Lilly: Gans Gut
Brew a beer, split the brew in two and add an extra ingredient to one of them. It is an ideal way to experience and discover beer and its ingredients. This is exactly what Bird Brewery does in their series Learn to Taste, in which they surprise beer lovers with duo beers brewed and split according to this concept. For the 2nd episode, we delivered a unique hop variety to make the difference between a Weizen and Hopfenweizen.
Brew a beer, split the brew in two and add an extra ingredient to one of them. It is an ideal way to experience and discover beer and its ingredients. This is exactly what Bird Brewery does in their series Learn to Taste, in which they surprise beer lovers with duo beers brewed and split according to this concept. For the 2nd episode, we delivered a unique hop variety to make the difference between a Weizen and Hopfenweizen.
Weizen is a beer type from Bavaria (Germany) that has been around for a very long time. This means that it is very clear what a Weizen "should" taste like. It is characterised by aromas of banana and clove, which come from the yeast. The beer is cloudy with a generous head. It is smooth, yet full-bodied, soft with enough kick, refreshing and rich in flavour. Opposites at first sight, but in a good Weizen they form a harmonious unity.
As for the hops, it remains subtle. Weizen belongs to the beer types with little to very little bitterness and the hop aroma is modest. Lightly floral and spicy and that's about it. Yet it is far from insignificant, without hops a weizen will taste absolutely empty and boring. Subtly present, heavily missed when absent.
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Gans vs Gans Gut
Weizen, that's what Bird started this edition with. Gans is a Weizen that fits the description above. Right within the guidelines, a good Weizen as you would expect it to be. We chose the emperor of German hops, Hallertau Mittelfrüh. Floral, spicy and subtle with a mild bitterness, exactly what Gans needs.
The difference in Gans Gut is made by dry-hopping the base beer (Gans). In this case, hops are added during the lagering process, which gives it a delicious hop aroma, without adding bitterness. This results in a Hopfenweizen, and we chose a whole new variety with a special story: Lilly.
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Retired hophead
Josef Wittmann worked for many years at the German Hop Institute, where among other things he was involved in developing new varieties. He soon realised that hops with generous, fruity aromas were coming from all over the world. Mr Wittmann was convinced that these aromas could also come from Germany and, with this belief, began to develop such hops. He has now retired, but he still has the passion and conviction and has continued.
Mr. Wittmann's son is a hop grower so he can grow his new hops close to home. Lilly is one of his latest creations and (still) very limited in supply. We, of course, love to work with such gems. The citrus aroma in these hops is striking, combined with a clear Passion fruit aroma.
The nice thing about Gans Gut is that the aroma of Lilly comes out very well. When you open a bag of Lilly, a deliciously fresh and fruity hop aroma comes to meet you. This is also the first thing you notice in Gans Gut. The typical Weizen aroma is more in the background, indicating that Lilly is powerful in its aroma.
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Still from the live-tasting
Learn how to taste with Bird Brewery
Gans and Gans Gut are available at the better liquor store, beer shop and of course also on Bird's webshop.
With every episode of this series Bird Brewery organises a live tasting, which can be attended at House of Bird and followed on Facebook. At the Gans vs Gans Gut Nathan from Hollands Hophuis was present to discuss the beers and of course explain the hops. You can watch it here, ideal while enjoying a glass of Gans and Gans Gut!