Course Reviews

Victor Aume

“Gives an excellent discussion of the process of making a proper Weissbier. How-To's that you can use the next time you brew.”

“Gives an excellent discussion of the process of making a proper Weissbier. How-To's that you can use the next time you brew.”

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Sami Anderson

“I subscribed just for this course! Great historical overview, informational and full of tips and knowledge for brewing a quality Weissbier. Now I look forward to learning more from your other courses. Thank you!”

“I subscribed just for this course! Great historical overview, informational and full of tips and knowledge for brewing a quality Weissbier. Now I look forward to learning more from your other courses. Thank you!”

→Read Less

Tomo Jedvaj

“Very instructive for understanding that particular beer style in every way and beautifully presented.”

“Very instructive for understanding that particular beer style in every way and beautifully presented.”

→Read Less

About This Course

This course includes 50+ minutes of video

Bluejacket in Washington, DC, produces a wide range of technically excellent beers in a variety of styles, but head brewer Ro Guenzel—who formerly brewed at the Kaltenberg Castle brewery in Vail, Colorado—has a special fondness for Bavarian styles—especially Weissbier.  

Weissbier is one of the great classic styles, but brewing one the Bavarian way requires overcoming some specific technical hurdles. In this 45-minute video course, Guenzel tells the story of Weissbier and explains the steps necessary to brew a great one.  

Among other topics, he discusses:  

  •  a short history of Bavarian Weissbier  
  • mashing and lautering with wheat  
  • the multi-step mash and decoction  
  • stressing the yeast and open fermentation  
  • speise and bottle-conditioning  
  • pairing food with Weissbier


And much more, including recipes and the tale of a dog named Schneider.  

Instructor

Ro Guenzel has spent his life brewing beer for some of the country's best brewers. He formerly brewed at the Kaltenberg Castle brewery, Left Hand Brewing, and Great Divide Brewing—and has a special fondness for Bavarian styles—especially Weissbier.

Ro Guenzel

Director of Brewing Operations, Bluejacket

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome

    Show Content

    • Welcome... and, Why Weissbier?

    • Weissbier, According to the Oxford Companion to Beer
  • 02

    The Origins of Weissbier

    Show Content

    • A Short History of Weissbier

    • About Luitpold, Prince of Bavaria

    • About the Wittelsbacher Family

    • What is Bavarian-Style Weissbier?

    • John Mallett on Brewing with Wheat
  • 03

    Brewing Weissbier

    Show Content

    • Brewing Weissbier the Bluejacket Way

    • Phil Markowski on Brewing Hefeweizen

    • Traditional Hefeweizen: Worth the Trouble?

    • Packaging, Pairing & the Pooch

    • Be a Hefe Jefe: More Weissbier Tips
  • 04

    Thank You

    Show Content

    • Pouring & Prost

    • Recipe: Bluejacket Pattern Skies Weissbier

    • Recipe: Weihenstephan-Style Hefeweissbier

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