American Hefeweizens

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by litheum94, Jan 2, 2013.

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  1. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    I'm drinking a Pyramid Hefeweizen right now, and I fail to see how this is a hefeweizen. It's overlly carbonated and is completely lacking in that typical yeast flavor that German hefes have (banana, clove, etc). It seems that a lot of American brewers are guilty of throwing some wheat into the grain bill and then labeling the beer as a Hefe.

    The only American hefeweizen that I've ever enjoyed was Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss, which is fantastic. Is there any other good American example of the style?
     
    #1 litheum94, Jan 2, 2013
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  2. Boozledooz

    Boozledooz Initiate (0) Jul 8, 2011 Colorado

    Dry Dock Hefeweizen.
     
    #2 Boozledooz, Jan 2, 2013
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  3. beerjerk666

    beerjerk666 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,155) Aug 22, 2010 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just had a couple Flying Dog In-Heat Hefeweizen last night, not bad but this isn't my style at all. Will continue to try it, but just not into it.
     
    #3 beerjerk666, Jan 2, 2013
  4. CASK1

    CASK1 Pundit (951) Jan 7, 2010 Florida

    Hefeweizen means "yeasty wheat beer". The yeast strain makes all the difference. German strains are well known for the banana esters and clove-like phenolics. American strains do not produce these compounds. They are two very different beer styles. If the grain includes wheat and the beer has some yeast in it, it can be called a "hefeweizen". Other characters will determine if it is a (good or bad) American or German version.
    Cheers!
     
    #4 CASK1, Jan 2, 2013
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  5. einhorn

    einhorn Savant (1,175) Nov 3, 2005 California

    #5 einhorn, Jan 2, 2013
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  6. Mfedonczak

    Mfedonczak Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2008 Texas

    Live Oak hefeweizen is the best American example I have had.
     
    #6 Mfedonczak, Jan 2, 2013
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  7. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    Well, that would explain why I don't like American Hefeweizens. It seems weird to stray from using the German yeast strain, as it is so distinctive. When I think hefeweizen, I think about that. Any other beer that's missing those characteristics would be labeled a wheat beer, I would think.

    After all these years, I'm still learning new things.
     
    #7 litheum94, Jan 2, 2013
  8. kirbmeist

    kirbmeist Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2012 Florida

    Troegs dreamweaver is tasty and reminds me of keller
     
    #8 kirbmeist, Jan 2, 2013
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  9. rfbenavi80

    rfbenavi80 Initiate (0) Mar 15, 2010 Missouri

    Drink 2 Dancing Man Wheat by New Glaurs and call me in the morning........
     
    #9 rfbenavi80, Jan 2, 2013
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  10. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    Send me some? :slight_smile:
     
    #10 litheum94, Jan 2, 2013
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  11. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Prost & Dry Dock in Denver
    Live Oak in Texas.

    Since I lack access to these I just drink the German ones and they're coming in more fresh in the last year or so, especially Ayinger & Paulaner's new cans.
     
    #11 yemenmocha, Jan 2, 2013
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  12. litheum94

    litheum94 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 California

    Paulaner in a can is great. The 8 packs are perfect for bbqs.
     
    #12 litheum94, Jan 2, 2013
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  13. rfbenavi80

    rfbenavi80 Initiate (0) Mar 15, 2010 Missouri

    I would if I could get it.........:slight_frown:
     
    #13 rfbenavi80, Jan 2, 2013
    litheum94 likes this.
  14. loony4lambic

    loony4lambic Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2012 California

    From experience Hefe's are supposed to be pretty damn carbed up. Why would this be an issue?
     
    #14 loony4lambic, Jan 2, 2013
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  15. VitoFerrante

    VitoFerrante Initiate (0) Sep 11, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Lets not confuse an American Pale Wheat Ale with a traditonal Hefe. Some breweries will label one over the other. I do love a good Hefe, but an American example is tough. I agree on the Dreamweaver. It will always be fresher than a beer shipped from Europe. Good posting here guys!
     
    #15 VitoFerrante, Jan 2, 2013
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  16. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    #16 hoptualBrew, Jan 2, 2013
  17. cid71

    cid71 Zealot (614) Mar 2, 2009 New Jersey
    Trader

    Ramstein here in new Jersey is good but wrong.coast for you
     
    #17 cid71, Jan 2, 2013
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  18. victory4me

    victory4me Initiate (0) Oct 16, 2004 Pennsylvania

    Sly Fox Royal Weiss is my personal favorite.
     
    #18 victory4me, Jan 2, 2013
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  19. Lutter

    Lutter Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2010 Texas

    Live Oak x 1,000,000

    Them hippies make some good hefe.
     
    #19 Lutter, Jan 2, 2013
  20. Danny1217

    Danny1217 Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2011 Florida

    Kellerweiss is great and a perfect imitation of the German hefes.

    I'm also a fan of Gordon Biersch's hefeweizen. Gordon Biersch is mostly pretty lame, but the hefeweizen is nice and pretty authentic tasting

    I would love to try Live Oak with all I've heard about it
     
    #20 Danny1217, Jan 2, 2013
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