König Ludwig Weiss (Royal Bavarian Hefe-Weizen) - Kaltenberg International / König Ludwig International GmbH & Co.KG

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A rich milk shake of a head sits on top of a cloudy yellow beer.
Aroma is big and malty. Smells between a wheat beer and a pils. I get some clove too but over all the aroma is weak.
Taste is smooth and tart, refreshing too as like most wheats. Pretty malty with hints of banana and clove from yeasty esters.
Slides over the palate with creamy ease.
A very good beer in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 11:26:00 | More by micromaniac129

BeerDocT

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

-Appearance 3.5: Poured out a deep golden color with a frothy, 1/4" head. Hazy and definitely looks like a wheat beer. However, a bit too filtered-looking for my tastes.

-Smell 4.0: Very nice bouquet. Typical wheat profile with lots of cloves, bananas, sweet grains and yeast. Everything is smooth and just seems balanced somehow.

-Taste 4.0: Front is dry with nice hints of yeast. Middle is smooth and features the wheat yeast and a slightly sweet maltiness. Finish is where the real sweetness hits you with a big punch of wheat and yeast and a very slight hint of bananas. Aftertaste is long with tastes of cloves, bananas, yeast and sweet grains.

-Mouthfeel 3.25: Very nice. Creamy and light with a clean mouthfeel. However, this would be so much better bottle-conditioned.

-Overall 3.75: Excellent taste, but falls short in several critical categories. Still, this is an enjoyable beer and is imminently sessionable. I would recommend it to those looking for a classic European wheat beer and -what the heck-- to all beer drinkers in general.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 03:08:46 | More by BeerDocT

jballeng

Florida

3.99/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy orange blossom honey hue into a kickawesome plastic 2012 Carnival cruise lines collectible tulip cup whose original purpose was probably for pina coladas or some such triviality. It looks good, like a beer should. Not a whole ton of lacing but I don't judge cause I'm not a hater. Looks wheaty. Smells wheaty. Like cloves, bananas, apples (sorta), and wheat. Coriander too, because of course. Tastes exactly the same but better. A little more watery than Weihenstephan Hefe but really close. Smooth with none of the bitterness I've seen in other reviews. Hallerteuer hops show up but by no means prevalent. Good pool beer. Good drinking beer. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 21:01:33 | More by jballeng

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.86/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Konig Ludwig Weissbier has a thick, fluffy, off-white head, a cloudy, yellow-golden appearance, lots of little streaming bubbles, and some splotchy lacing left behind. The aroma is of coriander, yeast, spices, and white bread. The taste is similar, with sugar and a touch of hop bitterness at the back end. Mouthfeel is light and watery, and Konig Ludwig Weissbier finishes crisp, refreshing, sweet, and easily gulped. Overall, this is very good. I suggest trying it.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 14:30:45 | More by RonaldTheriot

ckollias

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a hazy light copper-yellow hue with a with a thick white head that quickly dissipates into a wispy lace.

S: Fruits notes consisting of bananas and apples..

T: Similar to the smell – creamy bananas and apples with a little spices coming through. Finishes slightly dry and bitter.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Decent Weissbier. Not my favorite style but worthy of a taste.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:30:00 | More by ckollias

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy, light amber color. Modest head for a wheat, but it does leave some spotty lace.

Very sour and earthy without any notable wheat elements.

Excellent wheat on the tongue up front. A bit of sweetness, too. The flavor is subtle and smooth. Full bodied for the style but the carbonation matches this well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2012 16:40:33 | More by smcolw

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

500ml can served in a Weizen glass.

A: Pours a deep yellow to orange hazy color forming a big creamy, fluffly and viscous white head. Good retention and many lacings left

S: Strong on wheat, banana esters, coriander. Very sweet and bready. Bubblegum and light hints of citrus hops in the end

M: Medium body. Very smooth and creamy. Good carbonation. Heavy wheat aftertaste

O: Good drinkability. Classic Bavarian Weissbier. Recommended

Serving type: can

09-30-2012 12:49:46 | More by eduardolinhalis

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a signature Konig Ludwig Weissbier glass. The pour is hazy yellow-orange with a massive white creamy head and outstanding retention. I get a nice bready nose with slight hints of lemon zest.

Light bodied flavor and a nice, medium mouthfeel. Nice refreshing wheat beer flavors of bananas and fresh bread. A bit light in the hops, though. The finish is a bit bland and I don't get much tartness.

Not a bad Weissbier, but not top-shelf in my opinion. It lacks the clove spiciness and slight tartness that make the best Weissbiers so refreshing. Still, a solid beer on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 20:29:55 | More by deadonhisfeet

jsisko01

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a very dark, hazy yellow color with an inch thick, creamy white head that dissipates after 2 minutes. It leaves behind a beautiful, thick creamy lacing.

Smell - Musty, bitter yeast up front.. with some coriander, wheat, and citrus.

Taste - Similar to the aroma. Very strong on the coriander though.. with a strong banana flavor as well. Somewhat of a funky taste, maybe the yeast? Bread, wheat, and citrus follow to the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall - Definitely a spicy brew.. It's been a while since I've had a beer of this style. It's good, stands out from the other Hefeweizens.. I can't drink more than 2 of these without getting heartburn though lol.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 23:01:52 | More by jsisko01

Immortale25

Florida

4.21/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a Dogfish signature snifter. No freshness date.

A- Pours a medium amber color with a whiteish hue bearing a 1/2 inch head that retains well before falling elegantly to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and puffs of surface foam. Standard lacing isn't much to boast about.

S- Heavy wheat and banana that's crisp and attractive. Rich, sweet and full.

T- High amount of wheat but less banana than in the aroma. Somewhat chalky yeast flavor. Mild alcohol twang. Big in the drinkability department. Light citrus notes.

M- Well-carbonated and plenty of zesty pep. Decent body that's not too thin.

O- Not one of my favorite Hefeweizens but definitely a winner.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 01:39:40 | More by Immortale25

clemtiger8202

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange with a thick, two-finger head and some lacing. Smells of bread dough, herbs and spices, and maybe some citrus. On the taste, some sweetness from the wheat, definitely spicey from the yeast. Hints of citrus. Very smooth and a creamy mouthfeel. Drys out nicely leaving some lingering dough. A refreshing beer to enjoy on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 16:11:26 | More by clemtiger8202

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a barely hazy yellow with a 1/2 inch head and lasting lace. The aroma is of lemons with grass and just a hint of banana. The flavor leads with lemons followed through with banana and dough notes. Not the banana flavor of some hefes but still good. It's mouthfeel is light and refreshing. Konig Ludwig Weiss (Royal Bavarian Hefe-Weizen) is a good beer, light and refreshing. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 20:35:06 | More by B967ierhunter177

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Friar Tuck's in Savoy, IL
Date: Best by June 25, 2012
Glass: Weihenstephaner weizen glass

Konig Ludwig Weiss is an easy-drinking, modestly complex, satisfying wheat beer with emphasis on yeast and banana esters. The flavors are at once heavy and saturating on the palate, but also clean and refreshing, making this a solid example of the style ("B" class for the style).

Pours a rich, dense head of slightly off-white bubbles that is expectedly well over many centimeters. The head has excellent retention, eventually falling to a 1.5cm cap atop the body of the beer, leaving some modest lacing as it does so. The body is hazy, nearly opaque, and a faded golden orange-yellow in color. Carbonation is ample and visible rising along the sides of the glass.

Aroma is pleasantly full of heavy yeast and overripe banana scents with a bit of wheat bread and bubblegum tucked away in the back.

Taste is predominantly of hefeweiss yeast and overripe bananas. Opens with wheat malt, modest sweetness, some yeast and ripe bananas. By mid-palate, the yeast and bananas have become the most expressive, with wheat malt, sweetness, spicy twang, and bubblegum. The back of the palate picks up wheat bread and bananas, with yeast close by. Lingering aftertaste of hefeweiss yeast, bananas, and faint bubblegum.

The beer is medium-bodied with a slight wateriness around the edges. Carbonation is mid-level, sustaining the head and creating a modest foaming effect on the palate that gives this beer a smooth mouthfeel. Closes out with a dry, slightly tart finish that easily invites taking another sip.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 04:16:53 | More by falloutsnow

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Last of the untried draft at Bavarian Brathaus in Durham.

Pour is light yellow and super cloudy. I like it. I want more of a fluffy white head, but you dont get that with draft hefes in the US.

The smell is balanced. Good bit of clove and banana, but a bit bubble gum really balances things out. The smell is just so enticing for a Hefe. Not too sweet, not too yeasty, and not too full of esters.

Now this is drinkable. A good amount of banana, but some clove as well. Spicy, twangy wheat comes in to balance things out. Its built to be drinkable, not overly flavorlful. I like it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2012 23:01:09 | More by VncentLIFE

VillageDrunkard

4.48/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Ive only seen this brwe at 2 liquor stores in my area, and i have only experienced it the freshest the first time ive had it. It was nearly my favorite weiss. Since thenm everytime i tlk myself into gettting another $14 six pack, the yeast which should easily flow from the bottom of the bottle and complete the fullness of flavor and body is actually a flaky awkward sediment that floats around in my glass like fish flakes. a big turn off for me, but the flavor is still there so i keep buying it. hopefully they order a new shipment soon so then i can relive the greatness once more!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 02:57:53 | More by VillageDrunkard

secondtooth

Indiana

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy gold, with a rich and fine white head. No lace here.

Aroma is wheat with some bubblegummy vibes. Perfect!

Taste is sweet, with some subtle hints of clove and bubblegum. Very smooth and drinkable, Konig Ludwig is quite representative of the style, and one any hefeweizen fan should most certainly seek out.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 22:32:27 | More by secondtooth

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Lots of carb bubbles rising in the pour. Emptied into a weizen glass a dirty golden lemonade color with some proper haze. The head settled to an inch-plus of off-white foam. Should've brought home two bottles so I can fill this here glass. Looks the part. 4.0

Sweet banana esters doused with heavy cream. Milky (but not a lactose) aroma coupled with light doughy wheat malts and a squeeze of lemon makes for some delicious banana cream pie. Grains are mildly toasted, which is a nice surprise. Not much in the spice department, which is to say, I'm not picking up any pepper, clove, or coriander. 4.0

Follows the nose with flavors of fresh bananas drenched in scalded milk. Some pie crust and lemon zest. Very light clove with more volume in the finish. More bread flavors ranging from cream puffs to Honey Roasted Cheerios. Just sweet enough. Attenuated a bit, and that's the true fault. If otherwise, this would be one kickass desserty hefe. 4.0

Smooth as all hell. Creamy in taste, sure, but uber-creamy in body. Light carbonation supports the near-perfect feel for a hefeweizen. Unreal drinkability. 4.5

A severely underrated authentic German hefe. Inexpensive and quality. A most refreshing summer brew. Recommended. 4.0

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 04:35:19 | More by thecheapies

wages

Missouri

5/5  rDev +31.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

appearance - 5/5 - It pours a straw color with only the faintest haze and a 2 finger white head that maintains at a half finger. LOTS of bubbles. Leaves oodles of Belgian lace.

smell - 5/5 - Lots of sweet banana aroma.

taste - 5/5 - Really wonderful wheat/banana flavor without being overpowering as I find most hefes.

mouthfeel - 5/5 - Highly carbonated which really makes the esters shine. Also has a creamy texture.

overall - 5/5 - A truly mind-blowing experience for me. I'm just not used to traditional hefe-weizen that tastes so well balanced. If you can't tell, I don't normally drink wheat beer, but this one is a pleasant surprise. I just realized I gave this five stars, something I've not done until this beer. I really can not imagine a better example of this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 20:53:27 | More by wages

TappaKeggaBrew

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Cloudy, golden with a hint of orange. Would have scored it higher, but for a lackluster head (for a Hefe) and so-so lacing.

S: Strong lemon/citrus aroma. Also some white pepper and spice. Wheat malt and a hint of yeast are present in the background.

T: The aroma suggested a lot more citrus than the taste delivered, but the taste was quite good. Mildly sweet malt, with a good measure of wheat. The citrus notes are present, but submit to the stronger banana phenols and clove flavors. Hops is bitter and dry in the finish, but not at all overwhelming.

M: Nice balance of moist and crisp, perfectly carbonated, with just a hint of astringency in the finish.

O: Not the perfect Weissbier, but a really fine example. It's drier than many, but that just leaves you wanting more (which is a good thing). And I should probably mention the reasonable price -- you may find a slightly better Weissbier, but it will likely cost you quite a bit more -- which makes this one great for frequent consumption.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 01:43:53 | More by TappaKeggaBrew

DavidST

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 33cl bottle into a pint glass, a date of 26 Nov 2008 on the back. This pours a hazy light golden color with s large foamy white head which quickly dissipates. The smell is slightly musty, yeast esters, wheat, peper and spices. The feel is medium. The taste is okay, a little wheat, banana, must.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 03:26:23 | More by DavidST

Brianhophead

Alberta (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Amazingly cloudy. Golden with hints of orange. Head is dense and white, showing good retention.

S- Aroma starts off with bananas. This is followed by cloves, lending their support. Just enough to make their presence known and add balance. In the center, wheat adds a soft roundness. Here I'm also picking up subtle qualities of yeast.

T- Konig Ludwig boasts a medium body and a well rounded softness. Cloves present themselves on the palate a little more than they did in the nose. Here, flavors of banana come in a close second. Center is rounded and soft, giving me flavors of yeast. Yeast moves quickly into refreshing citrus qualities. Finish is dry and lasting.

Konig Ludwig has a lot of nice flavors and a creamy mouthfeel which combine with a greatly refreshing character. Emphasis on the word character. This is a great beer to have in the summer when you want a beer that not only refreshes, but actually offers flavor and character.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 22:59:43 | More by Brianhophead

caisno

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Smell- banana strong from the front giving way to bread and then a hint of lemon. Beautiful!

Taste- call me crazy, it came on strong with bacon, wheat, grass and then the lemon finish with cloves. Fantastic!

Mouth- buttery smooth lingering goodness.

Overall- Solid! I'm generally dissatisfied with the lighter side of beer. This beer is truely rewarding. I'm glad to find a Weiss I'll be ordering again!

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2012 07:25:40 | More by caisno

blakelive784

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

11.2 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a weizen glass, reviewed live:

A - Pours a cloudy yellow/orange color with a finger of thin white head. Retention is okay at best. Standard fare.

S - Biscuity/bready yeast dominates, with notes of coriander, orange, lemon grass, and sweet malt and crisp wheat. It seems a bit imbalanced, though inviting.

T - There's this really strange mineral taste that I get right off the bat that's a bit off putting. I love the yeast, but that flavor really is tainting my overall impression. There are faint fruit notes, that help it out, and it is well balanced.

M - Light bodied and crisp. Well carbonated. Pretty good given the style but probably a bit too thick.

D - It could be a great beer, but that strange flavor is throwing me off. I'd try it again, with hopes of it being better.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 23:22:19 | More by blakelive784

superspak

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330 ml bottle into weizen glass, best by 3/5/2012. Pours hazy golden orange color with a nice 2-3 finger dense off white head with great retention that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Some spotty lacing on the glass. Aromas of big banana, biscuit, clove, orange, wheat, and a touch of bubblegum. Nice and well balanced aromas. Taste of big orange, banana, clove, biscuit, pepper, wheat, and light spiciness. Lingering notes of banana, citrus, clove, and biscuit on the finish for a bit. This is definitely a fruitier hefeweizen, with not as much spiciness as I was expecting. It is not cloying as all, and has a fairly dry finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. No alcohol noticed in the taste or finish as expected. Overall this is a very nice hefeweizen. Very smooth drinking, with some nice flavor balance.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 04:46:02 | More by superspak

grittybrews

Washington

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a cloudy yellow with a finger of bright white head. Mild, yeasty aroma with touches of lemon and banana.

Moderate carbonation and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Light pepper up front followed by lemon and honey-wheat notes emerging on the finish.

Pleasant, light, and refreshing. Solid, if not particularly exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 03:23:53 | More by grittybrews