Behind the Brew
After occupying Berlin in 1809, Napoleon’s troops adoringly referred to the tart and effervescent white beer of the city as “The Champagne of the North.” In honor of this beer style, its history, and Minnesota’s great state motto, Schell’s crafted “Star of the North,” their interpretation of a traditional Berliner Weisse. We used an authentic mixed-culture of yeasts and bacteria from Berlin for fermentation and aged it in one of our original cypress wood lagering tanks from 1936. The long secondary fermentation in the wooden tank allowed the defining characteristics of the beer to develop. It was then hand-filled, hand-labeled, and bottle-conditioned, which allowed it to continue to develop and evolve. Enjoy it straight in a pokal glass or mix in a shot of sweet raspberry or woodruff syrup, as is traditionally done in Berlin.
Food Pairings
Remember the three “C’s” when pairing the Star of the North- Cleanse, Compliment, or Contrast. Two of the defining characteristics of this beer are its refreshingly tart acidity, and the higher carbonation. These traits can be used to cleanse (or cut) the palate of rich, fatty foods. French fries, while not necessarily a fine dining experience, are a great match with Berliner Weisse. Salads with an acidic based dressing and citrus elements are a great compliment, as well as delicate white fish, which are often accompanied with a lemon wedge. Lighter cheeses such as Brie or Emmental should work well, with the palate-scrubbing carbonation and refreshing acidity of the beer.
Award
Draft Magazine’s Top 25 beers of 2013
