hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

Tap to rate

A revival of the sour beer tradition of Jena, top-fermented from barley malt and oak-smoked wheat malt, with no salt or coriander; the brewery lists it as a Lichtenhainer, a historical Thuringian style. Straw yellow with a light haze, it combines subtle wood smoke with a velvety lactic sourness. The smoke stays in the background like a distant campfire, with a faint lemony tartness and grainy wheat beneath it. Lively carbonation lifts the body, and the finish is refreshingly sour and short.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Mild13 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSession

AWARDS

World's Best Heritage Beer · 2023
World Beer Awards
Country Winner · 2023
World Beer Awards
Germany
Country Winner · 2022
World Beer Awards
Germany
★World's Best Heritage Beer — World Beer Awards
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards (Germany)
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards (Germany)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
soursmokytart
sour
smoky
tart
wheat
citrusy
Aroma
The nose opens with a restrained wood-smoke character, reminiscent of a distant campfire rather than assertive char.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

◎ Appearance

Straw yellow with a light haze, presenting a fine, cloudy veil from the top-fermented wheat and barley base. The head forms readily and holds with modest persistence. Lively carbonation carries visible bubbles throughout, giving the beer an animated, bright presence in the glass.

straw yellowlight hazefine carbonationmodest head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a restrained wood-smoke character, reminiscent of a distant campfire rather than assertive char. Beneath lies a subtle lactic tang paired with soft wheat grain, creating a harmonious balance. A faint lemony brightness lifts the profile without dominating.

smoked wheatlactic tartnessdistant smokelemon zest

◐ Taste

The palate entry is clean and bright, with the velvety lactic sourness settling into the mid-palate as the defining character. The smoked malt contributes a gentle, smoky undertone that complements rather than overwhelms the wheat's grainy foundation. Low bitterness from minimal hopping allows the sour and smoke interplay to remain the focal point.

velvety sournessgrainy wheat basesubtle smokelow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is refreshingly sour and clean, concluding with a short, crisp aftertaste. The lactic character fades quickly, leaving no residual sweetness or heaviness.

sour and crispshort finish
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
78
Serve at 6–9°C

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse

More from Ritterguts Gose

Bärentöter
Lichtenhainer Spezial
Original Ritterguts Gose
Ritterguts Spezial
Urgose Märzen
Urgose Märzen
Gose
5.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Sour Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour Ale?

Sour Ale 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 Sour Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sour, refreshing, smoky character as Lichtenhainer Ritterguts Weisse will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →Explore all Sour Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →