A gateway beer for wine-drinkers: Ayinger Bräuweisse

Wheat beers make a terrific starting point for wine drinkers aiming to explore the rainbow of beer styles that lies beyond the classic pale and bitter pilsner.

Among the most delightful of these are Bavarian hefeweizen, a type of unfiltered wheat beer known for its bold flavor and creamy texture.

Ayinger's Bräuweisse is a benchmark for the style whose craftsmanship and resonant finish will wow beer and wine lovers alike.

While many modern beers are seasoned with spices or fruit, this beer's vivid flavors of banana bread and cloves are created the old-fashioned way – a result of natural esters generated by a special yeast strain during the brewing process.

Many Pennsylvania brewers also make "weizen" beers, so keep an eye out for local leaders such as Tröegs Dreamweaver, Victory Mad King's Weiss, and Sly Fox Royal Weisse.

Ayinger Bräuweisse, $3.79 per 500 ml bottle, at Total Wines and More, The Plaza at Cherry Hill, 2100 Route 38, Cherry Hill, N.J., 856-667-7100.