Learn Beer » Reviews » Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers » Beers

Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

It's a Hefe Load

Weizen Bock

Weizen bocks are essentially winter wheat beers, originally brewed in Bavaria. The color can be pale gold to brown. They are of higher alcoholic strength, as high as 7 percent ABV, showing a warming personality, though they should still have a significant rocky head when poured. These beers combine the character of hefeweizens and doppelbocks and as such are rich and malty with estery, yeasty qualities, and show a note of wheaty crispness through the finish.

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

89 Plank Heller Weizenbock, Privatbrauerei Plank-Laaber (Germany). 7.5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy pale amber color with a Himalayan head. Sweet, honeyed golden raisin, nut and fig-orange bread aromas. A round, silky entry leads to a tangy fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with fruity caramel, orange banana custard and golden raisin purée flavors. Finishes with a tangy, praline, mandarin orange and wheat dough fade. A vibrant, zesty treat.

89 Plank Dunkler Weizenbock, Privatbrauerei Plank-Laaber (Germany). 7.5% ABV (6/08)
Chestnut color hazy. Rich nutty pumpernickel dough aromas follow through on a chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of toffee, molasses, brown buttered orange and raspberry cake, and spice flavors. Long, tangy finish. Delicious and rich.

86 Weizenbock, Upland Brewing (IN). 7.2% ABV (7/09)
Deep reddish mahogany color with a lacy head. Aromas of roasted cashews, baked apple and singed banana bread pudding follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with a clean precise tang and hint of toasted soy and pepper on the lively finish.

Add Your Comments