Kellerweis Hefeweizen

Since the mid 1980's microbreweries have become increasingly more popular in the U.S. Producing vast amounts of interesting and unique beers, microbreweries have rejuvenated the post prohibition beer market in the U.S. The wild individual spirit and spunky quirkiness that modern microbreweries have injected back into the brewing profession has forever changed the way Americans look at beer makers. It's all thanks to a select few brave souls who decided to challenge the beer status quo in the late 1970's. One of the most influential of these people was Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada.

Using only the finest ingredients and classic brewing methods, Sierra Nevada has become a poster child for the modern microbrewing age. Producing some the best and most critically acclaimed beers in America, Sierra Nevada has built legions of die hard fans. Lucky for those fans Sierra Nevada's success was not met with the typical "decline in quality to make more money" corporate response. They did it right. They were somehow able to drastically increase production and distribution without sacrificing the quality of their beer. A quantitative and qualitative economic relationship few in the brewing industry are able to successfully pair.

Sierra Nevada, like many American microbreweries, is traditionally known for their copious use of hops in ales. However, unlike other microbreweries Sierra Nevada is huge. There are few microbreweries that can put up the variation and quality found in their collection. The detail they are able to give to each and every one of their releases is magnificent. While I thoroughly enjoy their hoppy delights I have found a gem of a wheat in Sierra Nevada's lineup. The Kellerwies Hefeweizen. Made using the laborious and traditional Bavarian style open fermentation using only  malt (wheat and barley) yeast and water. It's the equivalent of a home run ball hit so hard it flies past the cheap seats over the wall into the parking lot and through a car window.

The Hefe in Hefeweizen means "with yeast", and the Keller in Kellerwies means cellar. So what does Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen mean? Sofa king delicious. The bottle tells you to pour 2/3 , mix sediment yeast with remaining 1/3, finish pour. If you don't do this you will not receive the proper flavor. The yeast is one of the defining traits of this beer. The beautiful murky yellow orange brings forth a perfect thick white foamy head. Sweet clove and banana give a strong presence with a solid wheaty malt and some brisk citrus to back it all up. Amazingly complex nose. The initial taste of sweet bubblegum leads to a bright glazed ham kind of clove. Banana follows mid palate paired with the meaty wheat malt and a light citrus. Finishes simply with nice dry yeasty finish. Simply delicious with an outstandingly smooth and creamy mouth feel. Very refreshing. This is textbook Hefe. 10 times over the 4 lines of instructions with a highlighter. There are very few beers that can combine this level of flavor complexity with quenching refreshment. It is a perfect summertime delight.

cheers