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)

6322781925 1d5c6256ed Weihenstephaner   Kristall Weissbier *

Weihenstephaner - Kristall Weissbier

 

As mentioned yesterday, I will continue on with a bit of an impromptu homage to Oktoberfest by posting an evaluation of a Bavarian Hefeweizen today.  Based on my efforts to date in trying to brew a beer of that style, I think I should leave it to the professionals for now.  Of course my efforts have only consisted of one try, so I will surely get back to giving it another go some day.

As a side note I should mention that the name for the brewery below is the long name for what is really Ayinger as you see on the bottle in the picture.  A second point of note is that I did not actually buy this beer as it was given to me after working at a beer festival.

Now to continue on with the run of reviews for the week . . .

Brewery: Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer (Germany)

Name: Bräu-Weisse

Style: Weizen / Weissbier

ABV: 5.10%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a weizen-like glass.  1pt 9oz bottle.

Aroma: Light spiciness with a low estery (banana?) aroma and a slight graininess underneath.

Appearance: Pale golden color.  One finger, cream color head with a moderate (or less) level of retention and leaving no trail.  Clear with a slight haze and with many bubbles visible rising at the center of the glass.

Flavor: Light fruitiness with a bit of tartness/sourness and a smooth grain/wheat flavor underneath.  A hint of spiciness is noticeable without any hop flavors or bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with a high level of carbonation that gives it some crispness.  Creamy and has a fullness on the palate.

Overall Impressions: Very enjoyable and smooth drinking with the flavors building nicely as I drink more.  Refreshing and light with well balanced components.

Grade: Solid B+

4290851334 16fe7aa971 Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer   Bräu Weisse

Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer - Bräu-Weisse

 

Making good on my thoughts from last week, today will be the first of a run of reviews that will go through Friday and possibly even Saturday.

Since Oktoberfest is now well underway in Munich I am going to start the week with a few beers that are brewed in that area of Germany.  I did not plan ahead for it to work out that way, but I like that it did.  A thank you goes out to the Carlins for sending this beer my way.

Now to start the week . . .

Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH (Munich, Germany)

Name: (Hefe) Weissbier

Style: Weizen / Weissbier

ABV: 5.00%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a weizen-like glass.

Aroma: Low spiciness with a hint of (banana-like) fruit and a light wheat aroma underneath.

Appearance: Light golden color.  Three finger, off-white head that is thick and frothy with a moderate retention level and leaving no real trail.  Clear with maybe a hint of haze and tons of tiny rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Well balanced, low banana-like flavor with a bit of spice and some graininess underneath.  No real hop flavors noticed.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with a moderate (or slightly higher) level of carbonation.  Very smooth and creamy on the palate.

Overall Impressions: A quite enjoyable and smooth mix of flavors with nothing overpowering the others.  Not sure exactly why, but I like it.

Grade: B (to B+)

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Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu GmbH - Weissbier

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