Word of the Weizen

Hefeweizen is a German style of wheat beer that has become very popular in the U.S. What makes a wheat beer different from any other beer is that wheat is added instead of just barley. Traditionally, a special type of yeast is used and the beer is unfiltered resulting in its trademark cloudy appearance.

Now, if you've been to the grocery store (especially in the Northwest) you most likely have seen yellow cases of beer with Hefeweizen printed clearly on the box. The company behind "America's Original Hefeweizen" is Widmer Brother's Brewing Company in Portland, OR. My intent is not to bash on Widmer Hefeweizen, but the product's popularity has made it synonymous with the style and I believe it may not be an accurate representation. For example, if you ask a waitress at a Northwest restaurant or bar what beer they have, 9 out of 10 times you will hear something like, "Bud, Bud Light, Hef, Mirror Pond..." and so on. It is assumed that hef will be understood as Widmer Brother's Hefeweizen and it usually is. As a result, most consumers understand Hefeweizen to be this one specific product when in reality there are many, many more.

Here is a picture of a Widmer Hef. The beer does not always appear this lackluster, but far too often this is how it's served. The beer is overpoured, "ballpark style", and a wedge of lemon is added, something popularized by Americans to add a zing and cut through the yeast. Unfortunately, citric acid also kills head retention (how long the foam stays on the beer). Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with this, many people enjoy the beverage, but it's just one of many hefeweizen experiences possible.


Here is a picture of Weihenstephaner (you're on your own here, try vai-hen-stef-on-er). A Bavarian (South Germany) Hefeweizen, here it is poured in a traditional weizen glass. The idea is that the slender body showcases the cloudy, yellow color and widens to display the characteristically over-sized head. The flavor of German Hefeweizen is often described as having banana bread sweetness, clove-like spiciness and a little fruity. The beer is medium bodied and creamy.



Hefeweizens are refreshing and especially satisfying in warm weather. The flavor of Widmer Hef I will let you decide for yourself. I find it to be light bodied, a little wheaty, highly carbonated and easily drinkable. Other German hefeweizens include: Franziskaner, Paulaner, Kapuziner and Schneider Weiss. I would encourage you to try several hefeweizens, both American and German, at home or at bars, in a weizen glass or a pint glass - just know that this great style comes in many different forms.