hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Alpirsbacher Weizen Kristall

Tap to rate

A filtered, top-fermented pale wheat beer brewed to about 12 degrees Plato, in the Swabian tradition of the sparkling Kristallweizen, sometimes called Champagnerweizen. Light yellow and brilliantly clear under a voluminous, creamy head. The nose is fruity, recalling honeydew melon, banana and dried currants. The palate is fresh and finely prickling, with an elegant body, a delicate acidity and a fleeting bitterness before a malt-led, fruity finish.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Mild13 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2009
European Beer Star
South German-Style Kristallweizen
Europe's Best · 2014
World Beer Awards
Bavarian Kristal
Bronze · 2016
World Beer Awards
Bavarian Kristal
Silver · 2021
European Beer Star
South German-Style Kristallweizen
★Gold — European Beer Star (South German-Style Kristallweizen)
★Europe's Best — World Beer Awards (Bavarian Kristal)
★Bronze — World Beer Awards (Bavarian Kristal)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitybananawheat
fruity
banana
wheat
malty
honey
bready
Aroma
The nose is distinctly fruity, with prominent notes of honeydew melon and banana arising from the wheat and yeast character.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Alpirsbacher Weizen Kristall

◎ Appearance

Light yellow and brilliantly clear, with excellent transparency characteristic of the Kristallweizen style. The head is voluminous and creamy, clinging to the glass with fine lacing. Fine carbonation creates a sustained sparkle throughout the pour.

pale yellowcrystal clearcreamy headfine bubble structure

◌ Aroma

The nose is distinctly fruity, with prominent notes of honeydew melon and banana arising from the wheat and yeast character. Dried currant notes add a subtle dried-fruit complexity, while a light phenolic edge rounds out the bouquet without overwhelming the delicate balance.

honeydew melonbananadried currantsphenolic restraint

◐ Taste

Entry is fresh and elegantly prickling on the palate, with the fine carbonation lending a crisp mouthfeel. The body remains delicate and well-balanced, with a gentle acidity that enhances the fruity profile. Bitterness is fleeting and subtle, allowing the malt character and yeast-derived fruitiness to dominate the mid-palate.

bright carbonationdelicate bodygentle acidityrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is malt-led and fruity, with the wheat grain character becoming more prominent as the ephemeral bitterness fades. The aftertaste remains clean and refreshing, leaving no harsh edges or lingering astringency.

malt-forwardfruity fadeclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
85
Finish
74
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Alpirsbacher Weizen Kristall

Serve at 5–8°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 5–8°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Weizen glass
Recommended for this style

Tall and narrow at the base, flaring at the top — designed to hold the abundant foam of a wheat beer while showcasing its hazy golden body.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Alpirsbacher Weizen Kristall

About Kristallweizen

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Kristallweizen?

Kristallweizen is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Kristallweizen

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, banana, wheat character as Alpirsbacher Weizen Kristall will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Kristallweizens in hopIQ

FEATURED IN

#5 of 50The Best German Wheat Beers→Featured inThe Best German Beers→
Compare with another beer →