Skylight was a sweet, vanilla and banana dream. I am a big fan of weiss (wheat) beers done right, especially hefeweizens, and this beer adds an extra layer of complexity to a personally beloved style.
My expectations for this beer were to have a good amount of banana and/or bubble gum in the flavor profile, as is often the case with weiss beers. I figure the roasted malts would add a sweet chocolate or caramel maltiness that compliments whatever flavor comes from the wheat.
Skylight poured a clouded amber color with around two fingers of off-white head. The nose has that characteristic banana smell with a trace of vanilla. The hops are nonexistent in smell or taste. There was a medium mouthfeel and it begins with the roasty malt taste of chocolate and vanilla before bringing in the banana. The ending has some slight clove, but the banana and vanilla remain the most prevalent flavors. I let the beer warm up closer to room temperature and the roasted malts took over the show and more of a chocolate flavor became present.
I’m giving Skylight 4 out of 5 stars because of the added complexity it brings to a style I already love. As we approach colder months, the roasted malts in this beer make it a good transition beer for fall and winter.
I love the design of this can. The blue coloring of the text meshes well with the white and cream colors behind it. The name and style of the beer are the only texts slanted on the can, which helps to call attention to those details. The can itself has all of the information you could want as a beer drinker – ABV, IBU, recommended serving temperature, best pairings, etc.
You can find this beer in grocery or liquor stores, as well as bars, around north and west Houston on draft or in 12 oz cans.
If you’re a fan of Zeigenbock, Negra Modelo, or Shiner Cheer, and you’re looking for a little more flavor and sweetness, then this might be right up your alley. Shiner Cheer is the most closely related in style, but you’ll find that Skylight is more relatable than you might think to the rest of the ones I mentioned.
Aggies make this beer right in Aggieland itself, but it just so happens that a Longhorn is their rep in Houston. If that doesn’t give you some kind of off-hand testament about this beer, as well as the rest of the New Republic lineup, then I don’t know what will! Let us know what you think!
Nick is originally from the Corpus Christi area, but found himself in Houston as of 4 years ago. You can spot him wearing a Hooks hat and drinking a glass of craft beer around the city. He typically prefers his beers to mirror his taste in music: complex, heavy, and dark.
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