seems a little too heavy at 5.2% ABV, since the body is so light. I’m sure many mainstream drinkers would have no trouble sessioning this, especially in the summer.
