What makes a beer a Berliner Weisse?
Berliner Weisse is low alcohol, tart, sour wheat beer that dates back to the 16th century from Northern Germany. Often served with a flavored syrup of Woodruff or raspberries. The tartness comes from lactic bacteria and traditional brettanomyces yeast strain.
What is the difference between a sour and a Berliner Weisse?
Unlike the classic Lambics of Belgium, which can be potently sour or funky to the point of being off-putting (think vinegar or feet), Berliners tend to be a milder and typically less funky sour.
How do you brew a Berliner?
Here is the process we use to produce our classic Berliner Weisse:
- Grist: 40% White Wheat Malt, 30% Bohemian Pilsner Malt, 30% Maris Otter.
- Brewing Water: Reverse Osmosis H2O with 1 ml of 10% phosphoric acid per gallon to all water used.
- Step Mash: 15 minutes at 130° F, 60 minutes at 155° F, then 5 minutes at 168° F.
How do you make a Berliner Weisse?
For Berliner weisse, here are the steps you need to know.
- Mash for 60 minutes between 146F-150F.
- Boil the wort for 10-15 minutes.
- Chill wort to 90F.
- Pre-acidify wort to a pH of 4.2 to help with the souring process and help with head retention.
- Pitch lactobacillus.
- Purge the kettle’s headspace with CO2, if you can.
Is Berliner Weisse a lager or ale?
Like many ales of its time, Berliner Weisse was the victim of the slow spreading, yet overwhelming popularity of lager. By the close of the 20th century there were only a few breweries in Germany still making the once beloved brew. By the turn of the century, there were only two, Berliner Kindl and Schultheiss.
Is Berliner Weisse bitter?
Bitterness, alcohol and residual sugar are very low, allowing the beer’s acidity, white bread and graham cracker malt flavors to shine. Carbonation is very high, adding to the refreshment factor this style delivers. Many examples of this style contain no hops and thus no bitterness at all.
How do you pronounce Berliner Weisse?
Berliner Weisse: Speaking of popular German beer styles, the tart Berliner Weisse beer style has been making a big splash in the U.S. as of late, but are you saying it correctly? Many English speakers say it the wrong way, like this: “Burr-Len-Er Whys”. Here’s how it’s actually pronounced: “Bear-Lean-Er Vice-Eh”.
How do you drink Berliner Weisse?
Berliner Weisse is often served in a bowl-shaped glass with flavoured syrups, such as raspberry (Himbeersirup), or artificial woodruff flavouring (Waldmeistersirup). The beer may also be mixed with other drinks, such as pale lager, in order to balance the sourness.
How do you pronounce Weisse?
Weizen/Weiss(e) The German words “weizen” (wheat) and “weiss” (white) are pronounced with a “v” sound as in “victory” at the beginning. Both words refer to the same style of unfiltered German ale in which at least half of the grain used is wheat.
What does Berliner Weisse beer taste like?
A Berliner Weisse is a white cloudy beer usually around 3% ABV that has a distinct taste of lactic acid, often making it taste sour.
Is Berliner Weisse a lager?
Like many ales of its time, Berliner Weisse was the victim of the slow spreading, yet overwhelming popularity of lager.
What is an imperial Berliner Weisse?
A pale German sour beer we’ve taken a little liberty with and pushed up the alcohol content. Clean and crisp with a tart lactic sourness.
Is Berliner Weisse a session beer?
Or go traditional and try a mixed fermentation with lactobacillus, yeast, and even Brettanomyces. However you choose to brew it, Berliner weisse is the perfect session beer as it’s refreshing and low in alcohol. Keep reading to find out exactly how to craft a perfect Berliner weisse.
What is Berliner Weisse and how is it made?
As is tradition in Berlin, Berliner weisse is often served with flavored syrup. American brewers take fruit additions to another level, adding fruit at each stage of the brewing process.
How long does it take to brew a kettle soured Berliner Weisse?
A kettle soured Berliner weisse can take about two weeks to finish. The brew day itself takes up to 48 hours, depending on how fast the pH drops in the kettle. But once the wort has been soured, the fermentation is the same as any other typical beer.
What are the best tastes for Berliner Weisse?
Woodruff or raspberry are the usual options. Don’t be shy to try – the flavor combinations are actually delicious – but be sure to taste it straight as well. American breweries tend to build innovative and flavor-packed interpretations of Berliner Weisse.