Daniel Drinks the Styles: Port City’s Optimal Wit

Leveraging my time at home during COVID, I am studying for the second level of the Cicerone Certification Program, to hopefully become a Certified Cicerone. For those unaware, the Cicerone Program “certifies and educates beer professionals in order to elevate the beer experience for consumers.” Essentially a Sommelier but for a better drink. 

A significant part of this test is knowledge of different beer styles, so to keep myself honest in researching, I am writing a weekly review of DMV beers brewed in classic styles and comparing them to the official guidelines of the style. First off is Optimal Wit, a locally ubiquitous Belgian-style Witbier from Alexandria’s Port City. Both a crowd pleaser and loved by beer nerds, Optimal has won numerous awards, including 3 medals from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) – Silver in 2018, Bronze in 2015 and Gold in 2013. 

I’ll begin by noting how the beer “should” look and taste:

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