Franziskaner Weissbier Beer Review - A Taste of the Past

When first tasted, one could consider this classic wheat beer to be a mode of time travelling transportation with its delectable recipe that has gone unchanged since 1516 (until the addition of wheat of course)! That being impossible, allow this review to transport you there instead and discover a classic German beer that is exclusively brewed in Munich with a long rich history to boot.

A Long, Long History.

1363 saw the Spatenbräu brewery founded in Munich and is now one of the oldest breweries in the city. It was here that Franziskaner Weissbier would get its start, collecting its name from a nearby Franciscan Monastery. The history of the brewery is a story of consistent ownership change which eventually found its footing in the mid 1800s; serving beer at the iconic Oktoberfest for the first time in 1872 and by 1909 furthered their ventures into a little country known as North America.

Spaten-Brauerei joined forces with Franziskaner-Leist-Bräu in 1922, both under the ownership of the Sedlmayr family who have an impressive brewing resume (a member was a royal court beer brewer).

Franziskaner was first brewed up in 1935 and in 1964 the first wheat beer was created by the brewery and finally after another 10 years, the beer became completely wheat-based, just like the iteration of the beverage we know today.

The Beer: How Does It Fair?

Presented in a brown glass bottle, like most beers today, Franziskaner Weissbier boasts a label designed by German poster artist Ludwig Hohlwein, known as a pioneer of the Sachplakat art movement in the 1900’s.

Upon pouring, one can instantly admire the natural cloudiness that coupled with the beverages golden amber colouring and smooth foamy head, creates a striking glass of beer.

The beer's aromas are initially fruity with notes of citrus that follow and becoming more detectable as lemon as it soaks in the mouth. The citrus works wonders with the piquant yeast that meets the tongue from the first sip and later is graced by a mellow yet warming note of unexpected tropical fruits such as banana that creates a harmonious balance of tastes.

A Perfect Pairing

Typically all beer is good with something salty, no? That does remain the case here, but to really push the boat out and unlock the flavour potential of the drink, one should consider pairing with a premium meat such as steak or pork that work well with the mellower tastes. Push that aforementioned boat out even further and maybe net your own seafood; cook a timeless British classic like fish and chips to complement Franziskaner’s spicy yeast body.

If a snack is preferred, a bowl of salt and vinegar crisps can really enhance the notes of citrus and tame the yeast. In this case, a packet of honey and mustard pretzel pieces were enjoyed with their balanced sweet yet tangy flavours, working as a great partner to the lemon of the beer and even created a pleasant taste that lingered moments after.

A Good Beer?

Simply put, yes! Franziskaner Weissbier is probably one of the best wheat beers available on the market today, although probably a few points behind the Erdinger’s renowned wheat beer, it graciously holds its own in regards to history and development in which comes its charm and a feeling of importance with every sip.

For the upcoming colder months it’s the perfect companion, warming and welcoming in its taste and aromas, there is a reason it’s one of the most depleted drinks on the supermarket shelves.

If you liked the Franziskaner Weissbier review, please feel free to share your comments below. We are happy to hear from you!

Written by Billy Strickland, follow him @dontcallmewilliam or by clicking here.

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