437. Flat Branch Pub & Brewing – Kristal Weizen

My friend Joe and I met up with our friend Bill who lives here in Columbia, MO. We’re in town for our fraternity’s annual golf tournament, and we’re on our third stop of the evening, along with my fifth beer. I wasn’t exactly sure what type of beer this was, but it sounded interesting and I thought I’d give it a try. Here’s what was listed on the brewery menu:

“Kristalweizen is a clear, yeast free version of the Hefeweizen style, and is a great summer beer with its refreshing and crisp taste. Our brew is 50% wheat and 50% malted barley, along with the addition of Czech Styrian Golding hops that add a light flowery note. A classic German Weizen yeast imparts a tart crispness, and subtle fruity weizen character.”

Location: On tap and served in an imperial pint glass at Flat Branch Pub & Brewing in Columbia, MO.

Numbers: 5.2% ABV, 11 IBUs

Appearance & Aroma: It was very clear and bright yellow in color. It had a very thin head, barely covering the surface. I couldn’t really pick up on any aroma from the beer, maybe only a hint of wheaty breadiness.

Taste & Feel: The body was light and the mouthfeel was sharp and crisp from the carbonation in the beer. The flavors up front were lightly malty with hints of honey and breadiness. In the middle, a little bit of the typical hefeweizen banana and clove flavors came in, with the banana flavors coming through a bit more. It finished with a good amount of crispness with little aftertaste.

Food Pairing: This beer is light enough that it could go with almost anything. If I had to pair it with something here at Flat Branch, I’d probably pair this with their Bayou Pasta, as it’s crispness would help cut through the spiciness of this dish a bit. Additionally, the light banana flavors would bring out the flavorfulness of the andouille sausage and yellow onions.

Overall Impression: I’ll admit, I’d never heard of the kristalweizen style before having this beer. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as it seems most hefeweizens get most of their flavors from the yeast characters. I found this beer to be extremely drinkable and refreshing. The body was light, and the crispness definitely made it a summer beer. Overall, it was a decent beer, and I probably should have gotten a growler for the golf course tomorrow.

My Rating:

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