Weihenstephan has been brewing since 1040, which makes it the oldest brewery on the planet, and its Hefe Weissbier is the beer every other wheat beer gets measured against. It is a cloudy, golden hefeweizen bursting with banana and clove, and it is about as close to a perfect example of the style as exists. I picked up a batch for this guide, though I already knew how it would score.
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier at a glance
| Style | Hefeweizen |
| ABV | 5.4% |
| Calories | Around 165 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany |
| Character | Banana, clove, soft wheat, creamy |
| Best served | Cold, in a tall weizen glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a classic hefeweizen, all banana and clove over a soft, creamy wheat body.
The full review
It pours a hazy, glowing gold under a huge, fluffy white head that lasts and lasts. The aroma is textbook hefeweizen, ripe banana and spicy clove from the yeast, with a soft bready wheat underneath.
The flavour delivers exactly what the nose promises. There is a full banana-and-clove character, a gentle wheat sweetness and a creamy, almost fluffy body from the high wheat content and the carbonation. The bitterness is barely there, which is exactly right for the style.
What sets it above every imitator is the balance. Nothing is overdone, the banana never turns to bubblegum, the clove never gets medicinal, and it finishes clean and refreshing despite all that flavour. It is endlessly drinkable at 5.4%.
There is a reason this one wins blind tastings again and again. It is the definitive German wheat beer and, for my money, one of the best beers in the world full stop.
There is a reason this wins blind tastings again and again. It is the definitive German wheat beer.
- The benchmark hefeweizen
- Perfect banana and clove balance
- Creamy, refreshing and easy at 5.4%
- From the world’s oldest brewery
- Best very fresh
- Nothing, really
Who it is for
If you want to taste the definitive German wheat beer, this is the one. Perfect for anyone new to hefeweizen and for anyone who already loves the style.
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier FAQs
What does Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier taste like?
Classic hefeweizen: ripe banana and spicy clove from the yeast over a soft, creamy wheat body, with almost no bitterness. It is beautifully balanced and refreshing.
How strong is Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
It is 5.4% ABV, a standard-strength wheat beer that stays very easy to drink.
Why is Weihenstephan special?
Weihenstephan in Freising has been brewing since 1040, making it the oldest brewery in the world. Its Hefe Weissbier is regarded as the global benchmark for the hefeweizen style.
Where to buy Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is widely available across the US in bottles and cans. Buy it using the button above and drink it fresh.
The verdict
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is the definitive German wheat beer, a perfectly balanced banana-and-clove hefeweizen from the world’s oldest brewery. If you buy one German beer, make it this.
FAQs
Who makes Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is brewed by Weihenstephan (owned by the Bavarian state government, and is the world’s oldest operating brewery).
What kind of beer is Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is a Hefeweizen, at 5.4% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier has an ABV of 5.4%.
How many calories are in Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier has Around 165 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier made?
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is brewed by Weihenstephan in Freising, Germany. For more from that country, see our best Germany beers guide.
What is a good alternative to Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
If you can’t find Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Erdinger Weissbier is a close alternative in the same Hefeweizen category.
How do I open Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier?
Cold, in a tall weizen glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
