Fun fact – 40 lbs of raspberries were added to the fermenter to give Not Very Berry Hefe a noticeable berry hue. The brew is light and effervescent but not sweet, as you may guess from the name. Heck, my husband even liked it and he’s not a fan of fruit beers.
I love raspberries, I love beer – the choice wasn’t difficult.
Knucklehead Craft Brewing has a flagship lineup of the usual stouts, IPAs, a cream ale and a scotch ale year round but they regularly release a limited batch/seasonal offering. The last time I’d swung by was for their Blueberry Muffin Ale, which they served with some blueberries and cinnamon sugar on the rim (I declined that garnish and kind of regret it). It actually tasted like a blueberry muffin.
The Not Berry Hefe, though, I had never had before because it has sold out wicked quick the last couple of times they’ve brewed it.
I can now see why.
The brew is a lovely blend of berry flavors and the light refreshment of a witbier. We’re not talking the sticky, icky sweetness of something like Founders’ Rubaeus or Shocktop Raspberry. The closest equivalent is, not surprisingly, my perennial favorite, Harpoon’s Raspberry UFO.
The biggest difference between the two is the smell and taste. Their use of a traditional Weissbier does give it a bit of that smokey flavor you get with those beers over more commercially available Hefeweizen style beers. However, if you can’t get to Knucklehead before it sells out, again, the Harpoon one is your best bet. Then plan better next year.
It definitely tastes and smells like summer should and will refresh your body and soul during the few hot weeks we have left.
Not Berry Hefe – Knucklehead Craft Brewing – Hefeweizen – ABV Unknown
