Review: Weissbier Alkoholfrei, by Erdinger
By Naomi Parkin-Tyrie
The upshot:
An alcohol-free Bavarian wheat beer (<0.5% vol)
Light, refreshing, and fruity, with a slight bitterness
A little bland compared to other wheat beers
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The Erdinger Weissbier Alkoholfrei is an alcohol-free wheat beer brewed by the Erdinger Weissbrau brewery in Bavaria, Germany.
Erdinger are keen to promote the beer’s health-boosting properties. It’s branded as an “isotonic drink” – that is, a drink that helps your body recuperate after intensive exercise – and a source of B vitamins. And these claims do actually stack up, according to the BDA.
But, more importantly, what does Erdinger Weissbier Alkoholfrei taste like?
Beer style
Wheat beer, or Weissbier (literally “white beer” in German), is one of Germany’s classic beer styles.
It gets its name from its pale yellow-white colour, which results from the pale wheat and barley malt that it’s brewed with. German law specifies that Weissbier must be made from at least 50% wheat (in contrast to most beers, which are heavy on the barley).
But what gives wheat beer its characteristic smell and taste is actually the specialised yeast that’s used to brew it. Yeast being the tiny fungi that are essential for fermentation – AKA the process of turning the sugary malt solution into beer.
So when you smell or taste a wheat beer, the notes of banana, clove, smoke, or even bubblegum that you might detect are all caused by chemicals that are produced when the yeast ferments the beer (no actual bananas in sight, I’m afraid!).
Erdinger Alkoholfrei review: the look, taste, and feel
Right, I’ve got my chilled Erdinger Alkoholfrei in front of me. Let the tasting begin.
Appearance
The beer is a rich gold colour, with sparkling streams of bubbles heading to the top. Promising. And it’s got the thick, white, creamy head that you should see on any good wheat beer. All in all, it’s the kind of drink that would look pretty attractive on a hot summer’s day.
Aroma and flavour: what does Erdinger Alkoholfrei taste like?
As I take a sniff of the Erdinger I’m keeping my nose open for hints of those characteristic wheat beer yeast aromas. So what jumps out at me?
There is a slight spiciness and a subtle banana-like smell to the beer, but it isn’t strong. I also get a hint of toasted wheat. It’s pleasant, but it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as other wheat beers I’ve tried. (Some beer experts feel that Erdinger’s beers are a little on the bland side in general.)
When I take a sip, the taste is sweet and fruity – there’s more banana and something a little like peach.
And when it comes to aftertaste, there’s a subtle, lingering bitterness on your tongue (hello hops!) which nicely balances out the sweet taste of the beer. It seems to encourage you to take another sip…
How does it feel in the mouth?
Because it’s so highly carbonated, the beer has a creamy mouthfeel. But it also expands and coats the inside of my mouth with a sticky sensation, which is less appealing.
Erdinger Weissbier Alkoholfrei: the verdict
There’s no denying that the Erdinger Alkoholfrei is a pleasant, refreshing drink. I’m confident that after a day hiking in the Bavarian mountains I would be more than happy to sit down with one of these beers.
True, if you’re hoping for an alcohol-free beer with a little more complexity and more powerful flavours, this might not be the drink for you.
But, if you’re looking for something light and fruity (with the health benefits of extra vitamins), this should tick all your boxes.