Denisons Weissbier

Brewed by Denison’s Brewing Company
Style: German Hefeweizen
Toronto, Canada

Great balance between banana an d clove esters. A welcome return to the T.O. beer scene. Simply a great weisen.

On tap at C’est What! in Toronto. An excellent expression of the style, for which Denisons brewer Michael Hancock has become well-known. It deserves as much or more credit than Schneider Weisse, probably the classic German example, and to which it is quite similar in terms of the banana/clove/citrus balance. The finish of Denisons is somewhat more tart and acidic. There can be some differences among individual batches, however, so expect some interesting variations from time to time. Overall this is a treat for lovers of German-style wheat beers.

Draught @ beerbistro, Toronto: Wow! I have to say this beer’s reputation preceded it for me so I was already quite anxious to try it. Arrives a gorgeous yellow with an excellent foam head waiting for me. Aroma is all you can ask for with plenty of lemon and banana accompanied by generous abounts of wheat. Taste is perfectly well balanced from the first sip with only hints of clove and spice alongside hops behind the wheat and fruit. Sitting on the patio sipping this made my day, wouldn’t hesitate to have it again.

Tap - Deep yellow with nice white head. Aroma of spices, wheat, banana, cloves. Same flavors. Sweet.... well balanced.

On tap at the Castle. Pours a very nice hazy gold, with a large white head. The aroma is a very enticing mix of yeasty esters and malty goodness. The classic banana and clove. Taste is the same, but the sweet malt touch, almost a bit grainy, has a delicious quality all its own, sort of "barnyard"-esque, something I’ve never had in a wheat beer ever before. The mouth-feel is fuller than you’d expect, almost sticky, like chewy malts, kind of reminiscent of bread. Maybe it’s just because it was fresh, but this seems like the pinnacle of what a good hefe should be. Best in the world? I can’t say, but it’s the best hefe-weizen I’ll probably ever come across. It didn’t blow me away, yet the more I think about it, the more I like it. Good thing this is a staple at the Castle because I want more!

On tap at Shanghai Cowgirl - came with a dense two-finger head. Colour is an opaque gold, with some brightness at the edges. Aroma of yeast, banana, citrus fruits and some spices. Taste is much the same, hugely complex and a full body. Banana is surprising, delicious and not overpowering. I faintly tasted the cloves, but there was a general spiciness which nicely balanced the fruitiness of the banana and citrus. Gorgeous to look at, smell, and taste. My favourite hefeweizen - incomparable when fresh.

Tap @ the Black Hoof, with a couple a friends after a competition (Thanks Anna & Cara). Food was awesome, but this was the perfect beer to compliment everything else. Perfectly poured with a white head, and a citrus aroma. Excellent palate - almost silky mouthfeel, but then again I was eating Foie Gras and Iberico. But really, before the food came I I enjoyed the beer on its own so this rating is fair enough. All in all, glad this place carried this beer.

Bu en fut (20 oz) à Volo (Toronto) le 9/7/08. Jaune blanchie bien brumeuse, petit collet. Arome de blé malté, épice sucré, banane et lilac. Goût de blé et d’agrume, un peu d’épice et d’herbe, très doux et plaisant. La plus aromatisé et la plus savoureuse des hefes que j’ai dégusté!