Wild Frog Wheat Ale - Hoppin' Frog Brewery

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue II:

The label states that it's a "German-style unfiltered wheat beer" and it's called a Wheat Ale, not a bad move since most people can't pronounce "Hefeweizen." Hazy, dim yellow color, smallish head but the lacing does stick around. Mild twang in the nose of faint solvent alcohol, dusty clove, banana, bubble gum and a bready maltiness. Snappy crispness unfolds into a creamy smoothness within the medium body. Pleasing sharpness of clove that is enhanced by the slightly warming alcohol. A little phenolic as it throws clove, bitter herb and a ghost-like Band-Aid flavor. Minimal hopping, barely noticeable. Hefty sweet, malty biscuity flavor from the wheat. A bit fruity with banana and pear flavor, hint of bubble gum or taffy middle to end.

Hefeweizen American: craft style (not to be confused with the American Pale Wheat Ale) Hoppin' Frog throws down the gauntlet and comes up with a bigger-bodied, complex and very flavorful rendition.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 19:26:54 | More by BeerAdvocate

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -18.5%

03-23-2013 18:07:33 | More by ejimhof

KillaB

Illinois

3/5  rDev -18.5%

01-29-2013 05:06:10 | More by KillaB

DoppelB1

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +22.3%

01-03-2013 00:48:34 | More by DoppelB1

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

10-29-2012 03:24:04 | More by hollywood_15063

t0rin0

California

3/5  rDev -18.5%

10-14-2012 15:18:45 | More by t0rin0

OriolesFan1008

Maryland

3/5  rDev -18.5%

06-05-2012 19:47:16 | More by OriolesFan1008

murraymj

Ohio

4/5  rDev +8.7%

06-05-2012 01:38:22 | More by murraymj

Tyrawlings

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

02-12-2012 00:59:28 | More by Tyrawlings

jaycount

Kansas

4/5  rDev +8.7%

12-29-2011 17:56:43 | More by jaycount

brandoman63

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%

11-29-2011 20:23:17 | More by brandoman63

captainbearcat

Illinois

4/5  rDev +8.7%

11-22-2011 21:50:40 | More by captainbearcat

superspak

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 ounce bottle into weizen glass, no bottle date but I picked up a fairly fresh batch at the brewery a couple weeks ago. Pours hazy golden straw color with 1-2 fingers of a very foamy white head with decent retention, that reduces to a ring of lace. Tons of carbonation streaming from the bottom of the glass. Aromas of big lemon, clove, spices, banana, bread, and a bit of bubblegum. Fairly nice aromas with nice strength. Taste of huge banana, clove, spices, lemon, and bubblegum. No bitterness on the finish as expected, with some lingering notes of banana, clove, bubblegum, and spices. Medium-high carbonation with a medium body; and a somewhat of a creamy mouthfeel surprisingly. No alcohol in the taste or finish noticed as expected. Overall a nice Hefeweizen that I had no trouble finishing. Quite refreshing and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 02:14:43 | More by superspak

TheDoodles

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours golden and hazy. Appears unfiltered. Minimal to low head.

S- The nose is a lively mix of banana, old-fashioned chewing gum and spices. Most likely cloves.

M- Rather high crisp, carbonation. Not watery.

T- Taste matches the nose. It's light and well-balanced.

D- Unlike most Hoppin Frog brews, one could easily drink an entire bomber or two without needing an ER visit (which is not a criticism). The brew is a lovely summer beverage.

O- Another winner for the Akron crew and a pleasant variation of the style. Happy 5th Anniversay Fred. (the Barley Wine is chilling).

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 22:48:37 | More by TheDoodles

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours a hazey burnt orange color with a finger of off white head that in a matter of seconds becomes nonexistant.

S- nice full malty nose with a grainy wheat starchiness. Lots of banana with a note of clove.

T- taste follows suite from the aroma. Big malty sweetness with a balancing spicy wheat. Finishes with banana, clove and a leafy hop note that imparts a bit of citrus zest. Very nice.

MF- full slick slightly syrupy mouthfeel with soft low carbonation and a medium body.

D- very drinkable just wish there was some head retention.

Overall a solid wheat beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 02:26:51 | More by Viciousknishs

sixerofelixir

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bomber. I can't locate any date codes. Dig the label art, like all the Hoppin' Frogs..

Poured a completely hazed, honey-peach. A whitish head dissipates quickly. Smell is mildly citrusy, with a ginger quality to it. Taste is a big mix of heavy wheat, banana, cream, mild plum, and plum skins. Some mild spiciness on the finish. Thick feel, sort of like "cream of wheat" as a beer. An enjoyable bottle..

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 17:32:33 | More by sixerofelixir

Trystero

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Most of my experience with wheat beers is limited to American styles made for summer, normally brewed with citrus or hops. This beer seems to be as indicated in the description, a German-Style wheat beer sans fruit or spices.

A - Very refreshing deep orange hue with slight tints of yellow around the edges. Certainly can tell it's unfiltered due to it's hazyness. Pours with no head surprisingly.

S - Bouquete of banana, slight lingering citrus notes, followed by ceral grainyness stirring up visions of wheat fields unter a hot summer sun.

T - Fruit, fruit and more fruit. Citrus begins the swig, maintaining it's presence through the middle and into the finish. The initial citrus is followed by banana and the ceral grainy, wheat mash in the finish. Citrus acidity lingers after each sip.

M - Robust and pleasing mouthfeel, hearty even. Almost no carbonation though it does not leave one wanting.

O - For 5.99 a bomber, a pretty solid summer. Certainly more of a Hefeweizen than an American wheat, but still holds onto it's Midwestern roots in retaining the citrus we desire in a summer wheat release.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 22:52:18 | More by Trystero

JayS2629

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange amber with a thin white head that fades fast but leaves nice rings of sea foam lace.

The smell is nice and mild with touches of banana, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Some citrus notes as well of orange and lemon with a nice grainy, wheat background.

The taste follows witht the grainy wheat flavor, some caramel notes, and mild green banana. Faint hints of clove, and other spice. Nutmeg notes and a hint of vanilla.

The texture is almost creamy, but grainy edged, thin and dry finished with citrus. Overall, a nicely balanced, refreshing, crisp beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2011 05:01:10 | More by JayS2629

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to someone for sharing this at the most recent Freetail bottle release party. Sorry for not remembering who provided it. Always happy to try a new beer from Hoppin' Frog.

The beer pours a golden yellow color with a white head. The aroma is full of wheat with some other assorted fruit. I get a little bit of banana, but there are some nice lemon and orange notes mixed in as well.

The flavor is is about what I expected. I get some nice banana and clove notes, as well as some wheat. In addition to all of that, I get some orange notes and a little bit of toasted malt. Nice to see a hefeweizen with a little more complexity than the standard offerings.

Creamy mouthfeel with low to medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 17:09:04 | More by Mora2000

Torgo

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle thanks to StFun! Hazy orange colored pour, very little carbonation and an aroma of bread and a little banana/spice. Flavor is slightly subdued creamy orange, sweet spices and a little caramel on the aftertaste. Very enjoyable, another solid offering from Hoppin Frog!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 01:32:35 | More by Torgo

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.5/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up in Wichita (Goebbels), enjoyed in my Prince Luipopld hefe glass

Pours an effervescent amber with 3 fingers f fluffy cream colored head. Head drops off sehr schnell, also hazes up, once the whole bottle makes it into the glass. Zero head retention & lacing

S: Peppery, banana peels & some cloves. Some apple notes as this warms

T: Follows the nose, nice bready notes as well, slight malty sweetness up front. Grainy sweetness, slight phenolic notes & a bit of green apple as this warms. Finishes grainy & dry with green apple peels & a touch of toffee & green banana on the edges

MF: Medium bodied, fairly assertive carbonation

Not a bad hefe, but doesn't quite pull together for greatness, but still refreshing

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2011 01:47:23 | More by russpowell

JamnesCameron

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into my Homer Simpson "umm...beer" glass (classic hefe glass).

Pours a hazy orange tinged golden color with no head whatsoever. Poured with a rather spritzy sound. But alas, no head.

Aromas of banana and clove, very classic hefe aroma.

First sip is of strong phenolics, banana, clove, lemony, but also some carbonic bite, and a rough chalkiness, like alka seltzer, that is completely out of place. Water issues?

Mouthfeel is thin(ish), not quite watery, harsh prickle from carbonation.

Marks for aroma, but every other aspect misses the boat for a classic hefe. No head, no body, too harsh a carbonation, and that chalkiness just detracts from the overall enjoyment. Not a very drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 00:21:47 | More by JamnesCameron

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A beer I've been meaning to try for sometime, however despite the fact that I live in Ohio I haven't seen this one yet. Pours a deep orange golden body cloudy hue with a bright white head. Leaves behind fine speckled lacing on the sides of my Weihenstephan glass. Smells great big banana/citrus esters with clove and vanilla even a touch of bubblegum. Flavor wise a nice crushing wave of fresh wheat beer goodness, yeast adds the bubblegum/clove/fruit esters hints of banana. Great drinking wheat beer from Akron Ohio, medium bodied a bit heftier than your average version packaged in a 22 ounce bottle. Fred Karm can definitely brew I love this small production brewery I'm lucky to have access to them, I hope they keep it up. Solid authentic German style wheat incredibly drinkable carbonation is a bit off compared to the real thing but it's still a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 18:50:31 | More by WVbeergeek

beergod1

Ohio

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hoppin' Frog continues to impress me. This 4th beer I tried from them Is a spicy hefeweizen. Nice pour, a hazy golden body with a thick foamy head. It smells of clove & pepper, lemon, and a Very lively mouth feel. The flavor leans more towards the spicy side with a lemon twist in the finish. Crisp, fruity, and spicy - a great beer for the hot dayz of summer, but I can see myself drinking this on a cool fall night at a poker game.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2010 22:37:10 | More by beergod1

mdfb79

New York

3.58/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 7/24/10 notes. Brought to the CL cdc release.

a - Pours an orange-amber color with 2 inches of white head.

s - Smells of wheat, citrus hops, especially lemon, bananas, and some yeast.

t - Tastes of bananas, citrus, yeast, bready malts, and spices.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A decent hefeweizen, but nothing too special. Would drink again but probably wouldn't seek out.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2010 01:49:44 | More by mdfb79