Weihenstephaner 1516 Kellerbier

Well, I'm definitely hook in mouth on this selection! My first trek around south-central PA came up empty and all the beer distributors I went to, checked and their warehouses don't have it listed. Sucks, Meh. Maybe in a week or two it'll be a different story.

 

Did you check the Total Beverage Solution beer finder? Don't know where you are but looks like a place in Lancaster received it. But yeah most places seem to be closer to Philly. Hopefully you start seeing it this week then. Good luck.

 

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

I had a bunch of in-laws come over today for a big meal, and the ones who drink beer (mostly Boston Lager and premium AALs, I think) loved this stuff. I was pleased they took to it so well; I don't want to be the lousy in-law with lots of beer they don't want to drink.

 

Any sightings of this in Michigan yet?

 

*UPDATE* I stopped in at Neffsville Beer Mart in Lancaster, Pa and their initial inventory of 2 cases lasted 1 day. But, being the awesome and friendly folks that they are, ordered me a case for delivery this Friday. Sweet! Got a Uninta Variety pack and stopped at Bully's in Columbia for a growler of Hitachino Nest White Ale and had my first Jever (heavenly pils!) with some awesome vittles. It was a fun beer trek, for sure! So, anyone in South-central Pa, it looks like its quickly working it's way into the surrounding areas.

 

That's some great customer service. Very nice to hear. Enjoy the 1516. Cheers.

 

One of the best lagerbier's I've ever tasted. Wow.

 

I called my local distributor and reserved a case of the 1516 coming in next week. I also love that I know this will be as fresh as possible [for an import]. I'm looking forward to it!

My local distributor checked Shangy's inventory and said Shangy's has over 100 cases, they could easily get me case with their next delivery. Save yourself a trek to Emmaus.

 

Apparently my TW has this in stock. Going to pick some up tonight. I am excite!

 

ISO!!!

 

Below are some pictures of the draft I had of this beer, then the beer poured as I normally would from the bottle, then finally the beer poured with the yeast purposely swirled and poured in like a Hefeweizen.

The final beer was noticeably more astringent/harsher (at least this is the best I could describe it). It was still good, but not as good as the first two.

 

I"m enjoying this beer but admittedly it drinks more like a marzen than it does a Mahr's U. I've had so few zwickels that I automatically associate Mahr's U as the benchmark, perhaps out of ignorance, but there just aren't many others around. I did expect the Weihenstephaner to be a bit cloudier, but it still drinks a like a high-quality lager.

 

AlcahueteJ, thanks for the report. The beer looks great. Still waiting for this to land in Texas, hopefully it will.

Jealous of all you Northeast and Midwest BA's who are enjoying it. Carry on...

 

Several beers now on my search list. Got to hit someplace up tomorrow, not sure which store yet. But fortunately we have several that would likely carry these.

 

I picked my case up Friday night. I got some in the fridge getting cold for the Flyers game tomorrow. Can't wait!

 

I'm not really impressed.

I've had a few kellerbiers before, and they all had a lot more malt body to them. I don't mind the slightly resiny variant of Hallertauer they used here, but I feel it needs a bit more body to match it.

I'm glad my wife only picked up a single six pack of this, I won't be buying anymore - not at $13 a sixer. $8? Maybe, but not $13.

 

How could this possible drink like a Marzen? It's light, weak body, and hoppy-ish.

 

Here is some more information about the beer. 12.7% OG, 5.6% abv, 25IBUs. In the text and in the product video they are promoting it as a Märzen beer and tying it to the historical Märzen beers.

In the text they are also referring to dark malts which give the beer a caramel note due to their roasted aromas as well as a full body. Sounds like they are using caramel malt. It seems like the brewers made one kind of beer and the marketing department are spinning that beer to fit in with the theme of 500 years of Bavarian brewing tradition. That's unfortunate I think, especially for a brewery which heavily touts its history and heritage. But I will try the beer and see if I like it, I have not had a lager beer from Weihenstephan so I am looking forward to trying it.

 

It's not that light at all. And unlike most of the heavy-handed domestic marzens, the ones we get from germany are no darker than this kellerbier. And I certainly don't think this beer's "hoppy" in the slightest.