“Beer is relative,” said the great philosopher. “How so?” asked his disciple. “Because when cold it refreshes; when warm it relaxes; when had as a dessert, it satisfies; when complemented with a flavor similar to what it exhibits, its flavor changes.” The disciple pondered on such a profound statement, and decided to proceed with the conversation. “I need to know how the taste changes when it is complemented with a similar flavor,” asked he. The great philosopher nodded his head, and with a smirk handed his disciple an ancient manuscript of this beer article.
The Beer: On a recent road trip to Des Moines, Iowa, I found myself enjoying the sights of a brewery located on the city’s nightlife strip — Court Ave. Brewery. Here, I decided to introduce people to a beer exclusive to the state, and if you are in the area, you might want to check this brew out. It is called Kaplan Hat Hefeweizen. Yes, it is a hefeweizen for you fans of this style of brew.
The Color: She’s blonde, and she loves to be so. She becomes that way because of the strength of the wheat over the malt, though it is a 50:50 blend. She is a bit less cloudy than her sisters when it comes to being a hefeweizen, a little clearer, but she stands on her own with her color.
The Taste: This is where things get interesting; where the blonde becomes her own “multi-personalitied” self. As I tasted this well-brewed potable, I noticed her tastes changed. Cold, she was refreshing like a mid-afternoon swim on a hot summer day. The citrus flavors, paired with a lemon wedge, were amplified. The yeast used in the beer produces chemicals that bring about other flavors, hence by adding the lemon we amplified its natural citrus taste. As I took time tasting her, I realized that as she warmed up in my hand she became more of a relaxing dessert beer. I felt daring, so I decided to add a couple of slices of bananas to my second pint. Not a bad idea, it exemplified the fruity palate of this style brew. Perhaps you can find a more odd combination? Rating: 8
On its own: The beer on its own is good, but it cannot compare to the things one can do with the beer as far as experimenting with the taste itself. I consider it a bit watered down until you begin to taste the different flavors inside of it. Rating: 7
With a burger: I would say drink it cold with a nice juicy burger. Compliment it with a nice, large lemon wedge. Rating: 7.5
With a nice dinner: A moderately priced dinner may work well with this brew, because of the hefeweizen’s versatility when dealing with sweet or sour notes. Rating: 8
With a date: A great beer for picking up while on a date with that girl that just makes you go crazy. While sitting together in her living room you just have a pint or two, while you tell a few jokes and listen to Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child.” Rating: 8.5 (this is what you make of it)
Final Opinion: This beer is made to be played with. Try it in the many forms I explained above, or discover other ways that tickle your fancy. That said, I would recommend picking up a jug or two of this stuff if you ever visit Des Moines, Iowa.
Where Available: 515-282-BREW
Popularity: 100% [?]
