Nice Weiss
Clay Pipe Brewing Company

While I was completely disappointed to not get to try Clay Pipe's "One And Done" this past weekend at John Steven's (the keg was kicked), I was at least compensated with their Nice Weiss!

It was delivered with an appropriate head of frothy bright white foam atop a just-slightly hazy orange body. Small chunks of yeasty sediment could be seen floating. Obviously the keg had been on tap for a bit.

The nose was typical, if slightly muted, as was the flavor,
but it was a very good example from an American brewery -
and it had a touch more hop bitterness (and even, perhaps, some more hop flavor) than most Bavarian examples.

Enjoyable... clearly enjoyable! Well done.

Another sampling from Oktoberfest. The beer poured a cloudy light amber with a tan head. The aroma was of banana. The taste was very wheaty and malty with a banana presence. The feel was medium and oily. A pretty middle of the road wheat, it wasn't outstanding, but was drinkable.

Served on tap into an Ayinger Weiss glass. At first I thought I was getting an Ayinger since they had had it on tap the previous day and I asked for the Weiss. Well, this is what I got instead and was not disappointed. Clay Pipe makes some great beers, with the exception of Backfin which I find repulsive. But anyways, this is a great example of the style. Pours a bright orange-yellow. Fizzy carbonation, fluffy head. Spicy aroma, orange peel, cloves. Taste is very spicy, banana, clove, orange peel, citrus. Carbonation isn't overbearing though its still a bit more than I like. Crisp light and refreshing on the pallete, especially on a hot day. Glad to see more US brewers making fine wheat beers and staying away from bland american hefes.

This is another solid beer from Clay Pipe. Had it on tap at Hops in Owings Mills. Pours a light hazy orange with a thick white head and lots of lacing. Aroma is earthy malts, bananas, wheat, brown sugar. Taste is much spicier than the smell, with cloves hitting you upfront, but balanced with the malty banana bread flavor on the back. The beer is extremely crisp, dry, and refreshing, making it a great session beer. I really like this one and have been drinking one almost daily on the way home from work.

Clay Pipe is now my official "underrated brewery in MD." Tried this on tap at Sean Bolan's. It was served in the proper glassware. Poured a hazy pale yellow with a thick bubbled two-fingered head.

Smelled like syrupy overripe bananas with some faint phenols. This is a great tasting hefe. Although not as complex as an Ayinger I had the other day in a bottle (where the bottle conditioning would help) this had all the requisite yummy yummy bubble gummy flavor, with bananas and cloves. What I liked best was that it finished clean and crisp, making it an excellent summer session beer. I have no idea where you might find this out there because they have a small distribution, but if you do, buy it.