Berliner Weisse

A very pale, highly carbonated sour wheat beer with clean lactic acidity and a light, delicate body. Extremely refreshing. Compared with lambic-based sours, it is cleaner, lighter, and far less funky.

Defined by clean lactic acidity, very low alcohol, and high refreshment value.

Also known as: Berliner Weissbier; Berliner Weiß
Family: Sour & Funky Beers - Sour, tart, wild, or mixed-fermentation beers
Variant of Sour Ale - Within the Expressive Ales, defined by a clearly dominant sensory driver such as hop intensity, yeast expression, strength, or acidity.
Variant influence: Very light-bodied sour ale with high refreshment and clean lactic acidity.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Berliner Weisse within the GBI model.

ABV: 3,6%
IBU: 5
Colour: 3,0 SRM / 5,9 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Straw Pale yellow
Clarity:
Slight haze Hazy
Aroma – Malt:
Low Medium
Aroma – Hop:
Low Medium
Aroma – Yeast:
Low Medium
Aroma – Special:
None Low
Sweetness:
Low Medium
Sourness:
Medium High
Bitterness:
Low Medium
Body:
Low Medium
Astringency:
Low Medium
Carbonation:
High Very high
Alcohol Strength:
Low Medium
Finish Length:
Short Medium
Oxidation:
None Low

Spritzy, bright, lightly sour, and extremely drinkable.

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What gives Berliner Weisse its character

These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.

  • Very high attenuation converts a large share of fermentable extract, strongly reducing residual sweetness and body while supporting alcohol formation and a dry finish.
  • A very high wheat share strongly increases haze potential and can add some fullness to the body.
  • Sharp, fast-developing lactic acidity from kettle souring.
  • A high priming rate contributes a strong increase in natural carbonation.
  • Cold conditioning in a bright tank allows suspended material to settle, improving clarity.
  • Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
  • Mixed fermentation contributes additional yeast-derived aroma complexity.
  • Protein-rich material contributes to haze.

History

Originating in Berlin as a mixed-fermentation wheat beer, now commonly reproduced using modern kettle souring techniques.

How Berliner Weisse compares to other beer styles

This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.

Berliner Weisse vs Sour Ale

Compared with Sour Ale, Berliner Weisse has:

  • sweeter
  • more bitter

Other differences:

  • The color range of Sour Ale extends to darker shades.
  • Sour Ale can be clearer.
  • The hop aroma range of Sour Ale extends to lower intensities.
  • The yeast aroma range of Sour Ale extends to higher intensities.
  • Sour Ale can be less highly carbonated.
  • Sour Ale can have a stronger alcohol impression.
  • Sour Ale can have a longer finish.
  • Sour Ale can have funky yeast notes. Both styles have sour Fermentation yeast notes.
  • Sour Ale can use American ale yeast; mixed Fermentation is part of the regular profile of Berliner Weisse, but optional for Sour Ale.
  • wheat is part of the regular profile of Berliner Weisse, but optional for Sour Ale; both styles include barley.
  • Berliner Weisse is bottle-conditioned.

Berliner Weisse vs Gose

Compared with Gose, Berliner Weisse has:

  • less intense special aroma

Other differences:

  • The color range of Gose extends to lighter shades.
  • Gose uses coriander.
  • Gose includes salt.

Compare Berliner Weisse with another beer style

Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.

Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Berliner Weisse.

Best food pairings for Berliner Weisse

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Berliner Weisse.

  • Salads
  • Cheese
  • Citrus desserts

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Berliner Weisse.

Serving notes
Serve very cold · Highly carbonated · Handle gently
Pouring technique
Pour gently · Very effervescent
Aging potential
Drink fresh
Common faults
Acetic harshness
Style details
  • Origin: Germany — Originating from German brewing traditions.
  • Glassware: Tumbler — Simple straight-sided tumbler commonly used for lambic, farmhouse ales, and rustic or sour styles.
    Tulip — Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Conditioning: Bottle-conditioned — Naturally carbonated in the bottle.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Can — Packaged in can.

Commercial examples of Berliner Weisse

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Berliner Weisse in the market.

  • Berliner Kindl Weisse
  • Schneeeule Marlene
  • Fritz Briem 1809

Berliner Weisse – Competition winners and medalists

Medal winners for Berliner Weisse from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

2026 competition results

World Beer Cup 2026

Berliner-Style Weisse

  • Gold – Victory Brewing Company Sunny Monkey – Brewers at 4001 Yancey , United States
  • Silver – Disco Lemonade – Aslan Brewing Company , United States
  • Bronze – Cactus Juice – 12Degree Brewing , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

2025 competition results 6 medalists

Great American Beer Festival 2025

Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse

  • Gold – Moments Made – UPP Liquids , United States
  • Silver – Paloma – Pizza Port Ocean Beach , United States
  • Bronze – Cracking Weisse w/Raspberry – Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. , United States

Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )

World Beer Cup 2025

Berliner-Style Weisse

  • Gold – Champagne Toast – Wander Brewing , United States
  • Silver – East Side Gallery – Iron Hill Brewery , United States
  • Bronze – Cactus Makes Perfect – Oregon City Brewing Co. , United States

Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )

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