Sonoma Springs Hefewheat

Brewed by Sonoma Springs Brewing Co.
Style: German Hefeweizen
Sonoma, California USA

Smell is very good...slightly tart yeast scent... Appearance is very perfect, cloudy like a real wheat ale should be. Taste is a far cry from American wheat ale. It’s not clean, it’s not crisp and that is the way it should be. There should be a heavy mouthful feel followed by tingling bubbles. Once again of all my reviews of this place I have to say that the abundance of left over yeast is detracting from show casing the malt. Overall I think this beer is on the way but could be refined. You get a more unique german yeast flavor than you would at Moylans or Bear Republic/Third Street Aleworks. Its the only honest attempt at making a german wheat in the Sonoma County craft beer front. Sorry Hop Monk doesn’t count being owned by Biersch.

On tap at the brewhouse, called Sunshine Hef there. Again, fairly standard hef, deep yellow color, white head. Banana in the nose with some clove. Dry finish. Solid flavor, wheat, grass, yeasty.

Tap at Sonoma Wine Exchange. Pours hazy mild amber with a slight white head. Strong aromas of clove and banana. Medium body with slightly biting carbonation. Flavor is clovey banana and wheat. Flavors are fairly intense. Finishes with a hint of paper, otherwise the main flavors carry on through.