It seems that Berliner Weisse and Gose are going to be Australia’s beers of this coming summer. So not wanting to be left behind, we’ve organized a few from our European brewers.
The first is Achtung Berry from De Molen. It is a Berliner Weisse with hibiscus flowers and blueberries.
It pours the most beautiful deep crimson colour, looking for all money like a nice rose in the glass. The berries and flowers make for a lovely aroma, with the background hint of funk and sour.
For our non-sour-loving members, this is your sour warning (albeit a little imbedded in the narrative!) There is early sweetness from the berries, coming through almost like the slight tartness of slightly under-ripe cherries. The hibiscus flowers add a rose wine note as well.
The lactobacillus does kick in, though (to me at least) very gently at first. It slowly grips the outside, back of the tongue and works it way around the gums for a pleasant lingering bite that encourages another taste of this beer.