Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

It's a Hefe Load

Hefeweizen

Weizen bier is a top-fermenting beer style that originates from southern Germany, particularly Bavaria, and is brewed with at least 50 percent wheat in the mash. Hefeweizens are refreshing, highly carbonated beers ideal for quenching summer thirsts. They undergo secondary fermentation, often in the bottle, and the yeast strains used for this purpose impart a spicy, clove-like flavor. Hefe (the German word for yeast) on the label denotes that the bottle contains yeast sediment. Alcohol content is typically 5-5.5 percent ABV, giving these beers a medium to medium-full body. Hop flavors play a very insignificant role in the flavor profile. The best examples to be found are still authentic Bavarian imports, although some good domestic examples are produced and are often available as a draft option.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

97 Bräu-Weisse, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy, bright golden color with an ultra-fine blanket of mousse. Lightly toasted nougat, banana bread and delicate clover aromas follow through on a velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with seamless integration of creamy banana and gentle citrusy elements, and outstandingly clean wheat cracker-like malt. Finishes with a very long, graceful fade of lush, refreshing and inviting lightly spicy flavors. Classic.

95 Hofmühl Weissbier, Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (Germany). 5.4% ABV (7/09)
Hazy golden amber color with a sturdy, fine head. Banana pudding and wheat cracker aromas are pure and precise, and follow though on a sumptuously soft and satiny medium-to-full body with effortless balance and nice depth. Finishes with a deft touch of talc-like minerality, baked apple, praline and dusty spices. A soft, elegant hefe.

93 Julius Echter Hefeweiss Premium, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 5.6% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color with a super high, pillowy white head. Fresh puréed banana, clove, lemon zest and brioche aromas are very inviting. A round, supple entry leads to a creamy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of generous, fresh banana nut bread, clove and nutmeg flavors with a long, sumptuous, slightly earthy, lemon meringue finish. A brilliant, super clean hefeweiss that will appeal to fans―and even non-fans―of this love ‘em-or-hate ‘em beer style.

93 Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Spaten-Franziskaner Brau (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy old gold color with silky blanket of superfine mousse. Dried citrus, peppery spice and moist bread dough aromas. A satiny smooth entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body of citrus and peach marmalade, fig, cream and sweet wheat cracker flavors. Finishes with an ethereal fade of dried fruit, dusty spice and delicate minerality. An exquisitely elegant, feminine hefe with a seamless balance of flavor and texture.

92 Plank Bavarian Hefeweizen, Privatbrauerei Plank-Laaber (Germany). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy burnished amber color with a high, pillowy head. Caramelized nut, dried banana and flan-like aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium of subtle and meshed citrus, dried papaya, banana nut bread and herbal honey flavors. Finishes with a crisp, tangy well balanced finish. A nice food-friendly hefe without yeasty exaggerations.

92 Hefe-Weizen, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy golden amber color with a fine blanket of mousse. Classic banana, clove and custard aromas. A round, foamy entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of honeyed orange peel, wheat dough and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a great citrus and mineral-accented fade. A round, balanced and flavorful hefe that is quite classic in style.

91 Jorger Weisse, Grieskirchner (Austria). 5.1% ABV (6/07)
Hazy old gold color. Fresh baked brioche, dried banana and sweet spice aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a frothy, fruity medium-to-full body. Rich banana bread pudding, honeyed citrus and brown spice flavors. Finishes with a nice interplay of sweet banana bread, marmalade and green earth flavors. Very nice and deeply flavorful.

91 Weisse, Grieskirchner (Austria). 5.1% ABV (7/09)
Cloudy, bright golden color with a thin mousse. Earthy aromas of clay, rubber sap, toasted praline and banana bread pudding follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with great balance and a touch of baked apple on the lingering, mossy wet stone-accented fade. Very dry and appealing.

90 Penn Weizen, Penn Brewery (PA). 5% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color. Banana custard, wheat bread, delicate spice and seashell aromas. A crisp round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of banana pudding, honeyed orange bread toast, clove and nutmeg flavors. Finishes with a refreshing dose of mild bittering hops and a lingering banana and citrus bread fade. Rock-solid U.S. hefe.

90 Hefe-Weizen, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy golden amber color with fine, foamy mousse. Praline, clay and delicate grain cereal aromas follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dryish medium body with accents of nectarine and golden raisin. Finishes with a tangy citrus marmalade, delicate spice and mossy earth fade. A lighter styled, easy drinking hefe that will be a great partner at the table; try with pulled pork sandwiches.

90 Valley Weizen, Upland Brewing (IN). 5.4% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy amber color with a fine white blanket of foam. Interesting aromas of chicory, honeyed orange, hay and banana cake follow through on a soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with very appealing and balanced flavors and wheat cracker, praline and citrus-kissed finish. A fun, flavorful American hefe.

89 Marin Hefe Weiss, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy gold color. Mild, slightly soapy aromas of lemon curd and dried wildflowers. A vibrant entry leads to a dry-yet-fruit medium-to-full body of toasted fresh baguette, lemon soufflé and orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a bright, sweet citrus and toast fade. An interesting and refreshing American take on the style.

89 Brooklyner Weisse, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 5.1% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy, burnished golden amber color with a fine blanket of foam. Aromas of dark toasted banana nut and rye bread, raw honey, faint cherry and delicate spice follow through on a round, vibrant entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with good depth and a tangy banana custard, nut skin, citrus and spice-accented fade. A nice amalgamation of complementary and contrasting flavors.

88 Shiro, Coedo Brewery (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Lightly hazy old gold color. Golden raisin bread and banana pudding aromas. A round frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of banana bread toast and orange flavors. Finishes with a crisp, refreshing bread dough, nut and mildly spicy hop fade.

88 West Coast Wheat, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy orangish amber color with a blanket of foam. Caramelized cashew, banana bread and clay aromas follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a nice citrus custard note. Finishes with a long, clean, nut and clementine fade. A tasty and refreshing hefe with a nice balance of yeast, malt and hops.

88 Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen, Brauerei Pinkus Muller (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy yellow gold color with a foamy white head. Light grainy wheat and clay aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to a tangy, dryish medium body with nice dash of baked citrus and honey. Finishes with a pleasant tingly citrus and earth fade.

88 Baltas White, Svyturys (Lithuania). 5% ABV (7/09)
Cloudy golden color with a rich mousse. Aromas of marshmallow cream, banana soufflé and honeyed wheat cracker follow through on a round supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a tangy crabapple, honeycomb and mineral fade. A refreshing and appetizing wheat beer.

88 Hofbräu Hefeweizen, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.1% ABV (7/09)
Hazy old gold color with a fine blanket of foam. Wet grain, mineral, dried banana and creamy bread pudding aromas follow through on a round, plush entry to a dryish medium body with shredded wheat and tart applesauce notes. Finishes crisply with a lingering, minerally apple phosphate and cream essence. Very light and refreshing.

86 O’Kelly’s Hefeweizen, Govnor’s Public House (IL). 5.35% ABV (6/07)
Golden amber color. Sour cherry, sourdough and banana bread aromas. A supple entry leads to a frothy light-to-medium body of banana custard, candied citrus and nutmeg flavors. Finishes with a tangy fruit and dough fade. A pleasantly tangy and fruity interpretation of the style.

86 Darken Boar Wheat Special, Hideji Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Very hazy golden amber color. Dried banana and cream aromas. A soft entry leads to a dryish medium body sourdough, banana custard and delicate spice. Finishes with a fruity slightly phenolic, vinyl-like fade.

86 Trailside Wheat, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (6/07)
Hazy golden amber color. Dried banana, bubblegum and nut toast aromas. A round, smooth entry leads to a dryish medium body of banana bread pudding, delicate spice and faint citrus rind flavors. Finishes with a tangy, nutty bread and slightly tinny asparagus finish.

86 Buckwheat Ale, RJ Rockers Brewing Co. (SC). 5.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy amber color. Bold aromas of fruity caramel and wheat pastry dough follow through on a bold, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with brown sugar, dried apricot and honeycomb accents. Finishes with a tart tangy, slightly bitter citrusy hop and limpa bread fade.

86 Samuel Adams Hefeweizen, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (6/09)
Golden amber color with a frothy white head. Aromas of honey, buttered toast and orange marmalade follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with delicate banana frosting cake notes. Finishes with a crisp, zippy citrus fade. A fun, easy-drinking untraditional hefe.

86 Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. (OR). 4.9% ABV (6/09)
Hazy golden orange color with a lacy head. Mild wheat nut toast, citrus spice custard and mossy mineral aromas follow through on a round, mild entry to a dry light-to-medium body with a hint of honeyed mint leaf. Finishes with soft fruit and peppery spice fade.

85 Burleigh Hefeweizen, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 5% ABV (7/09)
Brownish gold color with a lacy head. Aromas of brioche, burlap and mild tropical fruit salad follow through on a brisk entry to a very dry light-to-medium body with Brazil nut, yogurt and wheat husk notes. Finishes with a touch of bitter apple stem and pewter on the tart finish. An interesting food beer perhaps.

84 Falken Steiner Ur-Weisse, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Deep hazy golden amber color. Shy aromas of banana nut bread dough follow through on smooth creamy entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a touch of lemon curd. Finishes with a creamy nougat, fruit gum wrapper fade with a touch of vinyl. A modest hefe.

84 Mom Hefeweizen, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/09)
Hazy golden amber color. Bold aromas of frittata, candied lemon and ginger, and pine follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with shredded wheat and juniper notes. Finishes with a dry, crisp citrus rind and pine cone fade. Different; try with spicy Vietnamese food.

84 Hefeweizen, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5% ABV (7/09)
Bright, yet hazy old gold color. Aromas of crushed grain, clay and salty toasted baguette follow through on a vibrant entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with hints of orchard and citrus fruit skins. Finishes with a touch of dried banana and minerally apple phosphate notes.

83 The Heff, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 4.7% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy golden amber color. Aromas of wheat cracker, pastichio and dried banana follow through of a soft, round entry to a dry medium body with a touch of candied orange peel and a sweet and sour bread pudding and mineral-accented fade.

80 Golden Spike Hefeweizen, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (6/09)
Hazy orange color with a light head. Mild banana taffy, rubber and Texas toast aromas follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with steely mineral and diet lemonade aspartame notes on the brisk finish.

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