Beer #25: 1809 Berliner Weisse and Classic German Herbs, If You're Interested

Odd fact about the sensors on run-flat tires in a Mini Cooper -- major shifts in temperature set off the low tire pressure indicator.  Typically this is not an issue except this year has seen some bizarre shifts in temperature and I've found myself at the Mini dealership more times than usual.  There are a lot of highlights to owning a Mini (Cooper S, by the way).  It's cute but bad ass or at least mine is.  It's fast.  I love accelerating away from someone like they are sitting still.  Who knew that would be a selling point for me?!?  There are also responsible highlights like pretty awesome MPG.

But the best part of owning this car are the people who work at the dealership.  This isn't a sponsored post and I'm not getting any compensation for it.  I wish that were true.  I just feel the need to sing the praises of Mini of the Main Line.  Everyone is super friendly and just downright nice.  It's like I'm visiting friends when I stop by.

So to all the folks at Mini of the Main Line, I'm toasting you with tonight's beer.  Thanks for being so darn awesome!

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Prof. Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse

Thanks to the folks at Teresa's Next Door in Wayne, Pennsylvania, I discovered Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner  Weisse.  I'm going to call this one my gateway beer into the world of sour beer.  It's a slippery slope -- you've been warned.

As you can see from the photo that I actually remembered to post today, it's hazy and golden in my glass.  Pours with a big head that pretty quickly dissipates.  A good swirl releases banana bread.  It has body and a little tingle of effervescence when drinking.  I get wheat and some citrus and a tanginess that isn't overpowering.  It finishes nice and smooth -- I'd even say it revisits the banana undertones at the very end.

At 5% ABV, this is a great beer for spending some time with and not just in the winter.  Interesting note about the Berliner Weisse beer.  Not everyone is as nutty as I am about a beer with tangy, sour undertones.  So if you find yourself in an establishment that is pouring the 1809, you may want to ask for some Waldmeister to add to it.  Waldmeister was introduced to me at Teresa's Next Door (I'm telling you, these guys know what they are doing!).  It is a green syrup made of woodruff, the classic German herb.  Umm, yeah.  The classic German herb.  On its own, it kind of tasted like almonds.  Added to the 1809, it gave it a nice sweetness but not cloyingly so.

So here's to good beer, fun and friendly people and classic German herbs!