South German-Style Kristal Weizen – German Origin Ale Styles

South German-Style Kristal Weizen Style

  • Color: Straw to amber
  • Clarity: Clear with no chill haze present. Because the beer is filtered, no yeast should be present.
  • Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Malt sweetness is very low to medium-low
  • Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Not present to very low
  • Perceived Bitterness: Very low
  • Fermentation Characteristics: The aroma and flavor are very similar to Hefeweizen with the caveat that fruity and phenolic characters are not combined with the yeasty flavor and fuller-bodied mouthfeel of yeast. The phenolic characteristics are often described as clove-like or nutmeg-like and can be smoky or even vanilla-like. A Banana-like ester aroma and flavor is often present. Diacetyl should not be present. Kristal Weizens are well attenuated and very highly carbonated.
  • Body: Medium to full
  • Additional notes: These beers are made with at least 50 percent malted wheat. They have no yeast flavor and they exhibit a cleaner, drier mouthfeel than counterparts served with yeast.

South German-Style Kristal Weizen Vital Statistics

  • Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.047-1.056 (11.7-13.8 °Plato)
  • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.016 (2.1-4.1 °Plato)
  • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.9%-4.4% (4.9%-5.6%)
  • Bitterness (IBU) 10-15
  • Color SRM (EBC) 3-9(6-18 EBC)

2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association.

Credit: 2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines – Ale Styles – German Origin Ale Styles – South German-Style Kristal Weizen