Hefeweizen
Mash House Restaurant & Brewery, The

I was not expecting much from this small regional restaurant family, but this one was a pleasant surprise. The Hefeweizen provides a solid first impression, but I'm not convinced right away because it doesn't seem hard to make a good looking wheat beer. This one fits the standard mold, with a cloudy lemon yellow color, but no head because of an overly-generous pour. My opinion starts to turn with the first smell. The aroma is predominantly a dry, fruity sweetness. The flavor is not too bold but is likewise surprisingly pleasant, with dominant flavors of bananas, with additional notes of clove, yeast, and a hint of lemon. The mouthfeel is silky, smooth, and quite enjoyable. Overall, although not powerfully flavorful, this selection is tasty and drinkable.

 

Pours hazy, orange-gold in color, with minimal head. Taste hit all the expected flavors--oranges, bananas, and wheat. Solid, sessionable beer...Could do several.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured on-tap at The Mash House and served in a weisse vase, the beer is opaque, with a peach-orange coloring, and no head. Nose of subtle orange peel and coriander, with a bready backbone. Flavors are slightly sour forward, with orange peel, curacao, and clove. The sour tones really blow the whole deal for me. Smooth, light bodied, with a subtle spice linger in the clean finish. The aftertaste is more of the sour notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first beer of the night at the Mash House. Served in a Weizen glass with a cross section of orange attached to it (which I quickly discarded). Looked good, nice size bubbly head with good retention and more lacing than I am used to on a hefe. Cloudy straw gold color.

Smell was good. Had all the usual suspects: Cloves, banana, wheat, spices. Tasted good....not overwhelmingly great but not a "Widmer-Brothers style" mediocre hefe either.

Taste did not disappoint. All the flavors you would expect, a bit subdued but still refreshing and true to style.

Mouthfeel is crisp and rich. Carbonation is just right.

Overall a good take on a Hefeweizen.

One of my best friends is stationed in Fayetteville and the brewpub there is his favorite after work stop, I was fortunate enough to go with him during my latest visit. This was, unfortunately, my least favorite brew that they offered.

A - Deep orange haze that fades out to a milky yellow, almost reminiscent of Widmer.

S - Very strong blend of banana and clove, which was quite sweet.

T - Too much spice, not enough citrus, and the alcohol was undetectable. I thought I was drinking some sort of protein shake.

M - Light to medium light body, but overly spiced.

D - For someone not looking for a beer, this would be a great drink, for hefe fans however, I would not recommend.

Sampled at the brewpub. Hazy and opaque with a slick film top and a vaguely yeasty aroma. This drinks smoothly with a sweet fruit esther base, not quite as pronouced as tye prototypical banana, but nice. True to style, but somewhat restrained , light and fizzy-bodied, not as "chewy" as some hefeweizens. (#2803, 4/21/07)

Enjoyed a pair of these tonight at the restaurant with an excellent beef stroganoff. I don't usuallly think of March as Hefeweizen time but we've had some unseasonable heat lately. Served in a standard MH pint glass which obviously throttled the head potential and it was down to a cap by the time it arrived but did feature a beautiful tannish orange color with great cloudiness. The nose wasn't real strong but smelled pleasant and very natural, without some of the over the top banana//clove ester stuff you get sometimes in domestic examples of the style.

The taste was likewise undrestated but tasty and obviously very fresh. Had a likable yeasty quality and the texture was spot on, without overcarbonation and a crisp, quenching finish. Definitely worth a shot at the brewpub; these guys almost never disappoint.