Looking for something new, I ventured to Kress Liquors’ wall of imports and picked up a mixed six. One of the six was the Erdinger Hefe Weizen (aka Erdinger Weissbier). I have had about two dozen beers in this style this summer and while it is not one of my favorites, it is a perfect summer beer. From the Erdinger site:

“Erdinger Weissbier is not only the undisputed classic in the Erdinger product range, it is also quite simply the wheat beer par excellence.

It is brewed using fine yeast according to a traditional recipe and, of course, in strict accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law. Even today, the beer is still bottle-fermented in the traditional way; it takes three to four weeks for Erdinger Weissbier ‘with fine yeast’ to mature.

Only the finest ingredients are used in its production. Years of experience and constant quality checks guarantee the beer’s unmistakable flavor.”

I found the Hefe Weizen to have the following characteristics:

• Appearance: A creamy orange with a lot of foam and lacing.
• Aroma: Sweet malt and grapefruit.
• Taste: Not as citrusy as the aroma would indicate and very smooth with a nice finish.
• ABV: 5.3%

This was a very good hefe weizen. I would put it right up there with the Paulaner. Crisp and refreshing, this is a summer beer.