The Brewery: Freigeist Bierkultur
The Brew: Abraxxxas (Berliner Weisse)
Availability: Draft and bottles
ABV: 6.0%
Rating: 9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center
The Story? Last year, Freigeist Bierkultur launched to critical and beer fan acclaim, even running out beer for a short time. Their line focuses on revitalizing Germany's traditional, and some times "lost", top-fermented beer recipes. I've seen their Altbier and Kolsh around, but have been the lookout for their Gose and Berliner Weisse as the place to start.
As previously mentioned, I'm a big Berliner Weisse fan and have been stoked on the number of breweries putting their spin on the classic German style. I was in to Fingerlakes Beverage to pick up something completely different and could not resist finally giving this one a shot.
The Beer? Abraxxxas rolls out with deep, unfiltered, translucent, dulled caramel coloring and minimal white head. The nose is a mild mixture of smooth smoke and slight tart grape.
On first sip, there's a pungent, puckering astringency that is wet up front coupled by a drying smoke finish and a touch of sourdough. Further through, notes of lemon, apple, mild cheese and meats emerge, coupled by golden raisin and other sweet fruits in the finish.
The sourness and prickly carbonation settles in quickly and becomes quite drinkable, in that distinctly Berliner Weisse way. An excellent paring of smoke wonderful ongoing, dry tartness. Towards the end of the bottle, the nose gets levels up the funk and yeast notes, even a hint of lime appears, for a strong, unique finish.
I'm looking forward to exploring all of Freigeist Bierkultur updated German traditional brews. This one nailed it for this blogger. Recommended.
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