Beer School, Session 3

We didn't get a chance to try many new beers this week. Between German lessons, yoga classes, and golf we were hardly home. Luck for us though, the golf club has a lovely terrace and Weiss beer on tap. They currently offer Schöfferhofer, which is very good. However, it doesn't compare to what they had earlier this season — Weihenstephan.*

All Weiss beers are top fermented, which means that they are fermented in warm temperatures and allowed to come in direct contact with air. I've always been a fan of Hefeweisen, but before coming to Germany I had no idea that there were so many different types of wheat beer. Here's my attempt at figuring out what they are:

• Hefeweisen is an unfiltered wheat beer with yeast. It's cloudy and has a fruit, full taste.
• Kristallweisen is the filtered version of Hefeweisen. It's clear, fruity, and lighter then Hefeweisen.
• Dunkelweisen is similar to Hefeweisen, but malt is added to the brew to make it dark and give a deeper flavor.
• Weissenbock is darker then Dunkelweisen, with a more pronounced alcohol taste.
• Berliner Weissbier. I haven't tried this beer yet and am not sure how it differs form any of the beers above. If anyone out there knows, I'd love to hear your comments.

* Weihenstephan is the oldest brewery in the world! Also, this beer was recommended a German friend, who claims it is his absolute favorite.