The Berliner Weisse to end the non-traditional “sweet additives” travesty.
For decades, the noble Berliner Weisse has been forced to live in wrongful perdition. A complex sour beer, once honored by Napoleon’s troops as the “Champagne of the North,” has, in recent generations, been badly mistreated and become woefully misunderstood. In just the last 100 years, the authenticity of the style has been unjustly adulterated by artificial flavorings, colorings, sugar and sometimes even schnapps.
Choosing instead to be completely and authentically traditional, Stone White Ghost Berliner Weisse is a tart and refreshing Berliner Weisse. The beer gains its orthodox, lightly sour and acidic character from a specially selected Lactobacillus strain sourced from historical Berlin cultures. To ensure a properly Stone – and therefore iconoclastic – Berliner Weisse, the ABV is a healthy 4.7% and the beer is hopped with new German hop varieties. The result is a true Stone beer; unexpectedly bold and pleasantly refreshing, now launched to the UK’s on and off trade.
Unbeknownst to the average Berliner is that the addition of ‘schuss’ flavorings is a fairly recent occurrence in the 600+ year history of the style. In modern times, most consumers have learned to believe that it is required to add sugary syrups with artificial flavorings and colorings to the beer. In a country that prides itself on purity, this is a bit of a bewildering practice. However, craft brewers around the world, now including those in Berlin, are opting for the true tradition of complex and flavorful Berliner Weisse that would be ruined by such neon colored additions.
“What better way to celebrate the dynamic beer culture of Berlin and the culmination of Stone’s first year in the city than with a traditionally-brewed Berliner Weisse? It’s especially fitting now, at a time of renewed interest in the authentic Berliner Weissen style,” said Greg Koch, Executive Chairman & co-founder at Stone Brewing. “I mean, of course – where else? It’s exciting that the craft beer movement has given this unique style back to this great city. With Berliner Weisse styles from Brewbaker, BRLO, Lemke, Schneeeule, and Stone, we can enjoy a variety of this iconic symbol of Berlin once more.”
Thomas Tyrell, Master Brewer at Stone Berlin adds: “At Stone Brewing, we’ve been inspired by many things in our first year in Berlin, but nothing has been more inspiring than the city itself and its rich brewing tradition. Stone White Ghost Berliner Weisse is brewed with a Lactobacillicus strain, which was chosen from a selection of decades-old Berlin based strains to ensure the perfect balance of flavors that are authentic to the original style. We’ve rounded out the tartness with German Hüll Melon and Calista hops, bringing a balanced and fresh finish to this bright and crisp beer.”
James Clay, Business Development Director at James Clay, commented: “The iconic Stone Brewery has a history of leading where others follow: their famous ‘Stone IPA’ introduced the American IPA style to the world and now, through ‘Stone White Ghost Berliner Weisse’, they are opening up a once niche Berlin beer style to a global audience. We are excited to help share this unique beer style with a wider audience in keeping with the spirit of why James Clay was founded.”
Stone White Ghost Berliner Weisse is now available in the UK in 24 x 330ml cans and keg, imported and distributed by James Clay. Each can is stamped with a packaging date and ‘enjoy by’ date, so that beer fans can best know when to enjoy the beer’s intensity and finely balanced flavour.
*a shot of syrup or schnapps added to a Berliner Weisse by those who have the audacity to change this classic style
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Quick Facts
Style: Berliner Weisse
Alc/vol: 4.7%
Hop Varieties: Callista, Hüll Melon
Beer page url: http://www.stonebrewing.eu/beer/stone-brewing-year-round-releases/stone-white-ghost-berliner-weisse
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pours cloudy golden with a white head.
Aroma: Intense lemon, peach and melon flavors. Also some rhubarb notes.
Taste: An intense, but well balanced sour.
Palate: Medium body with no perceivable sweetness. A clean acidic finish.
Overall: This is a refreshing year-round beer!
(Thomas Tyrell, Master Brewer at Stone Berlin)
Suggested Pairings
Appetizers: Ceviche, Summer Rolls, Asparagus w/ poached egg
Salads: Cucumber salad, Lambs lettuce w/ red wine vinaigrette
Entrees: “Forelle Müllerin”, lightly fish dishes, Shrimp
Cheese/Fruit: Comté, Morbier/ Raspberry, Rhubarb
(Robert Hilges, Executive Chef at Stone Berlin World Bistro and Gardens)
Stone Brewing
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, the groundbreaking San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Recognized as an industry leader, Stone is one of the fastest growing companies in the US. Stone Brewing has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice, and was named the “Top Rated Brewer in California” by RateBeer Best in January 2017. The multifaceted company is the first American craft brewer to independently build, own and operate their own brewery in Europe (Berlin, Germany). Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing … and pledging never, ever, to sell out to the man. For more information on Stone Brewing, please visit stonebrewing.eu or the company’s social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and The Stone Blog.
Contact Stone Brewing Berlin
Colin Lenz
Stone Brewing GmbH | Im Marienpark 22 | 12107 Berlin, Germany
P +49 30 212 343 40 | M +49 151 239 71 870 | colin.lenz@stonebrewing.eu | www.stonebrewing.eu
For more information on James Clay, please contact the team on jc@ilkagency.co.uk or 0113 242 9174.