Germany is synonymous with beer. It's the birthplace of lager, home of Bavaria, and host of a little mixer called Oktoberfest.

The rich heritage and endless lineage that has defined a nation cannot be denied its rightful place in beer lore. The Fatherland offers many specialties that dot the countryside and are worth seeking out.

Clove-infused hefeweizen from Bavaria, refreshing Kolsch from Cologne, or smoked beer from Fanconia are all highly prized game for any beer hunter. Yet, in recent years, Germany has not kept pace with other leading beer nations, including the U.S.

Some say the Reinheitsgebot purity law, passed in 1516, hampers creativity by limiting German brewers to only a handful of ingredients. Others point to a younger generation not so eager to follow in their forefathers traditional footsteps. Only time will tell.

On point today is the elusive Weizen-Doppelbock or Wheat-Doppelbock depending on which side of the pond you reside. Under the Weizenbock label this hybrid is a cross between two beer styles, Weizen and Bock. Weizen offers a light body with a citrus quality, while Bock delivers a roasted malt feature and a slap in the head ABV.

If you venture down this path, Aventinus, brewed by Schneider Weisse will lead you to beer bliss. It’s a notable encounter and good candidate for toasting a final farewell to old man winter.

Nate Parsons is a contributor to AnnArbor.com and can be reached at modevin@yahoo.com.