MAHR’S BRÄU SAPHIR WEISSE—A GEM OF A WHEAT BEER
MAHR’S BRÄU SAPHIR WEISSE Abv 5.6
Mahr’s Bräu is a Bamberg brewery with enough of an international reputation to have been invited to do a collaboration beer with Sierra Nevada. On our first trip to Bamberg – probably in the late 70s—we were greeted by the then fourth generation owner as if we were long lost cousins. Young American couples looking for good beer arent’ the rarity now that they were then, of course, so if you go there you might not get the same personal treatment. But you will get an exceptionally broad range of very good beer, friendly service and a good meal at a fair price. And all you have to do is walk across the street to another Bamberg gem—Keesman. A non-too-long walk uphill takes you to the former Maisel Keller – now the home of a lovely Fassla beer garden.
This beer has been imported by Shelton Brothers, who still list it on their website. We’re not sure of its current availability.
Hoppy Hefeweizens are something of a rage these days. You’ll find them in small towns in Germany (along with a sharply increased number of American style IPAs). We reviewed a good one from Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh earlier in the year. It’s a style in flux. Which hops matters – some clash with the lemon-banana fruitiness of the lemony wheat and the clovey-banana yeast. The match seems to be pretty hit or miss.
Saphir works particularly well. It’s a relatively new hop from the Hops Research Institute in Hull Germany, which has given us several of the best modern hops on the market in recent years. It has some fruit characteristics, though nothing like the superhops from the west coast of the US. It has a spiciness, though that works well in a hefeweizen and its Hallertau heritage makes it a good candidate for an innovative German style beer.
Tasting notes: Distinctive, especially when we tasted it in 2010. Chewy malt starts, but herbal then bitter hops roll along with the expected hefeweizen esters. A late bitter blends with the lemon wheat to make it interesting and moreish.
Food Pairings: The hoppiness could match well with spicy foods. We always have liked pairing hefeweizens with fish—preferably grilled. We think that this spicy hefeweizen could be just about perfect with a blackened catfish. Review #0076 20170301
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