Arbor Brewing Bavarian Bliss - Arbor Brewing Company

CortexBomb

Michigan

3.58/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Light yellow body with a decent head on top. Nose is fairly standard for the style: yeast and spice, with some vague clove notes being the most dominant in the latter category.

The flavour is also fairly straight-forward: a thin-bodied but heavily carbonated wheat beer that leans heavily on the malts, but which also incorporates generous helpings of yeast induced spicy notes with some slight banana aspects. Not huge, but enjoyable.

Mouth and drinkability were both slightly above average: reasonable decent body but not remarkable, reasonably good value and easy to drink, but not spectacular.

The bottom line: Arbor's take on the Hefeweizen style is reasonably true, but doesn't do anything particularly special either. A serviceable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2008 01:03:33 | More by CortexBomb

Beric

Michigan

3.74/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Serving: On tap, 4oz sampler at the Corner Brewery
Served: 17 June 2013

Appearance: It's hard to speak to this one since I had it in a sampler. It's definitely hazy, but the head was minimal and died quickly after pouring. Normally hefeweizen heads stick around a little longer. This could have been improved. It also looked like they didn't have any weizen glasses at the bar (everything is served in something that looks like a Maßkrug, depending on size), so not sure that's necessarily a positive thing either.

Smell: Smells like a hefeweizen- very banana-y, though my friends said they definitely smelled clove in addition to the banana. I never seem to pick up on other flavors other than banana in a hefeweizen.

Taste: This one grew on me as I drank it. There is definitely something 'hard' about his beer compared to the German ones. German Hefeweizen seems smooth and almost fuzzy at times, and this one first tasted like it had some 'hard' notes in it. But after I gave it a chance and slowly drank the rest of the sampler, I really came to enjoy this one. I think I would rate it akin to an Erdinger- not the best hefeweizen, but certainly above average.

Mouthfeel: Again, this was probably skewed from the sampler, but it felt more carbonated than what I would want.

Overall: An above average hefeweizen, akin in flavor to other respectable American varieties, such as Kellerweis from Sierra Nevada. In comparison to German Hefeweizen, with which I am more familiar, this one doesn't quite stack up. The banana flavor is just a little to harsh ('hard') and the mouthfeel just doesn't quite cut it. If Weihenstephaner Hefe-Wießbier is the gold standard, this probably takes a bronze). Overall though, a good beer, and one I would certainly buy again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2013 02:48:42 | More by Beric

outsider

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

06-14-2013 21:31:31 | More by outsider

Slay40

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -4.4%

05-20-2013 00:53:19 | More by Slay40

shamrock071521

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-19-2013 18:49:09 | More by shamrock071521

klingenator

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

05-11-2013 04:25:14 | More by klingenator

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: an orangy yellow. quite hazy. small foamy head that fades slowly

Smell: bananas are very strong and just about dominate the beer. some slight spiciness to it.

Taste: again the bananas are strong but on the backside there are some clove and spice flavors

Mouthfeel: good and lighter

Overall: a middle of the road hefeweizen. not great but not bad. it has some good flavors but it is neither complex nor unique.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2013 13:35:22 | More by SportsandJorts

neenerzig

Ohio

3.94/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 12 oz bottle poured into one of my weizen glasses. This beer pours a clear medium golden color. Much clearer than I am used to beers of this style being. The nice white head is about an inch thick when first poured and settles to a decent foam layer about 1/4 inch thick and ten eventually to a nice medium size ring lining the inside of the glass. Little lace though. Aromas are a bit of citrus, toasted bread, and banana clove. Has a good citrusy, slightly toasted bready malt flavor along with banana clove spice. Rounded out with a touch of hop bitterness on the back end of the tongue. Very tasty. Has a slightly crisp, but malty smooth medium bodied mouthfeel with light to moderate carbonation. A pretty decent beer overall and flavor wise pretty much spot on for this style, but I feel it could have benefited from a bit more carbonation.

Eric

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 06:04:25 | More by neenerzig

ncaudle

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

10-17-2012 23:43:42 | More by ncaudle

duceswild

Maryland

3/5  rDev -11.8%

08-29-2012 02:33:53 | More by duceswild

Kerrie

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +10.3%

08-24-2012 23:40:51 | More by Kerrie

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +17.6%

08-18-2012 20:18:59 | More by t0rin0

tectactoe

Michigan

3/5  rDev -11.8%

07-22-2012 03:22:08 | More by tectactoe

klipper

Michigan

4/5  rDev +17.6%

05-16-2012 23:38:03 | More by klipper

imperialking

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

01-08-2012 22:21:46 | More by imperialking

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev +2.9%

11-27-2011 03:57:35 | More by StoutHunter

jsisko01

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a cloudy, light orange color with a centimeter-thick head that disappears somewhat quickly.

Smell - I definitely smell the banana, along with some clove, and the lemon. I can't really point anything else out.. just some unknown spices lol.

Taste - Strong banana flavor, clove and other spices, and lemon zest. A somewhat bitter aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodies with medium carbonation.

Overall - Not a bad beer but it it doesn't taste like a wheat ale I was expecting. I guess I'm just not familiar with this style of beer

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 02:44:25 | More by jsisko01

oline73

Maryland

2.38/5  rDev -30%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber color with just a little off white head that goes away.

Smell: Standard hefe spices. There is some banana and clove along with some citrus notes.

Taste: This beer is fine until you start to drink it. It tastes like a normal hefe right off the bat, but those good flavors of fruit and spice fade to watery and then a bit sour. Light malt, but the off taste takes over. The finish is bitter and a bit sour.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: Not a very good beer. Definitely won't have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 23:03:08 | More by oline73

mactrail

California

2.35/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5

This reminds me more of a Berliner Weisse. Vinegary aroma, thin body, and an acidic flavor. It's definitely not any kind of German-style Hefeweizen. It's hard to tell if there is just something wrong with the stuff, which may be one reason reviews for this beer vary so much. Bitterness is rather pronounced, like a Pilsener, and the body is about that light. Any hint of malt is lost somewhere. It may simply be that whatever bacteria got a start here has been eating the sugar and leaving a strange bitterness behind. Strikes out after a few thoughtful sips and is heading for the showers.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 02:37:02 | More by mactrail

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer appeared a very nice hazy orange with a huge big white head that was well retained and left some nice lacing. The beer gave off a very pleasant wheat aroma. Not great, but better than some American made Hefeweizens. The taste of the beer was good wheat flavor, but it was light on the banana and cloves that a good Hefe would have. The beer had a lighter feel to it, super easy to drink and very enjoyable. Overall, a quality brew and one that I hope to enjoy again.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 23:32:28 | More by PhillyStyle

lurpy1

Minnesota

1.1/5  rDev -67.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Bought at Big Ten in East Lansing and swilled straight from the bottle.

Well, attempted to swill. Once the cap's off, it's obvious there's trouble, as a foul, bitter, college slumming-beer stench hits me. As bad as that is the taste might be worst: Acrid, rotten, fermented soggy bread. Remember when as a kid you first stole a sip of your dad's beer and wondered why the f*ck anyone would drink something that vile? This is the impression I have of Bavarian Bliss. I run to the sink because I can't wait to get this stuff down the drain.

This isn't the best rated beer on the site, but nothing to suggest THIS, so something must have gone wrong with the bottle. Not to mention, Arbor is a small brewery, no doubt working hard to make good beer, and I'm out here telling the world they made something worse than MGD? So while I feel guilty about the review, I stand by it, and hope I just got a bad, bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 21:38:36 | More by lurpy1

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into TH Weizen glass

Pours only 1/2 finger of off-white head. Fades down a bit leaving no lace. Color is a hazy golden orange. A lot of active carbonation bubbles in the glass.

Aroma: Cloves and sweet spice notes. Seems to have some ginger. Wheat and banana flavors. Maybe a random touch of coconut.

Taste: This one is way off. The flavors are so muted here. Wheat and grassy hops. A small amount of bananas. Maybe some cloves. But all so light.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and creamy. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends with a bland aftertaste that I am not enjoying.

Overall, this one just didn't hit the spot for me. Not too many solid flavors in the taste. Just seemed to be off. I don't really want to finish the rest of this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2010 00:35:51 | More by mothman

jrallen34

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this at the brew pub as part of a sampler. A definite middle of the road beer for them, below average craft beer...nice look to this beer, very cloudy neonish color yellow. The aroma is a little too clovey and is the downfall of this beer. The taste balances things out with a little sourness that is unexpected. Bring down the clove and I'd give it another shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-25-2010 00:00:10 | More by jrallen34

Skitowneric

Michigan

3/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Poured fast down the middle, but very little head.

Classic smell of bannana and cloves.

Very light tasting. Thin.

Tastes and smells like they used the proper fermentation temperature and yeast...but did not use the proper grains to achieve this style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2010 01:23:09 | More by Skitowneric

icetraxx

Michigan

2.63/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: Comes in a Weizen glass with a nice 3 finger head that remains through most of the beer. Some lacing is noticeable. The beer is hazy and sort of true to the style, but I find that this beer is a bit whitish/pale for the style.

S: Smells like citrus and clove. Possibly some malt and banana in the background. Why is there any citrus in here? The tart/banana/clove/fruity aromas are so muted they are almost absent. Smells suspiciously like a standard american-wheat, which isn't bad, but this beer fails to emulate the style properly and thus remains average at best.

T: Citrus and wheat malt. A touch of clove spicyness and no hops. No complexity and no authenticity. Even forgetting that this is supposed to be a robust hefe, this beer remains a rather bland american-wheat beer at best.

M: Overly carbonated and average.

D: No authenticity, no flavor, no deal. Next beer please.

O: A very bland Hefe-Weisse that fails to have any resemblance to the Bavarian beers to which this one was named.

Other Thoughts: There are better beers at ABC, get their Belgians instead (which are quite tasty).

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2010 02:44:56 | More by icetraxx