New Belgium Lips of Faith - Coconut Curry Hefeweizen

Brewed By: New Belgium Brewing Company (with Brewerij Boon) in Fort Collins, Colorado

Purchased: 22oz bomber from Binny's in Illinois; 2013

Style/ABV: Hefeweizen, 8.0%

Reported IBUs: 14

I'm a big fan of New Belgium's Lips of Faith beers...and I hope tonight's beer is no exception. That said, when I grabbed this bottle from my fridge, I was expecting a light weight Hefeweizen. What we have here is a hearty, American-style beer. It should be fun. About New Belgium:

New Belgium is based out of Fort Collins, and opened in 1991 when founder Jeff Lebesch took his home-brewing into the commercial world. At this point in time, New Belgium has mainstream fame from their Fat Tire, and craft beer credit for their sour beers. New Belgium is the thrid-largest craft brewery in the United States. You can read more about New Belgium if you check out their company page, and definitely cruise their website.

The Coconut Curry Hefeweizen is a collaboration between New Belgium and homebrewer, Remi Bonnart. Described as "bold and big with coconut and curry tones and a hint of banana," this beer features a spice list of cinnamon, coriander, fenugreek, ginger, kaffir lime, and cayenne pepper. The beer supposedly carries some heat, but is tempered by some boozy coolness. Punching in at 8.0% and 14 IBUs, this beer features a malt base of Pale, Wheat, and Munich malts.

Coconut Curry Hefeweizen

The beer pours a hazy yellow color with three fingers of foamy, gold-tinted head. The head doesn't hang around at all...probably courtesy of the spice. Even agitating/swirling the beer does little to kick up some head. There is sticky lacing coating my glass...mad sticky lacing, like what your glass looks like when you finish that last pour of orange juice from concentrate. It's a frozen citrus pulp cumshot. In bright light the beer is a hazy/juicy yellow color, with fat carbonation bubbles plunking upwards. Alright.

I'm a big fan of curry. I'm a big fan of coconut. I'm an even bigger fan of coconut and curry. This beer smells like super pungent coconut and curry on top of some faint citrus and German Hefe yeast. I am getting some banana, and banana-curry on the aroma. I wouldn't call this beer's aroma subtle, but it promises everything it advertises.

This beer has super tepid carbonation, which isn't unheard of for a Hefeweizen. I prefer mine to be a bit more bubbly, but whateva. The tingly spices help move this beer along, and it is smoothed out by big banana-wheat punch, and some Doppelweizen-esque booziness. That's really what this is, a Doppelweizen. You get an assertive amount of coconut, curry, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon in the taste. There's also a pinch of the cayenne heat, which is tempered not only by the smooth wheat malts and booze, but also by the lively spices. Cinnamon and cayenne are best buds, said anyone that knows anything about cooking, ever.

This is a good beer. It would be petty to dock it for being overly spicy or too straightforward with the curry. But I insist that we call this what this is: a curry Doppelweizen. The body is medium full and surprisingly drinkable...courtesy of the smooth malt backbone and the tingly carbonation. There's some booze in this, but it's that pleasant Doppelweizen kick of banana-wheat esters that is so good. Palate depth is fantastic, and despite being spice-forward this has some layers of complexity to peel back. Up front is spice: cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, ginger, and huge coconut curry...then the cayenne heat kicks in, and you get some banana and clove, hints of ginger/orange/lemon...the back end takes you on a malty wheat ride to a spicy, slightly boozy finish. The malty wheat body is present throughout.

Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd)

I'm feeling a Strong Above-Average on this. This beer is ballin'. It's basically a coconut-curry infused Doppelweizen. You get big coconut-curry spice in this, atop a hint of ginger/orange, banana, and a malty wheat base. I'd say the spice is too much, but it's working for me...it's not a session beer, but it would pair well with a food/dish that you have in mind. It would also be fun at a bottle share, or for those weird people that like drinking liquid coconut curry. I'd pair this beer with some chicken wings with a spicy seasoning, or with some coconut curry soup. Really, pair this beer with anything that is supposed to have coconut and curry in it. You won't be disappointed.

Random Thought: My allergies have been kicking my ass all weekend, but today things hit rock bottom. I have uncontrollable post-nasal drip, I'm coughing up mucus like Paris Hilton coughs up jizz...it's not a good time. I'm hoping that this is just sinuses, and not a cold. We'll know by Friday, I suppose.

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.

Schneider Weisse Original

Brewed By: Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn in Kelheim, Germany

Purchased: Single bottle (bomber: 1 pint, .9 fl oz) from Friar Tucks in Urbana, IL; 2011

Style/ABV: German Hefeweizen, 5.4%

Today's beer is Schneider Weisse Original from Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn. It is probably the last Hefeweizen I will be reviewing this summer. But never say never. Ranked as the 13th best German Hefe on Ratebeer, and not far behind some pretty humbling brews, I can only say I am excited to dive in. For better or worse, I started this blog a bit late. This summer I have dabbled in quite a few Hefeweizens. I had the Two Brother's Ebels Weiss, two Hefeweizens from Trader Joe's, Hacker-Pschorr (Hefe) Weisse, Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier and Ayinger Bräu-Weisse. Earlier in the week I also knocked out the Paulaner. Of this eclectic and interesting group, I found the Ayinger to be the best. It is a divine brew, and the citrus that cuts through the barnyard funk, banana and clove makes it one of the most balanced and drinkable Hefes I have ever had. I enjoyed the Weihenstephaner, which is ranked 4th on Ratebeer and considered to be the best by many. I felt that while it was a good beer, it was not as balanced and had some flavors that were approaching cloying. It wasn't as refreshing or drinkable as I wanted it to be. It was still Above-Average, but the Ayinger and I hit it off like two drunk teenagers on prom night. 

At any rate, the bar is set high and I consider myself to be pretty familiar with the style by now. Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn have been challenging people with the pronunciation of their names since 1872. The website is in German, but has an English translation button on the bottom of the site. I'm lazy, so I'm going off the Wikipedia article. The brewery began as a Bavarian brewery that acquired the Weisses Brauhaus/Microbrewery in Munich. The owners then expanded the brewery to Kelheim and Straubing. After Munich was destroyed in the 1944 bombing (World War II, folks), all production was moved to Kelheim. This is a family run brewery with lots of tradition, and is currently owned by Georg Schneider VI (source).

The pour yields a golden-bronze-brown, well-carbonated beer. This beer is MURKY AS HELL. I know German Hefes are unfiltered, but this one has sediment from the yeast floating around, and has a cloudy brown center with scant traces of honey and orange leaking from the sides when held to light. There is a wonderful head, approaching several inches or fingers. The head has some nice champagne bubbles and is white in color. A lot of good funk on the nose of this, but also a nice tart aroma which suggest some citrus. I smell wheat, mild vanilla and clove, even milder banana, and a hard to pick out citrus: lemon?

In taste I would characterize the citrus profile as lemony and apple-juicey. There is a good amount of clove which balances wonderfully with the citrus. The taste is slightly acidic and tart. There is some vanilla-banana but its not a main character. This is more wheat, clove and citrus. This is actually somewhat juicy, and very refreshing (or mildly thin and watery if you're a cynic). There are also some hints of bubblegum that come and go. 

Rating: Average

Score: 75%

Orange in the light.

This must be the Weihenstephaner's evil citrusy twin. Where I found the Weihenstephaner to be sort of banana-vanilla-clove dense, this beer is citrus-dense. It's not a bad thing. It's very refreshing and juicy. I still am of the opinion that the bottle of Ayinger I had found the perfect balance between the banana-clove and the citrus-wheat.

I'm genuinely intrigued and would like to do a blind taste test to compare all the upper-rated German Hefes. To be honest, this is another solid brew that you wouldn't be doing wrong by trying. This one has a funky nose, a slightly tart and acidic body, and it has a fuller body than the last Hefe I reviewed, the Paulaner. On the front end is carbonation, clove and lemon-wheat; the middle blends the lemon with wheat and apple juice; the back end drops into a slightly grainy and dryer finish. This is a medium-light beer and is pretty effing drinkable.

I wouldn't seek this out if other Hefeweizens were available, but I might try it again for science. If you like citrus-forward Hefes as opposed to banana bombs you might prefer this.  

Paulaner Hefe-Weizen/Weissbier

Brewed By: Paulaner Brauerei (Schörghuber) in Munich, Germany

Purchased: 6-Pack from Friar Tucks in Urbana, IL; 2011

Style/ABV: German Hefeweizen, 5.6%

I love Hefeweizens. Hefeweizens are unfiltered wheat beers known for their banana and clove flavors and their giant foamy heads. They originate from Germany like many awesome things including Volkswagen, Schizer films, and Wagner. In fact, just like "Wagner," Hefeweizen is pronounced "HEH-feh-vite-zehn." Source, with audio clip: http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/Hefeweizen

This isn't a grammar blog, so I advocate whatever pronunciation works for you. I call them "Hefes," like the Spanish word for boss. Hefes are traditionally a summertime beer, but because they are so awesome you can now get them year-round. Thanks to my interest in the style, I have tried quite a few Hefes. Today I'll lay down my thoughts on one of the top-rated German Hefes, Paulaner's Hefe-Weizen.

Part of why I love a good Hefeweizen is the presentation. These beers are meant to be given an aggressive pour: you want to get a big pillowy head. You also want to stop pouring your beer when there is about 1/4 of the bottle left. At that point you want to swirl the bottle around to stir up and collect all the sediments and yeast at the bottom; make sure you get that stuff into your glass! Lastly, don't let the beer bottle touch your beer as you pour. This beer pours with a 4-finger head easy, but head size is hardly a science and is not a litmus test for the quality of the beer. The head takes on a golden color and is not white. The head is big and pillowy, and super foamy. The body of this beer is unfiltered, of course, and has a dark golden body. Around the edges the beer is more golden-yellow, but towards the middle the beer takes on a brown-golden appearance.

Hefeweizens have a few key aromas, notably banana and clove. With this beer you can definitely smell some banana, clove, white sugar, and crisp citrus that almost is tart. There is a good amount of wheat and grass as well. The nose is not banana-overpowering, and the citrus is very refreshing.

Having had 5 of these already, I have good news and bad news. The good news is this is a delicious, refreshing beer. The bad news is that in my opinion, the body of this beer is somewhat on the lighter side, even approaching somewhat watery. There is mild banana-vanilla, some mild mild clove, and lots of wheat in the body. The wheat is very refreshing, and takes on some grainy notes. There is also a nice refreshing wash of grass and very mild citrus. The mouthfeel is refreshing, with light carbonation. The front, middle, and back all flow evenly with wheat and grass. This is a light-bodied beer with almost no depth, is not very complex, but is very refreshing. And yes, this is super drinkable.   
 

Rating: Average

Score: 73%

Make no mistake, this is one of the better authentic German Hefeweizens. I would not hesitate to recommend this beer to anyone. I have a few hang-ups with this beer though. Notably, this beer has a somewhat light and dare-I-say watery profile. It's kind of a first-world-problem though. So let me frame it in a way that might be meaningful to someone looking to try a German Hefeweizen:

This is a great session beer that goes down easy. The slightly watery body and lack of depth means there are no cloying qualities. You could easily drink a 6-pack of this in one night. Additionally, despite being light, this is still a great example of a German Hefe.

On the other hand, if you want a German Hefe with slightly more depth, you may want to try Weihenstephaner, Hacker-Pschorr, or my favorite, Ayinger Bräu-Weisse. 

Schneider Weisse is on my horizon, and I have not tried that yet, so expect my thoughts on that beer soon.