Winzig Haus Bier
Hansa Brewery

 

Clear pale shimmering gold with the thinnest ring.

Smell is bready toast with a slight bratwurst-like smoke and a hint of corn.

In flavor, a nice tartness quickly leads into smoked sausage with a sauerkraut presence. The tartness doesn't recede, as lemon, orange and a hint of salty cracker continue to play along nicely with the mild smokiness.

The light body is supported by an emerging froth, and finishes semi-dry.

R. Shea should take note, as this is far closer to a sauerkraut beer than the attempt they made, and it also tastes great, for a Lichtenhainer.

 

Served to me in a mug glass on-tap at the brewery, this beer is a cloudy/hazy light golden color with a nice white head that's about an inch thick when first poured. Settles to a thin white ring of foam lining the inside of the glass with no lacing. Aromas of malts and wheat and a little bit of barnyard, musty funk. Has a somewhat smoked malt and wheat flavor upfront that gives way to a bit of an astringent, slightly sour, musty, barnyard funky taste with a nice bit of salt. Really spot on flavorwise for this style. Has a mainly crisp, yet smooth, light to medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Has a clean, just slightly dry finish. This one really cites the inside of the mouth nicely after each sip and the flavors like to linger there for awhile. Very easy to drink.

Eric