Weihenstephaner Kristallweizenbock
Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

Opted on a six-pack of this even though I've heard some German beer fans give it a shrug at best -- but I guess I can't pass up a rarity.

Hefty price for a six-pack, too -- at $12. Sure wish I could read Weihenstephaner's date codes: 4077... not a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, but maybe bottled on April 7, 2017? Poured into my Libbey Weizenbier glass.

L -- Clear, pale gold with a dense, long-lasting, white head.

S -- Earthy, somewhat sulfury, clove spicy, mild vanilla.

T -- Bready yeast and some citrus fruit up front, mild graininess, vanilla and mild caramel notes back, spicy clove character balanced with peppery alcohol in the finish. There's a mild banana note in the aftertaste, but it's overpowered by a wheat graininess and peppery alcohol.

F -- Mouthfeel is soft to crisp with a light-medium body.

O -- A Weizen equivalent to a Maibock, but maybe a little stronger -- the spicy clove character intermingles with the peppery alcohol, so it's difficult to discern which is which, so the ABV hides well. The clove and vanilla-to-banana along with the typical wheat graininess leave no question that this is a Weizen, but the strength and complexity grab your attention and make you take notice.

RB transfer

Clean, golden color. Huge, white head. The aroma of wheat malt, banana ,and yeasts. Sweet malty taste with light bitterness for balance. An interesting variation of Weizen.

 

 

330 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 7.5%. Crystal clear golden colour, large white head. Pleasant aroma of floral and herbal hops, also notes of banana and cloves. Herbal hops in the medium sweet flavour too, also banana and cloves.

Pours clear golden yellow orange with a dense creamy white foam head. Notes of toasty cereal malty grains, a bit strong feeling, clean, wheaty, a little bit of esters and phenols like clove spice, bruised banana, hint of red apple, mild apricot, orangey citrus, and earthy floral hops. Feels lighter medium bodied, creamy smooth with moderate low carbonation. Overall a really nice kristallweizenbock.

 

 

 

This is the best beer Weihenstephaner ever produced. Truly a shame that it was a one-off. It had this floral & sweet taste that was totally unique, hard todescribe, and incredibly delicious. The only thing that I’ve had that has a hint of that same unique flavor is, oddly enough, Saison Dupont (a Belgian beer). Indeed, I now purchase Saison Dupont whenever I am craving a Weihenstephaner Kristallweizenbock, as it is the only thing that can hope to hit the spot. That being said, the Weihenstephaner Kristallweizenbock is a far superior beer.

If Weihenstephaner is listening, bring this back full-time. This was your best beer, by far. A masterwork 5/5.

Poured from 11.2 oz bottle into a Becker. Smells like sweet bread. Smooth, very drinkable, alcohol is not overpowering even though it is 7.5% ABV. I will definitely buy again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured from bottle to pils glass. Yellow gold liquid with a few fingers of soapy foam. Chill haze clears to reveal streams of carbonation. Aromas of banana, wheat, and spicy hop. Flavor is wheat, with a muted banana and touch of clove. Smooth and clean, and ridiculously easy to drink. Glass is emptied before I know it.