We spend way too much cash every time we darken the door at Trader Joe’s.  They have some really good stuff, most of it I didn’t know that I wanted or needed it until I saw it on the shelf and then I lust after it.

We were there Saturday night and I noticed a display for TJ’s branded “Bavarian Style Hefeweizen” and while I am real skeptical of some store-brand products, especially beer, I decided to give it a try if no no other reason than to make fun of it.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the beer drinkable and super tasty, it was also unfiltered and had lots of lovely yeast in the bottle.  My initial reaction was that the beer had a clean taste of banana and wheat, with a little clove spice.  It poured a dark amber color, was murky, and formed a creamy off-white head with a limited amount of foam lacing.  I might go so far as to say that it is one of my top 10 of American Wheat beers – especially for the price.  I know, who woulda thunk it??

Although TJ’s is owned by a German grocery store chain, ALDI, and one would think that they would import the good stuff from the Spaten Brewery, the beer is actually  brewed by the Gordon Beirsch Brewery in San Jose, CA., which is a brewery started by a guy who went to beer college (yes, it actually exists and is rigorous in its depth of craft and science) in Weihenstephan Germany.  I have a feeling that we will be serving this beer to company all summer long.  Again, both surprised and impressed by Trader Joe’s.