Steph’s New Brew Review: White Zombie Ale

Catawba Brewing Company White Zombie Ale, a 5.1% ABV witbier

Appearance	Hazy gold; fluffy white head.
Aroma	Fruity and spicy.
Taste	Citrusy, spicy, slightly sweet.
Mouthfeel	Light bodied; high carbonation.
Overall	Refreshing and delicious! Don’t be afraid of this zombie!

Billy Pyatt started homebrewing in December 1989. He quickly moved from extract to all grain brewing. A few years later, Pyatt purchased some used brewing equipment from Colorado, but it sat in his garage for years while he searched for a place to brew. In 1996, Catawba Brewing Company was incorporated by Billy and Scott Pyatt. The first batch of beer was brewed in 1998 in the original brewhouse in a former furniture factory in Glen Alpine, NC. The first keg of beer was sold in May 1999 – the Red Ale, which was one of Billy’s homebrew recipes.

The Pyatt boys eventually outgrew their spot in Glen Alpine, and in 2007, Catawba expanded and opened a brewery in Morganton, NC, which included a manufacturing space and a tasting room. A space for live music and a 10′x16′ projection screen TV were added a few years later.

In 2010 they started canning their three most popular beers – White Zombie, Farmer Ted, and Firewater. In 2013 they added Winterbolt Winter Ale to the lineup of canned beers and debuted new labels. Winterbolt was Head Brewer Kevin Sondey’s first beer release after joining the team in 2013.

In 2014, a second brewery and tasting room opened in the Biltmore Village in Asheville, NC. The brewery started off with a seven-barrel brewhouse, five fermentors and three brite tanks, focusing mainly on small-run “one-off” beers. The tasting room features 11 beers on tap and an open indoor/outdoor space.

White Zombie Ale was originally a Halloween seasonal brew, but its refreshing taste made it a year round favorite. A witbier is a Belgian-style white ale that is unfiltered, contributing to the pale, cloudy appearance. Unmalted wheat is used to create a light body and white sheen. In fact, witbiers are often referred to as “white beers” due to the cloudiness and yeast in suspension. Spiced with coriander and orange peel, White Zombie has a fruity and spicy character. The hops are subtle. The crispness and slight twang come from the use of wheat and high level of carbonation.

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Check out… this video from Catawba Brewing Company…