Valencia Berliner Weisse
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

With the success of their summer seasonal, Meadoweisse, the brewers at West Sixth could easily rest on those laurels. But the curiosity to push those flavors to another level is just too much to ignore. Getting to work cutting, peeling and squeezing bushels of valencia oranges scratches those creative itches and delights the fans of their citrus-centric German styled sour wheat ale.

Valencia Berliner Weisse pours a slightly darker shade of gold, sliding into a soft and hazy peach hue. A a delicate swath of sea foam skirts the rim, those radiant citronella perfumes waft across the nose. Candied orange joins the citrus, cider and vinous scent of the sour ale within along with a scant and earthen note of weathered wood. Light sweetness of sourdough, taffy and honey grace the tongue briefly before the sourness takes hold.

Bright and sassy on the middle palate, the sourness flushes out the sweetness as a brisk acidity of dry french cider, lime, lemon, grapefruit, white grape and honeydew bring a juicy dryness and a strong acidic overtone. But the prized flavor is the citrusy envelope of valencia oranges that add a radiant, succulent and zesty attitude that seduces the tastebuds with ease. A late palate of citrus zest, white wine and a peppery softness of balsa adds balance, interest and an earthen offset to the fresh citrus taste.

Medium light on the palate, the beer prefers a heightened sense of flavor over the extreme acidity of more authentic versions, but the overlay of valencia oranges is way too seductive to ignore, taking the after palate into a sour creamsicle, sherbet-like direction.