Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving Type - Bottle

Appearance - Light golden tan with a monster white 3 + inch head with tons of lacing.

Smell - Much like a hefe, banana, clove, yeasty, light floral fruits, lemon and bubble gum.

Taste - Light, crisp apples, lemon, banana and yeasts at first sip. FLoral and bready flavoring. More smoother and not as flavorful as a hefe. Lots of banana and clove all throughout the tasting.

Mouthfeel - Very light and easy on mouth. Banana yeast and fruits coat tounge. Palate gets more of the same with a little tart at the finish. Aftertaste is yeasty and dry.

OVerall - Very light, smooth and easy to drink. A Step down from a hefe, lacks the flavors, crispness, and overall feel. Still tasty and soild and for sure worth a drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 00:35:22 | More by wvsabbath

magictacosinus

California

4.06/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured out of a 500ml bottle into a weizen glass.

Off yellow, golden color? Check. Lots of champagne-like bubbles? Check. Huge, fluffy head endlessly coating the top of the glass? Check! I must be drinking a Weihenstephan product once again. Seriously, I let this carelessly sit around for over 25 minutes and the head never went away. Great lacing on the glass. The only thing here that's seriously different from the hefeweizen is the clear, unfiltered, yet classic kristal look. There's a golden, near bready looking hue that makes this distinguishable from their pilsner (as well as the fluffy, egg-white looking head), but otherwise, it's what it's supposed to be.

Despite being a kristalweizen, this contains nearly as huge yeasty, banana like phenols as their hefe. There's a fruity, succulent feel to the aroma that makes this instantly irresistible. The phenols linger around, and are slowly pressed out by spiced coriander and lemon peel. Why do people add lemon slices to beers like these? They are already full of enough citrus-based notes! Other than that, there's a dash of sugar cane, a little bit of bread, and some lightly tinged boozy characteristics. Not too complex, but still pretty refreshing.

The flavor follows suit from the aroma, but there are several key differences. First off, the yeasty texture is a little less prominent here, and grainy/hoppy characteristics come out rather balanced. The wheat flavor is present, but this being an unfiltered beer, not as heavy on the palate... Or the gut for that matter. A surprising amount of alcohol reveals itself at the back of the throat, which adds a little bit of muscles to this. Combined with the graininess, it's a little bit astringent, but it still does the trick. This may be less heavy in texture, but it's still very carbonated, which gives a rather thickened drinking experience, even though the finish is a bit watery. Still loaded with good flavor, especially on the banana-cream side.

To summarize, this is crisp, refreshing, and simple - but still a great product as always from Weihenstephan. This is very easy to drink and should do good for any occasion that I want a world-class take on a kristalweizen when I'm not feeling like packing myself with the far breadier characteristics of a hefe. If there's any beer I'll drink representing this style... This is the one. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 05:16:23 | More by magictacosinus

XxNitExX

Nebraska

4.24/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Poured into Pilsner Glass from bottle

A- Pours straw yellow with a nice small white head. Perfectly clear (as the style should be)

S- Smells like a subdued Hefe. Banana, clove, wheat and hops but none are over powering.

T- Tastes like it smells. More banana than any other flavors but not a strong flavor either.

M- Very smooth, very easy to drink.

Overall this is a very good introductory beer. Also is a great cleanser between different beers and I can see it going with loads of different foods. Not over powering but not bland either. Fits the style perfectly.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 03:12:04 | More by XxNitExX

Kerrie

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Let me start off by saying that this isn't a bad beer, but I'm a bit disappointed. I loved the Hefeweissbier and the Dunkelweizen (albiet a little less) and this one just doesn't come close.

A- The beer looks great. While I tend to prefer darker colors, it's an attractive yellowish gold with a nice, thick head, a bit of lacing, and bubbles floating to the top even as the glass is almost finished. That said, it's not what I was expecting, as the label says "crystal clear" under the name, so I expected even lighter.

S- The beer smells better, and more complex, than it tastes. It has a similar smell to that of the Hefeweissbier. Quite light and fruity.

T- This is where I was disappointed as the taste didn't live up to the strong, sweet smell. It's a bit weak and flavorless, and I don't taste the banana or bubblegum that others mention. That said, the aftertaste is pleasant.

M- Light, not too thick or thin, though.

Overall, I think it'd be a great summer beer, and I may try it again on a hot summer afternoon. Then again, if I like the Hefeweissbier better and that's the same price, I'll probably skip this and go with that, as that's still light as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 00:39:50 | More by Kerrie

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Into a weizen glass:

A: light yellow body, two finger foamy white head dies down to a light clinyg film over top of the body. Some light carbonation is seen rising.

S: yeast up front with big wheat malt coming through as the beer warms. Some light clove makes a slight presence in the smell as we'll

T: balanced between sweet and bitter through the "kristal" malts and previously mentioned flavors. The aftertaste has an acceptable wheat bit

M: medium with some harshness on the tongue. It leaves a sticky finish. It is mostly drinkable.

O: well, if I knock this, there would probably be an earthquake in Germany as most of my ancestry would be rolling in their graves. With all honesty, I can say I do like this, good for me, and superior to its style, however its probably better in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 19:55:48 | More by kangarooAdam59

scratch69

Missouri

4.01/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured a bottle into a weizen glass.

Appearance- Clear, pale golden color with two fingers worth of white foamy head. Fair amount of patchy lacing.

Smell- Clove and banana aroma with some wheat malt .

Taste- Wheat malt flavor with notes of banana and clove.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied, crisp, and generously carbonated.

Overall- Nice and refreshing. I prefer the unfiltered version but this is still a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 21:39:55 | More by scratch69

BierStein711

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great beer!!

500 ml bottle poured into Erdinger Weizen

Three finger head with a pale gold body, moderate carbonation

Smells grassy and herbal

Tastes of clove, bubblegum, and malt, this beer is not complex. But, good beer does not have to be complex to be good!

Mouthfeel: Smooth and warming!

Overall, this is a good beer. Not the best Weihenstephaner, but I have enjoyed this brewery's portfolio.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 18:35:23 | More by BierStein711

acelin

Kansas

4.23/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Wiehenstephaner wheat beer glass.

Pours a clear golden color, very simliar to the hefe but you can see clear through the beer. No haze. No yeast floating in this brew. Huge head with decent lacing.

Smells of clove, slightly green bananas, but less so than the normal hefe.

Taste is very clean, very dry, with more banana than clove, and the wheat malt certainly dominates more so than in the hefeweizen. No yeast flavors.

Mouthfeel is good, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 17:20:42 | More by acelin

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours superbly clear, like ginger ale in color, with yellow straw tendencies. The head is massively smooth and white with tightly packed bubbles. The body is extremely clear with lots of bubbles running up from the bottom of the glass. Lacing is slippery, sticky with fat and thick with walls along the sides of the glass like latte foam. On the nose the beer smells cleanly of wet banana and clove with nice light yeast notes and slight spices from the wheat. The beer tastes similarly bananay with clove notes with slight tingly mint in the aftertaste. The beer begins as clean light wheat malt before opening into heavy banana notes with light clove hints, and slowly closing out into minty lingering. On the mouth this beer is superbly clean with light bubbling prickles. The beer turns slightly syrupy as it moves over the tongue with light to medium body, and it leaves the tongue slightly dry and very clean. Overall, this is a superbly clean weizen beer. I admittedly have never had a kristalweizen before, but as far as I can tell from style descriptions this beer meets them beautifully, marrying clean mouthfeel with the banana and clove flavors of a hefeweizen. A great beer with awesome wheat character.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 04:34:56 | More by Maxwell

SLeffler27

New York

4.23/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fills a Weihenstephaner weizen with crystal clear, pale yellow beer and streaming fine carbonation that builds a four-inch, creamy white head. The head drops to a meringue, leaving patchy lacing.

The aroma is crisp with strong yeasty grain that is clean and fresh with some coriander notes.

Crisp with some apple and sourdough. The finish is light and quick with some acidity. Some banana is found with a hint of tart berries in this outstandingly balanced beer.

A medium body with explosive carbonation and cleansing light alcohol. There is a pleasant sharpness.

This is a great drinking beer on its own, with lively conversation, or with a meal.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:30:12 | More by SLeffler27

TappaKeggaBrew

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Liquid-gold color, with a frothy white head of 2-3 fingers initially, fading to a thin layer with decent lacing. It's clear, but not "crystal" clear, despite the name -- there was a touch of haziness looking through the Weizen glass.

S: Not quite as rich and complex as its unfiltered cousins, it still sported the expected citrus notes, pepper, cloves, and hints of banana.

T: Tart and spicy up front, with a strong wheat flavor quickly taking over. There was a late bitterness, but at least some of it seemed to be of a non-hops origin.

M: Crisp and nicely carbonated, with that typical Weizen dryness in the finish.

O: Decent, but truly an "also ran" compared with a good Hefeweizen.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 04:51:34 | More by TappaKeggaBrew

bmike86

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I picked up a half liter bottle of Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier from Hyvee Liquors in Pella, IA.

Appearance --- clear light golden yellow color, carbonation bubbles flowing steadily. Two finger white head that withers down, lace left trailing down the glass

Smell --- subtle scents of bread, floral, banana

Taste --- like a lighter hefeweizen

Mouth feel --- smooth and crisp, light to medium body with a solid carbonation to it

Overall --- I enjoyed this offering, it is a nice change of pace offering from Weihenstephaner. I would definitely recommend trying, to say the least. This beer has definitely earned its way into my rotation. With that said, I still prefer their not filtered weizens.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 18:01:22 | More by bmike86

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-11-15 in Danville, KY

A - Crystal-clear light yellow with a pillowy 3-finger white head that sticks around. Tons of bubbles from the bottom of the glass. Mild lacing.

S - Some clove, light banana and fresh wheat bread.

T - Plenty of banana, clove, citrus tart, yeast, lightly malted wheat grain, touch of pepper but not real spicy.

M - Light-medium body and medium-high carbonation. Touch of creaminess amidst the crisp bubbles.

O - Refreshing. Not overly complex. Simple, well-balanced, doesn't demand a lot out of you but satisfies. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 22:49:21 | More by Tucquan

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Nov 2012. Picked up a while back from a supermarket. It will be interesting to see how this compares to the Weihenstephaner hefeweissen.

Poured into my York Beer fest pint glass (tall & narrow). A clear golden hue with extreme carbonation. Produces a huge head of creamy white foam with superb retention; this lasts for ages before slowly subsiding to a thick surface layer. A warm, fruity aroma with notes of banana, clove, bubblegum, spice and a hint of yeast. Somewhat sweet and pretty dry. Lovely.

Tastes of fruity yeast esters with a dry finish. Notes of banana, clove, bubblegum, spice, a hint of stewed hops and a twinge of yeast. Underpinned by mild grainy malt, while a very faint cardboard staleness lurks in the background. Dry, with no bitterness to speak of. Mouthfeel is smooth and tingly with good carbonation. Nice body - thick and almost creamy. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of fruity esters and spice.

Very good - the essence of a classic weissbier is captured perfectly in the flavour and aroma. It looks great, while the smell and taste meet expectations. Only the mouthfeel falls short of the mark: it just doesn't quite have the body that the unfiltered version of this beer possesses. Ultimately it's depth of character that is reduced in this kristall; the hefeweissen just has something extra. However, it remains beautifully crafted and highly drinkable. Well worth sampling.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 00:04:46 | More by jazzyjeff13

AmitC

Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

4th and second last beer out of the 5 pack.

Poured into the traditional weissbier glass. What a beauty. Pale golden color. Huge, huge head more than 4 fingers thick. White color. Fluffy. Foam like. Stays for 5 minutes or so and then dissipates into a thin disappearing layer. Extremely clear and transparent. Clearer than a crystal. Excellent lacing.

Smell is a little subdued. Wheat, cloves and banana. Just the regular stuff.

Taste is very much the nose, with dominant banana and wheat flavors. Less spicy than hefeweissbier. Less complex.

Mouth feel: Medium light to slightly fuller feel. Effervescent and refreshing. Little tart due to carbonation, which is not seen but felt.

German purity at its best. Lack of yeasts, takes something away from the taste and smell, but for its style, it is near perfect.

Style rating : 4.25-4.5 overall. Personal preference: 3.25.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 23:19:36 | More by AmitC

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier has an extremely thick, rocky, dense, white head and a clear, yellow-golden, bubbly appearance, with heavy lacing left on the glass. The aroma is predominately of coriander, with some background white bread. Taste is of coriander spice, white bread, sugar, and there is just the faintest bitterness. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier finishes somewhat crisp, mostly dry, refreshing, and easily drinkable. Overall, this is a most excellent beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 14:33:35 | More by RonaldTheriot

doktorhops

Australia

3.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Quite possibly the last of the Weihenstephaner's left to cross off my list: Kristallweissbier! The reason it has taken so long to give it a try is because I've never really fathomed a Kristalweizen - for me you take away from a beer (any beer) when you filter it, which is why many of the brews that I love and want to marry one day are bottle conditioned, aka with the yeast still floating around adding interesting flavours. In any case it wouldn't do an upstanding brewer like Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan justice if I didn't review as many of their beers as I humanly could, and here we are.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a Weizen glass.

A: Atypical Kristalweizen clear golden body with a bold one inch white froth head that slowly dissipates down to around half an inch.

S: Has classic Weizen aromas of banana and cloves, there is some musty yeast thrown in as well. Also noted is a more grainy fragrance, like in a Euro Lager, and that yeast comes through very musty (only mentioned this a second time as it distracts the other aromas quite a bit).

T: The Weizen flavours are less pronounced in this than expected (if it was on a scale from 1 to 5 and your typical Weizen sat between 4-5 this beer would be a 1). It actually has more of a Helles taste leaning towards a sourdough yeast funk, grain sweetness with a slight bitter finish. There is some weird sulphur tang in the finish as well. An odd brew here.

M: Not as creamy as a straight Weiss, with a medium body and an almost flat carbonation, though it has warmed a little.

D: Overall I wouldn't rate the style highly, even less so with this brew, if the mighty Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan can't make a decent Kristalweizen then what hope do the rest have. That being said I'm not entirely familiar with the style (outside of ordering it by mistake whilst travelling through Germany) I have never had a compulsion to buy and drink them. So who knows, what I think may be a flaw in this brew is a par excellence for another drinker.

Food match: Paring with some sort of a Helles-Weizen hybrid could be a living Hell (puns; Germans love puns!), but I think it is safe to say a plate of Weisswurst, Sauerkraut, Spaetzle, Bratkartoffeln and a healthy dollop of Senf would go quite well with this.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 09:31:38 | More by doktorhops

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Opened this one to deglaze my bacon pan... Had like 3/4 the bottle left to drink. A double win.

A: Huge white head. Beer itself is pale wheat color.

S: A subtle wheatiness. Not many other smells but that isn't a bad thing.

T: For what it is the taste is really nice. Its a very light beer but the wheat note is the star. There aren't any offputting notes and it's a pretty nice beer to drink. A little fruity sweetness maybe in the finish.

M: For such a light and carbonated beer this really sits perfect (probably helps that it's pretty warm at this point). It sits with a light medium body but there is great flavor development and the bubbles have no harshness.

Overall a very nice lighter beer. It's an easy drinker and way better than other light beer I've ever had. Not something I would have another of due to the light nature of it but the execution is killer.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 15:53:03 | More by Jamesthebrit

tectactoe

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Pours a golden yellow with exceptional clarity and a constant stream of bubbles rising from the etched bottom. The head was a nice, foamy white that retained excellently and left a decent amount of lacing behind. The nose hit with a familiar clove and banana scent, reminiscent of the hefeweisen style. The taste was also full of clove with a hint of banana, along with a sweet, yeasty, biscuity flavor that followed. The alcohol comes out at the end of the sip and sits in your mouth, however it doesn't burn (low ABV, here), it's just noticeable. Slight bubblegum-like sweetness goes hand in hand with the malts as well. Unlike many hefes, however, I feel the taste is "thin" and somewhat lacking, with an aftertaste that is just a bit too watery. The body is fairly thin and very crisp with a heavy does of carbonation (once again, common to this style).

Very nice hefeweisen. Easy to drink, sweet, and overall tasty. Slightly lacking in flavor compared to other hefes out there (including more by Weihenstephaner), but good nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 00:42:00 | More by tectactoe

socon67

New York

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Golden color with a white foam that retains well.

S - More of a floral scent than the hefeweisen. Still has the smell of cloves, and the banana smell is more faint.

T - Crisp clean taste. Very sharp taste of noble hops and grain. Very raw flavoring.

M - Very sessionable. Just a nicely rich german beer that is light on the palate.

O - Not a style I'd go after again, but this was enjoyable. I'm still preferential to the Hefe.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 21:29:45 | More by socon67

mjurney

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle, One Pint, 0.9 fl. Oz.

Clear, golden color. Few bubble rising. Thick bright white head.

Lots of banana in the nose, some cloves, a little citrus, bready wheat.

Banana up front along with sweet bready malts. Cloves comes thought the taste, I get some hint of apples, raw cookie dough, slight touch of lemony towards the finish. Body is almost creamy, very soft carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 00:02:43 | More by mjurney

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tall glass. Three fingers of head. Clear, golden color with lots of bubbles.
Smells like apples and wheat.
It also tastes like apples, and banana with a slight bitterness.
Crisp texture, moderate carbonation and medium body. Clean finish.
Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 19:25:08 | More by Fatehunter

mintjellie

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Gushing carbonation on opening. Pale straw colour. Large, finely-textured white head is retentive and leaves a patchy lace. Wheat cracker aroma with hints of lemon and banana. Flavours of sweet white bread, clove, and banana. Light-bodied and heavily carbonated. Carbonation, though abundant, is soft and very finely textured. I prefer the richer mouthfeel and stronger flavours in the regular weiss, but this still succeeds on its own merits.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 01:09:44 | More by mintjellie

Stalbie

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Serving type: Bottle

A: Golden straw colour with plenty of fizz and a nice big white head. Little lacing

S: Sweet malts with some wheat and a hint of nuts. Hints of banana, pepper and bubblegum

T: Creamy, bready malts are sweet and balances well with the hops. There is slight bitterness from the hops, but the spicy pepper, cloves come through straight away, and finishes with a fruity whack of banana and bubblegum. Well balanced

M: Medium bodied, carbonation is good. Refreshing

O: A great beer that I would definitely try again

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 19:00:31 | More by Stalbie

Kromes

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Pilsener glass. Like the name says, crystal clear. A pale straw/yellow color with a tornado of carbonation. The carbonation looks like wisps of smoke coming up from the tapered bottom of the glass. A huge hand width of shaving cream white head on top that stands on the beer due to the neverending carbonation. That's a good lookin' beer. The aroma coming off of the beer is very similar to the Hefeweizen. Some wheat, banana and bubble gum. Bubble gum/banana flavors, the taste is similar to a Hefe with a little bit more honey malt and grassy hop flavor. Feel is very light and spicy from the carbonation. There is a big difference in the feel. The smoothness of an unfiltered wheat beer is not there. This makes the beer kind of thin. Definitely a tasty, well-crafted beer. I'll be having more of this during the many German Beer fests in the coming months. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 21:49:23 | More by Kromes