Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse | Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Brewed by:
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Germany
franziskaner-weissbier.de
Style: Hefeweizen
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Todd on 11-13-2001
Reviews: 1,594 | Ratings: 3,869
3.5/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Is this the standard for hefe appearances? If not its pretty close. Lovely bright yellow haze throughout, over 1" of white head. Aroma was grain, mild citrus and spice rack, banana.
Taste had a lot going into it, the yeast profile doesn't dominate, this one kicks lots of wheat around, its chewy. There is some spice rack presence, but not overly done. 500ml format does create a cost issue per oz. High.
★ 414 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Is this the standard for hefe appearances? If not its pretty close. Lovely bright yellow haze throughout, over 1" of white head. Aroma was grain, mild citrus and spice rack, banana.
Taste had a lot going into it, the yeast profile doesn't dominate, this one kicks lots of wheat around, its chewy. There is some spice rack presence, but not overly done. 500ml format does create a cost issue per oz. High.
★ 414 characters
3.97/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
500ml bottle
Appearance: hazy, unfiltered almost orange that builds a big clear white nead of tiny bubbles. Really nice.
Aroma: mainly banana and cloves, but with a sweet fruity dominance.
Taste: banana, wheat, white bread/ bready yeast. Found it tastier than other of its style.
Mouthfeel: smooth and light, a bit watery, but nice anyway. More chewy and sweeter than other hefeweizens.
Overall: up to this point, my favourite german hefeweizen. It would be better if it had a bit more body, but the aroma and the taste are really good.
★ 542 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
500ml bottle
Appearance: hazy, unfiltered almost orange that builds a big clear white nead of tiny bubbles. Really nice.
Aroma: mainly banana and cloves, but with a sweet fruity dominance.
Taste: banana, wheat, white bread/ bready yeast. Found it tastier than other of its style.
Mouthfeel: smooth and light, a bit watery, but nice anyway. More chewy and sweeter than other hefeweizens.
Overall: up to this point, my favourite german hefeweizen. It would be better if it had a bit more body, but the aroma and the taste are really good.
★ 542 characters
4.46/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: hazy unfiltered orange to Amber colour. Great head retention with nice clean white head.
Aroma: nice fruity esters, mainly banana and tropical fruit salad.
Taste: loved it. Great full mouthfeel with some texture to it. Smooth on the palate and in the finish. Some sweetness and loved the wheat malt characters. Definitely recommended and one of the nicest wheat beers I have had.
★ 393 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: hazy unfiltered orange to Amber colour. Great head retention with nice clean white head.
Aroma: nice fruity esters, mainly banana and tropical fruit salad.
Taste: loved it. Great full mouthfeel with some texture to it. Smooth on the palate and in the finish. Some sweetness and loved the wheat malt characters. Definitely recommended and one of the nicest wheat beers I have had.
★ 393 characters
4.53/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
This beer is too good not to try. The head is always well balanced. It has sweet flavors without crossing into the likeness of a shandy. If you ever come across it on tap DO NOT OVERLOOK IT!
★ 190 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
This beer is too good not to try. The head is always well balanced. It has sweet flavors without crossing into the likeness of a shandy. If you ever come across it on tap DO NOT OVERLOOK IT!
★ 190 characters
3.89/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy orange color with a one finger, off white head. Leaves no lacing.
Smells great. Strongly of banana, coriander, lemon rind, gingerbread (from the yeast), caramel and bubblegum.
Flavor profile is overtly sweet, but delicious nonetheless.
Tasty notes of graham crackers, mild vanilla, huge flavors of banana bread, orange sorbet and coriander initially. Delicious notes of spicy old world yeast midpalate. Slightly tart. Ends on a bittersweet hoppy feel with more notes of spice and sweet banana.
Feel is slightly thin with lively carbonation. Thirst quenching, but borderline cloying and sugary sweet,
Overall: Not my favorite but still enjoyable. It's a little too sugary and banana-y for my taste, but I would not turn this beer down if someone offered me one.
★ 780 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy orange color with a one finger, off white head. Leaves no lacing.
Smells great. Strongly of banana, coriander, lemon rind, gingerbread (from the yeast), caramel and bubblegum.
Flavor profile is overtly sweet, but delicious nonetheless.
Tasty notes of graham crackers, mild vanilla, huge flavors of banana bread, orange sorbet and coriander initially. Delicious notes of spicy old world yeast midpalate. Slightly tart. Ends on a bittersweet hoppy feel with more notes of spice and sweet banana.
Feel is slightly thin with lively carbonation. Thirst quenching, but borderline cloying and sugary sweet,
Overall: Not my favorite but still enjoyable. It's a little too sugary and banana-y for my taste, but I would not turn this beer down if someone offered me one.
★ 780 characters
4.06/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a weizen glass. Pours a lightly hazy medium golden amber with a fine two finger white head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of wheat, light lemon with hints of banana and clove. Flavor follows with wheat, bready yeast, light lemon and clove. Really nice creamy body and mouth feel. Looks, tastes and feels great. Flavor and aroma are just a little dialed back from some of the other classic hefeweizens, but this is beautifully balanced and brings together all that I would want in this style. Spaten was one of my first eye-opener breweries on a trip to Munich decades ago and it appears they are still producing a great beer even as part of a multinational. Thanks to my sister for bringing this back from Germany for me.
★ 742 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a weizen glass. Pours a lightly hazy medium golden amber with a fine two finger white head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of wheat, light lemon with hints of banana and clove. Flavor follows with wheat, bready yeast, light lemon and clove. Really nice creamy body and mouth feel. Looks, tastes and feels great. Flavor and aroma are just a little dialed back from some of the other classic hefeweizens, but this is beautifully balanced and brings together all that I would want in this style. Spaten was one of my first eye-opener breweries on a trip to Munich decades ago and it appears they are still producing a great beer even as part of a multinational. Thanks to my sister for bringing this back from Germany for me.
★ 742 characters
3.67/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
L: It's very cloudy with a deep amber (almost brown) color. The head is solid but dissipates quickly, after which bubbles break uniformly around the surface.
S: Slight banana aroma. Not especially odoriferous.
T: The taste is dominated by carbonation, but nevertheless it's nicely balanced and has a banana body. Very easy to drink,
F: Very smooth, with carbonation dominating the fore- and end-notes.
O: Nicely understated Hefeweizen suitable year-round.
★ 461 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
L: It's very cloudy with a deep amber (almost brown) color. The head is solid but dissipates quickly, after which bubbles break uniformly around the surface.
S: Slight banana aroma. Not especially odoriferous.
T: The taste is dominated by carbonation, but nevertheless it's nicely balanced and has a banana body. Very easy to drink,
F: Very smooth, with carbonation dominating the fore- and end-notes.
O: Nicely understated Hefeweizen suitable year-round.
★ 461 characters
4.27/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I'm not a big fan of the hefeweizen style or wheat beers, but this one is outstanding. This should be the benchmark for this style. I haven't had any American hefeweizen's come close to this one. I love the banana notes, clove, touch of caramel and nut. This is a great summer beer.
★ 286 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I'm not a big fan of the hefeweizen style or wheat beers, but this one is outstanding. This should be the benchmark for this style. I haven't had any American hefeweizen's come close to this one. I love the banana notes, clove, touch of caramel and nut. This is a great summer beer.
★ 286 characters
3.5/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
50cl can. A bit too sweet, with notes of wheat, bananas, honey and white bread. No trace of alcohol, and the beer is quite refreshing, despite the sweetness.
★ 157 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
50cl can. A bit too sweet, with notes of wheat, bananas, honey and white bread. No trace of alcohol, and the beer is quite refreshing, despite the sweetness.
★ 157 characters
4.38/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: beautiful color, opaque; good, persistent and clear foam as desired;
Smell: of vanilla and banana;
Taste: light but solid taste, with nice aftertaste and finish;
Feel: balanced carbonation; smooth and velvety, good creaminess;
Overall: a great and classic weiss-beer with wonderful drinkability 4+/5+.
★ 308 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: beautiful color, opaque; good, persistent and clear foam as desired;
Smell: of vanilla and banana;
Taste: light but solid taste, with nice aftertaste and finish;
Feel: balanced carbonation; smooth and velvety, good creaminess;
Overall: a great and classic weiss-beer with wonderful drinkability 4+/5+.
★ 308 characters
4/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap in a pint glass. Darker than I am used to for a Hefe, with a nice amber hue and thin white head. A nice grainy, bready aroma with flavors of banana, clove and yeast. Easy to drink with a lighter feel. Enjoyable.
Also tried this from the bottle and had same overall experience. It is a very good Hefe.
★ 312 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap in a pint glass. Darker than I am used to for a Hefe, with a nice amber hue and thin white head. A nice grainy, bready aroma with flavors of banana, clove and yeast. Easy to drink with a lighter feel. Enjoyable.
Also tried this from the bottle and had same overall experience. It is a very good Hefe.
★ 312 characters
4.27/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Great looking beer, looks best next to a big pretzel with mustard in a Biergarten
S: Banana, vanilla, a little bit of spice, cloves, rind of some melon fruit
T: Solid taste that is just like the smell, no surprises just a nice clean taste, does not linger
F: Good feel, medium carbonation, smooth
O: Great Hefeweizen that is a must if you come to Germany!
★ 358 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L: Great looking beer, looks best next to a big pretzel with mustard in a Biergarten
S: Banana, vanilla, a little bit of spice, cloves, rind of some melon fruit
T: Solid taste that is just like the smell, no surprises just a nice clean taste, does not linger
F: Good feel, medium carbonation, smooth
O: Great Hefeweizen that is a must if you come to Germany!
★ 358 characters
3.84/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 ml bottle (exp. 08/2016), pouring on an Erdinger Weissbier glass. Yellow liquid, almost clear. After some swirls before the last pour, it became completely opaque and with floating white sediments all around. Lots of foam, with long persistence but not very dense. It left a few laces. Nice note of clover, stronger on nose than on mouth. With the last pour, a banana sweetness showed up very strongly both on nose and on mouth, adding complexity to what was somewhat of a boring beer until then. Light to medium body and a refreshing dry finish.
★ 550 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
500 ml bottle (exp. 08/2016), pouring on an Erdinger Weissbier glass. Yellow liquid, almost clear. After some swirls before the last pour, it became completely opaque and with floating white sediments all around. Lots of foam, with long persistence but not very dense. It left a few laces. Nice note of clover, stronger on nose than on mouth. With the last pour, a banana sweetness showed up very strongly both on nose and on mouth, adding complexity to what was somewhat of a boring beer until then. Light to medium body and a refreshing dry finish.
★ 550 characters
4.08/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle, it pours a hazy amber with a moderate (for a weissbier) head into the Weizenbier glass. A bit of banana and clove in the nose, followed by the classic wheat beer taste. Yum!!
★ 194 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle, it pours a hazy amber with a moderate (for a weissbier) head into the Weizenbier glass. A bit of banana and clove in the nose, followed by the classic wheat beer taste. Yum!!
★ 194 characters
3.87/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass, the beer is a hazy but transparent yellow with effervescent carbonation and a persistent white head. Very little lacing, though.
The nose offers subtly sweet ripe banana and lemon, punctuated by a spiciness of clove and fresh hewn grass.
The palate tastes of banana bread and spritzy lemon water. A hint of bubblegum on the mid-palate. Finishes with a brown sugar and maple note, and dries out nicely on the aftertaste with clove, straw, and grass.
The mouthfeel is between medium and light, smooth and round, never quite watery, with fairly high carbonation and a lightly dry finish.
A classic hefeweizen that helped set the staple for the style. A solid beer overall.
★ 714 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass, the beer is a hazy but transparent yellow with effervescent carbonation and a persistent white head. Very little lacing, though.
The nose offers subtly sweet ripe banana and lemon, punctuated by a spiciness of clove and fresh hewn grass.
The palate tastes of banana bread and spritzy lemon water. A hint of bubblegum on the mid-palate. Finishes with a brown sugar and maple note, and dries out nicely on the aftertaste with clove, straw, and grass.
The mouthfeel is between medium and light, smooth and round, never quite watery, with fairly high carbonation and a lightly dry finish.
A classic hefeweizen that helped set the staple for the style. A solid beer overall.
★ 714 characters
4.4/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Luxurious Hefeweizen with the full esther profiles present. Smooth wheat beer body with high drinkability and all of the classic spicy & fruity flavors coming through. A little drying but overall great.
★ 204 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Luxurious Hefeweizen with the full esther profiles present. Smooth wheat beer body with high drinkability and all of the classic spicy & fruity flavors coming through. A little drying but overall great.
★ 204 characters
4.1/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Well executed hefeweizen from Munich. Weizen aromas abound on the pour, head is perfect pillow of foam. Color is cloudy and amber. Taste has elements of banana and bread. Well done!
★ 181 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Well executed hefeweizen from Munich. Weizen aromas abound on the pour, head is perfect pillow of foam. Color is cloudy and amber. Taste has elements of banana and bread. Well done!
★ 181 characters
4.18/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Light yellow cloudy golden appearance with average white head. Banana wheat aroma with similar fruity tasting. The flavor last longer in the mouth, really easy to drink.
★ 169 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Light yellow cloudy golden appearance with average white head. Banana wheat aroma with similar fruity tasting. The flavor last longer in the mouth, really easy to drink.
★ 169 characters
4.19/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Gives of a cloudy orange color, gives of a small top of head that disolves quick , some lacings on the glass, high carbonation
S: Banana,cloves, small notes of corriander.peppercorns and other spices
T&F: sour yeast dominates at first with the banana and cloves, , aftertaste are well rounded with some bitterness that is comfortable , gives kind of a creamy mouthfeel, nice pricklings on the tongue . Very easy to drink and very refreshing
O: A great hefeweizen that i enjoyed very much. Very refreshing and easy to drink. One of the best hefeweizens out there
★ 573 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Gives of a cloudy orange color, gives of a small top of head that disolves quick , some lacings on the glass, high carbonation
S: Banana,cloves, small notes of corriander.peppercorns and other spices
T&F: sour yeast dominates at first with the banana and cloves, , aftertaste are well rounded with some bitterness that is comfortable , gives kind of a creamy mouthfeel, nice pricklings on the tongue . Very easy to drink and very refreshing
O: A great hefeweizen that i enjoyed very much. Very refreshing and easy to drink. One of the best hefeweizens out there
★ 573 characters
4.08/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pretty smooth beer to pour and pretty smooth going down. I've been used to drinking IPA's lately and this is quite a change. I think this is one I could drink a few of while on a July 4th picnic!
★ 197 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pretty smooth beer to pour and pretty smooth going down. I've been used to drinking IPA's lately and this is quite a change. I think this is one I could drink a few of while on a July 4th picnic!
★ 197 characters
4.08/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap. Pours a muddy orange. Big head. Aroma is very potent and rich in regards to the style. Wheat malt and yeast gives off a perfume of sweet, spicy, and dry scents. Flavor is of banana, pear, clove, wheat, cracked pepper, and that "back of the throat" dusty element. Body is full for it's alcohol content. Creamy, textured mouthfeel. I can't say that I am overly fond of the style, but its one of the best Hefeweizens I have gulped!
★ 436 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap. Pours a muddy orange. Big head. Aroma is very potent and rich in regards to the style. Wheat malt and yeast gives off a perfume of sweet, spicy, and dry scents. Flavor is of banana, pear, clove, wheat, cracked pepper, and that "back of the throat" dusty element. Body is full for it's alcohol content. Creamy, textured mouthfeel. I can't say that I am overly fond of the style, but its one of the best Hefeweizens I have gulped!
★ 436 characters
3.05/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
A - cloudy pumpkin orange. Soft white head 1cm dies quickly. Little to no lacing. Some continued carbonation. 3.
S - aluminum and banana candy. Some cotton candy. Changes as it warms. 3
T - sweet potato, herbal oregano-like hops, crystal malts. slightly sour citrus aftertaste. Not gross but not inspiring. 3.25
M - quite fizzy but unremarkable. 3
D - very mass produced feel. Nothing offensive nor enticing. Better than some micro weissbiers but lacks distinctiveness. 2.75
★ 482 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
A - cloudy pumpkin orange. Soft white head 1cm dies quickly. Little to no lacing. Some continued carbonation. 3.
S - aluminum and banana candy. Some cotton candy. Changes as it warms. 3
T - sweet potato, herbal oregano-like hops, crystal malts. slightly sour citrus aftertaste. Not gross but not inspiring. 3.25
M - quite fizzy but unremarkable. 3
D - very mass produced feel. Nothing offensive nor enticing. Better than some micro weissbiers but lacks distinctiveness. 2.75
★ 482 characters
5/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Easily my favorite beer of all time. Look is standard cloudy with a good, long-lasting head. Carbonation is evident. Smells and tastes like banana and clove, as well as typical bread flavor from a Weizen. The feel is smooth, refreshing, but not too watery, and with plenty of carbonation as could be seen before. Overall, quality beer, definitely worth giving a shot if you see it.
★ 381 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Easily my favorite beer of all time. Look is standard cloudy with a good, long-lasting head. Carbonation is evident. Smells and tastes like banana and clove, as well as typical bread flavor from a Weizen. The feel is smooth, refreshing, but not too watery, and with plenty of carbonation as could be seen before. Overall, quality beer, definitely worth giving a shot if you see it.
★ 381 characters
5/5 rDev +23.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The Franziskaner Hefeweizen is the must have Weizenbier. This beer is the alpha and the omega of wheat beers, it's brewing culture dates back to the 14th century and it is one of the oldest in Bavaria. Any Bavarian would agree that Franziskaner is the complete wheat beer based on look, smell and taste of course.
If you don't like it then you don't like Weizenbier. But it is hard not to. In the world of beers, it is a pleasant difference to any Pils or Lager beer or other party beers. This is the beer of men, the taste of yeast makes it recognizable from any other beer. After the first sip, you will know that you are drinking something special.
★ 652 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The Franziskaner Hefeweizen is the must have Weizenbier. This beer is the alpha and the omega of wheat beers, it's brewing culture dates back to the 14th century and it is one of the oldest in Bavaria. Any Bavarian would agree that Franziskaner is the complete wheat beer based on look, smell and taste of course.
If you don't like it then you don't like Weizenbier. But it is hard not to. In the world of beers, it is a pleasant difference to any Pils or Lager beer or other party beers. This is the beer of men, the taste of yeast makes it recognizable from any other beer. After the first sip, you will know that you are drinking something special.
★ 652 characters
Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse from Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
4.04
out of 5
based on 3,869 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy yellow with a significant head, be sure to leave room for it, Has the classic clove and banana taste from the yeast. The yeast floating in the glass dominates the appearance. I like this better than most of the american versions I've tried of this style but I would prefer a lighter close/banana presence but this is true to the style.
★ 349 characters