Sadly, there are only a few breweries left in Berlin still brewing the Berliner Weisse style, which is characterized by its intense tartness (some say sour). There were once over 70 breweries in Berlin alone making this beer! In addition to fermentation with an ale yeast, Berliner Weisse is traditionally fermented with lactic cultures to produce its acidic (or green apple-like) character. Served as an apertif or summertime quencher, Festina is delicately hopped and has a pale straw color. To soften the intense sourness, Berliner Weisse is traditionally served with a dash of essence of woodruff or raspberry syrup. In Festina Peche, since the natural peach sugars are eaten by the yeast, the fruit complexity is woven into both the aroma and the taste of the beer so there is no need to doctor it with woodruff or raspberry syrup. Just open and enjoy! (Description provided by company)
Comments
Peachy keen!
Pours a golden yellow, with lots of bubbles and two fingers of a bubbly head. Moderate head retention.
Nose is very fruity and citrusy, with some wheat, malt and peach aromas.
Taste is fruity, with the citrus and peach notes the primary flavors, with a wheat undertone. No real bitterness, but a nice citrus tartness.
Fairly light body and relatively high carbonation.
If you've not had a Weissbier - but you like the wheat beer style - you should give this a try. It's a (relatively) easy to find and inexpensive way to sample a very refreshing summer style.