Helios: Maetel Weizen (Japan: Hefeweizen: 5% ABV)
Visual: Hazy lemon juice color. Large white bubbled head.
Nose: Lemon merengue. Orange peel. Light cream. Light coriander. Lime touch.
Body: Smooth and creamy. Wheaty. Lime. Small amounts of bitterness. Orange skin. Soft peach.
Finish: Peach. Palma violets. Wheaty bitterness. Lightly creamy. Coriander. Lemon merengue.
Conclusion: I think I should have chilled this a touch more. It is still pretty good, but I wasn’t used to the hotel fridge and I think even just an extra half an hour in there would probably have suited this beer better.
Ah well, I cannot change history. Let us look at the beer as it is.
It has got a very traditional weizen aroma. Lemon merengue, orange peel, even a touch of coriander. A touch creamier than most German weizens, so not sticking to the style exactly, but very familiar and enticing.
Main body is why I said I thought I should have chilled it just a touch more. It still has those orange skin notes and a crisp wheaty bitterness, but the creaminess makes it a tad thicker and sweeter than suits it, something I cannot be sure, but suspect a proper temperature would have altered. Ah well, still very drinkable with those citrus notes and as time goes on a non German wezien style twist raises its head. There is this really nice peach note that goes well with the more subtle end of the creamy notes and adds some grace to the finish. Unusual but actually really suits the beer.
It is that mix of traditional style and just enough twist that makes it work, a very familiar wezien, but the peach elements makes you realize it isn’t afraid to experiment.
I wish I had another can that I could try at a better temperature, but an enjoyable experience nonetheless.
Background: Another beer I found at one of the many travel rest stops around Japan. I was initially confused about Galaxy Express 999 on the can. Was this part of the name? A quick google suggests it is an anime, which explains the anime style characters on the can. Not sure why this particular anime, as it seems quite an old one. An anniversary or relaunch maybe? Unsure, but for whatever reason there seems to be this beer and anime crossover can. Of course. The glass used is not the best choice for a weizen, but I had to go with what I could easily carry on the trip or whatever was in any hotel I was at, so had to make do. Not much else, just another random pick to try as I traveled Japan.
