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Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier

Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
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🌍 Germany · Hefeweizen · One of 148 Hefeweizens in hopIQ

A bright Bavarian Weissbier with crisp, clean character. Notes of banana and clove from traditional yeast, balanced by soft wheat malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness. Smooth, refreshing finish with light body.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
golden8
See all Hefeweizen alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver · 2025
World Beer Awards 2025
Kristal
Silver — World Beer Awards 2025 (Kristal)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very crisp mouthfeel.

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Hefeweizen.
Hop character
hoppy
Malt character
wheat
Fermentation & yeast
banana
clean
clove
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

#8 of 50The Best German Wheat Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier

Appearance

Brilliant pale golden hue with exceptional clarity characteristic of a Kristallweissbier. A dense, white head forms readily and persists elegantly throughout the drinking experience. Fine carbonation creates a visually appealing effervescence that underscores the beer's refreshing nature.

pale goldencrystal clearwhite headeffervescent

Aroma

The nose is dominated by distinctive Weissbier yeast character, presenting prominent notes of ripe banana and warm clove spice. Soft wheat malt sweetness provides a gentle backdrop, while subtle floral hop notes add complexity without overwhelming the traditional Bavarian profile.

bananaclove spicewheat maltyeasty

Taste

The palate opens with creamy wheat malt sweetness balanced by crisp yeast-derived phenolics and esters. Mid-palate delivers classic banana and clove flavors with a light, smooth body that feels refreshing on the tongue. Minimal hop bitterness (14 IBU) allows the malt and yeast character to shine, finishing with a clean, slightly spicy note.

crispwheat-forwardbanana-clovelight body

Finish

The finish is clean and refreshing with a brief, pleasant spice aftertaste from the clove phenolics. No harsh bitterness or lingering sweetness—the beer concludes with an inviting dryness that encourages another sip.

cleancrisprefreshing
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
87
Appearance
88
Finish
85
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier

Serve at 5–8°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than a lager — 8–12°C allows the banana and clove esters from the yeast to fully develop.

Weizen glass
Recommended for this style

Tall and narrow at the base, flaring at the top — designed to hold the abundant foam of a wheat beer while showcasing its hazy golden body.

Best fresh. The yeast-driven banana and clove character fades over time. Drink within 4 months.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier

About Hefeweizen

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Hefeweizen?

Hefeweizens are unfiltered Bavarian wheat beers with 4.9–5.6% ABV. Yeast-driven banana and clove esters define the style, alongside a hazy golden body and soft wheat sweetness.

Finding a similar Hefeweizen

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same banana, wheat, clean character as Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Hefeweizens in hopIQ

Explore all Hefeweizen beers in hopIQ →New to Hefeweizen? Read our guide →Browse Germany beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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