1809 Berliner Weisse vs West Sixth Berliner: Which Should You Drink?

HOPIQ FACEOFF

1809 Berliner Weisse

Dr. Fritz Briem

Germany · Berliner Weisse

hopIQ rank #2084

85%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

West Sixth Berliner

West Sixth Brewing

United States · Berliner Weisse

HOPIQ TAKE

1809 Berliner Weisse if you want a beer with actual weight and presence, West Sixth Berliner if you want something lighter and more delicate. Both nail the classic Berliner formula—tart, dry, refreshing—but Dr. Briem's version has that extra 1.2% ABV and the authority that comes with it. The IBUs are identical, so the difference is really about body and mouthfeel: one feels like a proper session beer with backbone, the other feels like it's daring you to taste how minimal it can be while still being complete.

See what fits your taste

Build your Beer DNA

hopIQ scores every beer against your palate, not the average drinker's.

WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick 1809 Berliner Weisse when…

→You're settling in for multiple rounds and want something substantial enough to evolve
→You prefer beers with noticeable body and structure, even in a sour context
→You want a Berliner Weisse that proves the style can be a 'real' beer, not just a gimmick

Pick West Sixth Berliner when…

→You want maximum tartness and minimum distraction—this is pure acid and restraint
→You're drinking multiple beers in one session and need low ABV discipline
→You appreciate minimalism and don't need mouthfeel density to be satisfied

SIDE BY SIDE

	1809 Berliner Weisse	West Sixth Berliner
ABV	5%	3.8%
Bitterness	Mild	Mild
Colour	Pale gold	Pale gold
Style	Berliner Weisse	Berliner Weisse
Origin	Germany	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

10 shared · 3 distinct

Both beers

tartsourwheatdrycrisprefreshinglightmineralcleanyeasty

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

1809 Berliner WeisseWest Sixth Berliner

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

1809 Berliner Weisse

TartSourDry

The 1809 hits with immediate brightness—crisp lactic tartness right up front, like someone squeezed a lemon into your mouth in the best way. But there's actual grain underneath, a slightly pillowy wheat base that keeps it from being one-dimensional. The finish is dry and clean, but you feel the 5% ABV; it's got legs and substance. This is the Berliner Weisse that reminds you why the style survived two centuries.

West Sixth Berliner

WheatSourDry

West Sixth's version is a whisper compared to the 1809. Same tartness, same snap, but it feels more ethereal—like they're showing off restraint. The lower ABV makes it feel almost water-thin in comparison, though that's not a knock; it's elegant and uncompromising about its lightness. It's the beer you drink when you want to taste acidity and funkiness without any distraction from alcohol warmth or grain sweetness.

Find beers like 1809 Berliner Weisse

View alternatives →

Find beers like West Sixth Berliner

View alternatives →

← All comparisons