Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier

Brewed by Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu (InBev)
Style: German Hefeweizen
Munich, Germany

Draft on tap at the Bavarian Lodge (Lisle, IL). Pours a nice murky yellow gold, with a moderate whitish head that dies to a decent layer, laces ok, soapy. Aromas are flaked white wheat, banana fruit esters, a light touch of lemon, and a soothing sweetness. Initial is fruity banana, a light bitterness, flaked white wheat sweetness with the typical bitterness on the backend. Cereal malts, a touch of lemon, and a nice overall drinkability, despite the cliche of that term. Banana esters come ona bit stronger into the body. Pretty solid German Hefe. Finish leaves subtle sweetness, fruity banana, and a light bitterness. Good.

I can understand why this is popular. Having my last one tonight with pulled pork and it fully stands up to that and balances out the vinegar bite. Yellow green with champagne type bubbles and really active carbonation. Smells like unripened banana, aloe and light spices. Flavor and mouthfeel are so spot on for the warmer months with plaintain and a wheaty breadiness dominating here. Don’t let this one warm up to much. Great brew. Thanks Franziskaner. 2009 12oz.

Color yellow-gold with tall, beautiful and persistent head. The aroma is refreshing and pleasant. Light body. The taste is primarily of fruit (banana). The end is bitterish and wheat puts its acidity.

About average for a hef. Dry, light hoppy taste and not too smooth. Not much flavor beyond that. Somewhat disappointing for a beer, but middle of the road for a hef.

12 oz. bottle- Let me start off by saying that I had Iron Horse High Five Hefe directly before this, and this is what a hefe should look like, High Five I give credit for trying something unusual flavorwise, but this wins hands down in every way. Pours Cloudy golden with a nice thick white head, aroma is of citrus, wheat and yeast. The flavor is very similar to HB hefe, which it should considering they come from the same country, although I would have to compare them side by side to see which one was better. One things for sure, this is one style of beer that Germany usually does better than America.

50cl bottle: Murky yellow with an orange hue and a fluffy bright white head. A subtle, sweet maltiness compliments the thick yeast aromas - fresh citric/fruity smell of orange peel, apricot and banana. Flavours of orange, yeast (cinnamon and clove -like esters), spicy herbs and overall pretty sweet but drinkable. Not watery but light on the palate. Nice for a Hefeweizen.

500ml bottle Hazy golden appearance. The traditional hefeweize yeast bubblegum banana flavor. Quite dry. Not my favorite hefeweizen, feels a little more watery and not as full-bodied as Schneider or Weihenstephaner.

I have only had this in bottle. It comes in a green bottle. Skunkiness is dominant even in the head. It does have the usual clove flavor and lots of sediment in the bottom. I have had many hefeweizens and this one is below average. I will not buy this, but if no other hefeweizens around, I would likely partake.