If the standard Weihenstephaner Hefe is the benchmark wheat beer, Vitus is its bigger, bolder sibling. It is a weizenbock, a strong wheat beer, and it takes everything you love about a hefeweizen and dials it up. At 7.7% it is warming and rich but still bright and golden rather than dark. It is one of my favourite strong wheat beers anywhere. I picked one up for this guide.
Weihenstephaner Vitus at a glance
| Style | Weizenbock |
| ABV | 7.7% |
| Calories | Around 230 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany |
| Character | Banana, clove, ripe fruit, warming spice |
| Best served | Cool, in a tall weizen glass |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a strong, golden wheat beer, richer and more intense than a standard hefeweizen.
The full review
It pours a hazy deep gold with a thick, mousse-like white head. The aroma is a hefeweizen turned up to eleven, intense banana, clove, ripe pear and a warming, almost boozy spice note.
The flavour is big and luscious. There is a wave of banana and tropical fruit, a spicy clove edge, a soft wheat sweetness and a warming strength that carries it all. The body is fuller than the standard Hefe but it stays bright and effervescent rather than heavy.
At 7.7% it hides its strength dangerously well. The alcohol adds warmth and richness without any harshness, and the wheat and yeast keep it lively. It is a wonderful winter version of the classic wheat beer.
It is another example of Weihenstephan doing a style better than almost anyone. A world-class weizenbock and a great cold-weather beer.
Vitus takes everything you love about a hefeweizen and dials it up, and it hides 7.7% dangerously well.
- A world-class strong wheat beer
- Intense banana, clove and ripe fruit
- Warming but still bright and lively
- Hides its strength beautifully
- At 7.7% it is a sipper
- Too rich for a hot day
Who it is for
If you love hefeweizen and want a bigger, warming winter version, Vitus is superb. Great for cooler evenings and for fans of strong wheat beers.
Weihenstephaner Vitus FAQs
What is a weizenbock?
A weizenbock is a strong German wheat beer, essentially a bock-strength hefeweizen. It keeps the banana-and-clove yeast character but adds more body, richness and alcohol, usually 7% to 9% ABV.
What does Weihenstephaner Vitus taste like?
An intense hefeweizen character of banana, clove and ripe fruit, with a soft wheat sweetness and a warming strength, all in a bright golden body rather than a dark one.
How strong is Weihenstephaner Vitus?
It is 7.7% ABV, considerably stronger than a standard hefeweizen, so it is best sipped.
Where to buy Weihenstephaner Vitus
Weihenstephaner Vitus is available in bottles across much of the US. Buy it using the button above.
The verdict
Vitus is a world-class weizenbock, a golden strong wheat beer full of banana, clove and warming spice that hides its 7.7% beautifully. A superb cold-weather beer from a legendary brewery.
FAQs
Who makes Weihenstephaner Vitus?
Weihenstephaner Vitus is brewed by Weihenstephan (owned by the Bavarian state government, and is the world’s oldest operating brewery).
What kind of beer is Weihenstephaner Vitus?
Weihenstephaner Vitus is a Weizenbock, at 7.7% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Weihenstephaner Vitus?
Weihenstephaner Vitus has an ABV of 7.7%.
How many calories are in Weihenstephaner Vitus?
Weihenstephaner Vitus has Around 230 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Weihenstephaner Vitus gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Weihenstephaner Vitus is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Weihenstephaner Vitus 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 Vitus made?
Weihenstephaner Vitus is brewed by Weihenstephan in Freising, Germany. For more from that country, see our best Germany beers guide.
How do I open Weihenstephaner Vitus 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 Vitus?
Cool, in a tall weizen glass. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
