Hefeweizen - Yazoo Brewing Company

BeerMeInMS

Mississippi

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Drinking Date: 12/14/10
Bottled-On Date: Late October 2010

Appearance: Very cloudy and light yellow with an orange tint. Looks like freshly squeezed orange juice. The head is white and bubbly. It dissipates very quickly and leaves no lacing. There was very little foam left by the time I took my first sip.

Smell: Full-on fruity and banana aroma. A pleasure to whiff. A hint of alcohol was also present.

Taste: The taste followed the smell... very banana-like. Not a complex taste, but what was there was pretty good. The first sip was the best, becaues the fruity sweetness was right up front (then my mouth got used to it). Carbonation was at a good level.

Mouthfeel: Went down smoothly; too smoothly for my taste. Not enough body to the beer. It drank like a light American lager. ALthough, this does contribute to its drinkability.

Drinkability: Due to the beers light body and easiness on the palate, I could see drinking a few few of these easily.

Notes: Overall a decent beer. I would drink it again if I saw it on tap. Worth a try and/or for a change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2010 04:10:02 | More by BeerMeInMS

beerwolf77

Wisconsin

2.6/5  rDev -30.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Huge thanks to a fellow like minded ticker drabmuh for sending this extra. Another state crossed off the tick list.

A: Slightly cloudy bright yellow. Huge three fingers of stark white head. No lace but a solid cap remains.

S: Lots of citrus with a mix of clove, banana, wheat and mily acidity.

T: Faint citrus and pale wheat. Not much else. Very watered down tasting.

M: Light body with soft carbonation.

D: Overall a less than stellar hefe. Rather forgettable.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 00:06:45 | More by beerwolf77

cmannes

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz Bottle poured into a SurlyFest Stien.

Appearance: Pours a pale straw color. White puffy head which lingers, but not a lot of lace.

Aroma: Lots of banana, maybe a little malt. Actually it reminds me a lot of banana bread.

Taste: Sweet, the banana smell doesn't turn into a lot of banana taste. Bit of lemon, and then the traditional wheat base.

Mouthfeel: Thin, bit of fizz. But in line with the style.

Overall: Not bad. Very in line with the style, but nothing super special.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 23:19:38 | More by cmannes

NODAK

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nose of banana and lemon for the most part. Searched around for the typical cloves in this style, but couldn't find them.

There's some banana on the front, though nowhere near cloying or too "forward". There's also the cloves there as well, which are noticeable in the body of the beer. The finish sees a bit of lemon, plus some sweet wheat that lingers after the swallow.

This is pretty much a hefeweizen by the textbook. It isn't among the absolute best that I've had, as I like bolder flavors in these beers, but it's done pretty well and seeing as how this is brewed in the city in which I live, I should drink it more.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2010 01:46:01 | More by NODAK

charlesbyrd

Mississippi

3.45/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Yazoo just started distribution to MS so I grabbed one of each of their beers to try. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a weizen glass. Bottled on 4th week of September 2010.

A: Pours a light straw color with a frothy soap-white head. The head dissipates slowly to a thin film. This really looks more like a wit than a hefe, but it still looks good.

S: Huge cracker-like wheat is definitely the most prominent aroma. I smelled some faint cinnamon and orange rind, but it doesn't have much of a characteristic hefe smell.

T: Just like the smell, the most noticeable flavor is the almost cracker-like wheat base. The yeast doesn't offer much complexity, although there is a more prominent lemon note in the taste that doesn't show up in the nose. The finish is hard to describe; it's sort of metallic, almost like hard water.

M: Light and crisp, just as I expected. It's easy on the palate and has just the right amount of bubble.

D: This beer is light, fresh, and refreshing, but it doesn't stack up to the better hefeweizens I've had. At times, it really just tastes like I'm drinking a big saltine cracker. With some work, this could be really good.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2010 01:54:42 | More by charlesbyrd

drabmuh

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Dustin, still working my way through this huge Yazoo gift box I got. Beer poured into my DFH signature glass. Beer is yellow and hazyl, straw yellow with a soft white head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass. Carbonation is moderate. Head could be bigger, carb could be higher but overall its good.

Strong wheat aroma, not much in the way of the classic esters I'd expect from a hefe. Eh.

Beer is medium in body and mildly sweet, finishes with an aftertaste of corn and wheat. There are SOME fruity ester in the mid and late palate, mild banana notes, I think the most interesting thing about this beer is covered up by the aftertaste. Drinkability is fine, in fact the faster you drink the better it is.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2010 04:32:24 | More by drabmuh

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I got this bottle from the most exalted JohnQVegas. This is being reviewed from notes.

This is a cloudy pale straw colored gold with a minimal head and not a ton of lacing. It would get a 3.75 if that were an option, but we'll round down this time.

This smells lemony and sweet with wheat notes. My 3 year old says it smells like grapes, but I'm quite sure he doesn't know what he's talking about (he says every beer smells like grapes since he found out that wine is made from grapes). I do smell tons of banana notes-- and almost a tart lemon and sweet wheat finish.

This isn't the best Hefe, but this is easily drinkable. I would like to see this have some more carbonation.

Not rocking my world, but certainly not unpleasant!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 03:35:14 | More by AleWatcher

SDbeerguy

California

3.75/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

As I was back in Nashville I picked up a bottle of this one, as I wanted to try the Hef brewed by Yazoo, the very popular brewery from here. I was generally impressed.

I would say I poured this 12oz bottle into a pint glass, but that would be a lie. Because as I opened it, I lost about 2 ounces due to a slippery table. Fail. Oh well, on with the review.

Cloudy appearance, more of a copper color than lemon color but still not far from what is to be expected. Taste was more than I expected. A lot smoother than I have come to find with a lot of hefs. The wheat and spices come out a lot in the glass. Very drinkable and for those in Tennessee or the South as a whole, this should be an easy to find winner of a hef.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2010 00:38:55 | More by SDbeerguy

sisuspeed

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled 2nd week of January

Poured into a hefeweizen glass. Slightly cloudy, straw yellow in color with a thin white head, which fades into a thin ring around the edges of the glass.

Lots of sweet malts, banana, orange, coriander and light cloves on the nose. Yeasty, citrusy and spicy. Quite good.

Malty, light citrus (orange mostly) and banana in the flavor. Wheat and yeast come through nicely. Spices still present, but more aromatic than flavorful. Almost lemony on the finish.

Mouthfeel is fairly crisp, smooth and refreshing. Ample carbonation. Body could have a little more thickness to it, but still decent.

Drinkability is pretty good. I like the crisp tartness associated with the flavor. Not my go to hefe, but still a good showing. Easy to put down one or two of these. Would have this beer again if it were available in the area. Aroma was the best, but the flavor isn't too bad either. Worth trying if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2010 00:44:34 | More by sisuspeed

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to JohnQVegas for this one.

Bottled On: 3rd Week of May

Pours a nice cloudy pale yellow color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger fizzy white head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, yeasty, with some bannanas, corinander. The taste is slighlty sweet, malty, nice touch of yeast, with some bannanas/corinander. Medium body. Drinkable, a nice thirst quencher on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 23:34:13 | More by Wasatch

Mora2000

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to travita for sharing this bottle.

The beer pours a very murky light yellow color with a white head. The aroma is basic hefeweizen with bananas and cloves. The flavor is similar but the bananas and wheat are much stronger than the cloves. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 05:10:36 | More by Mora2000

reeverbythespeak

Alabama

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my favorite American Hefes. It stays true to the style with it's creamy head, and light banana notes. I do wish it came in a 16.9 oz bottle though, for authenticity. Soft on the palate and belly, this is a perfect beer for yard work, or lounging around the porch day. The South truly needs a good hefe in it's midst, and I think this is the one.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 05:48:52 | More by reeverbythespeak

Jesstyr

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This stuff is everywhere in Nashville, and definitely is as good as any hefeweizen I've had from the US. Had a few of these in bottle and pints, and took my notes on the pints.

Pours a golden white with a sunny glow that makes this a good looking brew. Head is bright white, two fingers, and remains throughout the drink. Nose really lacks - slightly metallic to me, with a subtle bit of citrus.

Taste is where this one really scores - great creamy body with excellent balance of wheat and citrus, with just a hint of vanilla, and a little bit of banana. Goes down very smooth, and really is enjoyable for a single or quite a few.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 01:00:20 | More by Jesstyr

parkeak0

District of Columbia

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I am ashamed to say that, despite having gone to school in Tennessee for the past four years, this is the first Tennesee brew I think I've ever had.

Pours a cloudy light golden yellow... about par for the course. Nose is full of husky wheat, tartness, and significantly less (though definitely present) banana and clove than one might expect. Palate is full of clean tartness, yeast, banana, some tart fruit (apple?). Perhaps a bit dryer than the typical hefe. A bit of astringency in the finish. Drinkabilitty is high... would be an excellent beer to session on a warm day.

Although a bit off the beaten path, this is a solid hefe. Will be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2010 08:22:46 | More by parkeak0

taigor

New York

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

Bottle into a pint glass.

A - Poured cloudy, golden color with lots of head that slowly dissipated leaving lots of lacing around the glass.

S - Straight forward smell of wheat and yeast. Hints of grass and floral are present as well.

T - Wheat and grass upfront followed by yeast and slight presence of hops.

M - Light bodied with high carbonation.

D - Very drinkable and tasty, very light as well. Would definitely want to drink more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 20:35:22 | More by taigor

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle into pint glass.

Cloudy pale straw, nice effervescence, very thin white head that's not that impressive. Nice color, though - wonderful balance of clarity and haze to give the color really nice depth and pop.

Nose is really nice and wheaty, with a nice dose of vanilla and clove as well. Not getting too much banana, and just a bit of a sourdough yeast note on the end.

Taste is dry and very crisp. Wheaty, almost husky graininess, big clove, and a hufty whack of yeasty sourness towards the finish. Finish is longish, yeasty, a bit earthy.

Mouthfeel is light and a bit creamy, nicely put together.

Drinkability is pretty solid - very respectable American hefe from a brewery I'm becoming increasingly happy is local to me. Could be a bit more balanced in the yeast flavors but it feels authentic, unlike many, many of the American hefes I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 19:21:51 | More by JohnQVegas

Tone

Missouri

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, pale yellow color. 1/5 inch head of a white color. Slight retention and slight lacing. Smells of yeast, sweet malt, citrus (lemon), and slight spice (clove), and hint of wheat. Fits the style of a Hefweizen. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of wheat, yeast, slight hops, spice (clove), and sweet malt. Overall, a rather above average Hefeweizen, nice body, blend, and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2009 07:32:49 | More by Tone

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy yellow with a thin white head. Smells slightly of banana, and a lot more like lemons. Tastes quite lemony and refreshing up front, followed by a slight saltiness and a tiny bit of sweet banana. Crisp and citrusy in the mouth, this beer is definitely on the lighter side, but the nice mellow lemony citrus makes it easily drinkable and a nice summer porch beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2009 03:03:31 | More by Georgiabeer

BeerskiBrewski61

Tennessee

3.33/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Working a few blocks away from the brewery, I should be loyal, however; I have to be honest.
It's not a bad beer is just not as good as all the 'beer snobs' say it is.
The color is o.k., smells o.k., the taste is just a little overpowering. Maybe I'm just too used to the Hefe Weissen beers from Germany.
I probably won't buy it again, but I will try other beers from Yazoo.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 21:35:51 | More by BeerskiBrewski61

gford217

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by Lee at the Brick Store.

Pours clear yellow with a small soapy white head that dissipates almost immediately and leaves no lacing.

The aroma is heavy on the tart lemons with a subtle underlying sweet banana and bubble gum sweetness. Sweet malt and yeast make up the rest. Not much spiciness that I could tell.

The taste also starts with a tart lemon zing which gives way to a very modest hefe base with some ripe bananas and cotton candy. The finish is very dry and slightly tart.

The mouthfeel is highly carbonated and drier and a bit more tart than most hefes.

This is a solid beer but not one my favorite hefes. It's a little more tart than I'd prefer with a bit more sweetness. Still, not bad.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2009 03:13:36 | More by gford217

BamaBeerBuff

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a pale goldenrod color with a small white head that falls quickly and leaves little lacing. There's a nice cap of white foam that sticks around, though.

S: Banana and clove are present, but not to the degree in a true Bavarian hefeweizen. Light wheat malts and some hop aroma, as well.

T&M: Weak flavors of banana and bubblegum, not much spice in the flavor. There's a sharp tartness that's a bit overbearing. Too much carbonation and tartness, not enough complexity and smooth flavor. Body is light with an aggressive carbonation that's too tangy/spritzy.

D: It's rather light and drinkable, but the tartness and over-carbonation limit the drinkability of this beer. A decent effort from Yazoo, but it's just not up to par as a good hefeweizen in my book.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2009 18:07:51 | More by BamaBeerBuff

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.48/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle a clear pale yellow color with a sharp fizzy white head. This one is so fizzy, I'd swear someone dropped in an Alka-Seltzer.

Big aroma of bananas along with mild cloves, lemon, and table salt.

The taste is lemon, green apple, and wheat. The tartness of this one caught me by surprise.

Thinner bodied, crisp and tart, and sharply carbonated.

A decent hefe from Yazoo but not one I'll likely have again.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2009 20:59:54 | More by Monkeyknife

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

P: Served @ Memphis Pizza Cafe and presented in a 12 oz., brown stubby bottle.

A: Pours a cloudy golden color with a frothy, one-finger head that laces well.

S: Fruity aroma of bananas and cloves.

T: Opens with ripe bananas and spicy cloves before moving into a grainy middle that smacks of wheat and Bavarian ale yeast. Finishes with a tart blast of lemon citrus. Very refreshing.

M: Smooth with an active carbonation that tickles the palate.

D: Excellent, I love this beer! Well deserving of its 2004 Gold Medal award @ the Great American Beer Fest. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 14:57:40 | More by CaptainIPA

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.6/5  rDev -4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass... hazy golden yellow color with a thing fizzy white head. The head barely lasted a minute before dissipating.

The aroma is nice, malty, a little citrus flavor... very impressed after the less than impressive appearance.

The citrus flavor dominates the taste up front... a little sour lemon on the tongue at the end of each sip. It's not bad, but not as balanced as it could be.

The mouthfeel is average... nothing special but this is definitely a drinkable beer. Light and refreshing and could make for a decent summer session beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2009 21:35:03 | More by theboozecruise

theghost3

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my hefe glass. Appearance is light, clear golden with a 3-finger, frothy white head. Minimal lacing.

The smell is strong of cloves, yeast, banana & lemon. Taste is mainly cloves, lemon, wheat & herbal hops. Mouthfeel is light & crisp; more carbonated than a lot of other hefes I've had, but that's not a bad thing.

This is a drinkable hefeweizen, flavorful & not medicinally bitter like a lot of American hefes out there.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 02:20:33 | More by theghost3