Pennsylvania Brewing Company - Penn Weizen
-
ABV:
5.00% -
Int’l Bittering Units (IBUs):
12 -
Serving Temperature:
42-47° F -
Suggested Glassware:
Weizen Glass -
Malts:
Wheat, 2-Row Barley -
Hops:
Hallertau, Perle
This is the brewery's most award-winning beer. It's taken home the National Grand Champion ribbon from the United States Beer Tasting Championship every year since 2002 and a Gold Medal at the 2000 GABF (plus a bunch of other accolades). The aroma is spot on for a Bavarian-style Hefe Weizen with banana being rather robust and spicy clove also present, buttressed by a yeasty bubble gum note, a touch of sliced orange and distinct wheat notes. Hops are a bit more present than expected—an American embellishment. In the flavor, the banana and clove are trimmed back quite a bit from what you'd expect off the nose, with the banana character being more like fresh-baked banana bread. Note the effervescent character imparted by the carbonation which, when paired with the lightly tart quality imparted by the wheat, leaves the palate clean and prepped for another sip.
Tom Pastorius, a Pittsburgh native of German descent, discovered beer while stationed in Germany, a country that considers its "bier" as much a staple as bread. Once his service days ended, Tom returned to the States. He began longing for good German beer. "Beer tastes better over there," he said. "I just missed the beer…"
Dissatisfied with commercially available beverage choices, and in need of a job, Tom decided to start his own brewery. In 1986, he purchased a nearly 150-year-old abandoned brick and stone brewery for $225,000. A three-year, labor-intensive $4 million restoration followed, and thus, the Pennsylvania Brewing Company was born. Talk about going to great lengths to get great beer! Tom's goal to brew authentic German beers quickly became a reality, and these days he is considered a pioneer in the microbrewery renaissance.
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, or their attached restaurant, call (412) 237-9400, or visit their website at www.pennbrew.com.
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