Harpoon Brewery UFO Hefeweizen
What the brewers say
“UFO Hefeweizen, an American wheat beer, pours a cloudy, golden color with a dense, frothy head. Because it is unfiltered, the yeast accounts for the cloudiness of the pour as well as a faint but clear citrus-like character.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Moderate bready wheat with a slight lemony edge, and a touch of honey sweetness. Low yeast contribution with some fruity esters. Floral hops and a faint solventy note that blends with a perfume-like ester. It doesn’t smell like a traditional German hefe.”
Flavor: “A chewy wheat flavor up front, with light banana, honey, and a touch of spice. The hops bitterness is medium-low, and nicely balances the malt with a bit of resinous, woody character. A light touch of melon sweetness appears in the middle of the sip, with a bit of bitterness at the end of the sip. A very fresh yeast profile.”
Overall: “This one has a little more hops in it and not that much wheat. It would be nice to have some more banana to mix with the faint melon. Could use a bit more clove spice to balance the bitterness at the end of the sip. It’s a great example of a U.S. wheat beer.”