It’d be remiss not to include Canada’s newly crowned brewery of the year in my summer beer picks. Four Winds latest release is going straight to the four-pack format favoured for its year-round brews. It’s a brave move for what’s still quite an unrecognized style.
Berliner Weisse is traditionally served “mit schuss,” i.e. with a shot of flavoured syrup to balance the beer’s bright acidity; raspberry or woodruff are the usual syrup flavours. But thanks to a sturdy body, slightly elevated alcohol (Berliner Weisses usually operate south of 3%) and poised balance, Four Winds’ version stands on its own just fine.
It’s a clouded orangey-lemon colour with a frizzy, dense bright white head.
On the nose are preserved lemons and orange rind on the nose, alongside a clean, mineral, slightly chalky background. As the beer warms, honeyed, bready malt begins to appear.
Tart lemon and a hint of juicy orange are front and centre in the mouth. This is balanced by a light chalkiness before the beer finds a surprising, richer honey-malt and fruity depth in the middle. It finishes with a bare, slightly floral, mineral dryness.
With all this character at such modest strength, this is a superb choice for a sun-baked patio this summer. The four-pack decision makes perfect sense.
Food pairing: Fish, omelette, eggs benedict, grilled pork chops; I had a bottle with a bowl of home-made ramen and it was a superb match.
7.5/10
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