Early Morning Hungover Shlemiel/Review: Erdinger Weissbier

Pretty much like this, except my thong is black

Welp, last night involved another delicious/productive trip to Rustico (all thanks to J/P for their company and the whole footing the tab thing), followed by a stop at The Guards, where we managed to make contact with the elusive M. and her stylish coif, currently tending the down bar. Not regretting the decision to pay her a visit or anything, but Georgetown always gives me the creeps--it was this OS Brewer's first trip there in almost two years. (Then again, Sunday evening is probably the best time for the Georgetown-averse among us to visit the neighborhood.)

The Guards is one of those old-school watering holes where it feels like everyone at the bar should be old and gin-blossomed and practically brimming with acerbic wisdom, and true to form, we were the youngest customers by a good twenty years. The bar was beautiful, but in that stern, puritan way, where everything was weathered wood with about twenty coats of dark lacquer and it reminded me of the hull of a ship. (For a second, I pretended we were in the Pequod, but then I remembered this was Georgetown, and wherever would we find a Queequeg?) Back in reality, your adventurous blogger and his cohorts--another OS Brewer and his sister--sprang for a couple of neat Jamesons with a Bud back and a top-shelf glass of dark tequila and shot the s**t with M. It was the first bottle of Anheuser-Busch beer I'd had in months, and it tasted like rice water.

It was fully dark out when we left, and in retrospect, probably time for us to head home. Instead? A trip to The Reef for supplemental libations, including the estimable Erdingerweiss, to be reviewed later in this post.

There are not enough good things that can be said about The Reef on a Sunday night. Sunday may be my favorite bar night to begin with, because the noisome weekend crowds have evaporated, and because it generally marks the end of my own work week, a welcome moment of calm before academic/professional responsibilities return to roil the waters. All this aside, The Reef on a Sunday night offers three additional delights:

1. Zach

2. Fish Tacos (which can be consumed on any night, but taste a little sweeter on Sunday)

3. Guest appearances by The Mad Rapper, The Russian, DJ Larsonist, Poquito Foot, P. T. Shoes, Smasher Crapadopolous, Nic Jones (who?), and more.

LOS MARISCOS DE LOS DIOSES

Enough superb Rustico 'za (this time with duck confit, cracklins, vinaigrette and sweet onion) prevented a trip down Fish Taco Lane, but rest assured your faithful blogger will visit that location later this week. Zach was clean-shaven and convivial, and the rest of the crew were in/drinking good spirits. As usual, I was feeling a little hungry-like-the-wolf, and some butts were playfully smacked. Top Chef was on the television, though Zach and I agreed the evening would have been better with some Zep.

The problem with nights like last night is that it's very difficult to draw the line between "enough" and "one too many." Zach is remarkably good at prodding his guests into having "just one more," and with that in mind, this author definitely crossed the line. Being totally soused is something I no longer enjoy, and I try to drink very responsibly, but every once in awhile...well, you get the idea. I'm not talking lampshade on my head or clothes strewn about the house, or that night in college when I woke up with half a puddle of processed Popov vodka soaked into my bedsheet and french fries ground into the carpet, but I've got a pretty wicked headache right now, and it's not going away any time soon.

The lessons:

a. Enjoy your brew.

b. Know when to stop.

c. Moralizing bloggers are sweet.

What the OS Brewers are listening to:
Q-Tip--The Renaissance
Fever Ray--Fever Ray
Japandroids--Japandroids

Review: Erdinger Weissbier

Froth and mountains inclus
Ah, summer. The wonderful thing about beer is that there is a style for all seasons: Fall gets a crisp, smoky rauchbier or a dark, nutty porter; Winter calls for the comfort of a big stout; Spring awakens us with the revitalizing aroma of a saison; and summer...well, summer is the season of the wheat beer.

There are three general groups into which a wheat beer may fall:

1. Witbier--generally filtered

2. Weissbier--filtered or partially-filtered

3. Hefeweizen--unfiltered

There are German witbiers, but Belgium does the style best: for a delicious, summery jump into the witbier universe, pick up an Avery White Rascal, a North Coast Pranqster, or a Corsendonk Blonde.

Hefeweizens are produced all over the States, with Brooklyn Brewery, Harpoon, and Leinenkugel all offering admirable examples, but German breweries still own the genre--Schneider, Paulaner, and Pinkus are easy to find and perfect for an evening al fresco. Readers should note that the wheat sediment can easily cloud the beer (and the drinker's stomach), leading to a bloat-y feeling after just a few brews. (Your correspondent remembers a day in Munich's Englischergarten when, after just two Hefes and a plump Bratwurst dressed in kraut, it felt as though his pantseams would cleave in twain.)

This brings us to weissbiers. While this blogger generally prefers the delicate citrus of a wit, Erdinger's entry had him doing a double-take. (For the record, Beer Advocate kinda stomped on this brew. Just goes to show ya...don't trust the old guys.)

The nose is full of banana, followed by some light citrus and wheat (duh). Probably the most enjoyable stage of the experience (not necessarily a bad thing.)

The beer has a strong mouthfeel despite its light, golden body. Again, banana leads the way. There was a brief but tantalizing moment when this reviewer swore he detected some clove as well. Some lemon. Again. lots of wheat with some faint hints of honey. One drawback: the beer was overcarbonated, leading to displeasing pricks of CO2 bubbles on the tongue. Hopefully future kegs/batches avoid this problem. Finishes strong, with more lasting banana and wheat.

It's been argued, not without merit, that it's harder to fashion a complex weissbier than, for instance, a dubbel or a pale. That being said, the Erdinger, with a few stumbles, provided a pleasantly diverse assortment of flavors. I wouldn't cross oceans or cities for this beer, but if your local pub has it on tap, I recommend you set aside a sunny afternoon to enjoy one.

Final review: ***1/2

Tomorrow: super sexy glassware and another summer beer review!

--HH