Schneider Weisse Helle Weisse (4.9%)

The Schneider Weisse Original, what has been for several years now known as Tap 7, is a classic for a very good reason. The direct descendent of the definitive Weissbier of the Bavarian royal court in 1872, it is darker and spicier than most modern takes on the style, and combines refreshment and complexity if a fashion achieved by few others. But times change, and ultimately, so has G. Schneider & Sohn, with this new, canned pale, or helle, version being mass-marketed in place of the old bottled Original – at least in Ontario.

Much lighter in colour than the Original, pale to medium gold, this is likewise milder in aroma, with some of the Original’s typical black pepper on the nose, but in a much reduced form alongside soft notes of baked banana, perfumey clove, and fresh lemon. The flavour starts with gentle fruity, lightly sweet flavours, principally lemon and orange, followed by a far spicier mid-palate with drying brown spice and pinpricks of black pepper, finishing bone dry with hints of lemon oil and clove.

Relative to almost any modern take on the Weissbier style, this is extremely well-constructed and very true-to-form for its style. Compared to the Original, however, I am left wanting more of the flavour and character I have grown to love.

88 ($3.20 – $4.35)