Though I do not purchase beer with weekly pairings in mind, I do think of pairing them up once I have them at home. It doesn’t always work out that way, but when it is at all convenient I try to put a couple together that make sense at least to me. So after two different versions of Pale Ale last week I am going with a few not so common styles/versions of wheat beers this week.
A very clear first beer for the week . . .
Brewery: Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan (Germany)
Name: Kristall Weissbier
Style: Weissbier (or I suppose Specialty Beer)
ABV: 5.40% (on bottle)
Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in an weizen glass.
Aroma: Light wheat character with a good balance of low spice and fruit (banana with some faint citrus) notes. Moderate intensity and pretty nice. – 7.5/12
Appearance: Pale straw color. Two plus finger fluffy white head that holds really well and leaves nice lacing on the glass. Extremely clear with rising bubbles visible. – 3/3
Flavor: Overall flavor is quite light with a very light grainy wheat profile. Faint esters (banana) with a very low hit of clovey spice. Finishes pretty dry and crisp with maybe a very low level of bitterness as a bit of malty sweetness lingers. – 10.5/20
Mouthfeel: Light in body with a moderate to high level of carbonation that lends some bite. Fairly smooth, but ends with a sharpness. – 3.5/5
Overall Impressions: A much more subtle version of a Hefeweizen (as expected). Falls somewhere halfway between a Hefeweizen and a nice Pilsner though in my opinion not a great zone for a beer to be in. Nothing really wrong with it, but nothing all that good as I find myself just wanting a good Pilsner to drink. With all of that said, it is quite easy drinking. – 6/10
Overall: B- (30.5/50)
Weihenstephaner - Kristall Weissbier
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