Is "Berliner weiss" considered a sour beer style?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by diesel59, Jun 23, 2012.

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  1. diesel59

    diesel59 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2012 New York

    just picked up two 22oz. bottles of Full Sail's yesterday.... I think it is very good, but it is kind of sour... would this be considered a "sour beer"... the ones i see everyone posting about.... thanks
     
  2. LambicKing

    LambicKing Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Germany

    Short answer - yes.

    Long answer - yes.
     
  3. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    It's a soured wheat beer. I believe they use lactic acid to sour it instead of microorganisms. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
     
  4. dbossman

    dbossman Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2009 Nebraska

    A Berliner Weiss is one of many styles that fall under the umbrella of "sour" beers. Other styles underneath this umbrella include American Wild, Flanders Oud Bruin, Flanders Red, Faro, Geuze, and Lambic among others.
     
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  5. chanokokoro

    chanokokoro Initiate (0) Jan 31, 2012 Illinois

    I believe you're right. Fantastic style, especially for summer drinking.
     
  6. bierfreundlich

    bierfreundlich Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2011 California

    It's traditionally an unboiled wort, meaning that is doesn't get cooked after the mash, and the hops are added during the mash. Then a strain of Lactobacillus is used for souring. There are other ways to do it. But that is the historical way. Try 1809, a berliner-weisse from Dr. Fritz Briem...if you can find it. Personally, my favorite berliner-weisse of all time.
     
  7. bierfreundlich

    bierfreundlich Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2011 California

    but yes, it is a sour beer. a sour wheat beer to be exact.
     
  8. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    Sour is as sour tastes...

    Well unless.....(you make own sarcastic comment)

    Cheers!
     
    afrokaze likes this.
  9. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    1809 is a rubbish Berliner Weisse. This what it gets wrong:

    acidity - nowhere near sour enough
    colour - too dark
    carbonation - too little
    ABV- too high
    no brettanomyces, which according to the VLB is essential to get the authentic flavour.

    It's also totally wrong for a Berliner Weisse of 1809. At that time it was a smoked beer.

    A fail on every count really. Plus I don't think it tastes very nice.
     
  10. harrymel

    harrymel Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2010 Washington

    Not many are familiar with VLB, how did you come to know of the VLB? My buddy just graduated in July last year.
     
  11. unclejazz

    unclejazz Maven (1,287) Oct 24, 2011 New York

    Full Sail made a good effort, but I just thought their Berliner Weisse was aiight. I proclaimed this I be the summer of the Berliner Weisse. Still loving Bruery's Hottenroth. I will say the Full Sail version is a good summer beer, not great, but good.
     
  12. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Doesn't every serious beer person know what the VLB is? They're one of the best sources of information on German beer.
     
    BrettHead, herrburgess and Zimbo like this.
  13. szmnnl99

    szmnnl99 Pooh-Bah (1,904) Apr 3, 2006 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    I must not be a serious beer person. Please speak loudly as it is hard to hear you from way down here.
     
    Tschnab, ZacJay, WolvAlerine and 11 others like this.
  14. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    HASN'T EVERYONE HEARD OF THE VLB?
     
  15. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,738) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    NO, WHAT IS VLB??????
     
    Ernest_Hooper and szmnnl99 like this.
  16. beerme411

    beerme411 Initiate (0) Sep 28, 2010 California

    Nope, also what would be good examples of Berliner Weisse? does Telegraph Reserve wheat count? The abv of 5% is high, but it matches everything else. from their website:

    "This sour "wild ale" recalls the earliest rustic beers crafted centuries ago before brewers had an understanding of controlled fermentation. Brewed with the addition of locally grown lemon verbena herb, as well as lactobacillus and wild brettanomyces yeast, Telegraph Reserve Wheat is an all-together different beast from modern beer. Not for the faint of heart, this special brew is available in extremely limited quantities."

    It's hard to find a good example in the US. if reserve wheat and hottenroth don't count ( i don't think festina peche is good example) then I need to keep searching.
     
  17. joshrosborne

    joshrosborne Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2010 Michigan

    Buzz-ZING!!!
     
  18. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Never had an American-brewed Berliner Weisse, so I can't comment on any of those beers.

    The best one I've tried was Schultheiss. The East Berlin one. Sadly long gone.
     
  19. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

  20. hopsbreath

    hopsbreath Savant (1,133) Aug 28, 2009 Florida

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