There’s no question the world of beers is becoming wider, more inclusive, and varied than ever before, especially if we consider how far the market of craft beer has come in the recent years. Despite the variety, however, if one truly wants to experience the real beer flavour, ales are undoubtedly the first choice.
This also explains why they’ve become so popular over the years, with their stronger taste, higher alcoholic content and lower sugar content, plus marking bitterness being some of the reasons. Moreover, when consumed in moderation, ales can certainly be beneficial for one’s health considering they are also rich in antioxidants. If you want to try something that would truly make a difference for your palate, our suggestion is unfiltered Hefeweizen notable for the crispness, high carbonation, and cloudiness.
What to Know About This Tasty German Creation?
Source: hopculture.com
Well, for starters, the name (pronounced Hay-fuh-vite-sen) comes from the German words meaning yeast (hefe) and wheat (weizen) respectively. It’s a mainly popular south German style of protein-rich wheat beer with a very thick foam. It’s got an all-round taste quite like a freshly baked bread and the notes can be quite fun, with predominant influence of banana, vanilla, pepper, clove, bubblegum and spice aromas from the yeast.
With a moderate alcoholic content, and the richness of flavours, the refreshing Hefeweizen style of beers is perfect to quench your thirst on a hot summer’s day. It originated in Bavaria back in the 1520s, and is a type of wheat Weissbier (white beer) that also goes by the name Weizenbier. Along with the rich taste, it’s got a rich history, given that it survived the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) that stated the allowed ingredients for beer making were only hops, barley, and water, and excluded yeast.
If it survived all that, it’s because it was really worth it. Over time, different types of wheat beer have been available around the world, including the Wit (white) in Dutch or bière blanche (white beer) in French naming the Belgian-style wheat ale, the Weissbier Kristallweizen, Dunkelweizen, Weizenbock categories, and even the American version of the Hefeweizen that uses a different yeast strain resulting in a meltier beer.
Needless to say, the German Hefeweizen classic remains a classic because of its unique profile of wheat, and varied and refreshing flavours that come from the specific yeast which is top-fermenting Torulaspora delbrueckii. Which answers the question “Why is hefeweizen so good?” many novice and enthusiast beer drinkers are asking.
The dryness, the aromas and flavours, the creaminess, and the tanginess are all ingredients of an unforgettable German style that continues to conquer palates around the world. As experts would say that it takes the specific yeast to create this delicacy, it’s not exactly one of the easiest choices when it comes to homebrewing – least of all if you’re still a beginner in this remarkable hobby. But you can always find your own supply of traditional and non-traditional Hefeweizen beers and surprise a loved one or a friend with a beer basket.
How to Drink This Tasty German Beer?
Source: liquor.com
Yes, if you want to count on the proper experience, you need to pay attention to how you drink, what you drink it in, and what you drink it with. First, you should get your own special glass known as Weizenbier glass or Weizen vase to get the most out of a can of beer. It’s distinct because it’s almost the height of the pilsner glass but has a rather tulip-like shape chosen for a purpose – to help with the formation of the white head of the beer once served.
Speaking of which, it’s best to also mind how you pour the beer, ideally holding the glass at an angle so as to allow for the foam to form and settle. As it is the type of beer that’s best served cold, you’d appreciate rinsing the glass with cold water before pouring in the gold liquid which should be cold too (at around 7°C). If you’d like to try the American way of serving, add a lemon wedge; if you’d like to keep things the traditional way, however, this is a big no-no since it might affect the creation of the foam, and alter the taste.
Now, in terms of food pairings, the great news is that it’s the type of beer that goes with a wide range of flavours. If you stick to the German options, weisswurst and strudel are two classics you can’t go wrong with. All you pizza lovers rejoice, because this drink is a great pairing, much like it goes well with salads, dressings like mustard, smoked meats, smoked pork, and even seafoods, acidic and spicy flavours. What this means is Mexican and Indian dishes are options you have the green light for too when composing a menu to try with this beer style.
