Uerige Weizen

Brewed by Uerige Obergärige Hausbrauerei
Style: German Hefeweizen
Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Quite hard to rate, as this beer doesn’t fit a classic hefe style, and didn’t meet to my likings. Poured a cloudy pale yellow color with a nice head, yet not overwhelmingly impressive. Retention was ok, as was the lacing. Aroma was fruity, melons, maybe a touch of hops. Flavor included light fruits, citrus (some sourness behind it all), melons, pineapples, and a touch of bubblegum. Bananas were noteably near absent, and the spicing that is typical of a hefe yeast was completely absent. I asked if this one had a standard hefe yeast in it and the waiter said it does, but that it was a yeast customized for Uerige. Well, that’s all fine and good, leading to a unique take on the style, but missing some pretty basic fundamentals if you’re expecting a hefeweizen. Mouthfeel was light to moderate and not overly carbonated. Surely drinkable, an interesting interpretation on the style, but I’d rather just have a Franziskaner, Paulaner, Schneider, or Erdinger. Don’t waste much liver on this one if you’re at Uerige: head for the alt or the sticke.

Draught at Zum Uerige in Dusseldorf, May 2006. Flavor is sweet pineapple and mango juice up front, along with the requisite semi-gritty, pasty yeast flavors. Light tartness up front as well. Texture is somewhat smooth, lightly creamy. Mildly sour creamy fruit flavors, with some funk from the yeast, I would guess. Color is a murky yellow, overall a very soft and pleasing appearance. A decent hefeweizen, but not great.

Draught. Hazy golden-yellow with a creamy, small white head. The aroma has toasty cereal among notes of pear. Soapy palate with soft cereal and light fruity flavours. Even a touch of tartness in the finish. Not a whole lot of flavour but I’m thinking that because it’s cold and rainy that my mindset is a bit skewed. Tried this at the brewpub in Düsseldorf on May 26, 2006.

Hazy/cloudy golden in color with a one finger white head. Light bodided with an aroma and flavor of citrus,spice wheat tang and yeast.

Light orange with superb creamy head on top . Flavour was of citric tropical fruit . A bit light . Felt to be as simple weizen . Forgettable . Expected more from them .

At the brewpub. Was good to take this as a breather from the alt for a glass, however the waited did not seem happy about me asking for it, and i was brough a glass which i assume was from a tap but i coulnt see it. Aroma is hoppier than most wheats. Taste is similarly hoppier tan expected but a good smooth drink which could easily be made into 10, if only the waiter was more willing!

Swing-top bottle: Very pale "golden" coloured, mid-sized white fluffy head, slowly diminishing; fruity nose (lemon peel, citrus), but only a faint tinge of bananas or cloves; slightly sweetish, fruity flavour, soft mouthfeel, light bodied; very faint tart, citrusy/sourish finish. Deceptive beginning, pretty bland finish, but refreshing, though................

Brewery tap, unmarked glass. A-typical weizen. I smell and taste hops in stead of the obvious banana character. Absolutely dry with some orange fruit. Likeable and full of character.