Beer Man: Blanche de Bruxelles has nice malt highlights

— -- Beer Man is a weekly profile of beers from across the country and around the world.This week: Blanche de Bruxelles Brasserie Lefebvre, Quenast, Belgium brasserielefebvre.be

Wheat beer styles such as Belgian witbier and German weiss have a natural affinity with warm weather. The best ones are light and refreshing without being watery, have a bit more carbonation than the norm and most important, pack delicious flavors.

Witbiers are generally known for their fruit aroma and flavor qualities from the addition of coriander and dried curacao orange peel. There are usually more spices added to the mix that are closely guarded secrets.

Blanche de Bruxelles is a nice example of the style that is about 40% wheat, which adds extra carbonation and a hazy body. This is an unfiltered beer, so the cloudiness is natural.

A couple of U.S. states banned sales of the beer in the 1990s when its name was Manneken Pis ("Little Man Piss") and its label depicted the famous Brussels fountain of the same name. The brewery changed the name of the beer and was able to keep the image on the label.

This example of Blanche de Bruxelles was in a 16.5-ounce can. As I've mentioned in prior columns, technology has eliminated any reason to fear off flavors from the can and, unlike bottles, it keeps any light from contact with the product.

Biscuity malt was the first sensation as I took my first sniff, followed by lemon and orange notes. The color of the ale was pale straw topped with a rocky white head. The malt profile of this ale is very nice -- accenting the flavor of light malts is something not commonly found in the U.S.

Despite a refreshing carbonation, the smoothness of this witbier was impressive. It's quenching without being prickly, and the malt and spice flavors shine. It finishes clean with a touch of lemon tartness. The only criticism is that the body seems a bit thin, even for a 4.5% ABV beer.

Blanche de Bruxelles is imported by Belukus Marketing of College Station, Texas, which distributes in most states. Its online product locator is at belukus.net/locator.asp. Type in a zip code and off you go.

Correction: My recent Curve Ball Blonde Ale review should have said that Pyramid Brewing makes its beer in Portland, Ore., and has offices in Seattle. I did a mashup, and put Portland in Washington.

Many beers are available only regionally. Check the brewer's website, which often contains information on product availability by mail. Contact Todd Haefer at beerman@postcrescent.com.