1. Krombacher Weizen
This topic is about Krombacher Weizen. A characteristic of German beer is that it is influenced by the purity law, meaning no other ingredients are added. In the case of Weizen, wheat malt is added. Like other German wheat beers, Krombacher Weizen is brewed with the basic four elements plus wheat malt only (no other ingredients).
The packaging of Krombacher Weizen features a flesh-colored background with an emphasis on yellow (amber). The word “Krombacher” is written above, with “Weizen” in white on an amber background below it. Additionally, the top displays Krombacher’s symbol, a lighthouse shape, and the number 1803 is visible.
From this information, it’s clear that Weizen, or wheat beer, comes from the Krombacher brewery, which has a history of over 200 years since its inception in 1803. “Germany” written at the bottom indicates that it’s a German product. The volume is 500ml with an alcohol content of 5.3%.
2. Krombacher Story
1) Krombacher Brewery
Krombacher started as a small brewery and grew into a global-scale brewery. Beer has been brewed in the village of Kreuztal-Krombach since 1618. However, the Krombacher brewery itself was first mentioned in documents in 1803.
In 1890, Pilsner was first brewed, and its new style gained immense popularity. By 1901, the pilsner had gained international renown, as mentioned in a newspaper article.
It has grown to be distributed worldwide and competes for the top spot in beer sales in Germany. The brewery is famed for four elements: water compliant with the purity law, hops, malt, and yeast. Among these, the water used is natural soft water from springs, known as Fesquellwasser, which flows naturally from rocks. Only high-quality two-row spring barley malt is used, along with premium Hallertau Siegel hops and a specially developed yeast.
2) Tasting Notes
The color matches the can’s amber hue and is relatively clear for a Weizen. The aroma brings forth typical wheat beer notes of banana and clove, and the beer has abundant foam and carbonation, making the initial mouthfeel satisfying.
However, something seems lacking upon further drinking. While rich and foamy, and not bad in terms of sweetness and a bit of bitterness, the acidity might be overpowering, slightly overshadowing the characteristic features of a Weizen.
3) Product Information
Product Name: Krombacher Weizen (contains 5% wheat malt)
Origin: Germany
Ethanol Content: 5%
Volume: 500ml
Ingredients: Water, 5% wheat malt, barley malt, hops, hop extract, yeast
Manufacturer: Krombacher Brauerei Bernhard Schadeberg GmbH & Co. Kg
3. Overall Reveiw
Krombacher Weizen is a heavy, tasty beer with good foam and carbonation, which hit the mark for me. However, when compared to other beers like Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier or Paulaner Weissbier, it falls a bit short. While not bad overall, it’s disappointing considering the high standard of those well-known wheat beer brands.
Though I enjoyed it, something seemed missing. If I wanted a wheat beer, I might not specifically go for Krombacher Weizen. For a similar price, I’d lean towards Paulaner, or if willing to spend a bit more, Weihenstephaner. (Krombacher is better known for its Pilsner than its Weizen.)