Mike Loves Beer

Name – Unplugged Imperial Weizen
Country – United States
Type – Hefeweizen

Been awhile since I last reviewed a beer.  Two whole weeks to be exact.  A lot of work makes me completely embrace every bit of time off I get so I have been lacking on doing much in the way of reviews when I have free time.  Instead I trade that for sitting back and relaxing while enjoying a beer.  But I guess I do owe one to you fine readers.

Today I crack open another of the Unplugged series from New Glarus.  This one being the Imperial Weizen.  Will a beefed up version of a German Hefe help me in this already summer time heat?

I poured this one into my pilsner glass as I don’t have an actual hefe glass.  But the tall shape of this one will fit just fine.  It pours a cloudy pale yellow color with a big fluffy white head.  The head sticks around for awhile and leaves nice lacing on the glass.

The nose is what you expect of a hefeweizen.  Lots of coriander, lemon and orange.  The yeasty hefe character.

The taste is a lot of the same except a nice citrusy hop character on the back side.  It adds a little extra character to the brew.  The 9.6% ABV is very well hidden and you could fool me if you told me that was the percentage on it.  It’s smooth and crisp and really thirst quenching.

I finished this beer absurdly fast.  Probably not the best idea of something so high in ABV but damn was it easy to drink and delicious.  I know banana and cloves are a typical characteristic of hefes but I always prefer the ones that are more citrus tasting.  So this was right up my alley.  The hoppy character from the dry hopping add something extra and special to it.

I must say in my limited exposure to New Glarus I can see they are an amazing brewery.  This Unplugged series allows their head brewmaster to break the walls down on styles and create new and amazing beers.  For the most part all have been great in my opinion.

If you have the ability to get New Glarus stuff (and that’s limited to people in Wisconsin or traders) go do it.  You won’t be disappointed.

Grade - A

Name – So Thank You Music Ginger Wheat
Country – United States
Type – Herb/Spice Hefeweizen

It’s great having a local brewery.  And for the past almost 2 months I have been proud to call the Funky Buddha my local brewery.  Between the opening night and many visits since I have enjoyed a number of their brews.  But one thing was missing, a review on the site for any of the beers.  Well today we put an end to that.

After talking with Kevin and Ryan from the Buddha Monday night I figured I’d go in and pick up a growler of one of their brews and take it home to review.  They know full well how badly I want their Don’t Try Amber Ale again.  Unfortunately it is not currently on.  But alas they plan on brewing it again next week so I should have that baby in my possession again shortly.  I decided to go with one that I have had before and find it to be one of their more unique brews, So Thank You Music Ginger Wheat.

I poured it from the Funky Buddha 32 oz growler into my pilsner glass.  It arrived at the bottom a hazy golden color.  It has some orange type hues to it as well.  The head was thin, bubbly and white.  Unfortunately it was gone rather quickly.

The smell is unlike any beer I’ve ever had but very similar to a real craft made ginger ale soda.  You get tons of ginger in the nose and hints of lemongrass.  Seems pretty obvious to get those as they are exactly what are used to make the beer.

The taste is more of the same from the nose.  But I also get a little honey and orange in there.  Some hefe like yeast characteristics rounds this out.  It is also quite light in body.  The carbonation seemed a hint off from the last time I had it but not enough to be a big difference.

From the first time that I had this beer I have said that this beer will pair very well with most Asian cuisine, especially sushi.  That ginger and lemongrass is just so present and would make a lovely compliment to the meal.

I also love how much this reminds me of ginger ale.  I just love ginger ale while I know many people do not.  It just reminds them of times when they were sick as a kid and it was all their parents gave them to drink.  While my parents did that too I actually developed a love for the soft drink.  This beer just reminds me in so many aspects of it.

So next time your in South Florida, or Boca Raton specifically drop in to the Funky Buddha and have a beer.  If this one is on tap and you want to try something completely unique then have it.  Then if you like it get a growler to go.

Grade - A-

Name – Mom Hefeweizen
Country – United States
Type – Hefeweizen

Appearance – Poured a cloudy golden to orangish color with white head that disappeared quickly.

Smell – Lemon, coriander, clove, pepper and yeast make it a good interesting smell.

Taste – The spices come out in the taste and are pretty similar to the way it smells.

While it is technically fall it has still been in the high 80s to low 90s and quite humid here in Florida.  I figured I might as well have another hot weather beer in this hot weather.  Nice complexities in the spices and they all mixed well and brought out a good taste.  As much as I enjoy a good wheat beer during the summer just bring some half way decent fall weather here already!

Overall Grade – B