Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen

Brewed By: Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland 

Purchased: Single 12oz bottle bought at Jewel-Osco in Chicago, Illinois; 2012

Style/ABV: German Hefeweizen, 4.7%

Yes, I am returning to Flying Dog. I cracked open their Gonzo Imperial Porter a few days ago, and found it to be pretty enjoyable. It's not really Spring yet, but it has been a mild winter. So why not drink a wheat beer in the early days of February. 

Flying Dog was founded by George Stranahan, who is known as being a bit of a rebel and adventurer. The company began as a brewpub in Aspen, Colorado, which eventually became a brewery in Denver, Colorado. As Flying Dog expanded, they opened a second brewery in 2006 in Frederick, Maryland. In 2008 the brewery shut down their Denver location. Flying Dog is known for their controversial beer labels, courtesy of Ralph Steadman, and founder George Stranahan is known for his friendship with the late Hunter S. Thompson. 

The In-Heat Wheat is an American-made, German style Hefeweizen. It clocks in at 4.7% ABV and packs 12 IBUs. It is brewed with German Perle hops (pleasant and spicy), and is described as having "huge banana and clove notes." This beer took home a Bronze in 2006 and a Silver in the 2003 Great American Beer Festivals. The bottle art features a provocative dog in heat. Let's see how this Hefe stacks up.

Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen

Well this definitely pours like a Hefeweizen. You get 5-fingers of big, cloudy, fluffy, slightly orange/yellow-white head. The head is hanging around, as it should, and it is super bubbly, foamy, and cloudy. The body of this beer is leaning towards the darker side of the style. This is a hazy, golden/straw/amber/brownze color in low light. In bright light this beer has gold and straw on the edges, and a hazy bronze-orange center. Lots of carbonation.

It looks like a Hefeweizen...and it smells like one too. I smell banana, sugar, clove, vanilla, sugary orange esters, some grain, and some nice funk. I get a shot of fresh aroma on the nose: maybe lemon or orange.

The taste is interesting. I'm not really getting a ton of funk. I'm picking up grain, sweet grain, caramel, sugar, orange and grass, and wheat. The body has that slightly watery, but crisp and refreshing quality that you often get with this style. I'm maybe picking up a hint of vanilla in here as well.

Light, juicy, watery; this is light and refreshing as the style should be. The carbonation and funk I typically like to see in a Hefeweizen are not popping for me with this beer. The palate depth is fine for the style, but complexity is low to moderate. You get some bananas and clove on the front; the middle rolls into grains and fruit; the back is grain, hints of vanilla, and a refreshing finish. As per the style, this is stupid drinkable. I love grabbing a 6-pack of a good Hefeweizen to session. 

Rating: Average

Score: 55%

 

I have yet to experience an American take on the German Hefeweizen that rivals the authentic German Hefeweizen experience. Having said that, this is a fine, middle-of-the-road beer. This is not palate challenging, and is very drinkable and refreshing. There are some good flavors in here, but I wish the funk popped a bit more. On the plus side, this doesn't palate-rape you with bananas, so this is a very grounded beer. There's not a lot to complain about or praise here, so if you need a drinkable Hefeweizen and you see this beer for a reasonable price, have no fear.