Brettanomyces Lambicus Berliner Style Weisse - Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof

JohnQVD

New York

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This growler was poured by The Birch in Norfolk, VA on 10/4 and opened on 10/6.

Straw colored with a thin head that dissipates quickly into a thin ring around the glass. Smell is floral, and sour citrusy, more grapefruit than orange. Taste is sour and bright. This is a really clean tasting sour, there's nothing cluttering up the palate, which to me makes it taste really fresh. Mouthfeel is light, but not thin. The light carbonation is amplified by its tang.

This is quite simply an enjoyable beer, which I think is accessible even to those who don't much care for the style (case in point is my wife, who doesn't generally like sours, but enjoyed this one thoroughly).

Serving type: growler

10-07-2012 22:03:52 | More by JohnQVD

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.73/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Review ##1400! Based on my review of a bottle I had awhile back I have always been wanting a large growler of this… Well, GBX delivered on this in the form of a one gallon growler. OH SNAP! Served from growler into a Green Man snifter. Poured golden yellow with a one finger pure white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, lemon peel, earth, tart, funk, and subtle bleu cheese. The flavor was of sweet malt, lemon zest, lemon rine, tart, sour, earth, and funk. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this is a great brew. I’m really glad it was raining all day so I could sit down and consume this entire growler in one day. At 3% ABV, this one definitely packs a punch on flavor and aroma. This Berliner definitely brings the goods for the style. If you have not had this brew before you need to fix that as soon as possible. I suggest trying it on tap as it was actually a lot more intense on the flavor aspect than the bottle. Just plain good.

Note: DO NOT drink an entire growler of this beer in a one-day session. You will regret it based on the pH imbalance in your stomach. You have been warned!

Serving type: growler

04-02-2012 12:29:23 | More by thagr81us

THECPJ

Delaware

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes: Huge thanks goes out to Jsanford for sending me a growler and a bottle of this to drink side by side.

appearance: hazy golden yellow with a 1 finger head

smell: tart, sour, wheat, lactic,

taste: sour, tart, wheat malts,

mouthfeel: mild carbonation, medium body,

overall: one of my favorite berliners. had such a nice balance between tartness and malt backbone. could drink this all day long. Wish it was easier to get. But I like the addition of brett into this beer, rather then just using lactobacillus. Nice touch.

Cheers,
The CPJ

Serving type: growler

03-05-2012 02:27:12 | More by THECPJ

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a bottle at Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston, MA

A: Pours a very hazy pale straw yellow with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and lemon yellow + golden yellow highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense foamy white head that slowly reduces to a medium sized medium thick cap with a very thin film surrounding it and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of tartness/sourness that I have come to expect for the style along with some definite notes of the brett (slightly funky sour). Underneath there are lighter notes of lemon, wheat, and grass.

T: Upfront this beer has a moderate to strong flavor of lemon tartness over the top of light to moderate flavors of wheat and something almost grassy. Then the brett funky sourness comes out and is moderately strong. Overall this beer is not too tart but there is a definitely sourness present.

M: Light bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Moderate amounts of acidic prickliness.

O: As someone who really enjoys this style and sourness to a beer in general, I am impressed with the amount of flavors packed into this beer considering the low ABV - I could drink many of these in a day. So refreshing!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 20:39:57 | More by dbrauneis

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml Bottle received in trade with Phyl21ca - thanks!

Appearance - Hazy yellow colour with a large size fizzy white coloured head. It's hard to make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is not much lacing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes.

Smell - Breads/grains, lemons, yeast/brett

Taste & Mouth - There is an above average amount of carbonation and I can taste bread/grains mixed with some tart lemon/citric notes. It ends with a tart lemony/citric brett aftertaste

Overall - Lots of mouth puckering sour flavour going on. But it still remains quite drinkable and refreshing even. It's a little one dimensional taste wise, but still a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:17:13 | More by spinrsx

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Aug.2011

Lightly hazed pale blonde, one finger of white head that went to nothing in seconds, no lace at all. Smell is full on funk, brett, fruity, lemons, acidic and almost lambic like on the nose, seriously funky stuff. Taste is funky and very tart, apple, lemon and other fruits as well, some brett mustiness, acidic and sour with a suprisingly bready malt aftertaste. High carbonation, dry and lightly syrupy. I had no idea how good this was going to be, had no idea what this even was at first, really impresive stuff here.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 14:59:28 | More by peensteen

macrosmatic

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Reviewed from notes. Had on-tap at Mr. Dunderbak's. Served in a goblet.
NOTE: This beer was served with some bright green sweet syrup on the side. Apparently a German traditional way of serving the beer. Tasting notes are without the syrup added.

A: Very pale clear yellow, with a small white head that fades to foam flecks. Low visible carbonation.

S: Mild, lemon tart, cracker (reminds me of saltines) malt, and a light peachy fruit with undertones of funk. Simple, but smells good.

T: Follows the nose. A lemony, lightly tart and a bit sour, with the cracker malt and tart at the end.

M: Light bubbly mouthfeel, essentially no noticeable alcohol, and good carbonation sensation.

O: This is a quality berliner. I'm not sure I picked up a lot of Brett funk in the flavor, but I didn't have the base beer to compare. As a side note, before the last quarter of the glass, I added a small amount of the green syrup to compare. The sweetness completely hid the sour and tart aspects of the beer, which to me ruined the appeal of the brew. I would not add the syrup again, but it was an interesting service. Per the bartender, it is served that way in Germany to make the sour beer more appealing to children.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2013 04:01:04 | More by macrosmatic

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Oh yes. Gimme, gimme that Brett. Nice funky tones, but mild ones. Some banana wrapped up in there. Super smooth and extremely easy to drink. This is a nice Berliner Weisse. Too bad we can't have more of them like this. Or, just more of them, period.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2013 16:09:19 | More by RblWthACoz

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a hazy pale yellow ale with a large pure white bubbly head with strong carbonation but not much retention or lacing. Aroma of funky barnyard notes and sour notes are more dominant then expected. Taste is a complex mix between loads of Brett with some tart and sour notes with a dry finish. Body is about average with strong carbonation. Interesting though maybe a tad too sour to be an everyday type of beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 17:01:57 | More by Phyl21ca

merc7186

New York

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Z Bar in State College PA, poured into a goblet glass.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Peach, Tropical Fruit, Funky, Mild Wheat

T: Wheat, Pineapple, Brett, Mild Wheat

M: Average Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Semi Drying, Mildly Acidic

Overall, WOW....that is one of the best Berliner Weiss beers I have ever had. Mildly Sour, Funky, Fruity all rolled into one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2012 01:12:18 | More by merc7186

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Churchkey in DC, poured into a tumbler.

A- Pours a hazy light yellow color with a finger of white head that quickly recedes, leaves little lacing.

S- Lemon, lots of wheat and light barnyard funk, a citrusy tartness is also noticeable.

T- Similar to the nose, lemony citrus, lactic acidity with bretty funk and wheat.

M- Light-bodied, smooth feel with a dry finish.

O- I really enjoyed this beer. It's a very tasty, drinkable Berliner, definitely give this a try if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2012 18:29:17 | More by WillCarrera

davey101

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stubby 11.2oz bottle into a tulip glass. Kept the sediment in the glass until the second pour.

A - Hazy light yellow/white body. Looks like peach juice. A massive white head forms and instantly fizzles away like a soda. Leaves behind no bubbles or head at all. Lots of rising carbonation.

S - Funky in the best way possible. Huge notes of brettanomyces. Dirty socks, wet and moldy hay, lemons, wheat, and a touch of oxidation. No idea how old this is (bottle is dusty) but this aroma is frickin intense!

T - Wet hay, lemon juice, wheat, and a touch of oxidized wet cardboard. Liquid funk with a nice mouth puckering sourness. The finish is very dry and spritzy, very seltzer like with lingering lactic acid.

O - Probably the best commercial berliner I've tried. Since the brett was so prominent I'm pretty sure this has a bit of age on it. Not as drinkable as others of the style though due to the intense sourness.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 01:58:16 | More by davey101

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Schneider weizen glass at Local Option.

I remember having this back-to-back with the un-brett-ed version, but I never got around to getting my thoughts together. Here we go a-rectifyin'. This stuff pours a clear pale straw topped by a finger of white foam. The nose comprises lemon rind, wheat, light brett, and grass. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a light but distinct cut of tart lemon. The body is a hefty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry, sticky finish. Overall, a very nice B-Weiss, one that seems helped a touch by the brett addition.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2012 19:17:26 | More by TMoney2591

FosterJM

California

3.58/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1555th Review on BA
Draft to Tulip

@Beer Revolution, Oakland, CA

App- This was highly pale yellow. Looked a lot like a AAL and was very clear. The head...oh wait. Wasnt one. Small ring of bubbles. Just kinda awkward looking.

Smell- It had some nice aromatics but was just kinda meh to me. Was a bit earthy, grassy and lactic. Didnt wow me. Was lacking depth, interesting notes of lemon, wheats.

Taste- Well its a very tasty beer. Not really sure how the aromatics drop off and then this tastes vibrant, lemony and a bit floral with a bit of tea. Just quite tasty. Not quite Fritz 1809 level but still above average.

Mouth- A bit of a thin body with a high carbonation level. Residual grape juice flavors with a bit of grassy lemon.

Drink- This was all over the place with its individual parts. All that mattered is that it tastes good. Probably would want a bottle but wont actively seek it out.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2012 06:21:12 | More by FosterJM

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 09/21/12 notes. Had this on tap at Max's in Baltimore at their German Beerfest.

a - Pours a hazy straw yellow color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of lemon, citrus, floral hops, grains, earthy notes, and light lactic notes. Pretty nice; not as sour or funky as I was hoping though.

t - Tastes of citrus, lemon, funk, lactic notes, sour lemons and fruit, grains, and floral hops. Much better than the nose with some nice funk and sourness to it. Certainly not too sour, but enough to make it enjoyable.

m - Light body and low carbonation. Light acidic notes, but overall pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a pretty nice berliner. Not super sour or anything, but the taste has some light sourness and funk to it which I liked a lot. Worth checking out and I would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 16:03:59 | More by mdfb79

womencantsail

California

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Incredibly pale yellow color with a huge white head. The nose is very light and lactic. Lemon peel, straw, and a light funkiness. Very minimal malt or wheat aromas. The flavor is, somehow, even lighter. Very spritzy. Light lemon peel, a touch of grass, and the lightest flavors of wheat. Just a hint of tartness on the finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 21:55:31 | More by womencantsail

Damian

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from an 11.2 fl.oz. bottle purchased at Bauer Wines & Spirits, Boston, MA
Served in a chalice

With a very careful pour, so as not to disturb the massive amounts of sediment in the bottom of the bottle, the beer poured an absolutely crystal clear, pale straw yellow. The liquid was topped by a bubbly, effervescent, bright white head that disappeared within seconds.

The nose was quite underwhelming. Powdery and dry. Slightly wheaty and tart. Touch of lemon. Overall, rather tame.

The flavor profile had a lot more punch than the nose. Crisp, snappy, wheaty and tart right off the bat. Super sour, even for the style. Good amount of bitter lemon peel. Some powdery yeastiness. Slightly funky with noticeable brett influence. The finish was ultra dry and tart. Somewhat wheaty. This beer really got my salivary glands going.

The body was quite light with an aggressive, large-bubbled, Champagne-like effervescence. It really stood out as being unique.

Berliner weisses are one of my favorite styles of beer to drink in the summer. Although this example was quaffable and refreshing, it could have benefitted from more complexity.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 03:27:21 | More by Damian

ngeunit1

California

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a very hazy golden-yellow color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of lemon zest, grass, funky, wheat, with some good Brett and farmhouse smells.

T - Starts off with some strong tart and sour lemon and Brett with some wheat. Through the middle, more tart and acidic lemon comes through with some stronger funk and Brett flavor. The finish is a mix of strong acidic and tart lemon alongside Brett, farmhouse flavors, and grains.

M - Light bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a very tart, funky, and acidic finish.

D - Very drinkable. Powerfully funky and tart, but extremely tasty. Really nice complexity.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 05:41:06 | More by ngeunit1

eatabagofbooger

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a pretty pale gold/straw colour with a small, but aggressive head. The head disappears almost immediately (hence the low score), but still bubbles aggressively. Most unusual.

S: Funk, lemons, wet grass. Smells like Spring!

T: Now things are really looking up! Wonderful sweet-tart flavour! Lemons, funk, grass. Strong white grape notes. Kinda like a really dry sparkling white wine (in appearance as well, given the lack of head). Really tart, but with just enough sweetness to balance it out nicely. Really really really freaking good! The brett is present, but not dominant. The lacto comes out much stronger. I wonder what this would do with some age? Ultimately, this is a style I really enjoy and this is the best tasting example I've come across by a wide margin. Hence, the 5.

M: In spite of the lack of head, the carbonation is quite ample, which works well for this beer. Dry. Very dry. Bone dry. I like! Light, zesty, and lively.

O: I was a bit weary based on the look and smell of this beer, but the taste and mouthfeel are just spot on, and that's far more important to me. This is a perfect late Spring/early Summer beer. Refreshing, but still complex and interesting. Plus, at 3%, you can drink in the Summer heat without worrying too much about getting wasted or dehydrated. I'm definitely going to pick up a couple more of these while I can.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 23:49:09 | More by eatabagofbooger

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Blue Monk. A good tartness, akin to an unsweetened lemonade, with a little brett and I believe malt to make it drinkable. Very good drinkability, suitable carbonation. Yellow body with a small white head. A good representation of what is often a yummy style.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2012 20:36:33 | More by northyorksammy

msarver16

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served from tap to 11oz tulip at Tapestry in Philadelphia.

Smells like your typical Berliner Weiss. Innocent with a hint of citrus and wheat.

Taste blows me away. Sour, Tart lemon that puckers my cheeks, in a refreshing and give me more kind of way. Incredible.

This beer is perfect for almost everybody. A must buy if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 03:10:14 | More by msarver16

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle poured into a flute

Pours a pale, cloudy yellow with a soapy, fizzy, paper white cap. Cap is quick to fade and leaves no discernible lacing. A little bit of sediment settles at the bottom of the glass.

A burst of lemon and lime attack the olfactories while clean toasted wheat holds down the back end. The Brett addition adds a good dose of barnyard funk.

Sour pounces on the palate. Huge lemon and slightly damp hay before a rush of barnyard funkiness. Clean, dry, tart finish. The sourness really lingers, leaving a film over your teeth.

Light body. Amazingly clean, crisp, and dry. Good lingering sourness with just the right amount of funk.

A pleasant surprise. I've been on a big berliner weiss kick lately and this has easily been the best I have had. The addition of brett and the amount of tartness present here, just cannot be beat. Awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 20:44:38 | More by ColForbinBC

jtingue

New York

3.53/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Blue Monk in Buffalo, NY

Appearance. Hazy very light straw in color. Served with 2 fingers of head. Light enough to be almost luminescent.

Smell. Very clean sour, with lemon juice and heavy brett influence. Some very light bready malts in the background, white bread.

Taste. Starts off hugely sour, to a point where it cuts any other flavors out for a while. The sourness is beyond anything else that I have ever had before, except maybe those warheads that were popular amongst my friends as a child. The only thing to be said is that the this is a super clean, dry and refreshing sourness. After this initial wave there is a very nice, simple, clean shortbread-like malt presence that balances out the sourness. Brett presence throughout. Dry and crisp finish... refreshing.

Mouthfeel. Very thin in body with a moderate to high amount of carbonation. Overall the mouthfeel aids in the refreshment aspect of the beer.

I wouldn't want to bash this one for being overly sour, as it is a berliner weisse. I just wish is held on to the hint of malt that you get just before the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2012 23:44:15 | More by jtingue

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Jason, 330ml into a tulip.

Pear juice like colour, murky yellow with a real transient head. No retention or lacing as expected. Nose is super lactic, lemon, weird funk notes (maybe some urine?) and wheat. Taste has a shredding lactic sourness, wheat and paler malt character, mild lemon. A really ripping tartness within the style (not on the level of some lambics however) that takes a bit of time to acclimatize to. Some green apple skins as well. Light, watery body and a puckering lingering drying mouthfeel. A solid berliner, refreshing if often overpowering. Would love to try this with some syrups.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 18:02:06 | More by liamt07

birchstick

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a cloudy pale yellow with a nice head. Nose is sour lemons with a bit of Bretty funk. Taste is sharp, sour lemons up front that move to a bit of a funkiness then a lot more sourness. Really nice Berliner. Spritzy, carbonation leaves a dry finish. Overall, this is a really nice Berliner, best I have had to date. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 03:46:08 | More by birchstick