With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s just a matter of time before the Hefeweizens become more popular. Before releasing its version, Tree launched this month, for the first time, a stronger variant of their popular wheat ale for spring — the Weizen Bock. If you are expecting something like Schneider Aventinus, this is not the same.
Weizen Bock is essentially a bigger brother to Tree’s Hefeweizen, with more body and alcohol but softer carbonation. Its light amber colour distinguishes it from traditional, darker-coloured Weizenbocks, which means it would probably be more accurate to call it a Helles Weizenbock (light-coloured strong wheat ale). Nevertheless, it does have the same cloudiness that one gets with an unfiltered, bottle-conditioned wheat beer using 50+% wheat.
Although of a more robust flavour and mouthfeel than Hefeweizen, the banana and clove characteristics of a wheat ale are unmistakable. Tree Weizen Bock begins lightly sweet and fruity, building in intensity before finishing with a somewhat dry, yeasty, hop bitterness. The dark fruit and light chocolate characteristics of regular Weizenbocks are entirely absent and there isn’t nearly as heavy a body as one gets with a Bock or Doppelbock (due to the wheat). This makes for a dangerously drinkable beer of this strength.
Tree recommends sipping this by itself or as an after-dinner drink. I can also see pairing it with light, fresh cheeses or dessert in classic banana combinations, such as chocolate, peanut butter, and fruit.
Brewer: Tree Brewing
ABV: 7%
Category: Weizenbock
Appearance: 4
Aroma: 4
Flavour: 4
Mouthfeel: 4
Overall: 4
Score: 20/25
Availability: limited spring release in 650ml bottles in select beer stores.
~ RG
