For our third beer of Hoptober, DJ Stephanie and Rhizome Productions’ Matt Leff introduce us to an Oktoberfest classic. Erdinger’s Weißbier (pronounced vice-beer) emerged from its beginnings in Germany in 1886 to become a favorite around the world. While its name sounds exotic, Weißbier contains only the most fundamental ingredients that could go into a beer: water, hops, malt, and yeast. In fact, an incredibly long-standing German law known as the Reinheitsgebot (purity law) strictly limits all beer brewed in the country to these four ingredients.
Specifically, Erdinger’s Weißbier emphasizes its yeast content in order to provide a smooth taste that leaves behind the bitterness characteristic of German Pilsners. Bucking the more recent trend of IPAs and other beers that highlight their hops, Weißbier (which unsurprisingly translates to “wheat beer”) dials back on the hops to bring out a more classic flavor. You can try this beer, a slew of other imported beers, and a wide array of local brews at Nashville’s Oktoberfest, happening this year in Germantown from October 6th through October 9th!
Hoptober Brews is brought to you by Rhizome Productions, Lipman Brothers & Lightning 100. Tune in every weekday at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m from Oct. 3-14 for Lightning 100’s Hoptober Brews. You can always check out previous picks and keep up with upcoming episodes here!
