Weihenstephaner 1516 Kellerbier

For your consideration the recently updated (2015) BJCP style guidelines has two ‘versions’ of Kellerbier: Pale Kellerbier and Amber Kellerbier.

Some extracts below.

“Pale Kelllerbier: A very common seasonal summer beer brewed by many of the Munich area breweries and served in the beer gardens, where they are very popular.”

“Amber Kellerbier: The original style of Kellerbier from the Franconia area of Germany. A much older style compared to the relatively more recent pale Helles-Style Kellerbier that is popular in the Munich area today.”

A common feature of both of these beers is they are unfiltered lagers.

Cheers

 

Good info! I think this one is firmly in the pale category, at least in my opinion. The American versions I've had are in the amber category.

 

No, not at all.

That being said, if the beer (without the yeast roused) was lacking in any department, it would be the depth of the malt profile. It's not as rich and full as my favorite German lagers, even other ones from Weihenstephan. But I don't have as much experience with this type of style, so take that for what it's worth. It could be the malt profile itself, or it could be the fruit characteristics I perceive in the beer may detract a bit from the malt flavors. But the malt back backbone did not come off as pathetic to me.

I realize "Zwickel" may not be the same as Kellerbier, but I like Urban Chestnut's Zwickel, and I recently had our local Notch's Zwickel on tap which was fantastic. I'd prefer these over the 1516, but at the end of the day, I do like the 1516. Not my favorite Weihenstephan offering, but given the relative high standards for their regular line-up, I don't consider that particularly insulting to this specific beer.

 

Ditto.

I have, this is not the beer I expected. If you can find it, try a St. Georgenbräu, you'll be surprised at the differences.

It was thin to my palate.

You pour a Kellerbier from the Zwickel, they're basically the same "style" of beer -- though they aren't really styles of their own. Sort of like "table" wine isn't a style.

 

I really enjoyed the 1516. Reminds me of a cross between a Vienna Lager and a German Pils. Glad I got a case of it here in PA. Never had a beer quite like it.

 

This is kind of the type of comparison I was trying to make earlier in the thread. In referring to the Pils as a reference for a flavor profile with the 1516 being a smoother, slightly caramelized version.

 

Almost sounds like you're described Pilsner Urquell when compared to a German Pils.

 

Maybe a tad lighter. It was easy to drink. Kind of like pico de gallo vs salsa, if you will.

 

Ao, In other words, I should treat this beer just like the hefeweissen in terms of getting the sediment at the bottom of the bottle into my glass?

 

It all depends on your desires.

If you make an effort to get the sediment into your glass you will apparently get the effect of astringency. Do you want this?

Otherwise decant and leave the sediment in the bottle.

Entirely your choice.

Cheers!

 

If you follow some of the posts by AlcahueteJ and me you'll see that we've tried it both ways -- and pouring it vigorously seems to heighten the harsh bitterness/astringency.

Odd side of this is that Kellerbier and Zwickelbier are always served straight with the sediment, but I've never had one that tasted like the 1516 before.

 

FYI, I was at Jack's Abby this past weekend and on their "upcoming" board was a "Vienna Zwickel". Between them and Notch maybe it's a start of a small local trend of this style

 

I can see the comparison. I've never had a beer quite like it either; then again, this is the first Kellerbier I've tried. Between the brightness of the hops and the freakishly tingly carbonation, the beer feels like it's alive.

Picked up a case as well.

 

The first time I had a 1516, it was straight from the fridge. The tingly carbonation noted by @OldManMetal was intense and unpleasant. I decided to have my next one warmer so I had it at room temp. The carbonation was no longer an issue for me. In addition, the warmer temp brought out the bitterness much more. I might get an entirely different impression the next time I have one.

 

Chris, did you like the beer during this drinking experience?

Cheers!

 

The more I drink this beer, the more I like it. I do feel like pouring it a certain way, and drinking it out of thinner glass helps the experience. I'm going to a place in a week or so that has it on tap, I'll report back hopefully if they still have it then.

 

I didn't totally enjoy the one right out of the fridge. The only thing I really liked about it was the breadiness that I get in some of their other beers... and that is a quality I really like. The one at room temp was great. Note my impatience... either straight from the fridge or straight from the cabinet.
Honestly, I don't feel like I got a good grip on it yet. Looking forward to more. I feel like you are asking because you are wondering if I thought the bitterness of the warmer beer was enjoyable or not. It was enjoyable. I thought the colder beer was lacking in this department. Different experiences from different folks... it's the way it goes.

 

After drinking 11 of these, I have to say that its a delicious and super fresh German beer but nothing real special. To me, it's like a slightly dry Marzen Light, if you will, and the special hops they acquired for this special edition, didn't intensely alter the flavor profile for me. If Weihenstephan makes this a regular offering, I can see it doing quite well for them but at the price of $35-38 a case and not $51-55.

 

The price it is at in my area is the same price for all their other offerings. 12.99-13.49 depending on the store for a six pack.

 

Personally, I'm in heaven with this beer, especially a little warmer. I can just smell Munich again! (I know, it's brewed in Freising.) And at $10.99 a sixer around here, I may just be stocking up. Prost!