Hefeweizen Beer: A Guide To Buying The Best

Hefeweizen is a popular German wheat beer known for its cloudy, amber appearance and fruity, spicy flavour. It is typically brewed with a high percentage of wheat malt, resulting in a soft, fluffy mouthfeel and medium-full body. The beer is served unfiltered, with a high level of carbonation and a thick, fluffy head. While it can be challenging to brew, the distinctive flavour and refreshing qualities of Hefeweizen make it a favourite among beer enthusiasts. In this guide, we will explore the history, characteristics and brewing process of Hefeweizen, as well as provide tips on where to buy this unique beer.

Where to buy German-style hefeweizen beer

German-style hefeweizen is a popular style of beer that is characterised by its use of wheat malt, unique yeast, and uncharacteristic appearance. This style of beer is typically straw to amber in colour, highly carbonated, and brewed with at least 50% malted wheat. The aroma and flavour of a German-style hefeweizen largely come from the yeast and are often fruity (banana) and phenolic (clove).

When it comes to purchasing German-style hefeweizen, there are a few options:

Online Retailers

German-style hefeweizen can be purchased online from specialist beer retailers, such as GotoLiquorStore. These websites often require you to enter your address to check product availability and pricing in your area. Some sites may also have age restrictions and require you to verify that you are of legal drinking age.

Local Breweries

If you're looking for the freshest German-style hefeweizen, your best bet is to visit local breweries near you. Websites like CraftBeer.com offer a "Find a Brewery" feature that allows you to locate breweries based on your location or search for a specific brewery by name. This can be a great way to discover new and exciting German-style hefeweizen beers, as well as support local businesses.

Beer Subscription Services

Another option is to sign up for a beer subscription service that specialises in craft beers or international beers. These services often offer a curated selection of beers delivered to your doorstep, allowing you to try different styles, including German-style hefeweizen, from various breweries.

Retail Stores

You can also check your local liquor or specialty beer stores for German-style hefeweizen. These stores often have a wide selection of beers from different regions, and their staff can provide recommendations and guidance if you're new to this style of beer.

When purchasing German-style hefeweizen, it's important to note that these beers are best served fresh and should be consumed soon after purchase to ensure optimal flavour and quality.

Online retailers selling hefeweizen beer

There are several online retailers that sell Hefeweizen beer.

CraftShack is an online retailer that sells craft beer, including Hefeweizen. They offer a range of Hefeweizen beers from different breweries, such as Abnormal Beer Co, which has spicy notes of clove and fruity notes of banana and citrus.

Total Wine & More is another online retailer that offers a wide selection of Hefeweizen beers, including popular brands such as Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Schofferhofer Hefeweizen Grapefruit, Erdinger Weissbier, and Paulaner Hefe Weizen.

Drizly is an online liquor store that also offers a variety of Hefeweizen beers. They provide information about the history and taste of Hefeweizen, as well as food pairing suggestions.

Other online retailers include GotoLiquorStore, which offers German-style Hefeweizen, and Beer and Brewing, which provides reviews and ratings of top-ranked Hefeweizen beers from various breweries.

These online retailers provide a convenient way to purchase and learn more about Hefeweizen beers, allowing customers to explore different brands and styles from the comfort of their homes.

How to find a local brewery that serves hefeweizen

If you're looking to find a local brewery that serves Hefeweizen, there are several ways to go about it.

Firstly, you can try using online resources such as the "Find a Brewery" feature on craftbeer.com. This feature allows you to locate breweries based on your location or the name of a specific brewery. You can also search by state to find small, independent brewers near you. This can be a great way to discover new breweries and your next favourite Hefeweizen.

Another way to find local breweries is by simply asking around. Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family, or even social media connections can be a great way to discover hidden gems that you might not have otherwise found online. Ask for recommendations from people who share your taste in beer, or look for online forums and communities dedicated to craft beer enthusiasts in your area.

Additionally, many cities and regions have local magazines, newspapers, or websites that feature articles and reviews of local breweries and their offerings. These can be a great resource for finding new breweries and learning about the specific beers they serve. You can also keep an eye out for local beer festivals or events, which often showcase a variety of local breweries and their latest creations.

Finally, if you're already a fan of a particular Hefeweizen, you can try looking up the brewery's website or social media pages to see if they have a list of locations where their beer is served. This can be a great way to discover new breweries and also support your favourite Hefeweizen producers.

By using a combination of these methods, you'll be well on your way to discovering a plethora of local breweries that serve Hefeweizen, and you might even find your new favourite beer style along the way!

The best glassware for serving hefeweizen

When it comes to serving Hefeweizen, the glassware of choice is just as important as the beer itself. The traditional glass for this German-style wheat beer is known as a "vase", thanks to its distinctive shape. Here's why it's considered the best glassware for serving Hefeweizen:

The Hefeweizen vase stands tall and proud, with a strong base, a bulbous midsection, and a slightly tapered rim. This curvaceous design not only looks elegant but serves multiple purposes. Firstly, its larger-than-average size accommodates the beer's characteristic effervescence, allowing for a generous layer of foam, or head, to rest on top. Secondly, the narrow base helps to limit heat transfer from your hand to the beer, keeping it nice and cool. The wider bowl, on the other hand, traps aromas like a wine glass, enhancing the drinking experience. Finally, the tapered rim prevents that beautiful foam head from dissipating too quickly.

The unique shape of the Hefeweizen vase isn't just functional but also showcases the beer's visual appeal. The deep golden or amber hues of the beer are highlighted by the glass's bowed shape, while the foam sits prettily atop the liquid like a cloud. It's a sight that beckons you to take a sip and savour the moment.

While the Hefeweizen vase is the traditional choice, some enthusiasts opt for other glassware to maximise the aroma. Tulips, Tekus, and white wine glasses are excellent alternatives, providing ample room for the beer's foamy head while enhancing the release of those enticing banana and clove aromas.

So, whether you choose the classic vase or experiment with different glassware, remember that presentation and proper glassware elevate the Hefeweizen experience, ensuring that your beer not only tastes delightful but also appeals to your visual and olfactory senses.

How to brew your own hefeweizen beer at home

Hefeweizen is a traditional Bavarian wheat beer that is typically brewed with at least 50% wheat malt, although some recipes call for up to 70%. The remaining grains are usually Pilsner malt, or a mix of Pilsner and light Munich malt for a little extra bready character. The hops used are typically German noble varieties, such as Tettnang, Hallertau, Spalt, Perle, Magnum, or Tradition. The hopping rate is very low, which allows the underlying grainy, bready flavour from the wheat and Pilsner malt to shine through.

When it comes to yeast, you want a non-flocculant strain that is POF+ (produces phenolic off-flavours). The intensity of phenols varies with each strain, so be sure to check the description before choosing one. Recommended strains include Weihenstephan Weizen (Wyeast 3068), Hefeweizen Ale Yeast (WLP300), and German Wheat (Wyeast 3333-PC).

The mash can be as simple as a single infusion at 150°F (66°C), but a traditional decoction mash or a step mash in the mid-to-upper 140°F (mid-60°C) range can promote a more attenuative wort with enhanced malt character. An optional mash rest at 110°F (43°C) promotes the development of ferulic acid, which Hefeweizen yeast later converts to 4-vinyl guaiacol—the compound responsible for the style's signature clove character.

Fermentation temperature is fairly forgiving, and anywhere in the 60 to 66°F (16 to 19°C) range will work, but a relatively cool fermentation around 62 to 64°F (17 to 18°C) tends to produce the best results. Hefeweizen yeast is aggressive, so if you're unsure, use your usual sealed fermentation protocol, but leave plenty of headspace and use a blow-off tube.

When fermentation is complete, package and enjoy your Hefeweizen as soon as possible, as it's meant to be consumed young. Aim for 3 to 3.5 volumes of carbonation, but beware—this level can cause many "normal" beer bottles to explode. If bottling, use thicker glass that can handle the elevated pressure, or go with plastic PET bottles.

Frequently asked questions