4 way wheat beer tastings




Weihenstephan, Schneider, Franzikaner, Mine!

  Spring is here (not that we really had much of a winter) and that means its time to break out the wheat beers. Or as the Germans call it Weissbier. Sure America has wheat beer too, but this post isn't about those.  I stopped by the beverage distributer and grabbed 3 German weisse beers to compare - and of course added my own into the mix (This one). I had used the weihenstephan yeast for mine, so there should be some similarities.

 #1. Weihenstephan 
  We start with the Worlds oldest brewery. It also happens to be the only one that I have a matching glass for.
     Yellowish orange hazy. Pillowy white head.
      Fruity Belgian yeast aroma
      A little bread malt in flavor.  Refreshing light beer.  Yeast esters dominate the flavor.  It is a little tart with some citrus and maybe a hint of banana.
     The beer has good carbonation with a slight prickliness to it.

#2 Schneider Weisse "The original weiss beer"
   This one is a bit darker with an off-white head.  Sizzling carbonation.
   It has a cleaner aroma and flavor.  Not as light and refreshing as the last one.
   Lauren says it needs brats :)
   The flavor does have some yeast mixed with a mild maltiness - and perhaps some fruit?
   It has a good carboniation, but with less prickly.
   This beer has a slightly drying to the mouth in the finish. Is that tannins?

#3 Franziskaner Weissbier
   How can you not love a beer with a drunken monk on it?
  Pours light hazy orange with large creamy off white head.
  Mild yeasty aroma with a slight spiciness mixed with citrus and bread.
  This beer has a good wheat flavor with more of that spicy citrus.  It also has a slight drying of the mouth.
  Again highly carbonated with some prickly, but not overly soda like.
  Another great beer.  Similar to the weihenstephan one.  My Only complaint is the foil wrap that is impossible to get off if you want to reuse the bottle.

 #4 My 2nd run wheat beer
  One difference - this beer was kegged, while the others were all bottle conditioned.
  Nice light orange color.  Hazy, but it is starting to clear up a bit.  More translucent than the others, but not by a whole lot.  Pillowy white head.
  Mild yeast aroma.  Less of the clove/banana than I got on the initial tasting.  Leaves a slightly phenolic after taste.
  Flavor is bright and almost citrusy wheaty goodness.  Good carbonation.
  Definitely light and refreshing.

Overall:  Mine may be the overall most refreshing, but I think I like the more complex flavors of Weihenstphan and Franzikaner a little better.  To me, Schneider came in last place here.