After missing some #beersaturdays lately I was damn thirsty indeed and in the process came up with a double beer frenzy for this week. Not just to make up for the missed ones, but those two hop teas make such a nice couple, I had to do a face to face tasting.
As I mentioned in a previous post, tasting beer is a bit difficult, as many influences can change your perception of what you are actually drinking. Having multiple samples side by side makes it easier to notice the differences.
During this tasting I also tried the beers at basement or even room temperature.
Usually a beer is better enjoyed slightly chilled, but as the highly professional beer tasting expert that I am, I do not want to get tricked into missing false aromas, which can easily happen if you enjoy it too cold.
Zötler, according to their own research, is the oldest existing family brewery on the entire planet, with just 9 more family businesses beeing older.
Their own records have been entirely destroyed in 1917 when the brewery burned down for the third time in it's history, so they rely on the research a local pastor did within the church's own records.
Aside from a rich lineup of regular beers, they also offer four special craftbeers, two of which I already had the pleasure to enjoy and one waiting in the basement for an upcoming beersaturday.
In 2018 they received the quality seal from the slow brewing institute, which is apparently a sign for special attention to detail during the brewing process.
For the early part of my beer career I was prefering the Hefeweizen style over the Pilsner style - two of the main beer styles in Germany - until I discovered the beautiful aromahops that make IPAs such a freakin amazing experience. After that my focus changed and the good old bavarian wheatbeer lost a bit of its magic.
It's time to go back to the roots and have some of my favorite Hefeweizen again.
Todays beers are of two completely different styles, although in my perception they are very similar.
Technically they compare as follows:
| Hefeweizen Hell | 1447 |
|---|---|
| 12.5° Plato | 12.5° Plato |
| 11 IBU | 25 IBU |
| 5.2 % Vol. | 4.9% Vol. |
| malts: wheat and barley | malts: barley |
Price paid: 0.80€/50cl
The Hefeweizen Hell
Returning to this beer after a long time, I remembered why it used to be a regular beer on parties. It's a pleaser.
It features the hazey yellow colour and a nice lasting head that is typical for this style.
The nose is of slight banana aroma and a healthy amount of yeast. Just what you expect from a Hefeweizen.
Tastewise we get some slender wheat, backed up by a strong yeasty body and just the right amount of yummy banana. Alltogether a nicely balanced experience. My sole criticism would be the edging acididy, that occurs at room temperature.
Overall this beer is not fancy at all. It is just a perfect sipping beer that is still very enjoyable even if you forgot to put one in the fridge.
The 1447
The nose on this beer is a bit stronger and more spicy. The yeast can be detected, but it's much less dominant. The head fades a bit quicker.
Tastewise it is again just what the nose promised.
The malt is a bit more dominant and spicier, which fits the same acidity we found in the previous beer much better.
The experience ends with a pleasant malty bitterness.
Again, this beer shows no flaws at room temperature and is still very enjoyable.
Even though the grains are different, to me those two beers are the perfect equivalent to Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. One beeing sweet and pleasing, the other beeing more spicy and intense.
My own pereference beeing on the spicier side, makes the 1447 my personal favorite.
From an objective point of view both beers are very well made and deliver a nice price-performance- ratio which results in 3.75/5 points.
Unfortunately my most favorite Zötler beer is out of season right now, so next week I will be having a look at their craftbeer that was named after the haunted ghost of a knight, instead.