Widmer Brothers Brewing Ups the Ante with Imperial Hefe

Widmer Brothers Brewing expands its Hefe lineup with the newly canned Imperial Hefe.
Widmer Brothers Brewing expands its Hefe lineup with the newly canned Imperial Hefe.

Through its nearly four decades of existence, Widmer Brothers Brewing is best known for its Hefeweizen. Now known as just Hefe, this American Hefeweizen from Rob and Kurt Widmer helped blaze the trail for the craft beer movement during the early 1990s..

Over the past decade, Widmer has released different takes on its classic Hefe. There’s been shandys, fruited versions and on occasion as a draft only offering, Imperial Hefe. Now Imperial Hefe is back and is packaged in both 12oz cans and 19.2oz cans, alongside being kegged for draft.

Imperial Hefe is brewed with a Wheat and 2-Row malt bill and with Citra, Vista and Idaho-7 hops. It offers up pleasant tropical aromas that’s followed citrus flavors that continue on into the finish.

As compared to its original counterpart, Hefe, there is definitely less yeasty esters in the new Imperial Hefe. It may be that the heftier alcohol content of 8.0% ABV masks some of this. Regardless, it’s a nice easy drinker beer that teeters on the more robust ABV range

Imperial Hefe is available in 12 oz can 6 packs and 19.2oz cans across Oregon and Washington. To locate Widmer’s Imperial Hefe or any other Widmer Beer, use the Widmer Beer Finder.