Homestretch Hefeweizen
West Sixth Brewing Company

Dancing on the line that separate traditional Bavarian hefeweizen and trendy American wheat ale, West Sixth's latest wheat beer rounds turn number three and is clearly in the homestretch toward warmer weather. The Homestretch Hefeweizen should be a winner for the brewery this spring and summer.

Its calm pour delivers on its wheaty and yeasty promises, catching the eye with a hazy light golden gaze. Capped with a short foamy hat, the ale seems to lack that sparkle of the highly carbonated German versions. Leading with citrus, bread and raw grain, a spicy tinge of white pepper and clove lead into the first grainy-sweet taste.

As the taste unfolds on the palate, its low-lying carbonation allows the sweetness to register high, carrying with it a notion of cereal, husk and baking bread. Its sweetness is shy of sugar cookie as the layers of spice begin to mount. Lemon, tangy orange, apple, under-ripened berry and faint banana swirl as the ale warms while a late charge of herbal, tea-like hops offer their lightly spiced bitterness as a rebuttal to malt sweetness and a complement to the natural yeast spices.

Lingering with malt and grain, the ale waters considerably as much of its carbonation excapes quickly and renders the finish lackluster and somewhat lifeless. With clove, mild vanilla, bubblegum and mint resonating in aftertaste, the beer begs for more creamy support.

 

 

Lacks head retention.

Wheat and orange dominate the aroma. There's a bit of coriander. Lacks the typical banana, clove, and bubblegum esters.

Flavor reveals a huge orange presence, but again, lacks the more complex hefe character. More assertive than their last attempt, but needs a more characterful yeast strain. A bit of bubblegum and banana surfaces as it warms.