Island Weiss

Brewed by Island Brewing
Style: German Hefeweizen
Carpinteria, California USA

Serve in Weizen

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(22 oz bottle: Purchased at the brewery) Given the problems I’ve had with Island beers going sour (previous bottles purchased at BevMo were completely infected), I purchased this bottle directly at the brewery, immediately placed it in my fridge, and am consuming it within 3 weeks. With that disclaimer given, this so-called "Bavarian-style wheat beer" is Bavarian only in the loosest sense. It tastes very much like the American versions of a hefeweizen, mild wheat flavor, lemony, with a barely perceptible banana component and no clove whatsoever. The banana is only detected when I first sip the beer, and then it fades almost instantly. And really, the lemony citrus is just way too strong to be pleasant, regardless of the style, especially in the finish where it totally dominates. It tastes like a wedge was not just dropped in my glass, but squeezed in. The body is light and the palate is fizzy, and those who like sour carbonated drinks will find this a refreshing beverage. The nose is mostly wheat and stinky feet. Bright yellow in color and fully cloudy, with a small white head that fades to a ring. Lacing is patchy, but minimal. Just because there is yeast in the bottom of the bottle and the beer is cloudy doesn’t make it an authentic German Hefeweizen, it needs to smell and taste like one too. If this bottle is also bad, then it doesn’t even have a refrigerated shelf life of three weeks, which is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Perhaps the only way to tell is to sample the beer on tap at the brewery. The only reason I’m so patient with the Island beers is because it’s a family business and they are extraordinarily nice people.

Bottle from the source. Pours with a murky golden body and minimal head. Aroma of grass, skunk, plastic, banana, vanilla, phenols and esters. Taste is burnt rubber, glue, pear, banana and asphalt. No idea what specifically is wrong with this one. Tastes very similar to beers I got at chain brewpubs in North Texas (not the Covey, there stuff was good). Lively bubbles try to hide the thin body. Lasting flavors of grass and skunk (light struck from a brown bottle I bought at the brewery?).

Bomber from BevMo Salinas. Nose of pasty grain and yeast , only a very light touch of fruity esters. Hazy yellow with a medium, lightly lacing, pale yellow head. Flavor is lightly sweet bananas with a light bitter note to go with the yeast.

Draught at the brewery. Hazy straw with no head. The aroma is interesting for the style, with a floral, perfumey, almost vanilla touch, and only light banana and spice. The flavor has some wheat, light clove, and funky yeast. Pretty bland overall though. Pretty watery with medium carbonation. The aroma was somewhat nice, but the beer fell apart from there. Not really a weiss that I would care for again.

On tap, part of sampler. Pours light gold. Aroma of intense wheat and fruit (orange and banana). Flavors featured are more of what is found in the nose, along with a touch of vanilla and spice. Alright. Sidenote: OK, I think I know what is going on with the rollercoaster ratings for this brewery. I talked to the brewmaster, he told me that a couple years ago they had a problem with distributors not keeping their bottled beers cold (Island uses a lot of organic ingredients), and as a result a sizable quantity of beers were drank sour. Please, give these guys another try, I think they may have righted the ship!

strong yellow color and med light head smells of honey lemon and alcohol with a slight grain. low carbonation and med balanced. strong cream flavors and some lemon vanilla, and honeyed grain and mid fruit balanced but a little light and weak overall

Pale clouded yellowy orange appearance, decent head formation. Citrussy banana aroma. Plenty of banana on the palate, citrussy lemon, mild bubblegum, just finishes a little short. Pretty tastey German style hefe, rich and full flavored, very refreshing.

Bottle. A hazy orange-yellow color with lots of rising bubbles a lush light foam white head. A citrus and dusty aroma with an odd finish. A strong citrus and acidic flavor and palate. Lots of lemon and some spice. Not as delicate as I would like.

Light yellow orange color, slightly cloudy. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and sweet with a touch of citrus and grass. A light to medium bodied weiss. Malts are fruity and sweet, very citrusy for a hefe. It is like they already added the slice of lemon for you. Besides that it light and refreshing. Not a great hefe, but drinkable, Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and crisp. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Pours a hazy golden colour with little specks of yeast sediment, diminishing white head doesn’t last long. Fruity, estery aroma with a mild spice character. Initial hefe like taste that quickly gives way to acrid astringency and husky tannins. Watery palate and thin mouthfeel leave this beer lacking.