Craftsman Heavenly Hefe

Brewed by Craftsman Brewing Co.
Style: German Hefeweizen
Pasadena, California USA

On tap at Lucky Baldwins. One of the, if not THE best hefe’s I’ve had. The aroma and flavor of banana, clove, spice, cookies were bursting out of the glass. So smooth and refreshing, it would be easy to drink this all day and night. I only wish Crafstman would bottle their beer or distribute it more widely as it can be hard to get.

My favorite Hefe. Tried at the Bluesapalooza festival at Mammoth Mtn. in 2005. Strong banana and clove aroma. A little spicy. Refreshing to drink.

Draught at Lucky Baldwins, Pasadena
Beautiful golden straw colour, thick white head, strong carbonation. This beer yells out DRINK ME! Full bodied, yet surprisingly light and refreshing. Taste packs a bit of a wallop for a hefe, very spicy. Fantastic banana aroma, clove, cinnamon and an abundance of other spices seem to abound. I’m glad I hade the Poppy Fields before the Hefe.

This beer was served with a lemon, no questions asked (I hate when they do that). The beer is a hazy orange color and it topped by a pale, thin, wispy, white colored head. There is lots of banana in the nose up front, but then it is all clove towards the end. Another draught of the aroma and it is all banana again. This Hefeweizen really has an amazing aroma, it is so appealing and fresh, just about perfect.

The taste is light and refreshing up front. After my first taste, I get a hint of something that seems a bit like toothpaste, but clove and banana are, typically, quite evident. There is a nice, light, wheat-derived acidity here that helps to keep this beer quite refreshing. The acidity, in addition to the carbonation tends to add a bit of a bite to this beer, which helps to balance the fruity phenolic notes. The outstanding thing about this beer is its aroma, the taste does not quite live up to it, but this is still a very well done beer.

<font size=-4>Sampled on Tap at: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Baldwin’s,Pasadena, CA<font size=-1>

Draft @ Father’s Office: Very hazy orange color with a small off-white head. Yeasty aroma with a fair amount of banana and clove. Wheaty notes. The clove grew as the beer warmed. Fruity and wheat flavor with big notes of bubble gum and light banana. Light to medium body.

On tap at Lucky Baldwin’s. Hazy golden with a foamy white head. Strong banana aroma. Sweet tangy citrus and honey taste transitioning to a wonderful banana bread taste and a smooth finish.

On tap at The Neighborhood in San Diego. Bright hazy yellow, dense white merangue of a head. Heaps and heaps of spice, banana, and bubblegum in the nose and on the palate. Light and refreshing, with a citrus tartness in the finish. Truly excellent!

Opaque straw colour. Full banana, spice, marshmallow aroma. Full maltiness. Light banana, pleasant clovey spiciness, and hints of tartness late.