Welcome back to Beers of the Podcast! Today, we’re looking back at a tasty little number that I came across recently. A friend of mine knocked on my door last week brandishing a bottle of Klosterhof Bernsteinweizen, and proposed that we imbibe it immediately. This was my first encounter with a beer brewed in the historic German city of Heidelberg, and if this Klosterhof was anything to go by, it certainly shall not be my last.
First, let’s talk some facts and figures. The Bernsteinweizen is an Heferweizen with an ABV of 5.5%, and is brewed by the young Klosterhof brewery. Established in 2009, the brewery is dedicated to creating organic craft beers. This is the first time that the monastery has been used to brew beer, after a lengthy tradition of cider and wine brewing.
A sweet, delicate, almost simple weissbier, this Klosterhof surprised us on numerous occasions. Once poured, it has a honey-like body with amber edges and a long-lasting, frothy head.
At the nose, the beer’s subtle spices peak above its fruitiness. Josh was more enamoured with its aroma than I was, but we agreed that it is generally favourable.
Weissbier too often falls foul of being type-cast, but this Klosterhof exceeds expectations with its palate. Though it combines typical flavours of banana, coriander, orange zest and clove, its lightness and creamy finish set it apart. It lacks the dryness which accompanies many wheat beers, but this is a welcome departure. Aspiration extenuates the flavour drastically, particularly the banana notes.
Final score: would drink again (if we can get hold of it).
Blag The Universe 