Let's Talk About Weihenstephaner

To paraphrase the Four Tops, it's the same old song; Weihenstephan Beers aren't the latest fad, fave, or whale. While many BAs rave about the Hefeweizen and Original, they're (we're) the minority when it comes to those demanding more IPAs and Imperial Stouts. Even here in the Midwest it's difficult to find Weihenstephaner beers with so many brands du Jour clogging the shelves.

 

Love me some Weihenstephaner! Definitely one of my favorite breweries out there.

 

Weihenstephaner produces some of the best products in its respective class(es). However, as @steveh mentioned, the craze is IPAs. There are many breweries/styles like this that deserve the love but don't get it. When's the last time you heard critical acclaim for a brown ale? It's all about what's popular.

 

Vitus is in my top 5 beers. Insane stuff.

 

I would guess price is the major factor. Many people may not perceive how much better a Weihenstephaner beer may be versus a similar-style beer from another brewer. Even if they do, maybe they don't believe it's worth the 25-50% premium you pay versus many other German counterparts.

I do agree with you though. With the exception of their Festbier (which is a below-average version of an Oktoberfest IMO), everything they make is at or near the pinnacle of the style.

 

I have not rated/reviewed a ton of beers, but the Hefe is my highest rated. If I got around to reviewing Virus, that would top it. Had it fresh out of a newly tapped keg a couple months back and it was heaven. And I love IPAs too. Just like music, I've got love for all styles, just do what you do, well.

 

How could you not love one of the founders of German style? They don't make a bad beer, but that goes with being in business forever. Their Hefe and Bocks are legendary for a reason.

 

Would love to have it in Germany. These beers sit for weeks or months in cargo ships and warehouses- will buy them, but would rather give my money to a local or American brewery.

 

Weihenstephaner is of my favorite breweries. They produce excellent versions of most of the major Bavarian styles and they're priced right, too.
My favorite beer from them is the Tradition Dunkel and (of course) that's the one beer they don't export to the US.
I think my only knock on them is that they don't seem to use simple freshness dating system. Especially when compared to Paulaner and H-P, which are easy to see and understand.

 

Fantastic brewery, and I buy it as often as I can find it fresh. That's the real rub. And, sadly, I live in an area where German/imports don't really fly off the shelves, which means finding freshies can be a tough task.

Otherwise, though, I'm all over it. Lovely stuff.

 

Great beer! World class!

 

I enjoy drinking Weihenstephaner beers when I can find them fresh. They are a bit pricer than some competing beers but they are worth the price if I can find them fresh.

Cheers!

 

Weistephaners great but what about that schneider weisse? Probably my favorite heffe also the aventinus is amazing.

 

I love Aventinus (both versions) and their stronger offerings like M.G. and Edel Weisse. Their normal weissbiers are a little subdued for my tastes. Their yeast doesn't have the strong banana/vanilla note that I crave, but is more Earthy. Different strokes of course...

 

Do they put freshness dates on their bottles? Part of why I don't buy them more often is wondering how old the dust covered bottles are in my local shops...

 

I am in the same boat as Chris (@Domingo). I enjoy drinking Schneider Weisse but the yeast strain they use is a bit too subdued for my preferences in a Hefeweizen.

Cheers!

 

Weihenstephaner is probably my favorite all around brewery, its at least up there with Ayinger, Fullers, and Sierra Nevada. The issue these days is finding it at all and finding it fresh. Hard to find bottles these days less than 6 months. To me Weihenstephaner is tops for Hefe, Vitus, Korbinian, and Original. Pilsner is good but not up their with the more bitter German examples.

 

Stellar brewery and probably my favorite from overseas. Freshness can be an issue with any import though, so I think in addition to none of their styles being the big craze, not as many people have access to get their stuff as fresh as, say, a local or semi-local DIPA.

 

I've never checked the date on them and have yet to have a hefe or dunkelweisse that I did not enjoy. Keep your IPAs, give me a good traditional Bavarian or Belgian beer any day.