Howling Wolf Weizenbock
Grand Teton Brewing Co.

Howling Wolf WeizenbockHowling Wolf Weizenbock
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From:
Grand Teton Brewing Co.
 
Idaho, United States
Style:
Weizenbock
ABV:
8%
Score:
89
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 7.73%
Reviews:
42
Ratings:
54
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 05, 2017
Added:
May 23, 2009
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  0
Howling Wolf Weizenbock was crafted with 40% wheat malt, including German Dark Wheat and Caramel Wheat malts, and minimally spiced with Liberty hops, an American version of the famous German Hallertau Mittelfruh.

Like all Bavarian weizen beers, the yeast is the star of this show. We used an authentic Bavarian top-fermenting ale yeast that naturally produces flavors of cloves, bananas, bubblegum, green apples, smoke, and even vanilla. When this yeast ferments a very strong beer, the resultant weizenbock is a wonderfully complex brew, hiding its 8% wallop under swirls of fruit and spice aroma—raisins, dates, prunes, bananas, cloves--and fruity, bready, chocolaty, caramel grain flavors.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by TexIndy:
Photo of TexIndy
Reviewed by TexIndy from Texas

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Got from ummagum - many thanks...and now Idaho off the list. Poured from a massive 1000ML swing-top bottle into a weizen glass. Neck sticker showed 2009 edition. Was a dark orange color with insane amount of carbonation which resulted in a massive 5 finger head and good lacing.

The aroma was classic wiezenbock - ripe banana, clove, dark fruits and caramel malt body. I enjoyed the aroma on this one better than some weizenbocks that have the dark fruits more prevalent than the banana and cloves. The taste followed the aroma and again I preferred to most weizenbocks since not as dark fruit heavy. Only complaint is that was very sweet and I found it distracting in the aftertaste. Needed a touch more hops to counter that. The mouthfeel was nice and chewy but the extreme amount of carbonation filled me up too soon and led to some severe burbing to clear some more room.

Overall, a really good weizenbock. It's a middle of the pack style for me so not going to get 4's and 5's but for a weizenbock this would be a high review for me. Recommend. Rotation - not available here but one is probably enough for me anyway unless I could try at the brewery.

[1x-GBBOA]
Aug 24, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of poisoneddwarf
Reviewed by poisoneddwarf from Idaho

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Backlog from 2009. 1 qt, 1.8 oz swingtop bottle. 2009 vintage. Smells Belgian or like a really great German wheat beer, but comes from Idaho! I taste a conglomeration of spices, though this beer adheres to the German Purity Law of 1516, containing only hops, malted barley, water, and yeast. There are so many different flavors in this complex beer, it’s hard to believe it only contains those four ingredients. Excellent!
Jun 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Sep 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by afsdan from Colorado

May 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jaydoc from Kansas

Nov 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kelp from New Hampshire

May 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Butchnasty from Louisiana

Mar 05, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by uturn from Florida

Jan 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by asafarc2 from Rhode Island

Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by dav from Missouri

Dec 17, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by FreshmanPour77 from Minnesota

Nov 22, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by mmitgang from Missouri

Nov 22, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by imperialking from Illinois

Nov 19, 2011
Photo of mkotsayfan
Reviewed by mkotsayfan from California

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on-tap at the Yard House in a pint glass. Pours a dark orange with a very creamy, but limited, head. It gives off the aroma of a hefeweizen, with orange peel, wheat, and sweet malts coming through. The initial taste when it hits the tongue is like a hefeweizen as well with a wheat bread taste, but smooths out a finishes with cloves and yeast. The 8% ABV is more noticeable on the back end, but overall the beer wasn't too hot. The mouthfeel was medium bodied and very creamy with decent carbonation.

Overall, I was impressed with my first taste of a Weizenbock, and I think Grand Teton did a good job with this one.
Oct 08, 2011
Photo of emmasdad
Reviewed by emmasdad from Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
1 litre swing top bottle poured a clear orange amber with a lasting light amber head. Aromas of banana, caramel, dates, wheat, light pear and light spice. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of banana, dates, caramel, wheat, spice and light pear with a smooth lingering spiced finish.
Sep 12, 2011
Photo of Mora2000
Reviewed by Mora2000 from Texas

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a hazy copper color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the toffee and bananas, exactly what I expect from a weizenbock. The flavor is more of the same. The toffee and caramel malt is pretty strong with some wheat, banana and clove notes also mixed in. As the beer warms, it starts to taste quite a bit like bubblegum. Very interesting. The alcohol is present but is not overpowering. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.
Jun 06, 2011
Photo of yamar68
Reviewed by yamar68 from Minnesota

4.32/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
This is like some godly lovechild between a scotch ale and a hefeweizen. I picked up a swing top bottle that was bottled in April of '09 and stored respectfully ever since.

A - Pours a foggy dark amber orange, with a tasty head that dissipates rather quickly.

S - The smell explodes out of the bottle. It smells much boozier than it tastes - but the smell is very pleasant nonetheless. Lots of fruit, raisins, starch.

T - A whole lot going on here. It seems as though you get a different side of the beer from every sip.

M - A little too syrupy for my liking. It's lack of drinkability comes from its slimy consistency.

O - Overall, this is a damn good beer that I'd like to try again. I'd be very particular about how it is stored. It's one of those beers that will pull a complete 180 on you if stored without respect.
Jun 04, 2011
Photo of WJDobbs321
Reviewed by WJDobbs321 from Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Great Beer!

Darker golden wheat beer with great carbonated body. I usually prefer more hop, but the malt and yeast would be hidden by it. This beer does need the perfect temperature. Too cold and you miss the flavor, too warm and the suds take over.

Cheers!
Mar 27, 2011
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
2009. 1L swingtop.
A dense beige cap topped this medium amber brew. Lots of carbonation was apparent during the pour and it helped support the head for quite some time. A little chunky lacing. Smells good. Bananas and cloves, wheat crackers, lemons, bread, faint bubblegum. The aromas translated nicely to the flavour - bread, cloves, banana, lemons, wheat. Bitterness was low, alcohol flavour was apparent towards the finish, as was pleasant warmth. Medium bodied, carbonation was a bit too high, fair texture overall. I quite enjoyed this one. The malt flavour was rich and tasty, melding nicely with the yeast profile. I would definitely grab one of these again.
Jan 28, 2011
Howling Wolf Weizenbock from Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 54 ratings