First published in BEER April 2007 as part of a piece featuring German wheat beers available from UK supermarkets. For more wheat beers see previous post.
ABV: 5 per cent
Origin: München, Bayern, Germany
Website www.franziskaner.com
Spaten-Lowenbräu Franziskaner standee at Bierkraft, Brookyln NY
Spaten – one of the six big names represented at Munich’s Oktoberfest – is also one of most historic of the world’s beer producers. Like many German breweries it traces its history back to mediaeval times but its modern history begins in 1807 when the royal brewmaster, Gabriel Sedlmayr, took over what was then the smallest brewery in the city.
Sedlmayr’s descendants played a leading role in developing pale lager styles and Festbier but they also owned a wheat beer brewery near the Residenz, named Franziskaner due to its proximity to an old Franciscan friary. In the 20th century the various interests were merged into a single brewery.
Recently the company, now further merged with fellow Oktoberfest contributor Löwenbräu, has come under the control of InBev, but its flagship wheat beer remains for the moment a tasty enough brew, using a higher wheat content than many of its competitors.
The beer is a deep rich amber with a very full banana aroma and a touch of bubblegum and spice. Orange and clove notes enliven a banana-sweet palate with a restrained touch of citrus, resiny hops and a hint of dry chocolate.
A fluffy swallow leads to a bitterish finish with grassy hops and more dark chocolate hints. It’s an easy drinking but characterful beer that’s a good introduction to the style.
For more German wheat beers, see next post.
Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/franziskaner-hefe-weissbier/1088/
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