Karl Strauss Windandsea Wheat
It wasn’t until recent brewery expansions and the addition of new 240-barrel fermentation tanks that Karl Strauss was able to finally bottle one of their more popular offerings, this 5.1% ABV traditional Bavarian hefeweizen. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a beer pour into a glass the same way a pulping orange juice would, but the brewery’s Windandsea Wheat does just that — and it looks damn good too!
The unfiltered brew delivers a solid helping of yeasty banana, spices and a balancing grassy hop character. Using a “centuries-old weissbier yeast strain,” the beer is packed full of flavor and delivers one of the more straightforward and traditional, yet unique hefeweizens I’ve had this year.
Appearance
Windandsea Wheat, as you can see, pours nearly orange with an impassable, unfiltered cloud and a quickly dropping white cap of foam.
Aroma
Loads of lemony citrus, distant banana, spices (clove) and an herbal quality all come together for an great smelling brew.
Taste
There’s a good deal of banana and herbal/spice notes throughout the beer as a sharp lemony citrus tartness arrives and fades quickly. Bready malts and light grassy hops are in the mix, as well, helping to create a uniform balance from start to finish. The flavors linger nicely for a good while.
Overall
Despite the barrage of Blue Moon ads on TV, I’ve never felt the urge to put sliced fruit in any beer I’ve ever had — whether that be a hefeweizen such as this or an ice cold Tecate. Karl Strauss’ Windandsea Wheat has enough lemony citrus within it’s cloudy depths to accommodate any of you that feel the compulsion to do so. It’s a well balanced and easy drinking brew that’s ideal for warm Summer days.
Rating:3.75/5
This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.
