Lichtenhainer
Live Oak Brewing Company
- From:
- Live Oak Brewing Company
- Texas, United States
- Style:
- Lichtenhainer
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 3.2%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #19,701 - Avg:
- 3.93 | pDev: 9.41%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 7
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 30, 2022
- Added:
- May 23, 2015
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Lichtenhainer is a Berliner Weisse-style beer that vanished in the 1980s, named after the suburb of Jena, Germany. Both beechwood smoked pilsner malt and oak smoked wheat malt contribute to the refreshing lemony tartness from kettle-souring with lactobacillus.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
4.63/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.63/5 rDev +17.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours from the can with a tan tinged golden and a thick three finger cap. The smoked notes hit up front. Lots of smoke on the sip as well, with a refreshing tartness. It’s packed with flavor, and with such a low abv.
Dec 30, 2022
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Texas
3.57/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.57/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
On-draught @ Live Oak. $3 per 200ml.
Twangy and acidic with a pleasant wheat backbone. Sourness is mild and the ostensible smokiness isn't present.
Balanced and enjoyable, but where's the smoke?
B- / WORTHY
***
07/17/22 12 fl oz can ($11.99 USD per sixer at Live Oak):
3.2% ABV.
Subtle smoked malt accents the finish, but it's all pleasant lactic acid acidity and fresh wheat up front. Subtly smacky in its mild sourness, subtly smokey without being harsh, and shockingly still refreshing given the aforementioned.
More complex than anyone would reasonably expect a 3.2% ABV beer to be (apart from maybe a patersbier/enkel).
In classic Live Oak fashion, it's a better expression of the German style than you're likely to find anywhere else stateside. Even if Live Oak clings a bit too close to plain beechwood (malt) for their smoked beers, they always manage to nail balance in them.
B / GOOD
Jan 27, 2018Twangy and acidic with a pleasant wheat backbone. Sourness is mild and the ostensible smokiness isn't present.
Balanced and enjoyable, but where's the smoke?
B- / WORTHY
***
07/17/22 12 fl oz can ($11.99 USD per sixer at Live Oak):
3.2% ABV.
Subtle smoked malt accents the finish, but it's all pleasant lactic acid acidity and fresh wheat up front. Subtly smacky in its mild sourness, subtly smokey without being harsh, and shockingly still refreshing given the aforementioned.
More complex than anyone would reasonably expect a 3.2% ABV beer to be (apart from maybe a patersbier/enkel).
In classic Live Oak fashion, it's a better expression of the German style than you're likely to find anywhere else stateside. Even if Live Oak clings a bit too close to plain beechwood (malt) for their smoked beers, they always manage to nail balance in them.
B / GOOD
Reviewed by DoubleABaird from Texas
4.32/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.32/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Live Oak Lichtenhainer
Look:
Pale straw color with hazy clarity and a bright white with moderate head retention and a whipped cream texture.
Aroma:
Bread dough mixed with lactic notes of lemon pulp hit first with subtle notes of beechwood smoke following behind. Lemon is like the lead guitarist with the smoke playing a nice back beat in the background. It works together.
Taste:
Follows the aroma beat for beat. Lactic sourness hits hard while the smoke flavor provides the exclamation point on your tongue. Not noticeable hop flavor. Balance is lactic all the way but the balance between smoke and tartness is very nice.
Feel:
Medium light body with medium carbonation. No alcohol warmth, creaminess or astringency.
Overall:
I was super excited to try this and it didn’t disappoint. Amazing balance and the flavors are an explosion on your tongue. Never thought I’d describe a smoked beer as refreshing but this certainly is.
Dec 02, 2017Look:
Pale straw color with hazy clarity and a bright white with moderate head retention and a whipped cream texture.
Aroma:
Bread dough mixed with lactic notes of lemon pulp hit first with subtle notes of beechwood smoke following behind. Lemon is like the lead guitarist with the smoke playing a nice back beat in the background. It works together.
Taste:
Follows the aroma beat for beat. Lactic sourness hits hard while the smoke flavor provides the exclamation point on your tongue. Not noticeable hop flavor. Balance is lactic all the way but the balance between smoke and tartness is very nice.
Feel:
Medium light body with medium carbonation. No alcohol warmth, creaminess or astringency.
Overall:
I was super excited to try this and it didn’t disappoint. Amazing balance and the flavors are an explosion on your tongue. Never thought I’d describe a smoked beer as refreshing but this certainly is.
Reviewed by zander4dawin from Texas
4.09/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A glowing golden beer with a fizzy white head. A salty, citrus beer. Key limes, lemon zest, orange juice, smoked wood chips on the nose. Great beer for a sunny day.
Jul 23, 2016
Reviewed by Tuck_leepulin from Texas
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap from the brewery, Pours a clear, deep straw gold with a head that recedes. Smell of smoked malt and sour, citrus zest. The balance of tartness up front with a smoky finish leads to a really complex, unique, and refreshing beer.
Jul 05, 2016
Reviewed by GreatStoutman from Texas
4.18/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.2% abv and 6 ibu. On draft at the brewery. Pours cloudy pale body with snowy white , thin head. No lacing.
Smell is funky, fruity and some subtle smokiness. Taste follows, with a strong tart bite. Light body and highly carbonated. Has a lively mouthfeel.
Sweet and refreshing, no signs of bitterness and a long finish that lets the smoky elements appear. I'm not well versed in this style, but it's very enjoyable on a sunny, 80 degree day in February.
Feb 12, 2016Smell is funky, fruity and some subtle smokiness. Taste follows, with a strong tart bite. Light body and highly carbonated. Has a lively mouthfeel.
Sweet and refreshing, no signs of bitterness and a long finish that lets the smoky elements appear. I'm not well versed in this style, but it's very enjoyable on a sunny, 80 degree day in February.
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