Erdinger Weissbrau ‘Pikantus’ Weizenbock

Rating:

18033988_680292228821592_4912011927025011635_n“Personal tastes differ; for some people Erdinger Weissbier Pikantus ‘dark bock beer’ is a delicacy for the colder months. However, for many lovers of strong beer the season for Pikantus lasts a whole twelve months. At 7.3% alcohol, this specialty wheat beer has a considerably higher alcohol content than other varieties produced by Erdinger Weissbru. The dark bock beer owes its sharp and full flavour to the use of selected dark wheat and barley malts and a significantly longer maturing process.”

Served in a weizen glass. The chestnut pour reveals a deep crimson edge when held to the light. It generates a massive tan head that takes all four fingers before it gradually peeled back to a collar. Didn’t lace too well.
Lovely aromas of dark fruit, chocolate and fruit cake mix in with hints of caramel and fig. We also detect a yeasty pear and or apple note. Not really getting much of the traditional weizen characters like banana runts, clove or bubblegum though. They all seem restrained and happy to let the rich malty notes to do their thing.
The mouth feel is incredible. So smooth and creamy in texture with the 7.3% ABV basically non existent. Good uplift from the Co2 as well, providing that vital effervescence. Very palatable.
The taste follows the nose with a strong delineation of dark fruits, caramel, fig and prunes on the fore. A lot of similarities to a Belgian dubbel actually. Although this takes a different route with an earthy chocolate malt in the middle that delivers a sweet nutty finish with suggestions of yeasty pear/apple on a length.
Whilst we weren’t completely bowled over this weizenbock still offers plenty of character. A little light on the weizen notes but that’s more than made up for in rich sweet malts that provides a Belgian Trappist quality. Good….but not great.