Hefeweizen - The uncorruptable.

Every picture you post makes me so jealous that I've never been to Germany. Goddamn you, Scott.

 

I agree. Most people like it, but plenty of people want their hops/malt/BA coffee. And I'm sure that even some of us lauding the hefe would take a Lagunitas IPA (or something similar) over it on a warm summer day. I wouldn't, but I'm not a hop head.

 

Same here, though I might grab a Pils before a Weizen -- but still appreciate the style.

And the friend mentioned above isn't a hop head or barrel head (coined here first!) or anything extreme in his preferences, it's just the yeast esters that turn him off.

 

Can anybody suggest a good starting out Hefe that is.. well i don't know another wayt to put it.. mass produced to the general public?? (Small towns don't have alot of hard to find beers).

 

Franziskaner should work.

 

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is typically regarded as one of the best hefes that is easily found in most places. You'll definitely be able to get it in Texas.

 

thanks to all!

 

well, I still haven't met them, so my point still stands. I suppose it's true though that people are bound to dislike seemingly universal things. I personally can't stand ketchup and jell-o, I know a guy that hates cheese, and I also know a guy that doesn't like beer. So I suppose we'll just have to settle for the fact that there are exceptions to every rule, but generally I have yet to meet somebody who doesn't like the style.

 

I guess BA is on the same wave length right now. Brought a Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier to a "Good Saturday" clam cake and chowder gathering. Great beer for the nice warm day it was. This got me brewing a simplistic hefe recipe that I'm going to keg later this week. I'm debating on kegging at 10 days so it can be on tap this weekend or letting it go 14 days - posting question in homebrew section now... ha-ha.

 

Can you find Live Oak in your neck of Texas? I've heard nothing but good things about their beers. And Sierra Nevada's Kellerweiss is available just about everywhere -- a very good rendition of a Bavarian Weizen.

 

Truth be told, I don't understand their dislike either -- then again, I like raw tomatoes and I can't believe how many people can't stand them that way.

 

It's the Hefe Jefe. Or Jefe Hefe.

 

One of the reasons hefe is one of my favorite styles while American Wheat is my least favorite style. Using a frickin chico yeast in a wheat beer is madness.

 

Weihenstephaner is both the #1 Hefe and widely available.

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis for a widely available American made version.

Franziskaner is more widely available than Weihenstephaner.

 

Well, since Widmer created the abomination that is the American Pale Wheat Ale (and bastardized Hefeweizen), I don't think you can blame Chico! After all, SN retired their APWA in favor of a true Bavarian Weizen.

 

I am a crazy Hop Head, but in the end, there is nothing like a good Hefeweizen or Dunkel Weizen.!!!!

 

And Widmer used an Alt (or maybe Kolsch?) yeast. But plenty of brewpubs, especially, use the equivalent of Chico. For homebrewers: WLP001, Wyeast 1056, US-04, etc.

Edit: And just to be clear, I wasnt blaming SN for the abominations that people make with their yeast. Chico yeast is great when used properly.

 

Thought I read somewhere that they are bringing it back.

Personally, I don't find the american wheat an abomination - it is what it is, if you are expecting it to be something its not (which Widmer may have done themselves by calling it a hefeweizen) then of course you will be dissapointed. It can be nice and refreshing with a bit of lemon on a hot day.

 

Great thread. Cheers to the hefe that really got me hooked on beer. Still one of my favorites.