Witbier has long been one of my favourite styles. I brew it often at home, and even a Hoegaarden can be a nice falback for me, despite that I believe it is a shadow of what it was 10 years ago. So I was very pleased to see Driftwood Brewing’s version, White Bark,  on the shelf this summer. Driftwood is a solid B.C. brewery the makes a lovely IPA and other stand-out beer. I scooped up a bottle without hesitation.

It wasn’t quite what I hoped for, but it is still noteworthy, especially on a slow August afternoon.

The appearance is hazy pale straw with a big head that offers loose and bubbly formation. The aroma has lavender and light citrus as its dominant features. I find the aroma very floral  with a pleasant grainy base. In a way I find it sharper aroma than most wits.

The flavour starts with what I expect – soft wheat up front, with a berry fruitiness and a light graininess to accent. I find the yeast notes are in balance, with some citrus, some earth, and some floral lavender. I also pick up a noted silky flower taste, even though I am not quite sure what that means. It finishes a bit harsher than I would like but is still enjoyable.

Overall I find it is not as refreshing as most wits. I tis more of an assertive interpretation, bringing out the yeast esters and the sharp graininess more than most.  But I have to say I find its big floral interesting. Plus it doesn’t get out of control as it is balanced by other flavours, including the fruitiness. I also find it finishes a bit sweet for the style.

I wouldn’t classify this in the “classic” end of the witbier spectrum, but I like it just the same. I appreciate sampling an example that pushes some boundaries and tries to make something different of a style where most efforts tend toward boring.

I don’t regret drinking it by any stretch. In fact it makes me motivated to make my own version sometime again soon.