High Country Hefeweizen
Mariposa Brewing Company

So, words cannot describe how much I wanted this beer to be good. Growing up in Mariposa and loving craft beer, my anticipation to quaff down some of a hometown hef was great.
I bought a growler and took it to my bay area home and awaited an opportunity to share it with some friends.

Poured into Speakeasy pub glasses.

This beer poured like most American hefs, with a bright straw color and minimal head.

The smell was where the trouble first began. Hints of... soap?

Having downed my first taste, I was immediately transferred into the world of major brewers of American Adjunct Lager. If Coors made a hef, this is what it would taste like (maybe they do?). Initially the flavor is innocent enough, comparable to a Pyramid or a Widmer, but the follow-through was straight alcohol. There seemed to be no finishing hopping or spicing, so the beer ended with a soapy or chemical finish.

The minimal carbonation made for a troublesome mouthfeel, perhaps the beer stands up better out of the tap. but from the growler it had a syrupy nature that fell flat on the tongue.

Between three friends and I, what started as a session soon became a challenge as we struggled to finish the growler.