Beer Bavarian-Style

Imported weissbier from centuries-old brewery

By Wamp & Rico

Wamp’s Wisdom

STAFF PHOTO: J.T. WAMPLER

Konig Ludwig is an imported Bavarian weissbier from the Kaltenberg brewery, near Munich. The Bavarian Royal Family has operated the brewery for nearly 700 years.
To say that Germans take their beer seriously is an understatement, considering they established the German Purity Law of 1516 that states only water, hops, malt and yeast can be used in the beer making process.
Prince Luitpold, the great grandson of the last king of Bavaria, oversees the brewing at both Kaltenberg Breweries in Bavaria.
Pour is a cloudy straw color with a thick creamy head that holds up for quite a while. Aroma is grassy and has hints of pear and banana. Taste has a faint fruity sweetness with a creamy mouth feel.
Overall, I was disappointed with this weissbier, given it’s long and illustrious history. It had nothing special to set it apart from domestic examples. Perhaps time and travel is not kind to this Bavarian classic.
Pair with any German food or a tangy cheese such as feta or edam.
Wamp’s Rating: Three caps

Rico’s Reaction

I was starving when I popped the top off the Konig Ludwig.
Unfortunately, my cupboards were mostly bare, and I ended up pairing this beer with a Fiber One oats and caramel cereal bar. The big surprise? It actually wasn’t a sucktastic combination.
And I genuinely enjoyed this weissbier — and not just because I like saying and typing weissbier. Weissbier.
It had kind of a metallic tang to it, reminiscent of what I taste drinking Beck’s Dark and Warsteiner Dunkel with a hint of the musty funk of Stella Artois. This brew was a nice, refreshing way to end my day.
Rico’s Rating: Four caps

Beer O’ The Week Six-Pack Bottle Cap Rating System

(not kid-tested, but maybe mother-approved!)

One Cap: Put it back in the horse!

Two Caps: Consume only if the other choice is Tijuana tap water or Coors Light.

Three Caps: Acceptable without standing out. The Tito Jackson of beer, if you will.

Four Caps: Nice beer that rises above most but may not deliver enough to be considered great.

Five Caps: Truly great beer that delivers on all counts. A credit to its style. Could only be better if served by scantily clad concubines.

Six Caps: Any five cap beer served by scantily clad concubines.