Bretta Weisse takes the light, tart profile of Berliner Weisse and ages it for eight months in 1,700-gallon French oak foeders, giving Firestone Walker’s take a more complex, wine-adjacent character than most modern examples of the style. It sits at a very approachable 4.9% ABV, making it easy to enjoy more than one glass in an evening.
Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse at a glance
| Style | Berliner Weisse-inspired wheat ale |
| ABV | 4.9% |
| Calories | Around 140 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, California, USA |
| Ingredients | Wheat malt, aged 8 months in French oak foeders, Brettanomyces |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, contains wheat and barley |
| Typical price | Around $12 to $18 for a 375ml bottle |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Bretta Weisse is dry and crisp rather than intensely sour, with the oak ageing adding subtle complexity to a light base style.
The full review
It pours a hazy pale gold with a light, quickly settling head. Subtle Brett funk begins each taste, with ester-driven fruit aromas, and tropical citrus fills the beginning of every sip before diving into soft flaked oats and nuances of oak.
The palate delivers an assertive, clean lactic sourness supported by a soft, bready cereal wheat malt base, with complex fruit flavours of tart green apple, lemon juice and unripe stone fruit wrapped in a rustic yeast character and light acidity.
The eight months in French oak give it a rounder, slightly more complex profile than a typical fresh Berliner Weisse, without pushing the ABV or intensity high enough to lose the style’s core refreshing character.
A Berliner Weisse with genuine oak-aged depth, without losing the style’s easy, refreshing drinkability.
- Approachable ABV for warm-weather drinking
- Genuine oak-aged complexity from eight months in French foeders
- Well-balanced between tartness and drinkability
- Limited, sporadic release schedule from Firestone Walker’s barrel programme
- Milder sourness than traditional Berliner Weisse purists might want
- Regional availability weighted toward California and the West Coast
Who it is for
Fans of Firestone Walker’s barrel-aged programme who want a lighter, more session-friendly option, and Berliner Weisse drinkers curious about an oak-aged take on the style.
Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse FAQs
What does Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse taste like?
Subtle Brett funk with tropical citrus, soft flaked oats and oak, an assertive clean lactic sourness, and tart green apple and lemon juice flavours.
How strong is Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse?
4.9% ABV.
Why is it aged in oak?
Firestone Walker ages Bretta Weisse for eight months in 1,700-gallon French oak foeders, adding complexity beyond a typical fresh Berliner Weisse.
Is Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse gluten free?
No, it is brewed with wheat malt.
Is Bretta Weisse released year-round?
No, it is part of Firestone Walker’s barrel-aged beer programme and is released periodically rather than as a permanent, year-round offering.
Where is Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse brewed?
In Paso Robles, California, at Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
Where to find it
Available through Firestone Walker’s barrel-aged beer releases at its California taprooms and select specialty retailers when in stock.
The verdict
Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse adds genuine oak-aged complexity to the Berliner Weisse formula without sacrificing its easy drinkability. A well-rounded four out of five.
