In keeping with Tom’s review on Saison Dupont, I also recently partook in a famous, celebrated beer that has been on my “to try” list for months: Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier. The Weihenstephan Brewery in Germany can trace its roots all the way back to the year 768, and claims to be the oldest working brewery in the world. They make sure you know it, too; every bottle has “The World’s Oldest Brewery” printed on the label. Whether this is true or not may be up for debate. What isn’t up for debate is the quality of their beer.
The unfiltered (Hefe) version of their famous weissbier is beautiful thing. Classic German wheat beer at its best. All the right elements are there: hazy, golden-orange color, thick and foamy head, lively carbonation, and a fresh, pungent aroma from the yeast. And wow…I don’t think I’ve ever smelled or tasted a beer where the yeast played such a dominant role. I don’t consider my nose the most sensitive in the world, but along with classic elements of bread, banana, and cloves…I picked up hints of peach, apple, pear, lemon, and orange. Hands down the best smelling wheat beer I’ve come across. The taste is more subtle, with the bready, banana flavors shining through. Again, everything there that should be (yeast, light wheat malt, almost undetectable hops), and nothing that shouldn’t (no off flavors or weird mouthfeel). And the yeast still lends its unique flavor profile to the mix; it’s crisp yet smooth, fruity but not wimpy, and certifiably chug-able on a hot day. Drinkability factor is off the charts here, folks (knocking back one of their classic 500 mL bottles is relatively effortless).
I must give credit to my good friends Nate and Ben Kurz, who made this a priority on my beer tasting schedule. It is without a doubt one of the best (bottled) hefeweizens available this side of the pond. I also think it’s widely available across the USA…meaning there’s no reason you shouldn’t have tried it already, or be on your way to picking one up after finishing this sentence.
ABV: 5.4%
Grade: A
Honestly, I have a new love of wheat beer, and this is THE best beer I have tried. Even my wife, a non-beer drinker, was blown away by the flavour and taste of it. She really hates beer but really liked this one, much to my consternation…:)
Enjoy with confidence, it’s a great beer, IMHO.
Dave
Thanks for sharing, Dave. Couldn’t agree more. I had pretty high expectations, but they were exceeded anyway. “Enjoy with confidence” indeed…enough said.
This was the beer me and my brother were going to fly to Germany to have. Unfortunately there was two inches of snow and London closed down. So we went to Fullers brewery in London instead. It was a great tour and at the end it was all you can drink.
This beer was introduced to me on a random pick at the bar. When the top was popped I was blown away by the smell of clove. Its definately a very enjoyable beer. Sadly the closest place I can find it is 2 1/2 hrs away 🙁
I’m surprised some of you folks are just now noticing this beer . I’ve been drinking this stuff and sneider weisse for 20+ yrs . The e are some very good other then nes from Germany also…..check out the English beer site for college folks….it has a lot of em . The ones InBev hasn’t bought and screwed up , that is .
Love this beer now hooked on it
Smells awesome taste awesome
My go to beer cheers.
Weihenstephan Weissbier unfiltered beer the top 3 German beers on my list
Creamy biscuit cloves wow.