Summit - Hefe-weizen

Tonights review is of a style that's a summer time favorite of mine, hefe-weizen.  You will see this style on your local craft beer store shelves listed under a number of different monikers such as weissbier, weisse, hefeweizenbier, weizenbier and basically any other derivation of the word 'weizen'!  They all roughly translate into the same thing, yeast wheat.  The origin of the name is very basic - wheat malt is one of the primary ingredients within the beer and the yeast in this beer is never filtered out after fermentation has completed.  Thus, yeast wheat!

This style of beer is also unique in the way that you are supposed to pour the beer out of your bottle.  Most unfiltered, bottled beers will have a layer of yeast sediment on the bottom.  In almost every case other than the hefeweizen style you want to do everything you can to keep that yeast from entering your glass.  However, with hefeweizen, part of the experience and overall flavor profile of the beer comes from the yeast.  So when you go to pour your hefeweizen out of your glass you want to do it in three steps.  Step 1 - Pour the first 2/3rds into your glass.  Step 2 - Swirl the remaining 1/3rd in the bottle to stir up all the dormant yeast at the bottom.  Step 3 - Pour the yeasty remaining 1/3rd into your pint and watch as your beer comes alive with a subtle cloudiness and effervescent, fluffy foam.  If you don't believe me that those last two steps make a difference you can take a taste of your beer before steps 2 and 3 and see how it changes after you finish your pour.  Its night and day.

Summits Hefe-weizen was just released to stores in just the past few weeks.  That means freshness for us up here in MN where the brewery is only 15 min away from my house!  Hefeweizens ideally should be consumed fresh.  These wont age well at all due to the yeast eventually breaking down within the bottle which will produce some funky flavors.  So the sooner you can get it after its bottled and packaged the better.  And while some German breweries may be able to produce a more authentic example of hefeweizen, its generally pretty tough for us out in the Midwest to get a fresh example.  Having a high profile and award winning brewery right at your doorstep can be the best way to experience a weissbier.

This pale golden beauty initially fills my pilsner glass with a crystal clear beer as the yeast is still settled at the bottom.  After going through steps 2 and 3 the brew changes into the cloudy, fluffy hefeweizen I expected to see.  A lofty white head threatens to flow over the brim as I finish pouring the last few drops.  Loads of clove, banana and lemon zest comprise a very pungent aroma which further lends itself to the taste.  More spicy clove, citrus and hints of banana flow through into a dry finish.  The mouthfeel is very light and fluffy with the carbonation helping to accentuate the crisp finish.

Overall - A great summer beer.  For the price, you cant beat it.  This brew has everything you would want in a hefeweizen without being overly complex.  For those of you who have never had the style before, Summits example would be a great place to start.  Just make sure you get it fresh!