Berkshire Hefeweizen

Brewed by Berkshire Brewing Co.
Style: German Hefeweizen
South Deerfield, Massachusetts USA

2006 bomber drunk in August ’06, fresh.
This came out right around when Long Trail put out their hefeweizen and I remember enjoying the Long Trail significantly more. Not sure why I didn’t rate this one.
Very light golden, with not as much haziness as you would expect. Some tints of bronze and a small, creamy white head that slowly recedes to cover, but does not provide much lacing.
Very spicy-phenolic aroma to start with. Dry white pepper, toasted/roasted clove notes and a strong herbal hoppiness. Never gains much sweetness, certainly no rich honey-like pils malt sweetness. Nutty, fresh yeast and creamy, dry wheat make for a very mellow finish. Like the Long Trail, a very light, fluffy version, with apparent wateriness in the mouthfeel, but definitely intended. Still, the light herbal hop notes and even a bit of citric bitterness give it moderate crispness at points. Maybe just a little too dry, nutty and wheat-like for me, however. The Long Trail hefe had much more fruitiness and the citrus and herbal notes were integrated in to the sweet malts, giving a more complex flavor profile. I’m pretty sure we’ll see this one again this summer. I’ll revisit then and tighten up this rating.

22oz bottle acquired in trade with ppoitras (thanks!). Poured a medium and cloudy golden color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of wheat with light banana and citrus. Tastes of wheat, spices, and a touch of lemon. The banana and spice take a backseat whereas the wheat has a stronger presence. Thinner body.

10 oz draught glass at Flat Street Brewpub in Brattleboro, VT, August 2006. Almost no head, a point gone right there for a hefe, and it dies quickly; the body is lightly hazy pale gold....banana-cream nose with only faint hints of spice, very mild but rather pleasant and reasonably accurate....sour, wheaty body, refreshing and highly quaffable, little sweetness and very muted fruity esters....rather dry, verging on dull finish, strong carbonation.

Extremely nice hefe. Full wheat aroma and taste. This does not do anything to mask the true flavors from coming through. Unlike most american wheat beers, this one neglects fruit/herb/whatever additions to it. A true hefe made in america and at 2.99 a 22 oz, the price sure is right. Well done, BBC.

Golden orange, large head, decent lacing. Aroma is the usual stuff... bananas, cloves, citrus. Watery body. Some acidic tartness in the finish. Doesn’t have as much flavor as most from style have. Overall I thought it was watered down and reminded me of most of their other offerings. At least these 22oz bottles are cheap.

22oz bottle shared by ClarkVV. Pours a light golden orange color with a small but bright white head. Nose is peppery and lightly spicy with some orange zest notes. Palate is thin and crisp, ideal for outdoors summer activities. Flavor is peppery and spicy, light orange peel. An odd sort of hefe but nothing actually wrong with it. An interesting sample.

First pour was clear golden color. Then, I remembered to kick up the sediment a bit in the 22 oz bottle it comes in. Blanche white head. Banana aroma, but not sickening. Somewhat refreshing. OK

Pours yellow and cloudy with a white head. Smells of coriander, bananas and some piney elements. Tastes of coriander, cloves, bananas and lemons. Finishes watery.