Comments on: Trying to like Widmer Hefeweizen (and failing)

By: William Brand

William Brand — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:35:19 +0000

Well Merle, every time I’m in Portland, I visit Widmer Bros. I like their beer a lot. Don’t care for the hefe, however. Note my subtle correction: Widmer is located at 929 N Russell St. Portland, OR 97227, (503) 281-2437 . Don’t believe they have anything in Seattle.

By: Merle Widmer

Merle Widmer — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:19:55 +0000

Great brewery with great products and a GOOD name. Visit them when in the Seattle area.

By: William Brand

William Brand — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:11:06 +0000

Yeah, it;s a bitch, isn’t it. I really wanted to like it this time, but…bleahh.

By: frizby

frizby — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:22:11 +0000

the first time i had this was a few years back . i thought it was good for a hefe . i had one recently though and can really agree with you , it now tastes like garbage . kind of sad but all good things must come to an end . even ones that aren’t all that good to begin with

By: Dr Wort

Dr Wort — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:18:35 +0000

I love your honesty! Running a beer blog in the NW, I would be burned at the stake for such an article. Although many locals bash me for my honest and pithy blog posts.

Thanks for keeping it real!!

By: William Brand

William Brand — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:03:44 +0000

Bell’s beers never make it out here, so I’m not familiar with their wheat. I rather like Sunshine Wheat. It doesn;t exactly leap out at me, but it’s quite drinkable, a very good, American-style wheat beer. I really like Bavarian wheats, especially Erdinger. I also like wheats with a bit more zip, Belgian-style. My favorite this summer is Noth Coast Le Merle, a saison-style.

By: Zak

Zak — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:00:09 +0000

William your review has blatant honesty and that is awesome! I enjoy quite a few American wheat beers ( even though most are too fruity for me), but German style hefe’s match my taste buds a lot better. The Erdinger and Weihenstephaner hefe’s are my faves and seem to rely more on a great wheat taste with hints of cloves and bananas. While I also respect Widmer, the hefe is just dry and bland, and I haven’t had many beers where adding a lemon actually improved the overall taste.
William I’m curious, how do you feel about some of the summer style wheat beers like Bell’s Oberon or New Belgium’s Sunshine Wheat?

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:02:45 +0000

Brewnot hit it dead on. American and German Hefe’s are two different animals entirely.

I think a big problem with the American Hefe’s like Widmer isn’t so much the beer as the way it’s served. A frozen glass with a piece of fruit perched on top (unless they ask first and it’s your preference) is no way to serve a beer. Hefe has become synonymous with Summer and thus I think bar owners think it has to be served as cold as possible.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:55:02 +0000

Funny Brewnot, I can’t like an American Wheat beer as much as I try them, but love the German style. Never have enjoyed a Widmer, but like William Droptop is a decent Amber ale.

By: brewnot

brewnot — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:59:05 +0000

To me, there are two distinct styles of beer.

1- German Hefeweizen Beer
2- American Wheat Beer

They are not the same beer. If you drink one expecting the other, you will be disappointed.

Personally, I have given up on the German Hefeweizen style. Clove & banana is not my taste. Note: Millions of Germans disagree with me.

I can enjoy American Wheat beers. Sort of a thirst quenching, refreshing drink. Great in the sun or with certain foods.

I am a homebrewer. This year I brewed a beer for a hot summer. I called it my International Wheat Beer. American Wheat Grainbill + English Ale Yeast + German Noble Hops = 1 tasty beer under the hot sun. Never with a lemon.