Bayerischer Bahnhof Berliner Style Weisse

Brewed by Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Style: Berliner Weisse
Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany

Fresh bottle (well, imported one or two months ago) drunk on 10/19/07
Leaving most of the sediment behind (is this like a hefe-weizen? I mean are you supposed to mix the yeast in? I dont even do that with hefe-weizens anymore, I just hate the thought of adding a bland, doughy substance in to a beer, especially one that is supposed to be crisp and refreshing), the beer appears a medium-golden orange, with a quickly receding white head and no lacing.
I must say, they just about nailed this beer when brewing it, because the commercial description is dead on. Fruitiness, much more than usual, is brightly apparent on the beginning. Apricots and even some lightly sweet peaches. Vanilla through the middle and finally the lactic acid emerges, though rather timid but lingering on due to the lack of much else (obviously the malt is pretty light at this gravity). Apples and tartness collect by the end, but it’s not really sour or anything. Medium strength, no flaws, alcohol.
Vanilla and apple skins show the interchange of malt and acid, but some softer fruit notes surface on the end, especially due to the very low, easygoing carbonation. Lightly watery, even a touch salty and with bland wheat and yeast. It’s enough to adhere to the style, but I’d hardly call it deeply quenching and only borderline tart. But, I can’t very well denounce the beer, as this is obviously intended by the brewers. But then the question, why make a softer, mellow berliner weisse? If you don’t want a true berliner weisse, drink a hefe weizen or a low alcohol weisse.

Pours very lightly clouded, body the color of straw, with a frothy white head that is slowly and mostly diminishing. Looks like a chill-hazed, thicker macro brew, but is not unpleasant in appearance in any way. The aroma is heavily wheaty and plenty fruity, with notes of lemon and orange peel. Tartness and acidity are eluded to upon first whiff. The yeast and grain character is rigid and appetizing. Hints of detergent spill over the edge of the glass as the beer achieves cellar temperature. Biscuity malt is refined and only lightly earthy. The flavor is immdeiately tart and very balanced between sweet notes and pleasant medium-high acidity. This is certainly a quenching and unique taste profile. The citron taste is fantastic and very satisfying, really bringing a whole new dimension to this ever-challenging style. Sweetness, tartness, acidity and fruit notes are all moderate, but this has a light, airy quality and a soft, pleasant, well-carbonated and easygoing mouthfeel. The finish is tart, with a touch of tooth enamel-shredding acidic oiliness lingering, as well as light yeast notes with a touch of peppery spice, just a touch. Very good, surprisingly satisfying and something that I’ll be enjoying again very soon. I think this brewery is great.

Bottle. Pale straw color with a whitish head. Tart, slight citruc aroma Tart, slight citrus flavor with a bit of straw/biscuit tones. LIngering yeasty, lemony tart. Slightly lighter bodied. Refreshing.

Bottle... Cloudy, straw-colored ale with a large, rocky, white head. Terrific retention. Soapy, yeasty nose with no detectable acidity. Notes of yellow citrus fruit and biscuit. The flavor starts off with pale grain sweetness, then quickly progresses to moderate, tart acidity. Not overwhelmingly sour; mostly breadsy. Light to medium-bodied with a skim-milk mouthfeel and soft carbonation. Crisp, mildly tart, yeasty finish.

An extremely pale, straw, gold color (about as light as I have seen) with an effervescent carbonation that holds up an initially three-finger thick, almost pure white colored head. The aroma has a light tartness to it that is both a mix of wheat aromas and fermentation derived notes. The wheat almost seems to contribute more to the tart aromatics than the expected fermentation character. Other aromas of hay, crushed soda crackers, a surprising amount of grain character and even a light lemon zest note are all noticeable. Perhaps the aroma is not quite as funky as I would prefer, but it is nice and refreshing, which is what a good example of the style should be.

Very light bodied, as expected, the carbonation adds a bit of texture to what would otherwise be a very watery feeling beer. Only lightly tart, though I suppose this might be when comparing to something like a Lambic. Very dry tasting too, I am not sure that I get a sense of any residual malt sugars here. The sourness contributes a lemon like, or perhaps even lime like flavor here. The beer finishes with a light, grassy-grain character and a hint of soda cracker flavors and pretty much no bitterness. The tartness provides the typical balance that a hop bitterness would provide. Despite the sourness (and probably actually owing to it to some degree), this is a very clean tasting beer.

With the sediment added the nose becomes much more yeasty, a touch like raw dough and the flavor picks up some additional roundness as well as a bit of yeast bite. This is certainly something that I could quaff in mass quantities on a warm day. This is very light and refreshing & I like that the sourness of this brew makes this even more appetizing. This is a touch simplistic though, I would prefer a little bit more complexity and fermentation character. This is definitely enjoyable though and I will be curious to see how this beer ages.

Purchased: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Liquors, Tucson, AZ

Bottle; pretty unappealing pale yellow, but that is expected. Aroma of wheat and citrus/fruit. Was expecting more tart flavor. Seemed a bit watered down and the body was thin. Not hugely acidic. Flavor was boring, but easy drinking. I just don’t see the appeal of this without any syrup, but than again its not a style I like or have had frequently.

Pours pale yellow with a small white head. Tart and acidic, very fizzy on the palate, with a finish that kinda reminds me of vitamin C tablets. Very light on the palate, like sparkling water with a citrus hint. Doughy aftertaste. I’d like to try this with the syrup added. Not something i’d normally drink by itself, but probably true to the style to be consumed with the syrup added.

Poured carefully to avoid a yeasty bottom. It pours a lightly hazy, pale yellow-gold color with a small white head. The head quickly dissipates to a patchy film with a small edge. Minimal sudsy lace. Aromas of wheat, watered down citrus, bready yeast, and mild funk comprise the nose. Traces of coriander and banana also make an appearance. The flavor is very light, and for the most part, non-descript. Mild citrus sourness meets sweet doughy yeast. Everything tastes a bit watered down. Not as crisp as other Berliner Weisse’s I’ve had. Medium-thin body. Quite refreshing, especially at just 3%, but lacking substance.