Weihenstephaner 1516 Kellerbier

Having one now. Two thumbs up.

 

This beer is awesome i had it on draft at the Student Prince in Springfield Mass. in a special Weihenstephan dimpled stein, its a great lower abv compliment to the maibocks on tap now

 

I want to try this but it hasn't made it to LA Crosse, at least not as of last week. Sucks for me.

 

A couple places mentioned on the Total Beverage Solution beer finder. Although one looks to be a restaurant.

 

Happy reinheitsgebot 500th anniversary!

 

For your viewing pleasure:



@smakawhat @Crusader

 

For what it's worth, as a huge fan of this style which doesn't receive a ton of love in the US or in Germany, this beer is outstanding. Simply outstanding. A few great versions are being brewed in the states - Urban Chestnut, Southampton, and New Glarus just released a zwickel, which is a kissing cousin - but this beer knocked my socks off. Will definitely be picking up another sixer before it vanishes.

 

How would you compare and contrast the 1516 beer with New Glarus Zwickel?

Cheers!

P.S. Also feel free to include New Glarus Two Women in the mix if you are so inclined.

 

The 1516 is definitely more robust on the palate - much breadier, much more substantial mouthfeel, little hop emphasis. NG's Zwickel on the other hand is lighter bodied, a little more lively in terms of carbonation, and has more of floral and lemony notes that I attribute to the hops, not the yeast. Both are excellent, excellent beers - just depends on personal preference and what you're in the mood for. Gun to the head, I think I prefer 1516 just because of how lush and full-bodied it is while remaining super, super drinkable - and that says a lot because NG is my favorite brewery.

Sadly, it's been too long since I've had Two Women, so I can't really speak to how it fits in - though, if pressed, I would say Two Women drinks much cleaner than 1516 or Zwickel, which share a chewy, unfiltered aspect to the finish.

 

Just picked up a single. Weihenstephaner's Hefe is my favorite all time so figured I'd give it a whirl

 

Would it be fair to say that for your palate 1516 is more on the malty side of the spectrum and NG Zwickel is a tad more on the hop flavor side of the spectrum?

Malty ------------------------------1516-----------------NG Zwickel------------------------------------------Hop Flavor


Cheers!

 

Indeed. Just depends what you're looking for in your German lager. Of course I like some of that Noble hop character, but I'm more out for some great malt/yeast character. 1516 delivers on that front.

Like I said though, both really stellar beers. Happily take either at any time.

 

Thanks for all your inputs. NG Zwickel is unavailable to me so I have to live my life vicariously through you!

Cheers!

Edit: I discussed my impressions on 1516 a New Beer Sunday thread: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-582.407559/#post-4697030

 

The only way to drink it

 

I hate to be contrary, but as someone who has had this style numerous times in Germany -- and also love Urban Chestnut's Zwickel (when fresh), I really think the 1516 lacks character. Personally, I believe it's the method of removing the sedimentt and Pasteurization of the beer before export that stunted any really good character this beer may have had.

To me, the other offerings Weihenstepahner sends to us are much better beers than the 1516 and I'd choose any of them first. If you haven't tried Korbinian or Vitus I highly suggest you sample them next to the 1516 for comparison.

 

I suck at formatting :v

 

No worries on being contrary - to each his own, my good man. I've run the gamut of Weihenstepahner's lineup - of course, all wonderful beers, though I think my favorite is their dunkelweizen. For me, 1516 is right up there among their best - but again, personal taste, you know?

 

A little late to the party, but I finally got my hands on some 1516. I won't go too much into detail as several others have described it very well already, but I have to say I really enjoyed it and it was well worth the wait.



I decanted when pouring, leaving as much yeast in the bottle as I could, but it still had a slight haze to it. Tons of fresh, rich, bready malt in the aroma. I actually got a decent amount of spicy hops in both the aroma and flavor that resulted in a very dry and bitter finish. However, the balance between the malt and hops kept it extremely drinkable.  I will try adding the yeast next time to see how it changes things.

This drinks almost like a cross between a Helles and a Marzen to me, but with a more pronounced hop character than either. I will wait until I have a few more from the 6-pack before writing a review, but the initial impression was excellent!

 

Wow, that looks very hazy to me. Looks like the bottles in which I purposely swirled and poured the dregs in. Interesting.

Without dregs...



With dregs...

A slightly hoppier Vienna then?

 

I used a similar description of: “This beer is somewhere between a Pilsner and a Vienna Lager.”

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-582.407559/#post-4697030

Cheers!