March 8th, 2010 by Nate

Regular readers of this blog will know that I’m a little bit of a fan of Weisse Biers. So when I get the chance to try a new variation, I dive in clothes and all. In a recent trip to Zürich I visited the lovely and albeit kitschZeughauskeller. It’s a typical ‘Bavarian’ bier und essen halle (beer and food hall) full of ornate woodwork and middle age weapons and armor.

In fact I had actually visited the Zeughauskeller way back in 2007 with a mate of mine and that is where I tried for the first time the Schneider & Sohn Aventinus. So it’s not short on good bier.

I had not previously tasted the Hofbräu Schwarze Weisse. In additional I also happen to be a fan of other Hofbräu brews. So this was a must. At first appearances the bier actually looks similar to that of a Franziskaner Dunkel (which has been discussed in depth over at the Brew Club site). But looks aside the Hofbräu is a little different. I found it to be a quality experience, from the dark pour and the aromatic sweetness and finally the lovely mouthy, chewy feel to the bier. This is certainly up there with the best Weisse biers around.

My only issue with this bier, especially when contrasted against other ‘dark’ weisse biers is that the taste just couldn’t compete with that of the Franziskaner. Specifically there was an almost salty finish to the flavour. Look it’s not bad at all, in fact if I had not previously tried the Franziskaner Dunkel, this Hofbräu Schwarze would probably be getting 5 steins. However as this is not the case, I didn’t like the Hofbräu as much as the Franziskaner. In the end this is simply a matter of individual taste. So this gets a 4 stein +

Hell just writing this review makes me want one right now….. should invest in some on my next trip to Deutschland!

Bavarian bier, German Bier, Hofbräu, Hofbräu Schwarze Weisse, Weisse Bier, Zeughauskeller