Great Northern Wheatfish Hefeweizen

Well I couldn’t stay in Whitefish, Montana and not sample the local brew. I had it on tap at Craggy Ridge Bar and Grill right next door to the brewery. To bad they were closed at that time but oh well. A bit disappointing. Poured a hazy yellow with no head (what is it with Montana beers looking flat?) Pretty average wheat beer overall and as is common with so many brewers, they’re almost afraid of putting in too much wheat malt. Nice citris taste though. Probably better when it’s 90 degrees out not. 40.

On draught at the brewpub in Whitefish, Montana. Pours a cloudy golden yellow brew with an average white head that slowly dissolves to a good lacing and white ring. Aroma is very little. Just a hint of citrus zest and some light breakfast cereal malt. Taste is light bodied, lightly carbonated with some citrus peel and a dry baking soda flavor. Lacking any yeast or banana character. Finish is light, clean and slightly dry. Could use some more yeast to be considered a hefeweizen.

Draft 6 oz’er at the taproom. Hazy but bright yellow and well laced. Vaguely gristy aroma. Lightly grainy and a tad bit of lemon-drop-iness, leave an odd scratchy feeling of residue on the tongue. No real esthers. An OK wheat, in the American vein. (#2864, 5/12/2007)

Pours a slightly hazy yellow amber with a good inch of sudsy white foam. Good lacing. It could pass for a hefeweissen on looks alone, but its not a hefeweissen. Not much of an aroma at first, then I detect something reminiscent of old lemon. If you’ve ever worked at a restaurant or bar and come across a lemon wedge that was past its prime, that’s the scent. Not exactly foul, but not exactly nice either, and in this case very mild. A brief sweet honeymalt is quickly dominated by a lemony tartness. Its not bad, its just a bit different. More tart lemon in the aftertaste

Pale yellow with small white head. Light fruit and yeast aroma. Flavor of sour fruit with light lemon tone. Finish is much the same.