Blood Orange Hefeweizen: Firestone Walker's Refreshing California Wheat Beer

Back in 2017, when SLO Brewing Co. first combined blood oranges with traditional German hefeweizen, they probably didn't expect to create such a hit. The beer grew so popular that by 2021, Firestone Walker - one of California's most respected craft breweries - bought the entire Cali Squeeze brand (!) to help it reach more people.

Here in Ojai, you'll find this sunshine-colored wheat beer at Ojai Beverage Company, where our staff keeps it at perfect drinking temperature in our monitored coolers. Located at 655 East Ojai Avenue, OBC makes sure there's always a fresh supply for both longtime fans and curious first-timers. The store's careful storage methods help preserve those delicate blood orange notes that make this beer special.

Five different grains come together in each batch of this hefeweizen. The base starts with 2-row malt, giving the beer its clean backbone. White wheat builds on this foundation with those familiar hefeweizen flavors, while torrified wheat fills out the body without weighing it down. A touch of cara-pils malt brings subtle sweetness into the mix, and rice hulls make the filtering process smoother.

Once the grains have done their work, whole blood orange puree joins the mix during the second fermentation. The brewing happens in stainless steel tanks kept between 62-68°F. These temperatures create the perfect environment for the hefeweizen yeast - warm enough to develop soft banana and clove notes, but cool enough to keep the citrus flavors fresh and bright.

The beer needs time to develop its character. It spends 14 days in primary fermentation, then rests for another 7 days in cold conditioning. Through this gentle aging process, the blood orange mellows and blends with the wheat base. This way you get a beer where you can taste both the fruit and the wheat in every sip.

Every 12-ounce can of Blood Orange Hefeweizen has about 175 calories. The carbs come in at 15 grams, but only 3 grams are from sugar. Most of the fruit sugars break down during fermentation, which is why you get that clean finish instead of syrupy sweetness. If you're watching your protein intake, there's about 2 grams per can.

If you’re curious about gluten content - while the Blood Orange Hefeweizen isn’t gluten-free, the brewing process breaks down a lot of the wheat proteins. Some people who usually avoid wheat beers find this easier to handle. 

The beer fills the glass with a hazy orange shade, and a white head settles on top. If you lean in close you'll catch fresh blood orange zest mingling with soft banana bread aromas. The hefeweizen yeast’s long fermentation is responsible for this.

In the taste, blood orange leads each sip. It’s bright but not sharp. The wheat follows smoothly behind which is why you taste a gentle sweetness in the middle. As you finish, light clove notes from the yeast drift in alongside a pleasant citrus tang.

You will also experience fine bubbles on your tongue while the wheat proteins create a smooth, almost creamy texture. Many fruit beers can leave a syrupy coating, but this one stays clean and refreshing. The natural tartness of blood oranges cuts through the wheat base just enough - no lingering sweetness, just a clean finish that invites another sip.

Your cans will stay fresh for 120 days if you keep them between 36-55°F. A dark corner of your fridge works perfectly because sunlight can dull those bright blood orange flavors. If you're planning to serve it at a party, take it out of the fridge about 5 minutes before pouring.

A traditional weizen glass works best - its tall, curved shape shows off the beer's orange color and helps trap all those citrus and banana bread aromas. If you don't have one, any tall glass will do fine. Pour it slowly at an angle to get that fluffy white head on top. The Germans call this "mit hefe" style, which means you're keeping all the good stuff from the yeast in your glass.

Note: Once you've opened a can, try to finish it within an hour. The carbonation starts to fade after that, and those fresh fruit notes you want begin to flatten out. If you're having friends over, don't pre-pour too many at once. Fresh from the can is always best.

Light summer dishes match perfectly with this beer's citrus character. Try it with grilled shrimp skewers or a fresh caprese salad - the blood orange complements the seafood's sweetness and cuts through the mozzarella's richness. For something heartier, it goes surprisingly well with pulled pork sandwiches. The wheat base calms down the spice while the citrus refreshes your palate.

Brunch is another great time to crack open this hefeweizen. The banana bread notes from the yeast pair naturally with eggs benedict, and the blood orange adds brightness to rich hollandaise sauce. It even works with sweeter dishes like french toast or waffles topped with fresh fruit.

Blood Orange Hefeweizen is flexible enough for most occasions, but it really shines at outdoor gatherings. The citrus flavors taste even better in fresh air, and the 5.4% ABV hits a sweet spot. It's strong enough to feel but won't send your party sideways too quickly.

For the best experience, grab your six pack from Ojai Beverage Company at least a day before you need it. This gives the beer time to settle from the drive and reach that perfect serving temperature in your fridge. Our staff at 655 East Ojai Avenue can help you pick out the right glassware too. Give us a call at (805) 646-1700 if you want to check availability or get recommendations for food pairings.