Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss Beer Reviewed
August 15, 2008
The end of the Summer season has brought The Brew Club to exchange “Fruit-Flavored” beers and one of the beers selected for review was Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss. Recently, we reviewed Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, and thought it was a pretty good wheat beer, so we wondered how this berry flavored beer would do in comparison?
The Berry Weiss, according to the label, is “…brewed with honey and flavored with Blackberry juice and other natural Berry flavors“. Sounds, good, right?
Let me go over some of the things I liked about this beer. It poured out smoothly into my glass and created a huge white head with the slightest of a pink color. The foamy head took some time to go down, and it really left some good lacing on my glass. It wasn’t carbonated – beside the very foamy head, there was no noticeable bubbles percolating up in the glass.
The Berry Weiss also had a noticeable berry-ish smell (makes sense, right?) that really dominated the aroma department. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it was the thing I noticed most about it. I didn’t really notice any scent of honey.
So, what about the taste? Very much looking forward to trying this beer, I was actually a little disappointed in it considering how much I liked the Sunset Wheat that was reviewed earlier. This is NOT a bad beer, it’s just a little too sweet for my personal taste. Berry Weiss is smooth, not bitter or anything, but a little too sweet for me. The mouthfeel is OK, more on the light side and a bit slick feeling – there’s no sting or bite of hops, but it leaves a bit of a sticky sweet aftertaste that I really didn’t like. A little bit of honey comes through in the aftertaste, but it wasn’t really that noticeable.
So, if I knew someone who was into flavored beers, someone who wanted to try something a little less “beery” tasting, and maybe a little more “fruity” tasting, I would tell them to try this beer. It’s certainly a quality brew – but unfortunately the Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss is just not up my alley. A little too sweet for me.
I shrug my shoulders at it. Sorry. Do you have a favorite berry-flavored beer?
Rating: 
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Posted in 2 Star Reviews, All Brews Reviewed, Flavored Beers, Wheat Beers
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August 18th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
So… I tried this beer as well, and I couldn’t even drink half of it.. The sweetness of it was definitely a bit much and made it hard to drink. It didn’t even taste like beer to be exact. Maybe like an over sweetened wine cooler?
September 12th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I thought this beer was great!! You definietly need to like sweet things! I enjoy very sweet wines and it is a great way to enjoy sweetest in a Beer! It probably doesnt taste much like a Beer, but I enjoyed it very much!! Very refreshing and went down like water for me!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Probably the best berry flavored beer I have ever had. It’s incredibly addicting. But you have to like it’s type of course.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I won’t lie I am a newbie to alcohol, well kind of… I am also a younger female therefore I have to say that certain types of beer are not tolerable in taste for me, Especially the darker kinds. I enjoyed this beer and found it to be refreshing, it did give me a bit of indigestion of something but it was good if you like flavored beers that are berry flavor you will like this one. Another good one that has raspberries in it that is not really sweet would be purple haze.
December 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I’m actually drinking my first one right now. I have to agree to being just a bit dissapointed. To me the sweet and bitter just don’t mix, I can taste each one in and of itself and for me that is a big turnoff as it overemphasis the bitterness which I don’t like. There is a distinct, if fleeting aftertaste which for me, again emphasised the bitter taste I don’t find appealing. I’m sure we’ll finish these up but won’t be buying again.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
This was such a great beer. I’m not a regular beer drinker so when I asked my boyfriend about this one, this is what he recommended. I’m generally a wine drinker, so this was right down my alley. To me, it tastes like carbonated wine. Two thumbs up!
January 27th, 2009 at 3:26 am
The berry weiss is definitly too sweet, and taste nothing like beer. However my girlfriend who don’t drink loves it but shes an amateur. I prefer Blue moon and if your up to paying $11 a 6 pack purple haze is great. But in my opinion this beer kinda sucks but is tollerable to drink one or two.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:29 am
Anyone have any suggestions to a good beer like purple haze or blue moon. I like the flavored beer, but it aleast has to taste a little bit like beer. i’d like to try somthing somthing new so feel free to leave any suggestions.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I thought the Blueberry Ale from Blue Point was decent, not overdone like the Wild Blue was. Check out the ‘blueberry beer’ tag over on the right if you want to read more about it!
February 1st, 2009 at 1:47 am
Good, but a little bit too fruity and sweet. I think Sunset Wheat is much better. Actually Sunset Wheat is an excellent beer! Still, I think that Berry Weiss deserves some attention. Good choice for hot summer days. Three and 1/2 stars from me.
Pete NYC
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Terrible beer…just like most of of their stuff.
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May 19th, 2009 at 4:52 am
One of my favorites from Leinenkugel, and much more inspired than that boring Sunset Wheat. If only we could get Berry Weiss in California…
October 29th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I recently tried sunset wheat with Berry Weiss….(Sunny Bear) delicious! (4/5ths sunset wheat…1/8th berry weiss)…I think mine was half and half! I plan to give the two as a gift!! Yummy!
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:17 am
This is definitely a chick beer. I love it. I have a hard time finishing real beers that most men like to drink.
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Thanks, Coleen. I think a lot of people might classify it as such, even though I hate the whole ‘chick beer’ concept. As you mention a difficulty in finishing ‘beers that most men like to drink’, what beers are they? While not bashing berry flavored beers, don’t limit yourself. Recently, we put up an interesting post about the ‘best beers for beginners’ which is all about introducing good beers that aren’t too extreme, but very tasty to anyone. Even chicks! Check it out and maybe go from there! Here’s the link to the article.
http://thebrewclub.com/2009/11/18/best-beer-for-beginners/
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Home Brew Kits – The Final Review =-.
March 21st, 2010 at 1:55 pm
This beer is much better when mixed half honeyweiss half berry. Lienes actually makes pictures for bars that are split down the middle so when you pour you get half and half… isn’t too overpowering then.
March 26th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Okay, so it’s both sweet and a strange flavor for a beer. At first, i thought it was too sweet, or of an odd enough flavor, but frankly, by the sixth bottle, it started to grow on me. It’s like listening to music that at first you don’t like, but after a few days and another try, you start liking it. I like both the Berry Weiss and the Honey Weiss. and by 3 beers, there’s a buzz. I’ve been buying more of it when available.
Las Vegas, NV.
March 27th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Billy BuBB – that’s a good point with the music – sometimes it takes a few listens to something before it grows on you. I didn’t have the chance to have 6 of the berry weiss, but I imagine after 6 of any beer one might be more inclined to like it! I didn’t have the Honey Wheat yet, but I did enjoy their Sunset Wheat. http://thebrewclub.com/2008/08/01/leinenkugels-sunset-wheat-reviewed/
Thanks for checking in!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Founders Breakfast Stout =-.
April 4th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
It is a girlie drink and I love it. My cousin turned me own to this beer and I think it is awesome. I love the sweet berry taste and so disappointed I have been unable to find it in Houston Texas. The last I had was when she bought some back from Ohio.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Berry Weiss is a great slamming beer also very good on some ice like soda
I would drink this over soda any day
Also goes very good with meals
I just wish it had more alcohol in it
October 6th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
This is by far my favorite beer! I have been drinking this for years. I would recommend to those who are not typically beer drinkers and want something a little sweet. I enjoy the sweetness and do not find it overpowering at all. It is also very good when mixed with Leinenkugel’s Honey.
October 6th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Hey Angie – Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard there is a name for some of the Leineis’ beers when they are mixed including the honey and berry. If I find out, I’ll post back!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Samuel Adams Octoberfest =-.
November 22nd, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I poured it out on the street into the drain where the rain goes down just so nobody would accidently drink it from the street. It was that bad.
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:30 pm
ARe these beers made with hops and malt? I heard that woman could benefit from a pale ale beer made with hops and malt India Pale Ale was an example. I did not like the taste of that at all but love the fruity beers ..Any benefits here
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:31 pm
@Jeff – That’s too funny! Thanks for watching out for society!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Voodoo Love Child – Voodoo Brewing =-.
November 22nd, 2010 at 8:35 pm
@Ginger – All beers (as far as I know) are made with hops and malt. Different styles of beer will have different varieties of hops and malt. Along with water and yeast, hops and malt are among the 4 main ingredients of any beer.
So, to answer your question, yes the Berry Weiss does contain hops and malt. Maybe give the Sam Adams Blackberry Wheat or Cherry Wheat a try.
http://thebrewclub.com/2009/07/10/sam-adams-cherry-wheat-beer-review/
http://thebrewclub.com/2010/05/26/blackberry-wheat-beers/
March 10th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Loved the beer. Got hooked on to it first time I tried it. The flavor and thinness was perfect. Not overpowering. Recommended to friends & they loved.
I always have it for my summer outdoor party’s.
March 10th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Simmi – Glad you liked it! I found it to be a little too sweet for me.
March 11th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
This is a perfect example of a “would be good” beer – would be good if it wasn’t so freakin’ sweet! I don’t know what Leinenkugel’s was thinking……then again, if its making them money I guess you can lend me a hand removing my foot from my mouth! Still, this beer is so sweet I struggle even calling it beer – it seem like some kinda’ beer/wine cooler hybrid or something. I would feel better if it had other bad qualities, but it doesn’t! Its like having a good cup of coffee then ruining it by accidentally dumping in too much sugar! I’m not against beers with a tad bit of sweetness as I love many Belgian Whites and Abbey styles, but this Berry Weiss is over the top!
March 12th, 2011 at 1:26 am
@Thomas – exactly. SOMEONE is buying enough of it to make it worth making. I’m glad I tried it, but in the future I’d pass. Too sweet!
October 8th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I think this beer is a great beer to increase your dynamic range in beers. Sure Pilsners, and dark ales and pale ales, and much more I love drinking them all. This is a sweeter departure and is an acquired taste. Definitely not for everyone. Is that a bad thing? Give it a try and see what you think. It is a polarizing beer for sure.
October 8th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@Vincent – Great points! Its definitely not for everyone, but certainly worth trying at least once.