Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: German Hefeweizen
Chico, California USA

The occasion is rare that I’m in the mood for a hefe but today was that day (94 degrees out). Pours an attractive, very cloudy yellow orange (like pale orange juice) with a white billowy head. Yeasty clove/banana nose with a touch of grass and flowers. The flavor is a delicious blend of wheat, banana, lemon/citrus, clove, bubblegum, hay, grass and herbal noble hops. Pleasantly sweet on the palate while the hop bitterness just plays a balancing role - which must’ve felt weird for Sierra Nevada. Medium body which coats the mouth very nicely; moderate carbonation. While it’s nothing mind-blowing, it just really hits the spot as the perfect drinkin’ beer.

Sierra Nevada has graced us with not one but two new beers this year, although getting my hands on, much less keeping their Torpedo IIPA in stock is proving to be a feat of magic and miracles. On the other hand, their Kellerweisse Hefeweizen is much easier to find and just as delicious to sup. While I laud the Torpedo for its exuberant yummyness, I also chastise it for its lack of availability. That’s alright though; it is a temporary issue which will eventually be resolved. Hopefully. In the meantime, I am going to sup on many a 6pack of Kellerweisse Hefeweizen. Sierra Nevada finally got a wheat beer right. Even better, it’s a bottle-conditioned Hefeweizen which guarantees a longer shelf life and some maturation with age.

Clouds of orangesicle, yellow cream, and white marshmallow puffs fill my glass with rich beauty; truly a work of art. Her white head floats suspended, lazing about with nonchalant lessez-faire while I make sure to swirl the bottle dregs into my glass. The dregs WILL be mine! As I pour the last of her luscious chunky bits into my glass, a billowing bouquet of bananas, banana cream, banana bread warm from the oven with nuts aromatizing the air while spices and clove tease my senses. Amazingly smooth, creamy, and bursting with all the hefeweizen esters I love so much. A touch of toasted meringue and I am on to quaffing bliss. Just as her nose promised, the mouthfeel is also smooth, creamy, and boldly going where many beers before her have gone. Gliding over my tastebuds, banana cream lays next to banana pudding while I slice into a huge chunk of warm banana nut bread exuding cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Real butter is really good so of course I slather a generous amount over my banana bread which melts into the Kellerweisse Hefeweizen’s gorgeous palate. My breath is warm with clove and spice while toasted nuts lightly dry my palate just in time for another generous quaff. She is gentle as silk, belying her lightly chewy mouthfeel. As she grows just a touch drier, the palate evolves from banana bread warm from the oven to dry banana bread mix. Exquisite balance. Each quaff is traced by beautifully creamy lace and far sooner than expected, my glass is empty. Good thing I have more in my fridge because I feel a second coming.

German Hefeweizens are a love-hate relationship for many. I, of course, fall amongst the love ‘em camp. Great year round, they especially shine in the warmer muggy months where the sun shows no mercy and the skies are an endless deep blue sea. Excellent job, Sierra Nevada. A true German-style Hefeweizen, she is a proud new addition to a long established family of good beers.

Pours a hazy amber with a white head. Smells of sweet wheat, some coriander, spicy. Tastes sweet with corinder, ginger and some clove showing up on the finish.

12oz. brown bottle served in a shaker pint. Poured a cloudy, pale gold with a big white head. Plenty of carbonation which is typical of the style. Spicy aroma with more clove than banana, which is how I prefer a hefe. Light to medium body. More banana in the flavor and some wheaty spice. They really nailed the creamy mouthfeel that you typically only get in a German Hefe. Seems to be some noble hops in there. Dry finish. One of the best American takes on Hefe.

I can’t imagine a much better Hefeweizen. True to continental styles, and hopped and a tolerable level: I’m impressed! Very good hefe with spicy aroma and wheaty goodness in the flavor. Complex and refreshing.

Pours an expected hazy gold with thick white head, lots of lacing. Aroma of wheat, citrus, banana, yeast, and a bit of spice. Flavor matches well and is very refreshing. Thoroughly enjoyed.

The palate of this beer has a little bit of banana, lemon, and also a little yeast. apperance of this beer is very clean and solid. the finishes of this beer is semi sweet. This is a soild new release

The palate of this beer has a little bit of banana, lemon, and also a little yeast. apperance of this beer is very clean and solid. the finishes of this beer is semi sweet. This is a soild new release