Lester River Hefeweizen
Fitger's Brewhouse

 

 

Originally reviewed April 9, 2005. On tap at the Gitchee Gumee Brewfest 2005. Strong banana aroma, backed with coriander, cinnamon and clove, but all pretty light. Murky, hazy even yellow color. Too watered. Banana, yeast, and wheat flavors. A fairly even wheat. This isn’t my style, so I’m not blown away. Continues with that fresh lemon finish and smooth palate, if it weren’t so weak.

Cloudy amber orange, a bit deeper orange in color than some hefe's. Fresh bready/yeasty smell, strong in kind of a wheaty lemon grass. The taste of this beer is not strong in esters, little banana flavor and less spicy flavors, however there are some good fruity notes, apricot and pear, but mainly it is a fresh wheaty lemon zest that dominates the flavor. Not the most complex flavor, but is good none the less. As you would expect a tangy mouthfeel, and quite drinkable, escially on summer afternoons. Far from one to avoid, but not one to seek out either.

Hazy golden. Nice white head. Lace is sticky and abundant. Aroma is light on banana and clove. Very light. Flavor is big on wheat tang. Lemony. Not real big on the banana and clove though. This is unique for a hefe. Almost seems like a little watermelon rind is present on the buds. Interesting. Not bad, but I'll take a more traditional tasting one over this any day.

Cloudy gold...no head....nose is lemon grass....taste is lemony...lacks the cloves and bananas flavor I enjoy...mouthfeel is creamy...not enough carbonation....

Overall a below average Hefe...disappointing...maybe a poor yeast strain...not worth trying in my opinion with so many of their other quality beers available..

Retried-4/30/05: Maybe a little better but lacking characteristics of a good Hefe..passed on purchasing a growler

Solid cloud of pale yellow with a large creamy starch white head that fades slowly down to a thin haze and lace is in thin foamy sheets. Smell has a nice soft banana ester aroma, some dull lemon in between with light spicy clove. Soft and pleasant nose. Taste is nice and soft, lighter carbonation then most, kinda fluffy and light with some banana, mild lemon thats dulled with slight clove hints. Mellow, easy, and lightly flavored. Feel is partailly creamy at first then a bit of carbonation grab peeks some interest, but overall short lived in every aspect. Finishes with a light textured bite and lingering spice. A pretty desent hefe, has a few things going for it. Needs some longer lasting qualities and a bit of a boost as well. A bit milder then most, enjoyable but lacking.