Beet Weiss
Crane Brewing Company

Beet WeissBeet Weiss
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From:
Crane Brewing Company
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
Berliner Weisse
Ranked #85
ABV:
4.5%
Score:
89
Ranked #11,260
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 10.97%
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
35
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 20, 2023
Added:
Dec 27, 2015
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  8
The beer that made Michael Crane famous is an earthy, zinger that pairs great with food. Our Fall seasonal Berliner-style weiss combines a sour German wheat beer with an unlikely vegetable, and, frankly, they look really good together.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BEERchitect:
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

3.89/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The the "didn't see that coming" segment of the show, beets now make their way into beer. And not just any beer. The clever brewers at Crane pull these rustic, sweet, earthy and tangy vegetables from their roots and unapologetically throw them into their berlinerweiss beer for shock on the tastebuds that none of them saw coming.

Beet Weiss pours absolutely beet red. Bright and arid, its short creamy froth soon renders to a most rose wine appearance. Spicy, sour and fruity aromas carry a hint of rhubarb, cherry, strawberry and citrus with a hint of the scent of the sea. The earthy scent of beet offers a special pickled perfume that carries over to a sweet and sassy taste.

Sweetness is light and fast fleeting. Where the vegetable carries its own earthy sweetness, the beer dries quickly to a dry, cidery, sour taste; again of drier rose wine. Memories of coloring eggs and pickling vegetables come to mind as the root qualities of the beet remains though its taste is now brisk of lime, lemon, gooseberry, melon and rhubarb. A kiss of wrought strawberry and brine signals a close to the session.

Semidry, crisp and off-clean, the curious beer finishes sour, spicy and earthy as the taste of beets seem to intensifiy after the base beer dissolves. It's a most curious beer that's masterfully brewed, however many will find the taste of sour ale and root vegetables to be in conflict rather than balance. And if you don't like beets, this beer will do nothing to move that needle.
Feb 20, 2017
More User Ratings:
Photo of whynot44
Reviewed by whynot44 from Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Bright ruby red with a foamy pink head. T
he aroma is kind of amazing, you can taste the beets before you even but it in your mouth. Very tart, earthy, funky but vaguely sweet, the beet aroma is enhanced by the tart wheat malt.
The taste is surprisingly sweet/tart, very earthy with hints of fruit and even lemon, very nice.
The body is light/medium, carbonation is fairly high, crisp and very drinkable.
Altogether, this is a very enjoyable and tasty brew, very unique in a positive way. Somehow this is an amazing combination and should compliment most foods. I think this would be a great accompaniment for rich holiday meals.
Apr 20, 2023
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beet Weiss may be three firsts for me....

First, I may never have had a wheat beer that got its color and a moderating acidity from beets. They may exist, but I don't look for them. And while Beet Weiss does not change my overall preference for other styles, it does make me think I should stretch my comfort zone. Looks a cool red, Smells of earth, Tastes surprisingly balanced (beets are sweet), and cleanses my mouth so well that I'm got to save some for leftovers dinner tonight.

Second, I do not remember having a brew from a micro who specialized in sours, whether Weiss or in the kettle or a Gose. Such micros may be out there among the 8500+ in North America, but it is an unusual specialty to make your money brewing salty and sour ales while not competing in the IPA market much. While I'm enjoying Beet Weiss, I'd rather try their saison and Belgian IPA as my second beer from Crane.

Third, I do not think I've had a brew from a Kansas City suburb. The KC metro is Top 30 in terms of population... and it will grow in culture if it suburbs continue to spawn micros that specialize in less-than-typical styles.
Apr 17, 2022
 
Rated: 3.9 by Jdells09 from New Jersey

Nov 05, 2021
 
Rated: 4.08 by craigbelly from Iowa

Dec 26, 2020
Photo of jhavs
Reviewed by jhavs from New York

4.32/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottle poured into fluted snifter.

Pours bright red with a pinkish/purple head. Head settles into thin bubbly islands.

Aroma is deep and earthy beets, sweetness and fresh well-nourished soil. Odd at first, but exactly what a fresh sliced beet smells like. A hint of tart fruity scents and mineral brine pushes through as it warms.

The flavor is striking, and becomes more and more inviting as I sip. As interesting a flavor as could be. Lots of earthy beets over a tart and crisp brew. Mineral and light salinity, light grassy grain.

Moderate carb and a hint of syrup in the medium body.

An interesting and tasty experience.
Nov 29, 2018
Photo of TongoRad
Reviewed by TongoRad from New Jersey

4.17/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A beet weiss may seem like an odd and intriguing combination, but I'll be damned if it doesn't work like a charm. But then again, the Berliner Weiss style is no stranger to earthy and funky embellishments (at least, among the better ones :wink:). It is also probably worth noting that the essence of the beet is captured quite well here; and that one's fondness for this beer will be in direct proportion to how much they enjoy those devilish root veggies.

I happen to love them, and have prepared them in any number of ways over the years. Which is to say- I know a beet when I smell one, and the aroma here reminds me of being wrist deep in skins and red inky juice. It's that intoxicating combination of freshly plowed dirt and moldy berries. That carries through to the taste, where it is also marries to a superbly brisk tartness. There ain't no pussyfooting around here, which I appreciate. Not that either quality is overwhelming, but it does seem like Crane knows just where that line is and stayed just short of it. After a few more sips I'm also getting some straw and lemon peel on the finish, while the earthiness seems to be morphing into a very beery funkiness. The whole thing works so well that not only can I appreciate what's in my glass right now, but could see making this a regular purchase. Thanks to Harrison8 for the sample!
Nov 25, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by alexsergio from New York

Oct 14, 2018
Photo of FungusBrewer
Reviewed by FungusBrewer from Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Absolutely beautiful crimson brew with a strong earthy aroma, and almost cranberry cocktail juice like color. At first I questioned if there was even alcohol in it. Super smooth, and very “beety”. Tastes like the garden.
Sep 29, 2018
Photo of Suds
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri

4.11/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This brew is an amazing color. It is deep crimson color...like a rich cranberry juice. The head is bright pink, and the liquid is completely clear. The aroma is lightly fruity and sharply tart. I didn't think that I would get beat in the beer, but it shines through...first in the smell, faintly in the beginning, and then in the taste.....which is also dry and sour. Slight spice in the finish. This is a wonderfully crafted beer.
Feb 19, 2018
Photo of Hoonia
Reviewed by Hoonia from Missouri

3.92/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours the color of water that’s been used to cook beets. Trippy to look at. Creamy pink head. Beet nose. Tart beet on the tongue. Doesn't feel anything like a beer, but I’ll definitely drink it again. Fantastic.
Feb 05, 2018
 
Rated: 2.75 by Hellpop65 from Kansas

Nov 18, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by jewellrunner from Missouri

Apr 30, 2017
 
Rated: 2.92 by drone from Oregon

Dec 28, 2016
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Perfect neon magenta that matches the label, vivid pink foam, spotty lacing.

Earthy root vegetable aroma, natural beet sweetness. Pretty straightforward.

Pleasantly tart from the lactobacillus, with plenty of discernible beet flavor. Earthy and lightly vegetal with a smooth naturally sweetish beet taste. Light bodied and effervescent, it's lively and unique. Makes a great apertif. Definitely one of the more assertive and unique beers from Crane.

Shared with a group and it was unanimously loved. If you hate beets however, you won't like it. Gee, imagine that.
Dec 25, 2016
 
Rated: 2.88 by Whiskeydeez from Kansas

Dec 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.27 by kjkinsey from Texas

Dec 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4.36 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Dec 04, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by GRG1313 from California

Nov 27, 2016
Photo of hoptheology
Reviewed by hoptheology from California

3.82/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bright rosy pink pour with a bubble gum head of 1 finger.

Mostly sour Bretted aromas with some sweet tart, light earth.

The berliner quality hits first, sour and sweet, followed by rooty Beet and cane sugar, never overwhelming either factor. More dirt and beet at the end.

Feel is light and airy. Crisp. Puckering.

Overall, if you're a fan of beets I'd say absolutely. Even if you're not, give it a try.
Nov 27, 2016
Beet Weiss from Crane Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 35 ratings