Trader Joe's Bavarian-Style Hefeweizen

Trader Joe's Brewing Company
San Jose, California

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Honey-gold color. Hazy. Strong, foamy white head. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
All malt, no hop. Clove, banana, bubblegum, pineapple. Smells like a hefeweizen (that's a good thing).

TASTE: 6.75/10

Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: No hop, very malty. Sweet. Did they go with only one hop pellet?
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bubblegum, lasting banana. Subtle hop bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Effervescent, a full mouth-feel, but a little too light-bodied for our tastes.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Far exceeded expectations (which were, admittedly, low). A nice representation of the style, pretty much everything one would want in a hefeweizen.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I am impressed! Trader Joe's is coming (with much hoopla) to the KC metro sometime in 2011, supposedly; based on this, I'm eager to see what else they offer, where the price point lands, etc. A nicely-crafted hefeweizen.
Ben: Surprisingly good–this tastes like a hefeweizen should taste. Don't let the "Trader Joe's" branding deter you, this is well worth a try.

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis

Sierra Nevada
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Straw/pale gold in color. Cloudy (appropriately). White head.

AROMA: 3/4
Not a lot of aroma; some pineapple and banana notes.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Good balance, though could be a bit maltier.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Banana, clove, bubble gum. Moderately spicy; banana really lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Nice bitterness. Bright, effervescent. Lots of fizz.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A classic hefeweizen, very adherent to style.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice hefe–could be spicier, but in no way does it disappoint.
Ben: Could use a little more body. Overall, a classic hefe and a typical nice Sierra Nevada product.