Written by As I start this review of The Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyner Weisse, I actually think its the first beer from Brooklyn Brewery that we’re reviewing since we checked out their Winter Ale way back in January! I only mention it because Brooklyn NY is probably 10 miles from where I sit and their beers are readily available in my area – so what gives? I should be having a Brooklyn Brewery beer more than twice a year, right?
Well, The Brew Club, just like Fight Club, must never be spoken about and our rules and ways of operating are mysterious even to me. That’s all I can say about it, and that’s probably why. But, I digress from what should be the focus of the moment – The Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyner Weisse! This beer is a Hefeweizen-style beer, and I’m really hoping it will be great during this mini heat-wave we’re having here of late in New Jersey!
From what I’ve been able to tell from a macro level, these Hefeweizen style beers are very similar in style to the Belgian White style of beer that I tend to enjoy very much. If you like beers like Hoegaarden or even a mainstream beer like Blue Moon, you’ll have a general idea about what this beer is about. The main difference it seems is that this style of beer is from Bavaria and not Belgium, maybe some different spices and such, but to me there are many similarities as well.
First, its an unfiltered wheat beer. The Brooklyn Brewery Weisse is darkly straw-colored, darker than other wheat beers I’ve had lately, and with the very fine yeast particles swirling about, it makes for a cloudy appearance similar to a Belgian White. The white foamy head it seemed, took forever to go down in my super manly-sized beer glass, but I do admit to pouring it rather aggressively. (I wish I had two to fill my glass actually)
The smell is also reminiscent of a Belgian Wit beer – you can pick up that yeasty, wheaty aroma as well as some subtle citrus and spices in the Brooklyner Weisse. Again, perhaps the spices are different when comparing a Belgian to a Hefeweizen? I think typically coriander is used in the Belgian Whites where clove is the spice most associated with a hefeweizen?
Digging in a little deeper, according to the Brooklyn Brewery website they use ‘German wheat and barley malts’ that give it that characteristic aroma. Anyway, this 5.1% ABV offering from Brooklyn Brewing smells just great without all the hairsplitting and has me wanting to move on to the drinking part!
The taste is not exactly a surprise – again, its DNA seems to be somewhat related in to a Belgian White. There are citrus flavors that pop in the mouth as well as some nicely balanced spices that tingle the tongue and linger a bit after the beer has gone down the hatch. Again, its that ‘German wheat and barley malts’ that add to the overall flavor and apparently banana, clove, citrus and a touch of honey are detectable as well. This wheat beer is crisp, has a nice texture and doesn’t leave a sticky or weird feeling. Overall, a very enjoyable beer to drink.
Wrapping this beer review up, what did I think of this domestic hefeweizen from Brooklyn Brewery? Well, I thought it was quite good actually. The smells, the flavors…they all came together nicely for me on this hot day in New Jersey. A good Summer ale I think.
I’d really have to have some other hefeweizen beer to truly compare this beer to, but standing alone I’d say that Brooklyn Brewery has done a fine job with this beer and I’d gladly have another few in the future! What about you? Have you tried any of the beers from Brooklyn Brewery? What’s your favorite?
I’m giving this beer 4 stars!
Rating: 
Another neat thing about Brooklyn Brewery. I somehow have a few of their coasters and looking at the ‘side b’ of the coaster, I saw that in 2003, Brooklyn Brewery was the first company in NYC to switch to 100% wind generated power. Pretty cool huh? So their brewery and headquarters are all wind-powered. As they say, they have ‘Wind in their Ales”.
I’m looking forward to trying some more beers by these guys!
I really enjoyed this beer at the start of summer. I admire the brooklyn brewing company. Garrett Oliver is a cool guy who promotes food/beer pairing. If you liked this, you really have to try their collaboration with Schnedier Weiss.
p.s. I am trying the abita tonight or tommorrow.
.-= nate´s last blog ..Boulevard’s Dry Stout =-.
Thanks Nate – believe me, I’m keeping a lookout for that collaboration beer they did. I’ve read nothing but good things about it.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer =-.
We only get a pale lager from the Brooklyn Brewery over here in Blighty but, as they say, if it wets your whistle…. go for it.
And if Brooklyn have a relationeship with Schneider Weisse, then that’s good enough for me.
.-= Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Roundabouts =-.
The Brooklyn brews are all pretty good on the whole and Garret Oliver is indeed skilled at the kettles, no doubt. While I really didn’t much care for his reformulations of the Manhatten Brewery beers when he took over brewmaster duties from Mark Witty at that now defunct brewery, he has definitely found his groove at Brooklyn.
I’d have to agree with Nate, the Schnedier Weiss is not to be missed! Brooklyn’s specialty brews are usually a real treat!
Hey Scott, definitely have to agree that this is a great beer! If you want to try another delicious New York brewed Hefeweizen, check out Porkslap Heinnieweisse (it’s in a green can). Definitely has a very predominant yeast character.
As for the differences between a Belgian Wit and a Hefeweizen, you’re right in origin (Belgium vs. Germany). Furthermore, a hefeweizen is traditionally unspiced, but they yeast gives of byproducts that give it aromas of banana and clove… the balance between the two is decided by the exact strain of yeast used and fermentation temperature.
Also, as others said, the Brooklyn/Schneider collaboration beers are amazing. There are two, one is produced at Brooklyn, comes in a 750ml corked bottle and features American hops. The other comes in a 500ml bottle (like other Schneider beers) is produced at Schneider in Germany, and features European hops. Both are very hop forward though and non-traditional from the German standpoint.
Jeff, thanks so much! I didn’t know that the yeast actually makes those aromas and flavors. That’s very interesting actually. Always happy to learn from people with more knowledge than I!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Abita Brewing Purple Haze – Raspberry Wheat Beer =-.