Not a Weize Move
Tasting session 10
Beer 1 Choices: International Amber Lager, Strong Bitter, Märzen, American Pale Ale
Beer 2 Choices: Dunkles Weissbier, Belgian Dubbel, Weizenbock, British Brown Ale
Score: 1/2
Beer 1 things to look for:
International Amber Lager: clean yeast and neutral profile
Strong Bitter: yeast character, UK malt/hops character
Märzen: clean yeast, malt forward
American Pale Ale: US hops, very bitter, clean yeast
Notes:
Is there any yeast character or UK malt/hop character? No, so Strong Bitter is out. Is it hop forward and bitter with lots of hop flavor and aroma? Yes, so Märzen and International Amber are out since they feature malt more heavily in the balance and have low perceivable sweetness. APA is very bitter; it’s a hop show and Märzen’s a malt show. There is for sure detectable malt flavor in APA, but the hopping rates are drastically higher.
Beer 2 things to look for:
Dunkles Weissbier: 4VG (clove), isoamyl acetate (banana) [Weizen yeast], darker malt flavors*
Belgian Dubbel: alcohol, peppery phenols/Belgian yeast esters, high attenuation
Weizenbock: Weizen yeast, a bigger Weissbier
British Brown Ale: esters, UK malt character
Notes:
I got myself mixed up right from the start on this one. I detected the clove/banana right away, so I eliminated British Brown (English Ale yeast doesn’t produce spicy phenols). The sample smelled like Weizen yeast, and even though Dubbels can have clove and banana character, the body wasn’t dry or carbonated enough to be a Dubbel. Here’s where I goofed: Bock beer- what is it?
“Bock” denotes “extra strength” in German beer. Weissbier and Dunkles Weissbier have an ABV range of 4.3-5.6%. Weizenbock (which comes in light and dark versions) typically ranges from 6.5-9%. When I read Dunkles Weissbier, I thought, “this needs to be as dark as a Munich Dunkel”. This beer wasn’t and lacked the malty richness I associate with Dunkel. That’s why I picked Weizenbock.
Issue #1: I ignored the “Bock” clue. Bock beers are noticeably bigger and stronger (and more bitter too). The beer lacked the oomph and body of a Bock, but I ignored that because of the color. *Issue #2: Dunkles Weissbier isn’t typically as malty rich or dark as Dunkel. This sample was true to style - I was just super unfamiliar.
