Crane Brewing’s Tea Weiss is a King among Sours

Crane Tea Weiss

You know that feeling you get every once in a while where it seems like someone is reading your mind? Where someone knew exactly what you wanted and you can’t figure out how they knew? Over the last few months, I’ve learned to accept the fact that Crane Brewing out of Raytown, Missouri apparently employs psychics along with their brewers that specifically target my palette. I’ve been downright obsessed with almost every different style they put out, whether it be their intriguingly sour and fruity Kumquat Weiss, their earthy farmhouse take on the Saison style, or their perfectly balanced Grapefruit Gose (which is a tough style to achieve, I think).

Crane Tea WeissRecently, they’ve really tuned in on exactly the kind of beer I want to drink, and I thank the brewers for coming up with their new Tea Weiss. I love tea. I love Berliner-style Weiss beers. An intersection of local Hugo Berry Rooibos tea and a KC-adjacent brewer’s Berliner? It’s almost unbelievable.

And boy, is it great. The aroma has hints of acidic white peach and a light, grassy fragrance. The initial sips you take are quite tart and it takes a few more to appreciate the nuances of the flavor profile. Once you’re acclimated to the sour, you really start to catch the slightly astringent yet fruity taste of the Rooibos tea. The mouthfeel is moderately syrupy, but not in an aggressive “I need a glass of water to wash this beer down” way. The aftertaste is very pleasant: not overly sour, but more tea forward, which is an interesting take on this style of beer that I think is perfectly executed.

Crane’s Tea Weiss is certainly not a beginner sour beer, but man, that’s nothing but high praise from me. I first sampled it at the KC Nanobrew Fest (which was particularly fantastic this year) … and may have enjoyed more than a few samples that day. Ever since, I have been anxiously watching the shelves at my local liquor store for its release. The day I finally saw it there was a very good day, indeed. I could drink this (and their new Beet Weiss!!) every weekend for a very long time. Keep up the mind reading, Crane. I’m digging it.

By SpudsMcKenzie

I'm from a small Kansas town where the beer of choice is "The Cheap, Gross One". I was introduced to good beer by my family, which is full of alcohol appreciators. I married an amateur beer brewer last year, and we take every opportunity we can to enjoy a delicious pint. My favorites? St. Louis Gueze Fond Tradition, Duchesse De Bourgogne, New Belgium La Folie, New Belgium Kick... do you see a pattern emerging?