Hefeweizen
Fujizakura Heights Beer

 

 

One the best hefeweizens I've had.

300ml Keg from Raku Beer, Hiroshima (¥800):
Quite a decent wheat beer from Fukizakura Heights with a good amount of wheat showing alongside some early citrus & a banana sweetness that was present throughout. The beer was smooth & balanced, making it easy to drink with some slightly funky flavours around the middle too. It's a nice beer & one that I'm glad I tried & it's one of the better hefeweizen that I had in Japan too.

 

 

 

 

 

I will need to possibly update this to change it because the beer I had at Vivo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo was the "premium" version of this hefe which is supposedly aged longer. Anyways, this is one of the best hefes I have ever had in my life... period. I would compare it to Paulaner, only this had an even bubblier head that retained well and made the scent coming off the glass heavenly. The citrus notes in the brew were absolutely mind-blowingly delicious, and the aftertaste (which can be sour in many hefes) plays through melodiously in this beer. Will be on the look-out again for this on tap and especially this premium version I am writing about. Overall, this is one of those beers that I will never forget and that I will actively seek out in the future.

Consumed from a clay growler on 3-5-10 at Popeye's in Ryogoku.

A - Presentation is a little bit nice for impressing a date or perhaps remembering that not so long ago most beer came in a vessel like this. There was an eggshell white head of fine bubbles. And the beer itself had a cloudy banana pudding yellow color with some lacing.

S - The smell pops and crackles around your nostrils like fake banana Laffy Taffy candy. After warming a bit mroe I smelled some sweet roasted bell pepper smells. Since they don't serve that at Popeye's I think it was the beer.

T - Cotton candy. With a noticiale buttered popcorn aftertaste. Unusual but not unpleasant.

M - Sleek, a bit like milk.

D - If in the mood for a sweet Hefeweizen, this isn't bad. I'm not sure what to do. Too many more of these reviews and people will think I'm a weizen fan.

Extremely solid hefe enjoyed at Popeye's in Tokyo. Classic appearance - clouded yellow with a frothy white head. Banana esters waft enticingly upwards. Strong banana notes from the yeast, but there is also a well-rounded grain body, which hlps to puch up the flabour and add extra dimension. Soft mouthfeel, with both medium body and carbonation. Fujizakura seem to know their stuff.

Sampled on tap at Popeye in Tokyo.

This hefeweizen poured a cloudy, straw-yellow color with creamy, white foam. The aroma was fruity (banana) with hints of wheat. The taste included flavors of wheat, banana, slightly sweet malt, and a hint of yeast. Very nice. The mouthfeel was smooth and mellow. The body and carbonation were medium. The flavors lingered nicely. This was a very nice hefeweizen: flavorful and refreshing.