June's Beer Club Selections

I haven't posted about my beer club in months! For those of you who missed it, I've organized a small but fun beer club at work. There are six of us in the club, and we pick a beer style at the beginning of each month. Each of us is responsible for finding a six-pack of beer that fits into the style and bringing it in on the last Friday of each month to trade. At 3pm, we gather together and talk beer while swapping bottles. Sometimes the anticipation gets the better of some of us and we crack open a bottle or two. The last Friday of the month always means that each of us goes home with a horizontal sixer of a given style.

We've done American Pale Ale, Irish beers (3 reds, 3 stouts), Bocks (traditional, mai, doppel, eis - anything bock!), and American IPAs. June's style was German Weizen/Weissbier, and I picked up a six-pack of Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier. (Impress your friends and family - get some free beer wallpaper!) My clubmates brought Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat, Paulaner Hefeweizen, Hofbrau Hefeweizen, and Shiner Hefeweizen (2 of those). This is the 2nd time we've had duplicates, so perhaps it'd be a good idea to just email the group when we pick up our beer. The element of surprise, however, is hard to give up.

German Hefeweizen is significantly different in flavor from the American Wheat style, primarily due to the type of yeast that is used. The German yeast provides a prominent banana or fruity flavor, with undertones of clove or sweet spiciness. Compare that to an American Wheat which should have no detectable banana flavor or tropical fruitiness. It should be light and a little malty with just a hint of citrus or floral taste (depending on the type of hop used). While either style can be served with a lemon slice, you might find yourself at the wrath of Germans and beer purists alike if you add a lemon to your Hefeweizen. I'd advise against it, anyway, as it'll ruin the head retention of that lovely German beer - and mask the delicate but complex flavor of your beer.

But I digress... I was hoping to see Sierra Nevada's new Kellerweis on the shelves before the end of June, so that I could bring that as my selection. Alas, though it's made its way around both coasts, it has yet to appear in Kansas City. I have a feeling, however, it'll be here soon. My mouth is already watering.