Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen

Years ago this was a beer that I enjoyed to drink on hot summer days because it is very refreshing and very (very) low in alcohol. However, I was informed way back then that it contained ground up bugs to create it’s color and was promptly grossed out and discontinued drinking it (until now). I found one of these lurking in my refrigerator after a recent gathering at our house and decided to drink it for review purposes. Before consuming I also decided to do some “research” into these bugs that are found in this brew. The bug in question is called the Cochineal and, according to everything I found, has been used for centuries as a dye in all manner of things, including drinks you may have already consumed at Starbucks. So…pretty much totally harmless. This is referred to as a Hefeweizen, but it is only 50% beer and 50% real fruit juice (ie. the low alcohol content). The beer pours a very bright orange with minimal head formation. The aroma is sweet orange and grapefruit. The flavors are bright and effervescent with orange and some mild grapefruit. At only 2.5% ABV this is an incredibly easy to drink beverage. I can see drinking this if I wanted something really light and wanted to maintain a clear head all day. All and all a pleasurable drinker.

Rating 7.2