Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

The Hazy Heroes of Summer

Weizen Hefe

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

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.

95 Ayinger Bräu-Weisse, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.1% ABV (7/11)
Minutely hazy golden color. Attractive aromas of fresh herbal banana bread, custard, clay and paprika with a supple, frothy medium-to-full body and a long, clean, well-integrated finish with notes of fine minerals and leafy lettuces. Artfully balanced and pure.

93 Julius Echter Hefe-Weiss, Wurzburger Hofbrau (Germany). 5.6% ABV (7/10)
Hazy, translucent golden amber color with a petite blanket of foam. Pure and dimensional dried banana, banana bread, and soufflé aromas have a subtle spicy nuance and follow through on a soft, pillowy entry to a dryish medium body with superb balance and elegant depth. Finsihes with a long, grainy raisin nut granola and mineral accented fade. A deliciously drinkable, spot on hefe that is sure to please hefe and non-fan fans alike.

93 Hef, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 5% ABV (7/11)
Murky pale amber olive gray color. Aromas of banana bread toast and delicate nutmeg spiced pudding with a supple, frothy medium-to-full body and a long, well integrated finish with accents of melon rind, sprouts, and grass. Very tasty and stylistically focused.

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.

90 Weisse, Brauerei Grieskirchner (Austria). 5.1% ABV (1/11)
Cloudy golden yellow color. Bright banana custard, wheat wafer, bubblegum, and honey aromas with a supple, frothy dryish medium body and a smooth, balanced, apple, starfruit and mossy earth-accented finish. Very true to style and refreshing.

90 Weisse, Brauerei Grieskirchner (Austria). 5.1% ABV (1/11)
Cloudy golden yellow color. Bright banana custard, wheat wafer, bubblegum, and honey aromas with a supple, frothy dryish medium body and a smooth, balanced, apple, starfruit and mossy earth-accented finish. Very true to style and refreshing.

90 Waterkeeper Hefeweizen, Sweetwater Brewing Co. (GA). 5.7% ABV (7/11)
Lightly hazy old gold color. Rich aromas of doughy banana bread, praline, and buttermilk pudding with a vibrant, frothy medium-full body and a long, kiwi, arugula, and toasted lemon spice cake finish. On the money.

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, nutskin, citrus and spice-accented fade. A nice amalgamation of complementary and contrasting flavors.

89 Hefe Weiss, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 4.2% ABV (7/10)
Pale golden amber with a slight haze. Aromas of spicy banana bread crust and custard follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with very good depth and vivacious balance. Finishes with a crisp, lightly astringent banana pudding on cracker. light pepper, and whole nut-accent fade. A refreshing hefe for summer sipping and pizzas.

89 Hefe-Weizen, Paulaner Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (7/11)
Hazy golden amber color. Aromas of dusty grain and bean sack, plantain chips, and faint nutty toffee with a satiny, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, precise, dried citrus, mineral and radish-accented finish. Very refreshing.

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 Kujukuri Ocean Beer Hefeweizen, Kankiku Meijyo Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (8/10)
Lightly hazy pure golden color. Earthy, mossy hop and dried banana aromas follow through on a moderately carbonated entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with shredded wheat and tangy citrus notes on the crisp, slightly chalky finish. A mellow, clean, well made hefe.

88 Robson Street Hefeweizen, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (7/10)
Deep golden amber color with a slight haze. Aromas of banana pudding and lightly spicy citrus pastry follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with very good depth and crunchy nectarine, green apple, and honeycomb notes. Finishes with a drying wafer, and turned earth-accented fade. Nicely done.

88 Wit, Theresianer (Italy). 5.1% ABV (7/11)
Cloudy golden color. Aromas of salty cheese rind, toasted baguette, and banana brittle with a silky, frothy dryish medium body and a touch of sweet citrus, wafer and mineral on the zesty finish. Lively and attractive.

87 Whippet Wheat, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 5.2% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy golden amber color. Mild aromas of apple skin, lemon rind, and toasty banana nut bread follow through on a supple entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and a grainy cracker, citrus, honey, and hominy-accented finish.

87 Weiss Blau Weissbier, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 4.8% ABV (9/10)
Cloudy golden orange color. Aromas of banana custard and orange marmalade on sourdough bread. Round and frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium body. Lemon peel, grassy earth notes on the zesty finish.

87 Weiss Blau Weissbier, Vintage Brewing Co. (WI). 4.8% ABV (9/10)
Cloudy golden orange color. Aromas of banana custard and orange marmalade on sourdough bread. Round and frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium body. Lemon peel, grassy earth notes on the zesty finish.

87
Premium Hefeweizen, Privat Brauerei Bischoff (Germany). 5.2% ABV (7/11)
Rich old gold color with minute haze. Aromas of bananas Foster, biscuit, and mild clove with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a rich, smooth, banana, wafer, pond stone, and radish-accented finish. A nice food beer. Pair with chowder.

87 EL Hefe, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 4.8% ABV (7/11)
Hazy golden amber color. Bright, sweet circus peanut and melon gelato aromas with a supple, fruity sweet medium-to-full body and a orange frosted banana cake and edamame-accented finish. A very fruity crowd pleaser.

87 Lazy Sunday Hefeweizen, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (7/11)
Deep cloud orange amber color. Grainy aromas of wheat, banana soufflé, and spicy applesauce with a supple dryish medium body and a crisp, lemon pepper, jicama and river stone-accented finish. Refreshing.

87 Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen, Brauerei Pinkus Müller (Germany). 5.1% ABV (7/11)
Hazy golden color. Bright navel orange, pear cider, beeswax, and spicy banana cake aromas with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a peach skin, wafer, and jicama-accented finish. A fun, fruity hefe.

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 (7/10)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Toasty raisin bread, apricot marmalade, and dried banana aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish medium body with citrus, buttered nut, and mildly bitter, radicchio-like hoppiness. Very refreshing and almost lager like in style.

86 EOS Hefeweizen, Nebraska Brewing Company (NE). 5.1% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy old gold color. Aromas of banana pudding and citrus and melon sorbet follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with good depth and crisp and round, dried fruit, grain, mineral, and grassy hop-accented finish.

86 Hefeweizen, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.25% ABV (7/10)
Cloudy pale golden white color. Aromas of banana salt water taffy, lemon pastry, and delicate spice follow through on a smooth supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a grainy, apple sauce, root vegetable and grassy hops finish. Nice.

86 Fire Station 5 Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 5.4% ABV (7/10)
Clear deep golden amber color. Bright aromas of orange and peach marmalade and toasted crusty banana bread follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with very good depth and balance. Finishes with a tangy, citrusy hop and grassy earth-accented fade. A nice quenching style of hefe that more akin to kristal weizen.

86 Mom Hefeweizen, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (7/11)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Aromas of dried lemon, pickled okra, and jasmine with a supple, frothy, dryish medium body and a crisp coriander, herb, lemon pepper, kiwi, and water chestnut-accented finish.

86 Weisse, Hacker-Pschorr Brauerei (Germany). 5.5% ABV (7/11)
Cloudy old gold color. Aromas of banana crème brûlée with a burnt crust and wheat toast with a soft, plush dryish medium body and a plantain peel, mineral and sprouts-accented finish. A dry reserved hefe.

85 Heritage Hefeweizen, Back Street Brewery (CA). 5% ABV (7/10)
Clear golden color. Bright aromas of spinach and asparagus frittata, dried banana and honeyed citrus follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with muted spiciness and a very crisp and lightly astringent, grain cracker, mineral and mesclun greens like hop finish. Not very true to style, but refreshing.

85 Hofbräu Hefeweizen, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.1% ABV (7/11)
Golden color. Lightly skunky, savory aromas and flavors of baked banana, roasted root vegetable, melted candle and watercress with a supple, frothy dryish medium body and a cucumber, lemon pepper, and mineral-accented finish. A nice food companion.

85 Schell’s Hefeweizen, August Schell Brewing Co. (MN). 4.4% ABV (7/11)
Lightly hazy golden yellow color. Aromas of sliced bananas in dusty granola with cream with a dryish medium body and a smooth salted cracker, white nut, and sprouts-accented finish. Serve with salads.

84 Leavenworth Biers Whistling Pig Hefeweizen, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 5.4% ABV (7/10)
Clear golden amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of toasted nut bread and roasted corn broccoli frittata follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and lively balance. Finishes with a lingering drying, caramelized roasted walnut and orange peel, wafer, and grassy earth-accented fade. An appetizing wheat ale.

83 The Heff, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 4.7% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy golden amber color. Aromas of wheat cracker, pistachio, 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.

83 Shiner Hefeweizen, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 5.6% ABV (11/10)
Hazy golden yellow color. Aromas of sweaty cheese rind, sourdough, and dried lemon zest with a round, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy orange, apple skin, and pepper-accented finish.

83 Hefeweizen, Legend Brewing Company (VA). 4.5% ABV (7/11)
Lightly hazy golden amber color. Aromas of honeyed, toasted fruitcake, lemongrass and buttery caramel nut fudge with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a brown sugar, Clamato and roasted chestnut finish.

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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