The beer world is an incredibly diverse one. It gives us flavors and textures that range from coarse and fruity to thin and smoky.

One of the most unique beers to survive into modern times is a variant of the popular German wheat beer. A Berliner weisse shares with other German wheats the cloudy appearance and wheat in the recipe, but the likeness ends there. Berliner weisse is a whole different bowl of beer.

In fact, if trying a Berliner weisse in Berlin, it comes in a vessel that looks strikingly similar to a bowl. You'll also get a straw and a choice of woodruff, raspberry or lemon syrup (Berliners never take it without syrup). The syrups are intended to mask the sour and lactic flavor of the beer. The flavoring is added later because German purity law prohibits fruit from being added during brewing.

If you take your Berliner weisse neat, you'll get a very low alcohol beer (typically under 4 percent alcohol by volume and often under 3 percent) that is huge on flavor. Fans of Belgian lambic will immediately notice similarities with Berliner weisse, which is also tart, sour and acidic. Both beers contain wheat and both are shaped by the lactobacillus bacteria used in brewing. They also share a curious thirst quenching ability. For some reason, sour beers refresh and cleanse the pallet like no other brew can.

Few people naturally gravitate to sour flavors, however, so "with a shot" of syrup is the typical way to order a Berliner weisse in Germany. The sweetness of the syrup cuts the sour and acidic elements, but it does not eliminate them, so it remains quite refreshing.

If you can't get to Germany, your Berliner weisse options are extremely limited. The few that make it to the states seldom see wide distribution.

Fortunately, America's most creative brewery, Dogfish Head, isn't afraid to take sour mainstream and has brewed up what they call a neo-Berliner weisse. Dogfish Head's Festina Peche thumbs its nose at quaint purity laws and adds peaches during brewing. This blends the sweet and tart flavors in a way that a shot of syrup can't.

Festina Peche has a tart and lightly funky aroma that is reminiscent of Stilton cheese. Lemon and peach accents appear as well and promise a sweet and sour experience. The flavor is defined by the light sour and tartness that is present from the first sip into the finish, but peach, lemon, wheat and unripe green apples blend to provide complexity and refreshment.

Look for Festina Peche on tap at the Mellow Mushrooms in Citrus Park and Brandon, Dunedin Brewery and in bottles at New World Brewery in Ybor City.