The Brooklyn Brewery is a storied and controversial institution where we live. Of the “next” generation of breweries that replaced the old guard that pocked the Bushwick and “East Williamsburg” areas of Brooklyn in the earlier part of the century, Brooklyn has has the most to say, and the Brewmaster ain’t afraid to say or do almost anything. Now I typically enjoy drinking Brooklyn’s beers, even though they usually don’t blow my mind and are mostly a substitute for not having to drink Pabst, which I justify in the same way that “they” do when they say that Lay’s potato chips are good for your heart because you *could* be eating bacon instead.
But I digress, down to the Brew. Oliver’s fame and outspoken nature has allowed him to collaborate with one of the most well regarded German breweries of our time, Schneider, who’s famous Weisse beer (touted by Ceeg and Beth as “maybe the greatest Weisse Beer of all time”) is an absolute institution of summer brewdom here in the BK. The story goes that after a long friendship with Schneider’s brewmaster, who appreciated Oliver’s use of Dry-Hopping and non-traditional moves, Oliver flew to Germany, and the two worked on some ideas for a beer that could be brewed in America and hopped with American hops, and then in Germany with local hops, in the same style. Two beers resulted, a “Brooklyn-Schneider,” and a “Schneider-Brooklyner,” which reflect where the beer was made.
I’ll let someone else talk about the “Brooklyn-Schneider” version, which certainly has its merits, but as a newly bottled run of the “Schneider-Brooklyner” came out just recently and is making the rounds of local shops, I thought I would write about it. Basically, I absolutely love it. It came out at the perfect time, when the warm weather is creeping and you long to down some seriously refreshing beers and still not have to drink to many to get warmed up. This beer pours with an amazing creamy and rich looking head, which my wife says looks like whipped cream and I can’t say I disagree. Small bubbles, a rich golden color, and an amazing spicy, sweet, faintly bubblegummy smell all make this an enormously attractive beer even before you take a sip. Oh, and to put the glass up to your mouth, huff it, and go for it! Man! Truly great Weisse beer is such a treat, and the addition of the Hoppy character really speaks to me, and I know I speak for the other three Brew Dogs when I say that this is one of the most successful things Brooklyn has had its name on in a while. This beer has the right amount of body, the perfect amount of drinkability, and remains interesting throughout. Grab one of these and one of the Brooklyn versions and compare them side by side — you won’t be disappointed. Germany keeps on makin it!
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