The Hefeweizen (literally “yeast wheat”) beer style originates from Southern Germany. In brewing these beers a high portion of wheat is used (usually in the order of 40-60% of the malt grist), and while the use of wheat malt gives a paler colour (in relation to barley malt), the resulting beer is unfiltered and has a hazy appearance from the presence of yeast (‘hefe’). The yeast strains traditionally used in fermentation impart banana and clove aromas and flavors to offset the creamy-texture imparted by the yeast and wheat. Hefeweizens are generally low in bitterness and hop flavour and rely on the yeast-induced characters and the tartness from the high use of wheat to give the style the refreshing crisp character that it’s noted for. Alcohol by volume is in the order of 5-5.5% although there are stronger variants (Weizenbock) that can be in the order of 7% or more.
The American take on this is the American Wheat Ale (can be filtered or unfiltered) and American Wheat Wine (can be up to 12%). These styles differ from their German heritage in that the yeast strains used are more typically ale-like and don’t impart the clove and banana characteristics; similarly hop flavour and bitterness may also be present (Americans being the hop-heads they are!) but generally only at low to moderate levels.
Our Mad Brewers’ take on these styles is the Hoppy Hefe. Hoppy in that we have really dialed up the hops - 2/3rds of which are added post fermentation (dry-hopped). While the beer is coarsely filtered (we had to… otherwise you would be ‘eating’ hops rather than drinking beer!) it still retains a haze from the presence of yeast left over from fermentation (Hefe).
Brewed with 45% wheat malt to give added crispness to the finish, Hoppy Hefe also utilises some crystal malt to add depth of flavour and colour. The malt body and alcoholic warmth (7%) on the palate help to balance the heavy handed use of hops (Citra and Motueka verities) which themselves provide a robust and distinctively citrusy (grapefruit-like) character. At 7% and 640mls a bottle, share with a friend!
Like the previous Mad Brewers it is only a limited release so grab some while you can (before we MAD brewers finish the lot!)
Cheers and beers
Freshy and Dayton (and the rest of the ‘Mad’ team!)
[...] Media release is below, as is on-tap availability. You can read more from the brewers on their blog. [...]
I found this beer by fluke at a woolworths in Gippsland. It’s an amazing beer and I want some more. Where can I get it in Melbourne or the south eastern suburbs?
This beer is fantastic!!! I am a huge fan of American Pale Ale so I really enjoy the aroma of Hops punching me in the nose on the raising of the glass. The full body of wheat and high strength of alcohol all balances this out with a consuming mouth feel. There is a sweetness imparted from the malts which really makes this beer a nectar of the gods! Love your work boys!
ps. I did try to share this with a friend but….
Hoppy Hef would have to be the best beer I have ever had. Sat down and sampled 14 boutique beers last night and ended up buying all the stock my local dans had. Please release this as an everyday beer
Agree with Nitty; once of the best beers I’veever had. I’ve not been so blown away since the Arrogant Bastard Ale (in USA) or the Epic Armageddon IPA (in NZ). Well done. The Hops aroma!
Amazing aroma and taste of cloves, grapefruit, pine, and apricot!! mmmmmmmm…… fantastic aromatic hops!! …and lot’s of it!
If you like hops flavor with out to much bitterness this is the beer for you and me. I have always been a Hefeweizens fan, but the aromor from the bottle when I open it, then the taste hit you. I want more 9.9 out 10.
Enjoyed a pot of Hoppy up in melbourne at the James Squire Pub, Found it by fluke at a local bottleshop.
Really enjoy the characteristics and the taste.
Excellent Brew.
Rae
I work at the new Bonner woolworths liquor store, i have purchased 3 cases of this and cant recommend this beer any more, it is truly a one of a kind. Great work
Just bought this for my husband and quote “Best beer I have ever had in my LIFE”
Please keep making this - I am addicted - it is the best beer I have ever tasted.
However it is dangerous - you can’t stop at one - drinking responsibly is difficult with this beer.
For Andrew and our other Melbourne based Hoppy Hefe seekers I believe Dan Murphy’s were a bit late bringing their Vic allocation to the shelves. So DM’s might be a good place to start as it has sold out in many of the other stores. Good Luck, Tony
For all of those wishing another release of Hoppy Hefe I can say we Maltshovelians too were really happy (& hoppy) with this release. We will certainly consider a re-prise in the future.
Cheers Tony
awesome beer fellas you guys are the cheech and chong of brewing party on
Wow !!!!! as I m not to bad homebrewer; my wife( not a beer lover) wonder what did I put in … she loved it !!!!!!!!!
Have to say what It s not my production… . love it too….. any tips a bit more explicit on hops quantity
Cheers guys;
Ashul: Bloody frenchy brewing belgian brew………
Had a 6 hour session on all different beers - this one was the clear and unanimous winner amongst all drinkers.
Highly recommended, but needs to become a production beer!