Grandpa Plank’s Weissbier is a wonderfully fresh take on the world-famous Bavarian Hefeweizen. Lighter in color than some of the classic Bavarian Hefeweissebier like Schneider Weisse Original Weissbier, to my palate Plank’s Weissbier has a bolder character than the Hefeweizen from Hofbräuhaus München. And while Grandpa Plank’s Weissbier is a bit lower in alcohol, 4.8 % alcohol by volume to Hofbräuhaus’ 5.1%, Grandpa Plank’s is a tastier treat going down, in my humble opinion.
Grandpa Plank’s Weissbier is a bit more modern than most Bavarian Hefeweizen in that it uses Ariana hops, and if we believe other folks on the internet, there are three others used in the beer: Hallertauer Tradition, Vic Secret, and Topaz.
Plank brings the body of Original Schneider Weisse, but strikes us (as we drink with our eyes) a paler color with slight haze. It’s a fruity affair in the aroma, with notes of overripe plum. Whereas the purple and pink crimson center of a plum might be earthy, Plank is a bit more floral in its perfume. There’s a black pepper zesty spice in the nose and the palate dances with fruits reminiscent of the Call Your Mother fruit salad: banana, blueberry, and strawberry. An earthiness meets a floriferous component that blends the old world hefeweizen beers with the more modern hop, Ariana, which was developed at the Hop Research Center in Hüll, Germany.
In the taste, a mild vanilla character disappears into a soft cracker palate. A bready, doughy wheat-like mouthfeel takes over the mid palate and the finish is like your favorite loaf of fresh baked whole wheat with a black currant smear of fruitness to round it out.
We at DC Beer are grateful for classic beers like the Dunkler Weizenbock coming from Brauerei Michael Plank, and this newer variation on the theme that made many of us fall in love with beer: German wheat beer.
You can find Grandpa Plank’s Weissbier at GermanGourmet, 5838 Columbia Pike Falls Church, Virginia 22041. Maybe call ahead at 703-379-8080? I may have already wiped them out…
As for the other Plank beer at Snallygaster, Dunkler Weizenbock, checkout Hop, Cask, & Barrel, 1717 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20007, feel free to call or browse their site 202- 795-9494.
Hop, Cask, & Barrel has the added benefit of selling Plank beer as singles so if you only want one Dunkler can, no problem. I found myself tippling my way through multiple Plank beers, and buying four different weissbier brands (of varying strengths and colors) instead of a solid four pack. Variety, the spice of life. Hefeweissbier, the spice of Bavaria!
