1809 Berliner Style Weisse

Brewed by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
Style: Berliner Weisse
Freising, Oberbayern, Germany

Pours quite hazy, with a yellowish straw color and is topped by a frothy, initially three finger thick, fluffy, off-white colored head, which dissipates fairly quickly. The beer is quite aromatic, with aromas reaching my nose as I pour this beer; at first aromatic notes of clove and banana reach my nose (like found in a traditional German Hefeweizen). In fact even when I go in for a better sense of the aroma, these notes are still the most noticeable. There is a solid, grain-like wheat character, a light tartness, which gives the nose a hint of an edge, as well as fruity notes of lemon zest, apricot and green apple. Once you start digging around in the aroma a distinct, funky note reminiscent of cheddar cheese becomes noticeable. In fact once noticed, this funkiness becomes quite apparent; funky cheese, but a musty cotton thing, and some mushroom like notes. The funk, as it were, remains fairly subdued; this allows the traditional yeast and grain character to come through quite well; though I could certainly wish for a touch more funkiness in the nose.

The taste is quite a bit tarter than the aroma would suggest; it is by no means hard, but has a nice lactic edge to it that is immediately noticeable. Wheat and lightly kilned malt notes come through quite well, supplying a bread-like note as well as some soda cracker notes. Despite the fact that the head disappeared quickly, the beer is still quite well carbonated; this adds a zesty textural note of fizz as it hits the tongue. The beer is quite light and drinkable, though it is on the heavy side for a modern style Berliner Weiss. It also has a bit more alcohol than the modern versions, but given the allusions on the bottle, it seems to be trying to be a stronger, earlier take on the style. I would guess that a traditional Hefe-Weizen yeast was used here as those flavors are here too; notes of banana and clove are definitely distinguishable and are a welcome addition.

The second pour yields a taste that is a touch more yeast, and thus bread-like and perhaps a touch less tart. This is a tasty beer; I would be really curious as to how this will bottle condition over the years; I certainly wish I had more of this right now, so I will have to pick up a couple bottles the next time I have a chance. I think that this beer might get considerably better after some age on it.

Bottle received via Secret Santa summer 2008. Pours hazy yellow with a large, rocky, white head, somewhat lasting with fair lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (hay, straw, meal), average hops (grass, lemon), heavy yeast (horse blanket, barnyard, earth) with notes of grape, pineapple, and dust. Light bodied, gritty texture, lively carbonation, and a bitter finish. Average duration, light sweetness, moderate acidity and bitterness.

Pours out a cloudy light golden straw color with a small quickly fading head. Aroma has some citrus and some vinous aromas. Taste is very light and refreshing, but at the same time complex. Sour notes mix with some banana, bread/grain and some nice funky tartness. Very drinkable and a great summer beer.

Sample from 500 ml bottle, RBSG Minneapolis Grand Tasting, June 23 2007. Light, opaque gold with a bit of head retained....lots of bananas, hefe-like spicing (clove, maybe some nutmeg, even a touch of vanilla); quite pleasant but perhaps not stylistically accurate....not nearly as tart/sour as the Fitgers I tasted before it, light-bodied and again tasting much like a hefeweizen, albeit a sour one....the tart fruits do come in at the finish and it seems more like a real sour beer once swallowed.

This hard to get in Germany bottle was kindly provided by DerDoppelbock. Milky yellow, low white blanket head. Acidic fresh, light citric aroma. Citrus buttermilk flavor, restrained tart, a hint of anisseed. Light body as it befits the style, sparkly mouthfeel. Dry cleansing finish with a slightly citric aftertaste. Very pleasant drink.

Bottle@Home. Banana and raw rhubarb aroma but quite faint. Hazy, pale yellow color, off-white head, few lace. Citrus sourness, maltsweet, bitter, banana. Light bodied but with the last pour the yeast came what gave it more body. Sour and hops well balanced into one. Thanks DerDoppelbock!

500 ml bottle from Green’s Beverages in Atlanta, sampled 4/25/08. Hazy golden yellow colour with a mostly lasting thick creamy off-white head. Lactic, citric, lemon, doughy, and light grapefruit aroma. Tart lemon and grapefruit flavours with a dry, acidic, and lightly bitter finish. Light bodied, dry, and super refreshing mouthfeel. Sour, but balanced, great hot weather refresher.

Bottle from Winking Lizard. Served with a cup of raspberry syrup which I declined. Pours a somewhat hazy yellow-gold color with a medium thin bone white head that diminishes slowly. Patches of lacing on the glass. Tart fruit, doughy malt and spices in the nose. Light-bodied and clean with a tart citrus and raspberry character. Mild spices and grainy malt flavors as well. The finish is fruity with a lingering tartness afterward. Overall this is pretty interesting.