Denisons Weissbier

Denison’s Brewing Company
Brewed at Cool Beer Brewing Co.
Style: German Hefeweizen
Toronto, Canada

Serve in Weizen

UPDATED: NOV 14, 2009 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.

473ml can from the LCBO (Dundas/Mavis) Pours a beautiful clouded golden color with a firm head that is quick to dissipate. I pick up some fruit (citrus and banana, and maybe even sour grape). I find that this time around trying the cans is a much more enjoyable experience -- the first time I tried it when the beer was launched in the LCBO I was disappointed by the extreme sour/bitter flavors but it is much mellower now. This lends credibility to the fact they had some earlier issues when first launching the beer. Would definitely buy this again, and am glad to support the beer brewed in Toronto!

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 Castle on King. Orangey-yellow, quite cloudy. Appearance reminded me of pineapple juice. Small head. Strong aroma of slightly overripe bananas (it also reminds me a bit of a dental dam -- but perhaps I’ve encountered an exquisitely aromatic dental dam at some point during my youth.) Some clove is also present. The beer rolls through the mouth in a manner that is somehow notable. Orange peel is prevalent. I’m reminded of wild rice at the end of each sip. Sweet and loads of citrus. Banana also joins the flavour as it warms. Medium bodied. Leaves a faint, sodium-like aftertaste. "Bombastic" comes to mind. Bombastic and delicious.

Pint at Volo. Radiant clouded gold body under an effusive white head. Aroma of banana and citrus, with the banana dominating. This comes through nicely in the body, with accents of citrus. Wow...this is what Hoegarden can only dream of.

Had this on tap at the 2008 Pepperwood Bistro beer festival. The banana definitely finishes strong with hints of citrus and is very smooth. I wish this was more widely available.

Can. Deep orange murky amber. Thin, but resilient white lacing. Excellent balance of citrus, yeast with slight spice. Clean and crisp with a well coating solid mouth feel. Deep and complex. Did not disapoint.

This is easily my favourite Hefeweizen. In Toronto, this has the advantage over others in the style: fresh and local, not bottled and imported. It pours a hazy golden yellow, with a thick, frothy, pleasantly stubborn head. Wonderful citrus and banana aroma. Banana flavour is constant, with clove, citrus and subtle spices. Best pints poured at Cafe Volo.