Extraordinary that I have not reviewed this before now. $4.29 for the 500 mL bottle from the new Total Wine store in the Perimeter area of Atlanta/Dunwoody, GA, USA.
The appearance of this beer always confuses me a little – much darker than I always expect. Almost has a Dunkel hue. Cloudy, and the head is not as impressive as some in the style. In the Tucher Weizen glass it looks orange more than yellow.
Standard yeast, clove and banana/bubble gum nose with the emphasis on the yeast as far as my nose can tell. Carbonation is fine (in terms of bubble size) but active. Mouthfeel fairly standard.
The tastes are toward the hard, acidic esters rather than the softer banana and pineapple end of of the spectrum. I get apples with a little bit of cider character. Finish is short and brisk.
I feel that this beer has changed in character somewhat over the years. I have no idea if there are new components to the beer or the brewing process, but it seems a little harder and more clinical than I once remember it. Of course, nostalgia and memory are strange things, so perhaps not. Either way I am less inclined to drink this than I once was.
Despite that, it’s clean, refreshing and very drinkable so not too much to complain about.