text: I am excited to have the craft beer movement erupt in the Phoenix East Valley Gilberts Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company is one of the pioneers spearheading this effort and East Valley residents like myself have been eagerly following their progress I have stopped by this place on several occasions and had nothing but pleasant experiences sampling their newest craft brew offeringsnnOne particularly notable experience took place near their grand opening One of the house beers they were offering was an unusual sour beer known to afficionados as a Berliner Weisse style Most do not realize that although this is a wheat beer it will strike you as highly sour due to a step in the brewing process in which Lactobacillus yogurt bacteria are introduced I personally dislike trying to grunt down the straight tart brew in its most naked format therefore I like to drink it as I have had it served in its birthplace Berlin Germany So equipped with my bottle of green woodruff syrup aka Waldmeister I dared to quaff down the sour stuff but this time tempered with a shot of delicious candyherbal woodruff syrupnnThis is the way to drink Berliner Weisse I shared my syrup with any takers at the bar who were interested I knew that I was in the presence of some scholared beer drinkers when I shared some with one of the bearded brewers at the establishment I hope that the next time they serve their Berliner Weisse they offer patrons an accompanying shot of either raspberry or woodruff syrup It may sound heretical to suggest adding sugary syrup to beer but trust me it is as traditional as it getsnnAlthough I have not had a chance to properly sample all of the menu offerings here I am pleased with the duck fat fries exquisitely crunchy and luxuriously flavorful A perfect snack to go with all of the interesting beers this new brewery keeps coming up withnnI love having the Arizona Wilderness in my back yard especially when it allows one to duck and cover and camouflage oneself behind a tasty glass of bier