Over twenty five years ago I first encountered Wheat Beers. To say I fell in love with them would be an understatement, they have been my go to treat ever since. Early on in this love affair I tried to convert others, and thus share the love around. This did not always go well. My brother's reaction of "why would you put that in your mouth?" was not untypical of the response I got from many. A few years later, of course they were all trying to convert me to the joys of Hefeweizen like they had discovered it!
My fourth beer from The Toast Companion box is Buen Vivir from Stroud Brewery in Gloucestershire. It is described by them as an Organic Hefeweizen. The label on the can, which is fascinating in its own right, carries the lovely line "Buen Vivir is based on the belief that true well-being relies on a harmonious connection between people, their communities and nature". Frankly if you don't buy into that then have a very hard look at yourself! Their organic credentials also live up to this statement.
On to the beer. The nose carries a mild clove element and a quite strong sense of banana skin, it is worth lingering a moment or two with this beer as it opens up, much like a wine might in the glass. In the mouth it has the characteristics you would expect from a beer of this type: it is spicy (cardamon, cloves and maybe nutmeg), it is rich and dry with a lovely soft mouthfeel born from gentle petillance. This is not a beer to be hurried, though at 4.5% abv, I wouldn't say no to a second or third.
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