A business renames itself to meet the demands of a changing industry. - Centennial Kristallweizen: A Neglected Gem in the Beer World?
Bavaria has long been known for its wheat beer origins, but a popular variety can be traced back to a small brewery in Baden-Württemberg - Farny from Kißlegg in Allgäu. This year, the crystal wheat beer celebrates its 100th anniversary. In 1924, a letter dated June 11th served as the first documented evidence of the unique beer variety. Brewery manager Elmar Bentele mentioned the "glowing wheat beer," or crystal wheat beer, in the letter he wrote to his wife on their seventh wedding anniversary.
The foundation for this invention lies in a beer filter that was created a few years prior. This was used to make beer crystal clear. Bentele explains that the idea was to create a new and sparkling beer. The exact recipe is still a closely guarded secret. Crystal wheat beer complies with the German Purity Law, consisting of water, wheat, barley malt, hops, and yeast. Yeast, however, is removed in an additional step.
Appreciated nationwide, particularly in Bavaria, southern Germany, and Berlin, crystal wheat beer boasts a distinct, different flavor profile when compared to its close relative, the hefeweizen. "A crystal wheat beer is a slim and mildly hopped drink, with a slightly acidic taste due to the carbon dioxide," says Bentele. While flavors such as hops and malt play a minimal role, citrusy and floral aromas are more prominent. It pairs well with dishes like chicken, Wiener schnitzel, or fish.
The drink is often enjoyed with a slice of lemon, and in some regions, a grain of rice is thrown into the glass to maintain the foam crown with less carbon dioxide. This allows the gas to escape onto the grain. Expert tasters from Weihenstephan conducted a taste test in 1926, comparing the crystal wheat beer to Champagne. "The term Champagne-Weizen was born due to this comparison."
According to Walter König of the Bavarian Brewers' Association, crystal wheat beer has historically been an underrated niche product. Although it shares some similarities with Kölsch, it's been overlooked. However, beer enthusiasts would argue that it's a sophisticated and noteworthy beverage deserving of more attention.
By the 1970s and 80s, wheat beer popularity expanded beyond Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, but the clarity of the crystal wheat beer initially stood out. As time passed, the naturally cloudy hefeweizen became more favorable, offering a milder, fruitier profile. Despite its niche status, demand has increased in recent years. Farny, which brews around ten million liters annually, is proud to be responsible for Baden-Württemberg's crystalline wheat beer invention. "If someone presents us with an older certificate tomorrow, we'll gladly pass it on," quips Bentele. "For now, we're honored to carry the torch."
In conclusion, the crystal wheat beer, a century-old creation from the Edelweißbrauerei Farny, showcases a unique and refined beer type. It has been overshadowed by the more subtle hefeweizen but has written its own chapter in brewing history. Enjoy this refreshing, delectable beverage for its distinct flavor and deliciousness, and don't let it fall into the shadows.
Wheat beer variety in focus: crystal wheat beer
- The century-old crystal wheat beer from Edelweißbrauerei Farny in Baden-Württemberg celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
- In 1924, a love letter written by the brewery's chief on his wedding anniversary mentioned the "glowing wheat beer," which sparked the name led to the birth of this refreshing brew.
- An essential factor in the development of crystal wheat beer was the invention of a beer filter a few years earlier. This allowed the brew to become crystal clear.
- While closely related to hefeweizen, crystal wheat beer stands out for its slender build and moderately hopped flavors, with a slightly acidic taste.
- Aromas have a citrus and floral character.
- The "birth certificate" for crystal wheat beer was reportedly written by the successful brewery's chief in 1924 as a daily love letter to his wife on their seventh wedding anniversary.
- Despite not gaining wide acclaim, the beer pairs well with chicken, Wiener schnitzel, or seafood.
- In the late 1700s and 80s, wheat beer enjoyed surging popularity, which led to a decline in popularity for crystal wheat beer.
- The cleanliness of the drink created a buzz, but the naturally cloudy hefeweizen grew more popular, with a more soft and fruity profile.
- Today, the delicate brew has a modest market share.
- Elmar Bentele, managing director of Edelweißbrauerei Farny, believes that the beer is underappreciated, comparing it to Kölsch and claiming that it escaped its niche status unfairly.
- Total annual production at the company is around 10 million liters, with crystal wheat beer being their most crucial type.
Read also:
The crystal wheat beer, a centennial gem from Edelweißbrauerei Farny in Baden-Württemberg, was first mentioned in a love letter written by the brewery's chief in 1924, sparking its creation. The brew's clarity was achieved through the use of a beer filter invented a few years prior. Originating in Southern Germany, specifically in Allgäu, this unique wheat beer variety is more characterized by its slim build and moderately hopped flavors compared to its relative, hefeweizen.
The distinct aroma of citrus and floral notes sets it apart, pairing well with traditional German dishes such as chicken, Wiener schnitzel, or fish. Despite the surge in wheat beer popularity in the 1970s and 80s, crystal wheat beer remained an underrated niche product, often compared to Kölsch by beer enthusiasts.
As the founding location of this centennial drink, Edelweißbrauerei Farny annually produces around ten million liters of the clarified wheat beer, with it being their most significant type. Walther Koenig, Brewers' Association President in Bavaria, acknowledges the historical underappreciation of crystal wheat beer.
The drink is popularly enjoyed in Berlin and Bavaria, as well as in its birthplace in Allgermany, with a slice of lemon and sometimes a grain of rice to maintain its foam crown. The drink's essence proves that it still warrants the attention it deserves. Barcelona's iconic brewery, La Cerdanya, has embraced the German tradition by brewing its own crystal wheat beer, respecting the original's unique recipe and showcasing it in their Food & Drink menu.
In conclusion, the crystal wheat beer constitutes a refreshing, sophisticated, and modern take on traditional German brewing. It has served this purpose for a century, writing its own compelling chapter in the rich history of beer in Germany, not to be overlooked or forgotten.
