Coaster Critique: Gluten Free Week – Celia

Name: Celia

Brewed By: The Alchemist

ABV: 6.5%

Style: Gluten Free Saison

Celia is a 2010 World Beer Cup gold medal winner in the gluten free beer category. I picked up this bottle in Vermont; it is currently not available in Maine.

Celia is a hazy golden color in the glass, steady visible carbonation and a short white head that did not settle.

The Belgian yeast is pretty noticeable in the nose; it blends well with the light sorghum smell. The orange peels are pretty strong and there is just a hint of alcohol there as well.

Right up front in the flavor is the orange peels, a bit too strong for my taste. The Belgian yeast does an excellent job of covering up the sorghum flavors and the hops lend a pleasant bitterness and a slightly earthy, vegetal flavor as well.

Overall not a beer I’d want to drink more than one of, I don’t think it’s bad but the strong orange peel flavor just doesn’t work for me. If you are a fan of Saison’s and like a beer with an orange flavor this is a gluten free beer that will work for you.

Cheers!

Chaddah

Day 1: New Planet 3R Raspberry Ale

Day 2: Urban Farm Fermentory Dry-Hopped Cidah

Day 3: Lakefront Brewery New Grist

Day 4: Rogue Ales 19 Original Colonies Mead

Day 5: The Alchemist Celia

Day 6: Green’s Dubbel Dark Ale

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.