Erhartinger Hefe-Weisse
Brauerei Erharting

From: World Wide Spirits, DE
Glass: Weihenstephan weizen glass
Date: Best by 2013-12-24

German hefeweizens are a style I could drink nearly all the time, and Erharting produces a satisfying, moderate, all-around version of the style that hits all the right notes, plays none too hard, thus allowing for multiple "listens" (bottles) in a single sitting. While certainly not the avatar of the style, nor the most expressive, Erharting's hefweizen is a good all-around version that if my locally available version, I would pick up without hesitation.

Pours, as expected, a flowing ~4cm tall head of white, smallish bubbles that yield a fairly frothy appearance. Retention is, as expected, excellent, the foam lasting several minutes in a slow decline to a 0.3cm cap atop the body for the beer for the duration of the drink. Lacing is modest, a few dots and lines cling to the glass' walls. Body is a dark golden orange color, with light bringing out pale yellow-gold hues. Carbonation visible along the sides of the otherwise opaque body, high in number and activity.

Pleasant, classic, and substantial aromas of bubblegum, banana ester, wheat, yeast, brown bread, and low vanilla, lemon citrus and spicy phenolics.

Overall flavor is of wheat malt, ripe banana esters, light bubblegum and vanilla, and notable spicy phenolics in the background. Front of palate detects sweetness mixed with wheat, bubblegum, banana ester, and vanilla. Mid-palate tastes wheat, bubblegum, banana ester, with spicy phenolics being close in the background; also slight hints of apple cider and lemon citrus. Back of palate tastes spicy phenolics, wheat, bubblegum, banana ester, apple cider, and faint vanilla. Aftertaste is fairly mild, of lingering wheat, spicy phenolics, apple cider, and light breadiness.

Beer is medium-bodied, with carbonation of medium-low intensity, resulting in a slightly foamy (1/3) and smooth (2/3) mouthfeel that fits this beer well and is appropriate for the style. Closes dry, with medium-light stickiness clinging to the palate and lips.

My first-ever sampling of an Erharting Bier, at the Leiberheim Biergaten/Restaurant.
This sucka is a golden-hued, pale, rather flat color, and cloudy, of course. Head is white and 2"-plus, and lasts well with ok lacing. Nose is rich with banana and also a touch of clove, though it could be more forth-coming. Body falls just short of medium, with a decent, medium smoothness on the tongue, for a Hefe anyhow (typical foamy/bubbly feel). Banana flavor is the lead player in the flavor, with another smidge of clove (and a small smidge at that) to back things up. It's crisp and dry, with a slight citrussy tartness. Better than average, but not something to write home about.
Zum Wohl!!

overall: 3.6
appearance: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | mouthfeel: 3.5 | drinkability: 3.5

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