97 Ayinger Bräu-Weisse, Privatbrauerei Aying (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy, milky golden amber color with a fine, dense head. Vibrant aromas of banana cake and clove are classic and follow through on a round, frothy, vibrant entry to a dryish medium-full body with superb depth and a lovely citrus, cream and spice-kissed finish.
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 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. Finishes 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 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 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 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 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.
89 Marin Hefe Weiss, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy old 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 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 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 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 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 Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen, Brauerei Pinkus Müller (Germany). 5.1% ABV (6/09)
Perfect cloudy old gold color with a fine dense mouse of foam. Aromas of puff pastry, delicately spiced orange custard, bubblegum dust and dried banana follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish medium body with nice balance and a soft, but refreshing creamy citrus finish.
88 Kujukuri Ocean Beer Hefeweizen, Kankiku Meijyo Co. (Japan). 5% ABV (6/10)
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 Hofbrä Hefeweizen, Hofbräuhaus München (Germany). 5.1% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy old gold color. Aromas of banana taffy and honeyed banana bread crust have delicate citrus and spice notes and follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and a tangy, refreshing wheatgrass, grain and citrus rind-accented finish. A refreshing, very quaffable hefe.
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.
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.
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 Hefeweizen, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.25% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
Cloudy pale golden white color. Aromas of banana saltwater 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, applesauce, 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 kristall weizen.
86 EOS Hefeweizen, Nebraska Brewing Company (NE). 5.1% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
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, round, dried fruit, grain, mineral and grassy hop-accented 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.
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 EL Hefe, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 4.6% ABV (7/10) %{Brewpub}
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Aromas of banana candy, mustard greens and corn chowder follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with subtle depth and a honey nut, apple sauce and toasted lemon cake-accented fade with mild grassy hops. A bit fruity for the style, but tasty and a nice quaffer.
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 Mom Hefeweizen, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (7/10)
Clear old gold color. Mildly spicy, coriander and banana nut bread aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dryish medium body with a citrus rind, nectarine and astringent hop smack.
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.
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.
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.
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.