We've been receiving a lot of comments from readers about how good those mouth-watering glasses of hefeweizen on the current cover look. In response, we're giving away a set of six glasses courtesy of Pottery Barn, just like the ones pictured on the cover and in our feature story, for one lucky Imbibe reader. All you have to do to qualify is reply to this post with a comment listing your favorite hefeweizen of the moment; whether it's one we mentioned in our story (page 40) or another one you've discovered on your own. All comments received before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time this Thursday, 9/13, will be eligible to win in our random drawing. Please leave your name when commenting; anonymous comments will not be eligible.
Check back here this Friday to find out if you win!
The Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen. Nothing tastes like the beer from the local brewery only 5 minutes away.
ReplyDelete-Jean
Hacker-Pschorr, ideally on tap from Die Bierstube in Seattle. Just so good.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Hefe's has to be from Chicago's Piece brewpub. There is a good reason that it won a gold at the 2006 World Beer Cup. It skates a delicate line between a full bodied beer, and a spicy crispness of a true German-style Hefeweizen. It's also not a full phenolic, banana/clove, assault like some are, but still has both aromas and flavors present.
ReplyDeleteHave to love the Schlafly Hefeweizen from The St. Louis Brewery. Great American-style hefe that is crisp and refreshing with a great finish. As per your article, it is great with or without the lemon slice!
ReplyDeleteA personal favorite is El Hefe on tap at Redwood in Seattle. It is also lovely with or without the lemon.
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer the Bavarian hefeweizens over the American versions (if I never have another Widmer, I'll be happy). I think Hacker-Pschorr is the best, but you can't go wrong with Franziskaner or Paulaner.
ReplyDeleteHave to say, I still love the Widmer after a long, hot ride on the bike - it just says summer for me!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Portland girl, been drinking Widmer since it was born. Gotta have the lemon!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Terriann
My absolute favorite hefeweizen is Colonial Wheat Ale, brewed locally here by Williamsburg Alewerks. BUT, it wouldn't be fair to recommend a beer that hardly any of the readers would be able to get. SO---FLYING DOG BREWING COMPANY'S IN-HEAT WHEAT! Wow! What a nice, fruity, delicious beer that one is! You should be able to get that one pretty much everywhere!
ReplyDeleteBill Ahlman
Williamsburg, VA
Definitely Mothership Wit from the New Belgium Brewery.
ReplyDeleteMy Favorte Hefeweizen is Stumpf Keiler Weissbier Hell and not just because it has Hell in the name (although it may have been a contributing factor). It has a lovely bitter taste and does not require the addition of lemon.
ReplyDeleteThis is admitting to attempting a criminal act, but I do like the Hacker-Pschorr, because despite my age, I always try to steal the hefe glass it is poured into. The problem is the glassware is too large and, well, I always get CAUGHT! And NO FRUIT please. Just the beer.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite has to be the venerable Weihenstephan from Bavaria. I don't necessarily think that the best hefe's are made in Germany exclusively but my favorite certainly is.
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ReplyDeleteNothing is better on hot summer day (or a cold winter day for that matter) then my 1 liter mug from the Hofbräuhaus in Munich full of delicious Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel.
ReplyDeleteI adore the Bavarians, but when I can't have those, I'll choose the handcrafted and Bavarian-inspired hefeweizen by Pyramid Breweries, with its crisp, caramel flavors.
ReplyDeleteA classic from Munich - Franziskaner Hefe Weisse - is all I need on a sweltering summer day.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the delicious Schneider Weisse from Bavaria. YUM!
ReplyDeleteI've gotta go local, I love Widmer's Hefeweizen on a hot summer day.
ReplyDeletea glass of Franziskaner. one day to be sipped in Munich.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget the first Hefe I ever tasted. I was sitting at my favorite watering hole when a friend nest to me said "try a glass of this Widmer 'wheat beer'".
ReplyDeleteI was stunned by the body in that schooner. I love the cloudy appearance. The fruit sets off the the flavors perfectly. Now I only drink Hefe, Widmer when possible, but whatever is available when it's not. There is a "Summer Wheat" seasonal Hefe available at Rock Bottom restaurant in Seattle that is wonderful.
I have since that first taste discovered that the malt for Hefe is made from white wheat, a lot of it grown right here in the PNW. The production of such has been the focus of my family for about 70 years. I wonder if my love of Hefe is a symbiotic relationship or just a chance meeting of my taste buds with a wonderful style of beer.
Waitresses crack me up when they try to pronounce "hefeweizen". Many pronounce the "w" but my favorite rendition is the girl who says "I'll get that 'heifer wizen' for you right away"
Life is better with a Hefe in you hand.
pj tucker
pat@sandpiperfarms.com
Hacker-Pschorr- Added the final touch to a moment in time....Pete's bar in New Brunswick, NJ (Rutgers), where we picked the music played by a boombox behind the bar (largely Elvis costello, the Feelies & Drama-rama..but then it was the 80's....) and 6 hefe's later fell off the stool...in style!
ReplyDeleteFor me, Schlafly (shla'-flee) is the best. It's in Saint Louis and NO it's not owned by AB.
ReplyDeleteAyinger Bräu-Weisse seems to always hit ths spot...
ReplyDeleteGrant's Mandarin Hefeweizen is my favorite. I am not a huge fan of the style, but this one does it. Brewed a bit lighter in the American style, with pronounced orange flavor and enough malt flavor and bitterness to make it still taste like beer, it is the ideal summer thirst quencher. Hard to find, but well worth the effort. Thanks Bert.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much better than a Widmer hefeweizen on a summer day.
ReplyDeleteHaving just been in Portland, OR for a wedding, I'm going to go with Widmer for this one.
ReplyDeleteWidmer is definitely my favorite (today).
ReplyDeletePyramid Hefe, Berkeley, CA baby!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, one of the best Hefeweizen I have had was the summer seasonal offering of AlleyKat Brewery in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a filtered Hef and was a great crisp summer beer. I must admit that I liked the Wheat without the chaf.
ReplyDeleteLeinenkugel Sunset Wheat. Brewed with coriander. It smells like blueberry Eggo waffles, which to me is a good thing. Its distributed by Miller which is also a good thing, as it makes it widely available. Not only can I enjoy one (or three) as I close up my bar, but I can enjoy a few more on the way home. Don't worry, I walk home. They recommend an orange slice, I recommend leaving it out.
ReplyDeleteFranziskaner Hefe-Weisse this classic Hefeweizen. Must say, I was really impressed. Poured a dull yellow with a noticeable yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Talk about authenticity! Beautiful fluffy white head seemed to reach to the roof. Smell was of a golden wheat field after a spring rain; pure magic. Also, hints of clove and banana, probably from the yeast strain. As I tipped it to my lips, I was immediately met by the creamy head, followed by a lightly sweet wheatyness and dry banana notes and various other spices. Quite refreshing. This is probably THE mold for a great hefe. Really impressed with this one!
ReplyDeleteWidmer. Is it 5 o'clock yet?
ReplyDeleteI second the Schneider Weisse. Love the complexity!
ReplyDeleteErdinger Hefe-Weizen is my favorite right now. As a bartender, I get lots of comments on whether drinking a Hefe Weizen with a lemon is OK or not. I always offer lemons to the customers, because I've notice many people (especially americans) like it that way. I had a customer get angry with me for even offering. He was adamant that I should withold lemons even if they ask. I told him to chill out, and that the use of lemons is a matter of personal preference, not a rule or a law. One of my customers likes a Great White beer with a half inch of orange juice on top. He calls it an Orange White. Too cute.
ReplyDelete