hefeweizen

noun

hef·​e·​wei·​zen ˈhe-fə-ˌvīt-sᵊn How to pronounce hefeweizen (audio) ˈhe-fə-ˌvī-zᵊn How to pronounce hefeweizen (audio)
variants or Hefeweizen
plural hefeweizens or Hefeweizens
: an unfiltered, light-colored, and highly carbonated ale typically brewed with malted wheat
Pouring a cloudy, golden color with a thick foamy head from the wheat, hefeweizens also feature iconic banana, clove, bubblegum, and even black pepper aromas and notes from the yeast.—HopCulture.com

Examples of hefeweizen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pork sausages and Hefeweizens can also be great. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 Lagers, pale ales, hefeweizens, stouts, and Kölsch beers are all on the menu. — Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025 Export beer, unfiltered lager and hefeweizen are brewed year-round. — Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 16 Feb. 2026 The Bavarian burger with cranberry mayo goes well with an alcohol‑free Gutmann hefeweizen. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hefeweizen

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Hefeweizen (short for Hefeweizenbier), from Hefe "yeast" (going back to Middle High German hebe, hefe, going back to late Old High German heffa, heve, hephe "yeast, sourdough, dregs of a liquid," going back to West Germanic *hafjōn — whence also Middle Low German heffe "yeast" — noun derivative from the base of *hafja- "to lift, raise") + Weizen "wheat," going back to Middle High German weiz, weizze, going back to Old High German hweizi, weizi — more at heave entry 1, wheat

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hefeweizen was in 1982

Rhymes for hefeweizen

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Browse Nearby Words

Hefei
hefeweizen
Hefner candle
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Cite this Entry

“Hefeweizen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hefeweizen. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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