Weihenstephaner Vitus

Brewed by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
Style: Weizen Bock
Freising, Oberbayern, Germany

Pours hazy pale gold, with a typical big white rocky head one expects from a Bavarian wheat beer. Nose is traditional weizen, only more so. Lots of banana-like phenols, along with some green apple and clove. Not much in the way of hops, but a faint wheat character. Flavor is much sweeter than a regular weizen, again with lots of banana and some clove. Finish is fruity, with lots of green apple, and some dry, bready wheat character. Little bit full bodied for the flavor.

Very nice. Wheaty and fruity and yeasty. Honest and quite pleasant drinking. Very rich mouthfeel.

The aroma was what stood out for me with this beer. Bananas and clove, very sweet. Not the most memorable beer, but definitely enjoyable.

My Bottom Line:
This pale Weizenbock harbors a most complex fusion of sweet bananas, spicy phenols and citrusy wheat in a nourishing and drinkable body. This brewery is as solid as they get.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam covers the cloudy straw yellow.
-Effervescence is smooth and lively, increasing drinkability.
-The flavor profile is diverse yet balanced.
-The full mouthfeel is marvelous because it remains quaffable.
-Complex and elegant, this Weizenbock showcases this prolific yeast’s (and brewer’s) many talents.

Bottle.

500 mL bottle. Poured into a 500 mL Franziskaner wheat beer glass. Hazy yellow pour with a tinge of orange as well. Even with a slow pour, I had to pour half, then let it sit to allow the head to dissipate before I finished pouring. Aroma matched that of most standard hefe-weizens: estery banana, spicy clove, maybe some coriander. Flavor was similar, but with considerably more maltiness than a hefe and a thicker mouthfeel to it. This almost seemed chewy to me and took away from the beer. Probably due to the higher abv. I’m a huge fan of wheat beers, and even though this was good, it’s not one I’ll seek out again.

I’ve had two of these within the last few weeks. The first one I had at the in laws house and poured in a semi-appropriate glass (a pilsner), The second was at the Lava Lounge in Waterloo, IA a few days ago and was served to me with a Trappist chalice?!?!?!?!? I will say this much, that this beer ought to be served in appropriate glassware, as it does affect the taste. This is (regardless of glassware) a very delicious beer. Pours a hazy golden color with a nice soft billowy head. The aroma is that old familiar weizen banana/clove scent. The taste of course compliments and to some degree matches this, however not as much so as in a hefe. The beer has a very good sweet/dry balance, and has a defined alcohol flavor that compliments the beer quite well. There is a faint hop presence. Like most from this brewery. A very nice beer, I will buy again.

Pours a hazy golden yellow with an orange hue. The head is a couple fingers of creamy white that takes its time to fade and laces spots. Smells spicy, banana, pepper, coriander and clove. Taste begins with sweet malt followed by the wheat and spice. Medium in the mouth and a delightful twist on a wheat beer. So drinkable that it would be a delight to session.

Bottle. Pours yellow that borders upon orange. Big fluffy white head with good effervescence. Aromas of wheat, yeast, clove, white peppercorn, and banana. Flavor of a traditional German hefe, tied in with some clove, banana, and sweet lemon. A delicious sweetness mixed with some earthy and spicy notes. Hints of nuts, finishing more like a clove infused witbier. Refreshing.