Midwest Hefeweizens

in Chicagoland, there are several very solid options. Pollyanna and Dovetail make very respectable hefe. I bet we’ll see summer seasonal from many more.
Urban Chestnut probably makes the best in the Midwest, although New Glarus Dancing Man might have a case if it weren’t < 7%.

 

Fair State and Steel Toe both have a Hefe out now. Can't comment on either though.

 

I have always been happy with Fair State’s rendition (on tap at the Taproom, and in cans).

Steel Toe has always done well with their stylistic approaches, too, so I will have to see if my local can’t get a case in for the July 4th holiday.

 

Sadly Dancing Man isn't on the schedule for this summer.

FFF Drunk Monk is my absolute favorite, but it seems they rarely make it, and it's a brewery-only bomber.

 

They changed the name to Legendary Shader and it’s available in 6 packs now.

 

I'll really miss Schell's Hefe this summer too. Has anyone tried Schell's new Kolsch which I assume replaced their Hefe in an effort to increase summer seasonal sales?

I do enjoy Utepils Ewald the Golden a lot and it will be my summer Hefe now but for some reason I've never really like Fair State's Hefe despite the the fact I usually love their beers.

 

Fat Head’s Goggle Fogger is decent.

 

I wish Schells good luck with that if they place their Kolsch in as many (or I should say as few) accounts as they did their hefe....when it is only available in a couple stores sales aren't going to be great...

 

I think Town Hall has their coming out or it may be out...usually solid...

 

Steel Toe Sommer Vice tasting nice ,like the 12oz can.

 

Revel Hefe out in Park Rapids....very below average to be nice...

 

Just had Sawmill Hefeweizen from Merill, Wisconsin.....not a hefe...good solid american wheat...think Boulevard or Widmer..good beer but don't expect a true German hefeweizen style beer...

It's tough to find good American made hefeweizens which makes the loss of Schells Hefe a tough one for those who appreciate this style.

 

My local shops have stocked fewer Schell's options over the past few years likely due to lower sales numbers. Unfortunately I don't think Schell's is a brand not often consumed by under 40 year old beer drinkers.

 

Fair State's just hit stores this week. I picked up some yesterday at Elevated. Haven't tried it yet.

 

Ale Jail has it.

 

I did Fair State, Steel Toe and Utepils blind on Saturday....all were legit...all were fresh....I just kept saying "man, these are all really good"

I ended up going Fair State, Steel Toe, Utepils. I prefer sweeter banana rather than clove dominant hefe's and the Utepils leaned more toward the cloves but was still very well done...These are three excellent options this summer...maybe I won't miss Schell Hefe as much as I thought...

 

I hope the Fair State hefe makes it to Chicago, I'd love to try it.

I'd love Steel Toe and Utepils to make it here too, but the odds are so heavily against it that I don't dare dream.

 

France 44 had all three...best liquor store I've found...actually bought the steel toe at the brewery because I wanted to try it first as previously I wasn't a huge fan....it was ok...this year it's almost like they reworked the recipe or something..