1001 BEERS" #45. WEIHENSTEPHANER PILSNER

 

# 45: WEIHENSTEPHANER PILSNER

Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan - Germany (Est. 725)
First Brewed - 1908

5.1% ABV - Pilsner 
IBU's - 32

Ingredients:

Malts: Pilsner Malt
Hops: Hallertauer Perle, Hallertauer Taurus and Hallertauer Tradtion


Tasting Notes:

E: Golden, clear with a lovely lacing on the glass and a bright white foamy head that dissipated quickly.
N: Crisp aromas of bread and sweet malts, with a slight citrus zing on the nose.
P: On the palate this Pilsner demonstrates elements of zesty citrus and firm fruit sweetness, mild bitterness follows from the Hallertau hops.
M: Smooth, with a gentle carbonation, very well balanced.

Other comments: 

The oldest brewery in the world?  The Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan claims to be, as the brewery was originally part of the Weihenstephan monastery which was founded in 725.  In 1040 the monks established a brewery, and the foundation of brewing began.  Years of disastrous events including a fire, an earthquake, disease and famine has given the monastery a chequered history, but the tradition of brewing has continued to grow.  The basic method of brewing has barely changed since 1040, with just a few tweaks to the upgrading of the equipment.  The Pilsner was first brewed in 1908 and is a fantastic example of a Bavarian Pilsner with all the fruit sweetness of a hefewizen with the hop bitterness of a Pilsner.  A lovely beer that tops my lists of Pilsners.

Food Pairings: 

For this Pilsner then go with fish, shellfish and anything that has spent the majority of it's life breathing through a set of gills.  My choice for the Weihenstephaner Pilsner would be shellfish, something with a little sweetness that can compliment the fruit sweetness in the beer, whilst the hop bitterness can cut through any acidity.

Try this dish from the BBC website as a perfect accompaniment

Langoustine Scampi with Lemon Mayo

SCORE: 3.9/5

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