Weihenstephaner Original Lager - Review
The World’s Oldest Brewery is quite a distinction. And the beer that comes stamped ‘Original’ from the World’s Oldest Brewery is quite a distinction as well, and a lofty standard to live up to.
Weihenstephaner’s Original Lager is the perfect place to start for someone looking to get into German Beer. But what makes a beer German, exactly? Well, being brewed in Germany is a start (thanks, Mr. Brew), but also ingredients, and an adherence to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law of 1516 that states that all beer can only be brewed with water, malt, hops, and yeast. This may seem obvious, but I’m often surprised to discover how many breweries use additional ingredients, like corn syrup, to make lager style beers, or beers of any kind. This makes a difference in the final product for sure.
With pure ingredients and longstanding tradition in mind (Weihenstephaner has been around since 1040!), let’s see how this 5.1% ABV and 21 IBU Original Lager stands up.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Light gold, clear, and topped with a cream-colored and fine-pored head that maintains quite well.
On the Nose--It’s quite reserved, fresh, and clean with hints of sweet malt and the slightest hint of spicy noble hops. We’re hoping this translates to great balance and not weak beer.
On the Palate--Sweet and slightly roasty malt flavor is balanced by the gentle hop notes from the aroma. It’s full-bodied and finishes dry and clean with a mild sweetness, almost creaminess, that fades quickly. It offers a nice complexity for what is quite a reserved beer, making it easy to savor but also easy to quaff.
Food Pairings: Weihenstephaner suggests pairing their Original Lager with hearty dishes, salads, poultry, and stews. Drinker’s choice!
Final Thoughts:
We have a tendency to take our beer for granted here in America, and I think that is seen by how many beloved breweries have closed over the last few years, but that’s what makes it so important to step back into the roots of beer every now and then, and that requires a journey to Europe.
I’m always amazed when drinking a fine European (especially German) beer at how well-thought-out, complex, and enjoyable they are. It’s like they were thinking about quality as well as drinking ten of them at a festival. It’s beer for the people, and Original is the place to start.
Weihenstephaner’s Original is balanced, full-bodied, and exudes a complexity that makes it fun to sip or chug. It’s a beer that begs to be paired with rustic food. It’s very German in character and flavor, and many American drinkers (if they’re not too stuck up) will be surprised at how pleasant German beers are, and how their use of heirloom ingredients through tradition, no matter how hard they try, will never be matched in modern craft brewing.
If looking to get into German beers, look for something with ‘Original’ on the label, especially if it’s from the World’s Oldest Brewer. It only gets better from there.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew