Now a true German-style Hefeweizen is a big contrast in flavor when compared to its Americanized brethren. For instance, American Wheat beers more commonly use a neutral American yeast strain, which will emphasize the malt character a little more and have a much cleaner flavor.

Some of the other differences between the two are the use of hops and malt. German Hefeweizens are barely touched with hops as not to bring harshness to the delicate balance of esters and phenols (fruity fusel alcohol and a medicinal by-product), and the fermented wheat flavor. Some American brewers deem it necessary to make a mark and hop the Wheat beer like any other ale they brew, not too bitter but certainly noticeable. As for the malt, usually American Wheat beers will mash with American malts, though they have been known to throw in some tradition, especially when trying to brew the real thing, and use German malts. Obviously, German Hefeweizens use German malts and generally the percentage of wheat is higher versus American Wheat beers.

Smooth, thick and viscous on the palate, with a full and robust body. For a moment, its sweet and tropical, then hops rush in and tear it all to shreds! The lip-smacking hop profile roams all over the place, as a sticky pine and a slightly burnt resinous coating forms on the palate. Intensely spicy, with a big grapefruity zest and a sugary, warming alcohol that smacks you upside the head for noticing it. Malt-wise, caramel and bread flavors clamor to be heard, but the hops entangle them and draw them back into the depths of the brew, where they die. Malt flavors are there, but they add sweetness and body versus anything distinct enough to challenge the hops.

This quad is insanely fluffy-smooth on the palate, with an even, full-body and semi-sharp carbonation edge that knocks the silky bliss down for a moment. The softness returns as a mildly sweet malt profile, with dried raisins, powdery dark chocolate, sweet cherries soaked in alcohol and a slight tartness of strawberries. Hop character coats with a leafy feel on the palate, yielding a delicate noble hop bitterness, as well as a touch of cheesiness and pithiness. This melds with spicy phenols, which lends a slight medicinal flavor that wanders within the spicy alcohol and heat. Finish is very dry, with residual yeast and crackery lingers.