Games and beer go together like peanut butter and bananas, or like bacon and... more bacon. That’s why we're teaming up with Bananagrams for Hi-Neighbor! Have a Hefeweizen! for the latest collaboration in ’Gansett’s "Hi Neighbor Mash-Up" series.
Ten years ago, Rhode Island native Abraham Nathanson was looking for a faster-paced tiled word game to play, and at the young age of 76, he and his family created Bananagrams at their home in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
When we heard that Bananagrams were celebrating their 10th Bananaversary, we needed to create the perfect beer to commemorate the occasion! We started looking for a classic style filled with subtle complexities and bright flavors to match the fast paced and witty spirit of our favorite tiled word game. With mild notes of banana and clove, we felt that a traditional Hefeweizen was definitely the way to go.
Truth be told, we aren't the best Bananagrammers, and we're all right with that. A beer or two in, we lose our filter and start spouting profanities like a lobsterman. Much like ourselves, this classic wheat beer is left unfiltered to create the complex, yeast driven character that have made Hefeweizens a popular choice for centuries. For a new take on this classic German style, we brew this beer with El Dorado hops that give it a slight orange aroma and finish.
The subtle notes of orange, banana, and clove make this Hefeweizen the perfect beer to pair with Latin American food such as Venezuelan dishes, and spicy meats. True to its German heritage, pairing this beer with traditional Bavarian cured meats and sausages is a no brainer.