Big Horn Hefeweizen
Ram Restaurant & Brewery

this one checks all the boxes, but isnt quite as crisp and clean and refreshing and sessionable as i was looking for when i ordered it on a sunny afternoon on their riverside patio, which remains one of the better kept secrets in town i reckon, its always half empty, even at prime time. in any event, this is yellow and rightly hazy and with a nice creamy white head on it, and the nose is right, with a clean greenish banana yeast ester and an obvious german character about it, some minerals and some wheat evident, even a little splash of citrus, appealing if generic. the flavor is all of this, but it also has a little soapiness to it, a detergent sort of note, likely from the yeast, and there is a little white winey sharpness as well. i also get a light astringency that doesnt really belong here, past citrusy to almost off, but it only really comes out in the last few sips of my beer after its had time to really warm up, so not a huge deal. the feel is pretty good, creamy and fuller, but not quite as dry and bubbly as i like a hefe to be. overall a fine beer and a pretty classic example of the style, but not to the level of the best imports, not even close. a decent summer choice here though.

edit: better the second time around, more crisp and uplifting in feel, extremely fresh, still wheaty tasting, maybe not the most refined example of the style, but this is a great patio beer in hot weather and with the spicy cauliflower wings, and i am increasing a few scores. sometimes things are great here in terms of quality, sometimes they arent, consistency in the brew house is as issue, but when they hit they hit.

 

 

All of the right weizen notes, with a hint of smoke. Nice job on this, as the Americans can’t seem to make a decent weizen. Heavier, chewy mouthfeel, creamy head, and sweet wheat and malt notes. It’s the smokiness that adds a new dimension, and makes it interesting. Nice job!

 

 

 

 

 

Note that this is NOT a hefeweizen; I have no idea why they would call it that. Far too hoppy for a hefeweizen, but as such is on-point for an unfiltered American Pale Wheat Ale, which I see it characterized as here.

 

 

 

 

Nice cloudy look and feel. Great crisp flavor. One of my new favorites.