Overview for the Weizenbock

The original Weizenbock was Aventinus, the world’s oldest top-fermented wheat doppelbock. The ale was crafted in 1907 at the Schneider Weisse Brauhaus in Munich. It’s a strong, malty, and fruity wheat ale whose color can be pale or dark. Pale versions range from gold to deep copper while darker versions range from amber to dark brown. Both have dense, long-lasting heads that range from white to tan. Usually unfiltered, its clarity is cloudy, sometimes with suspended yeast. The aroma and palate of pale versions will feature toasted bread, banana, and spice. Darker versions can be smoky or roasted with dark fruits and caramel. Its feel is typically creamy with a medium-full to full body and moderate to high carbonation. A mild warming sensation from the high alcohol content is common. Comparatively, it’s similar to the Doppelbock style and is stronger and richer than a Hefeweizen or a Dunkelweizen.

Style Expectations

A strong, malty, fruity, wheat-based ale combining the best malt and yeast flavors of a weissbier (pale or dark) with the malty-rich flavor, strength, and body of a Dunkles Bock or Doppelbock.

Appearance

Pale and dark versions exist, with pale versions being light gold to light amber, and dark versions being dark amber to dark ruby-brown in color. A very thick, moussy, long-lasting white to off-white (pale versions) or light tan (dark versions) head is characteristic. The high protein content of wheat impairs clarity in this traditionally unfiltered style, although the level of haze is somewhat variable. Suspended yeast sediment can contribute to the cloudiness.

Aroma

Medium-high to high malty-rich character with a significant bready-grainy wheat component. Paler versions will have a bready-toasty malty richness, while darker versions will have a deeper, richer malt presence with significant Maillard products. The malt component is similar to a helles bock for pale versions (grainy-sweet-rich, lightly toasted) or a dunkles bock for dark versions (bready-malty-rich, highly toasted, optional caramel). The yeast contributes a typical weizen character of banana and spice (clove, vanilla), which can be medium-low to medium-high. Darker versions can have some dark fruit aroma (plums, prunes, grapes, raisins), particularly as they age. A low to moderate alcohol aroma is acceptable, but shouldn’t be hot or solventy. No hop aroma. The malt, yeast, and alcohol intertwine to produce a complex, inviting, prominent bouquet.

Flavor

Similar to the aroma, a medium-high to high malty-rich flavor together with a significant bready-grainy wheat flavor. Paler versions will have a bready, toasty, grainy-sweet malt richness, while darker versions will have deeper, bready-rich or toasted malt flavors with significant Maillard products, optional caramel. Low to moderate banana and spice (clove, vanilla) yeast character. Darker versions can have some dark fruit flavor (plums, prunes, grapes, raisins), particularly as they age. A light chocolate character (but not roast) is optional in darker versions. No hop flavor. A low hop bitterness can give a slightly sweet palate impression, but the beer typically finishes dry (sometimes enhanced by a light alcohol character). The interplay between the malt, yeast, and alcohol adds complexity and interest, which is often enhanced with age.

Mouthfeel

Medium-full to full body. A fluffy or creamy texture is typical, as is the mild warming sensation of substantial alcohol content. Moderate to high carbonation.

Reviews

Schneider Weisse Tap 6 Unser Aventinus

Weizenbock  •  G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH

Schneider Weisse Tap 6 Unser Aventinus is a German Weizenbock brewed by G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH whose rich and malty palate is flavorful and complex. Read More

Bavarian-styled Doppel Weizen

Weizenbock  •  Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Bavarian-styled Doppel Weizen is German-style Weizenbock by Lagunitas Brewing Co. that adds heaps of dry hops to tropical fruit flavors. Read More

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