In the brewpub heyday of the 1990s, virtually every brewery had a hefeweizen on tap as a âgateway beerâ for people new to the intense flavors of craft beer styles. Hefeweizens then went out of style for many years, but they seem to be making a comeback, as a number of California breweries have produced these refreshing wheat beers recently. The fluffy mouthfeel, low alcohol and soft flavor profile make them perfect brews for summer.
Gateway to Hefen
Chuck Silva founded the eponymous Silva Brewing in Paso Robles with his wife, MJ, in 2015 after he spent 11 years as brewmaster for San Diegoâs Green Flash Brewing Co. The first thing I noticed about Silvaâs Gateway to Hefen hefeweizen was the aggressive carbonation â even with a very gentle pour, this beer formed a massive, fluffy head. The beer is a luminous straw color in the glass, with a dense, steady stream of bubbles rising, and incredibly bright aromas of fruity yeast aromatics, lemony tartness and disti