Ayinger Ur-Weisse

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Dunkelweizen
Aying, Germany

Serve in Stein, Weizen

Pours a murky brown in color. Ridiculous head as I had to stop pouring to keep it from overflowing my Aventinus glass. Head never quite dissolved but retained a few millimeters of thickness. Constant carbonation rising to the top. Nose is midly sweet with wheat and just a slight hint of bananas. Flavor is almost like fresh banana bread made with wheat. Wheat has some real heft to it that just wraps around the palate. Lots of bananas and some slight hints of cloves. Little bits of orange and lemon, but just a light lisp off the tongue’s worth. Even can pick out some slight yeast juicness. Mouthfeel is perhaps a bit watery that thins out a bit towards the bottom of the glass. However, a very enjoyable beer that was a great choice.

Crowned by a priapismatic froth, the turbid liquid glares with the dull orange of a gibbous autumn moon hanging heavy on the horizon. By titling the glass, I cause finely-beaded lace to hover hestitantly and then retreat with the lethargy of a deflating blimp. Inhaling sets the sinuses aswirl with a Belgian-ish bouquet of phenolic spice, yeast, honeydew, and pistachio. Second pour, with lees, produces even aromatics; and almost barnyard tang, tempered by gardenia and marigold musk. Rich and spicy flavors abound with honeyed sweetness, bread dough, pine nuts, black pepper, and ripe orchard fruits. Citric tartness and prickly carbonation relieve the creamy, Rubenesque mouthfeel. Enchanting aftertaste evocative of fenugreek, Twinkies, and sea air. Weissbier at its finest!… high praise for a style I am not normally enomored of.

Muddy golden in color. Aromas are oranges, wheaty spice and the classic cloves and bananas. The flavor is much the same with some hints of darker fruits and pepper, finishing quite cleanly. I expected a slightly denser offering, but this was a good crisp refresher.

Bottle. I brought this one to the 2007 beer exchange and at first taste, figured that it was just OK. Now that I have had the chance to try it away from blasting my palate with impy stouts and 5 IPA’s, I really have enjoyed this beer. Nice 1/2 liter bottle from which I pour lots of yeast and the nose of banana and spice comes wafting up to my welcoming nostrils. Lots of big bubbles in a nice big head. Refreshing and light, although not very "dunkel" as the color was only slightly darker than weizens of my past. Nice beer and I’ll enjoy the rest in my cellar.

Pours a hazy burnt umber sort of amber with a healthy, though diminishing white head. The nose is hef all the way. Banana, a little lemon, definitely sweet, definitely some wheat. Yeasty apples. A little fizzy in the mouth, but decent mouthfeel, despite a thinness. Drinkable, which is the style in one word. The flavors are a cut below the aroma. Banana is obvious, obviously. Some wheaty apple sort of notes come out. Sweet up front, very dry finish. Clear aftertaste, but there’s just not enough there for me.

Poured from bottle. Beautiful golden orange color...A bit cloudy with a nice creamy head. Very malty and yeasty, with just a hint of fruit. This was not as sweet as I was expecting but a very drinkable and enjoyable beer!

Bottle. Dark malt and murky yeast aroma with faint hints of sweet banana. Cloudy amber-brown pour with a sticky white head. Lightly acidic with citrus and lots of wheat. Fruity with caramel and dark malt. Medium body is crisp and spicy, dry and spicy finish. Very light green apple. Manages to be mild and muddy while avoiding typical DW staleness. Great balanced example of the style!

Mighty fine looking wheat beer with it’s big head and golden, cloudy color. Aroma of yeast and wheat and a flavor to match. This was sweeter than any wheat beers I have tried. Not sure I like that but the faithfulness to a wheat beer style is good. Definately worth the experience.