Beer of the Weekend #970: Global Cause Ukraine

The fam returned from a weeklong trip to Montana on Saturday. It will likely take me a few days to recover, especially after two long days on the road, including one overnight drive. To help me relax and take it easy the last two nights, I’ve had a can of something I bought before the trip: Global Cause Ukraine, brewed by the Confluence Brewing Company of Des Moines, Iowa.



Serving type: 16 ounce can. “CANNED ON MAY/10/22” is printed on the bottom.

Appearance: The color is clear gold. Two fingers of dense, buttery, bubble-spotted, white head leaves an even skim and thicker collar. It is an attractive brew.

Smell: It is wheaty with esters. It smells like a hefeweizen, but not quite. It is bright with a scent of apple and a touch of lemon. The bitterness is earthy with a little spice.

Taste: It is smooth and mostly mirrors the aroma. Wheat and esters, mostly apple. A nice hop spice lingers on the taste buds. It is reminiscent of a hefe, but it is not as fruity or wheaty, and it is too spicy. It is good stuff. I assume the sunflower seed provides the spice, but I am not familiar with it.

Fun facts about GCU:

• Style: Wheat ale.

• Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 5.6 percent ABV.

• GCU is an extension of Confluence’s Local Cause series of beers. Confluence will donate up to $10,000 in net proceeds of GCU to the Ukraine Solidarity Fund though the Knight’s of Columbus.

The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.