New Glarus Dancing Man Wheat

Going nuts on the New Glarus Brewing Co. this week; My second one of the week.  What can I say with all the New Glarus beer I received (full disclosure, FTC) by trading brews with a fellow beer enthusiast in Wisconsin, I’m like a kid in a candy shop!  Even though it is fall, I decided to try the Dancing Man Wheat next in my new collection of New Glarus beers.  I’m pretty finicky about the Hefe’s I drink; I like them to be bold, cloudly, with tons of yeasty esters.  With a Description like this, I was expecting to be in good company:

If you dream of wheat this brew will get your toes tapping. Since 1995 we have brewed Bavarian style wheat beers exclusively for the same great state that grows and malts our own Wisconsin wheat. In a world full of posers this is a true hefe-weizen naturally 100% bottle fermented and hazy.

Expect this beer to cascade effervescent into your glass. The rich spicy clove and cinnamon notes will greet your nose while sweet fruit and wheat kisses your lips.

Lick the foam from your mouth and admit sometimes you just gotta get up and dance.

Appearance:

Poured into a weizen glass, beer had an initial good head that quickly fleeted to a thin film.  But that sat on top of a beautifully hazy amber – orange beer.  A few good swirls of the beer quickly revived a head on life support and left a bit of lacing.

New Glarus Dancing Man Wheat

Aroma:

Exactly what I would expect from an American brewery specializing in Belgian beers making a German Hefe! Just kidding, the aroma is amazingly strong, Ripe banana, banana bread, and spices all greet your nose with a wake up call.

Taste:

Wow, this is a good bold Hefe.  This beer is not holding anything back!  The strong aroma is matched up with an equally strong flavor profile.  Full mouthfeel with a strong carbonation really seems to amplify the flavors.  That big bold banana flavor is just as present as it was in the aroma, with a typical bready/yeasty flavor matching the banana presence.  But it doesn’t stop there, there is a good clove flavor that flows in my favorite part of this beer, the finish.  This has this wonderfully refreshing lemon tartness on the finish that makes me want to…. no, not dance,  have another sip!

Glassware: Weizen

Calories: 7.2% dry abv beer will have about 215-230 calories per 12oz (Calorie Chart)

Overall Impression:

I’m loving the Belgian inspired take on this Hefe.  The bit of tartness on the end really rounds this beer nicely.  I would highly recommend trying this beer on a hot day if you can get it!