Erdinger Weissbier

Erdinger Weissbier is imported from Germany. It is not brewed in India. This makes it more expensive than locally brewed wheat beers like Hoegaarden or Bira 91 White but also means you are getting the Bavarian original rather than a licensed version.

Erdinger Weissbier 650ml costs around Rs 350 in Delhi, Rs 300 in Goa, Rs 380 in Karnataka and Rs 420 in Mumbai. The 330ml bottle costs around Rs 200 in Delhi and Rs 175 in Goa. As a genuine import, Erdinger carries a premium over locally brewed wheat beers at every format. It is also available at duty free shops at major Indian airports for around Rs 250 for a 650ml bottle.

Erdinger is the Bavarian original — bottle-conditioned, brewed under the German Reinheitsgebot purity law and imported. White Rhino at Rs 240 vs Erdinger at Rs 350 in Delhi. White Rhino uses the same Weihenstephan yeast style and matches the character remarkably closely using Himalayan water. For regular drinking, White Rhino is exceptional value. For the imported German original when quality is the only priority, Erdinger is worth it.

Erdinger is a German hefeweizen. Hoegaarden is a Belgian witbier. Different styles from different traditions. Erdinger is fuller on banana and clove from the Bavarian yeast with a richer, more malt-driven character. Hoegaarden has orange peel, coriander and a tartness from unmalted wheat. Try both to understand the difference — it is genuinely illuminating.

Hold the glass at 45 degrees and pour slowly. When about a third of the bottle remains, swirl gently to loosen the yeast sediment and pour the final cloudy portion into the glass. Never skip the yeast pour — it is where a lot of the banana and clove character lives in the aroma.