Würzburger Hofbräu
Würzburg, Germany
Imported by: St. Killian Importing Co.
Kingston, MA
Available: CA, CT, DE, GA, KY, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI, ME
Würzburger Hofbräu’s history dates to its founding in the year 1643 by the Main-Franconian Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn. It is therefore the oldest business still in existence in Würzburg today.
ABV: 5.0
ABW: 3.9
Color: 6
Bitterness: 34
Original gravity: 1046
This is a superb German interpretation of the pilsner style: “Hofbräu” in the title recalls the time when this was a royal brew, controlled by the Prince-Bishop of ürzburg in the Franconia region of Bavaria. The beer has a pale gold color and a toasted malt and hops aroma with a hint of apple fruit. Hop bitterness builds in the mouth, balancing rich, juicy malt. Toasted grain and hops combine beautifully in the finish, with a continuing hint of light apple fruit. In the old Central European tradition, this would be a fine companion for carp, boiled potatoes and dumplings.
Labeled as “pilsner-style”, this beer shows a full yellow color, clear but not brilliant, with a quickly receding foam. The aroma is cleanly malty with a hint of fermentation-room sulfur and a suggestion of floral hop. The palate is clean too, save for a certain lingering coarseness to the moderate bitterness. The aroma of this beer would be a pride of any helles brewer, but the quality of the bitterness will demand something fried – oysters will do nicely.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
I used to drink Wurzberger Pilsner when I was stationed in Wurzberg, Germany in the 1960s. Great beer! Where can I purchase it in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island area?
Thanks
Ken