I’m drinking another beer from Virginia’s Devil’s Backbone Brewery, this time out it’s Trail Angel Weiss, their version of a traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen. As I sip, it’s Father’s Day 2017 and I’m enjoying a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac in Woodstock. Devil’s Backbone beers are featured as Beer of the Month for June, and I’m making the rounds through the 4 beers offered up from this brewery.

As a rule, I’ve been impressed with Devil’s Backbone beers. The Vienna Lager is world class and their Eight Point IPA rich in malt and hops, a true classic American IPA. Truth be told, though, the Trail Angel Weiss is the least impressive beer I’ve had from them so far. We’ll go into reasons why shortly, but before we do, let’s see how the brewery describes the beer on their website:

Trail Angel Weiss is a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen that is honey colored and light to medium in body with a fruity, spicy finish. The recipe for Trail Angel Weiss has been brewed since day one at Devils Backbone and is the style of beer that inspired founders Steve & Heidi Crandall to build their own brewery! Devils Backbone donates $1 from every case sold to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The taste of trail magic in a can!

Ingredients, also from the website:

Hops: Tettnang

Malts: Acidulated, Carafoam, Caraamber, Acidulated, Dark Munich, Pale Wheat, Pilsner

Devil's Backbone Trail Angel Weiss has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume with 12 IBUs. I paid just $5 for my mug at Taco Mac, very reasonable, and it runs $9.99 a six-pack in cans and bottles.

My mug of Devil's Backbone Trail Angel Weiss arrived a cloudy whitish yellow in color with a thick fluffy head and a tart wheaty nose with a little banana and clove. Taking a sip, the beer has a crisp tart wheaty palate with light clove and banana and a tart wheaty finish. I picked up an odd note of sesame (of all things) that was out of place here.

Tasty and very drinkable but I like a little more spice in my Weisse (the banana and clove were a little restrained for me). Would I buy it again? Yes, in the bottle or can to see if the off flavor was one off. I’ll get back to you after I do.  

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft