Erdinger Oktoberfest Weizen

Erdinger Brewing Co.

Available: All States

Alcohol (wt.): n/a
Alcohol (vol.): n/a
Color: n/a
Bitterness: n/a
Original Gravity: n/a
Final Gravity: n/a
Malts used: n/a
Hops used: Hallertau

And what, pray, is an “Oktoberfest weizen”? Presumably the style is personified by this beer, since I have never seen nor heard of it before. So here it goes. The color is coppery—dark for an Erdinger wheat yet still a shade lighter than Schneider Weisse—while the nose is strangely candied and sweet, with a hit of clove in the background. The flavor picks up where the nose leaves off, with sweetish, spicy caramel notes, candied fruit and (I believe) a touch of barbecued banana toward the off-dry finish. On a cool day, I’d serve this with leftover roasted chicken.
- Stephen Beaumont

The classic German wheat beer character is totally absent. I assume that this is simply an Oktoberfest style beer with wheat malt. Is it an ale? A lager? The label says nothing that informs. As a tawny colored Oktoberfest type lager the beer holds up well, but is rather weak on malt accents I would associate with traditional Oktoberfest lager. Hop character is all but absent. Stylistically, I’m totally confused. In terms of beer flavor, this seems like a great mild malty lager.
- Charles Papazian

This beer has a hazy deep honey color and raises a fluffy beige head. The aroma shows faint banana, bready malt, a little clove, and a whiff of hop. It’s not very weizen-like, but Erdinger’s yeast character is always restrained. The bitterness is crisp and light, balancing a clean, lightly fruity center with a nice malt backdrop. The finish is dry with a wheaty tang. Not exciting, perhaps, but it has excellent structure and would be brilliant with beer-battered shrimp.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Author of five books on beer and a leader in educating bar and restaurant staff on beer, Stephen Beaumont is also the co-owner of downtown Toronto's beer cuisine restaurant and bar, beer bistro.

Charles Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing and president of the Brewers Association, Papazian is the leading voice in beer making.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the Brewmaster of the Brookly Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster Tale.

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