1163. Shiner 100 Commemorator
My mom and grandmother picked me up from the DFW airport on March 24th. We stopped for dinner at Taco Real, an excellent hole in the wall Mexican restaurant, in Ennis and then stopped at a gas station before getting back on the highway. I noticed bottles of Duvel, La Fin du Monde, and Chimay Blue in the cooler so I investigated further. There was a "Texas Beers" shelf, and they still had at least three six-packs of Shiner 100, so I picked one up.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
Shiner 100 pours a slightly hazed, amber color, and is topped by a thick, orange-brown head that rapidly fades with a soda-like sound to a thin ring. The aroma is rich and malty. There are notes of caramel, toffee, and sharp fruitiness.
Mildly sweet, bready malts upfront move into a richer center with notes of fruit, caramel, and toffee. The finish is mildly bitter with a slight astringency. This beer is medium-bodied, and has prickly carbonation.
I thought that this beer was pretty drinkable for the style. The malts could have been a bit stronger and the finish could have been beefed-up a bit, but pretty decent overall.
My mom and grandmother picked me up from the DFW airport on March 24th. We stopped for dinner at Taco Real, an excellent hole in the wall Mexican restaurant, in Ennis and then stopped at a gas station before getting back on the highway. I noticed bottles of Duvel, La Fin du Monde, and Chimay Blue in the cooler so I investigated further. There was a "Texas Beers" shelf, and they still had at least three six-packs of Shiner 100, so I picked one up.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
Shiner 100 pours a slightly hazed, amber color, and is topped by a thick, orange-brown head that rapidly fades with a soda-like sound to a thin ring. The aroma is rich and malty. There are notes of caramel, toffee, and sharp fruitiness.
Mildly sweet, bready malts upfront move into a richer center with notes of fruit, caramel, and toffee. The finish is mildly bitter with a slight astringency. This beer is medium-bodied, and has prickly carbonation.
I thought that this beer was pretty drinkable for the style. The malts could have been a bit stronger and the finish could have been beefed-up a bit, but pretty decent overall.
Labels: Doppelbock
937. Troegenator Double Bock
I had this beer on a trip to The Muddy Charles Pub with some lab mates. I've been impressed by the latest selections on the Muddy's rotating third tap.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.15
Pours a clear, ruby brown. Topped by a dense, off-white head that fades to film. Lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is sweet caramel malts, sharp fruit, light chocolate, and toffee.
There's a good amount of sweetness upfront: primarily dark chocolate and bready malts. There a light fruitiness in the center that's almost banana-like. A sharp acidic hint appears towards the finish. There's also a roasty and hoppy bitterness throughout. Full-bodied and highly carbonated.
Surprisingly balanced for such a malty style.
I had this beer on a trip to The Muddy Charles Pub with some lab mates. I've been impressed by the latest selections on the Muddy's rotating third tap.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.15
Pours a clear, ruby brown. Topped by a dense, off-white head that fades to film. Lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is sweet caramel malts, sharp fruit, light chocolate, and toffee.
There's a good amount of sweetness upfront: primarily dark chocolate and bready malts. There a light fruitiness in the center that's almost banana-like. A sharp acidic hint appears towards the finish. There's also a roasty and hoppy bitterness throughout. Full-bodied and highly carbonated.
Surprisingly balanced for such a malty style.
Labels: Doppelbock, Tröegs Brewing Company
834-842. New York: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Published by Unknown on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 9:32 AM.
Win wanted to go to a couple Mets home games this year since it's their last season at Shea Stadium. Win arrived in New York on Thursday and I took the bus down from Boston on Saturday June 21st.
I met Win and David at our hotel, and then we went to a nearby diner so I could grab lunch. They had previously eaten at the always delicious Kitchenette. After eating we went to Central Park and watched the end of a baseball game, and afterwards David set off to find entertainment. He returned with a wiffle ball and bat, which entertained us for awhile. Our next destination was a beer garden in Williamsburg, but before heading to Brooklyn we stopped by a stationary store for a pack of cards and David's impulse buy of multi-colored pipe cleaners.
We went to Radegast Hall & Biergarten, which was across the street from The Levee, a bar we had been to for David's bachelor party last summer. I got the impression that this place opened fairly recently, but I might be mistaken. The bar consists of two, long, single-story buildings that sit side by side. From the street Radegast Hall is on the left, and the Biergarten is on the right. The hall is large with various tables and booths for seating. There's also a large spectacle shaped bar towards the back right of the establishment with a service window that looks out onto the biergarten. The floors, tables and booths were all wooden, with a worn character, thought the bar was smooth and new. The Biergarten is a long, brick structure that's semi-enclosed. There are retractable awnings over openings the length of the ceiling and the windows at the front were open. Long benches were located at either side of the building creating a single aisle down the center. There are some good pictures on the website that give you a feel for the place.
We grabbed the end of a table in the biergarten and decided on our first round. There were twelve taps and about two or three times as many bottles. All of the taps were dedicated to German beers, except two for Czech beers, one Austrian beer, and a single Belgian Witbier. The bottles were half German/Czech/Austrian, half Belgian. The draft beers were available both in pints, liters and pitchers.
We spent a few hours here, and first got a snack of bratwurst and sauerkraut. The brats were nice, and the kraut was tasty, though a tad sweet. When we determined that we'd be staying for awhile longer we ordered dinner. Win had the hanger steak, David had the braised rabbit and I had the veal schnitzel. The bits of the rabbit and steak that I had were tasty, and I was quite happy with my choice. Though when isn't schnitzel delicious?
The pipe cleaners that David bought were instantly popular. Our waitress took one for a bracelet, and later another waitress did the same. Various tablemates took a few, and people were stopping by our table fairly regularly to make things.
Most of these are lagers, which I have limited experience with as far as rating goes, so some of my descriptions may be off.
834. Gaffel Kölsch
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker & Co.
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear golden with a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is light, there's a bit of pepper and a grassy, leafy aroma, presumably from hops.
Clean and crisp overall, generous carbonation pulls the flavors along on the palate. There's a slightly sweet, but mostly neutral malt undercurrent running through the beer. There's a bit of pepper and a husky graininess in the finish that melds with a light bitterness and a hint of citrus. Crisp, and slightly dry.
Very drinkable, flavorful without being overpowering. Refreshing.
835. Brou Czech Dark
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Nova Paka Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Munich Dunkel Lager, BJCP Style Guide
There are two BrouCzech Darks on BA, but I think they're the same beer. So I'm putting this one into the main entry.
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 2.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.1
Garnet brown in color with a beige head that thins to a patchy film. The aroma is peppery with fruity malts that are accentuated on swirling.
Sweet malts upfront, fruitiness appears in the center with a peppery finish and a light bitterness. The aftertaste is a bit off. Light-bodied and thin feeling with high carbonation.
A tad sweet, but still fairly drinkable.
836. Gösser
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Braueri Göss
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Euro Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 2.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a fluffy, bright white head that fades to a film leaving trails of lace. The aroma is light. There's a hint of graininess and perhaps a bit of peppery yeast.
Malty sweetness throughout. Light citric character with some pepperiness and a light grassy finish that hints at bitterness. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation and a dry finish.
Drinkable, but it falls a bit flat overall. Perhaps a bit more carbonation would help brighten things up.
837. Gose
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Alcohol: 4.60%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Gose
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.2
Pours a lightly hazed golden. The fluffy, white head fades to an asymmetric film. The aroma is quite strong. There's almost an acidic fruitiness in the aroma, but it balances towards sweeteness. Notes of citrus, honey and coriander. Smells absolutely delicious.
The taste is mild overall, but still complex and flavorful. There's a sharp citric character that gives a nice tartness, but doesn't overpower. Sweet, but not cloying malts and some neutral graininess throughout. The finish is a bit salty. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation. There's a bit of a bite to this beer.
This is my first experience with Gose, and I have to say that I'm a big fan. Very flavorful and a bit of a departure from other beers.
838. Uerige Sticke
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Uerige Obergärige Hausbrauerei
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, particulate brown. The beige head is thin and quickly fades to nothing. The aroma is rich and malty. There are notes of caramel, toffee and dark fruit. Swirling brings out a sharp character.
Sweet malts are definitely the focus of the beer, but they aren't too sweet. There's a boozy character upfront that mixes with the caramel and toffee flavors. There's an alcoholic spice and a moderate bitterness in the finish.
A bit sweet overall, but very flavorful.
839. Berliner Style Weisse
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Alcohol: 3.00%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours an extremely pale, straw color. The white head fades to nothing. The aroma is light. There are some banana and orange notes, as well as a light acidity.
Tart upfront, but this fades through to the finish. There's a light graininess and only a hint of bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, low carbonation and a hint of dryness.
Tasty and very refreshing. I would have liked a little bit more sourness, but that's just me.
840. Urbock 23°
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Castle Eggenberg
Alcohol: 9.60%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
Pours a hazed, golden copper. Topped by a thin white head that fades to a wispy film. The aroma is sharp, but light. There almost seems to be a medicinal undercurrent.
Very malt forward, lots of sweet caramel. Hints of citrus. Moves into a heavy, alcoholic spice that interacts with a pronounced dry finish. Medium-bodied with moderately high carbonation.
Spicy, strong and a little sweet, but overall decent.
841. König Pilsener
Beer Stats:
Brewery: König-Brauerei
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is grainy and grassy.
Lightly sweet. WIth a graininess throughout. There's a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, high carbonation, crisp.
842. Ettaler Kloster Edelhell
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Klosterbrauerei Ettal
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a nice golden with a light haze. The white head fades to nothing. The aroma is grainy with a light sweetness.
Sweet malts, but the sweetness is unobtrusive. Very tasty. A bit of pepper and a mild bitterness. Light-bodied and highly carbonated.
I met Win and David at our hotel, and then we went to a nearby diner so I could grab lunch. They had previously eaten at the always delicious Kitchenette. After eating we went to Central Park and watched the end of a baseball game, and afterwards David set off to find entertainment. He returned with a wiffle ball and bat, which entertained us for awhile. Our next destination was a beer garden in Williamsburg, but before heading to Brooklyn we stopped by a stationary store for a pack of cards and David's impulse buy of multi-colored pipe cleaners.
We went to Radegast Hall & Biergarten, which was across the street from The Levee, a bar we had been to for David's bachelor party last summer. I got the impression that this place opened fairly recently, but I might be mistaken. The bar consists of two, long, single-story buildings that sit side by side. From the street Radegast Hall is on the left, and the Biergarten is on the right. The hall is large with various tables and booths for seating. There's also a large spectacle shaped bar towards the back right of the establishment with a service window that looks out onto the biergarten. The floors, tables and booths were all wooden, with a worn character, thought the bar was smooth and new. The Biergarten is a long, brick structure that's semi-enclosed. There are retractable awnings over openings the length of the ceiling and the windows at the front were open. Long benches were located at either side of the building creating a single aisle down the center. There are some good pictures on the website that give you a feel for the place.
We grabbed the end of a table in the biergarten and decided on our first round. There were twelve taps and about two or three times as many bottles. All of the taps were dedicated to German beers, except two for Czech beers, one Austrian beer, and a single Belgian Witbier. The bottles were half German/Czech/Austrian, half Belgian. The draft beers were available both in pints, liters and pitchers.
We spent a few hours here, and first got a snack of bratwurst and sauerkraut. The brats were nice, and the kraut was tasty, though a tad sweet. When we determined that we'd be staying for awhile longer we ordered dinner. Win had the hanger steak, David had the braised rabbit and I had the veal schnitzel. The bits of the rabbit and steak that I had were tasty, and I was quite happy with my choice. Though when isn't schnitzel delicious?
The pipe cleaners that David bought were instantly popular. Our waitress took one for a bracelet, and later another waitress did the same. Various tablemates took a few, and people were stopping by our table fairly regularly to make things.
Most of these are lagers, which I have limited experience with as far as rating goes, so some of my descriptions may be off.
834. Gaffel Kölsch
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker & Co.
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear golden with a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is light, there's a bit of pepper and a grassy, leafy aroma, presumably from hops.
Clean and crisp overall, generous carbonation pulls the flavors along on the palate. There's a slightly sweet, but mostly neutral malt undercurrent running through the beer. There's a bit of pepper and a husky graininess in the finish that melds with a light bitterness and a hint of citrus. Crisp, and slightly dry.
Very drinkable, flavorful without being overpowering. Refreshing.
835. Brou Czech Dark
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Nova Paka Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Munich Dunkel Lager, BJCP Style Guide
There are two BrouCzech Darks on BA, but I think they're the same beer. So I'm putting this one into the main entry.
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 2.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.1
Garnet brown in color with a beige head that thins to a patchy film. The aroma is peppery with fruity malts that are accentuated on swirling.
Sweet malts upfront, fruitiness appears in the center with a peppery finish and a light bitterness. The aftertaste is a bit off. Light-bodied and thin feeling with high carbonation.
A tad sweet, but still fairly drinkable.
836. Gösser
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Braueri Göss
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Euro Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 2.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a fluffy, bright white head that fades to a film leaving trails of lace. The aroma is light. There's a hint of graininess and perhaps a bit of peppery yeast.
Malty sweetness throughout. Light citric character with some pepperiness and a light grassy finish that hints at bitterness. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation and a dry finish.
Drinkable, but it falls a bit flat overall. Perhaps a bit more carbonation would help brighten things up.
837. Gose
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Alcohol: 4.60%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Gose
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.2
Pours a lightly hazed golden. The fluffy, white head fades to an asymmetric film. The aroma is quite strong. There's almost an acidic fruitiness in the aroma, but it balances towards sweeteness. Notes of citrus, honey and coriander. Smells absolutely delicious.
The taste is mild overall, but still complex and flavorful. There's a sharp citric character that gives a nice tartness, but doesn't overpower. Sweet, but not cloying malts and some neutral graininess throughout. The finish is a bit salty. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation. There's a bit of a bite to this beer.
This is my first experience with Gose, and I have to say that I'm a big fan. Very flavorful and a bit of a departure from other beers.
838. Uerige Sticke
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Uerige Obergärige Hausbrauerei
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, particulate brown. The beige head is thin and quickly fades to nothing. The aroma is rich and malty. There are notes of caramel, toffee and dark fruit. Swirling brings out a sharp character.
Sweet malts are definitely the focus of the beer, but they aren't too sweet. There's a boozy character upfront that mixes with the caramel and toffee flavors. There's an alcoholic spice and a moderate bitterness in the finish.
A bit sweet overall, but very flavorful.
839. Berliner Style Weisse
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Alcohol: 3.00%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours an extremely pale, straw color. The white head fades to nothing. The aroma is light. There are some banana and orange notes, as well as a light acidity.
Tart upfront, but this fades through to the finish. There's a light graininess and only a hint of bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, low carbonation and a hint of dryness.
Tasty and very refreshing. I would have liked a little bit more sourness, but that's just me.
840. Urbock 23°
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Castle Eggenberg
Alcohol: 9.60%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
Pours a hazed, golden copper. Topped by a thin white head that fades to a wispy film. The aroma is sharp, but light. There almost seems to be a medicinal undercurrent.
Very malt forward, lots of sweet caramel. Hints of citrus. Moves into a heavy, alcoholic spice that interacts with a pronounced dry finish. Medium-bodied with moderately high carbonation.
Spicy, strong and a little sweet, but overall decent.
841. König Pilsener
Beer Stats:
Brewery: König-Brauerei
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is grainy and grassy.
Lightly sweet. WIth a graininess throughout. There's a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, high carbonation, crisp.
842. Ettaler Kloster Edelhell
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Klosterbrauerei Ettal
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a nice golden with a light haze. The white head fades to nothing. The aroma is grainy with a light sweetness.
Sweet malts, but the sweetness is unobtrusive. Very tasty. A bit of pepper and a mild bitterness. Light-bodied and highly carbonated.
Labels: Altbier, Berliner Weissbier, Doppelbock, Euro Pale Lager, German Pilsener, Gose, Kölsch, Munich Dunkel Lager, Munich Helles Lager
680. S'muttonator
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits a while ago. I let it warm to around 50º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Year: 2006
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a very lightly hazy ruby-brown with a thick beige head that thins to a film.
Smell (4.0): Rich and malty, caramel and dark fruit. Light peppery alcohol.
Taste (4.5): Sweet upfront with notes of caramel and dates. Moves into a peppery, spicy alcoholic finish with a firm, balancing bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, low-carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): A flavorful sipper.
Overall (4.15)
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits a while ago. I let it warm to around 50º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Year: 2006
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a very lightly hazy ruby-brown with a thick beige head that thins to a film.
Smell (4.0): Rich and malty, caramel and dark fruit. Light peppery alcohol.
Taste (4.5): Sweet upfront with notes of caramel and dates. Moves into a peppery, spicy alcoholic finish with a firm, balancing bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, low-carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): A flavorful sipper.
Overall (4.15)
Labels: Doppelbock, Smuttynose Brewing Company
653. Samichlaus Bier
I've had a bottle of Samichlaus from the 2005 bottling sitting in my fridge for a few months. I haven't tried it yet because of a combination of its strength and my lack of free time, but last night I got a text message about it from David who was in Portland for a business trip. I let this warm and served it in my New Belgium glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Castle Eggenberg
Year: 2005
Alcohol: 14.0%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a crystal clear copper with a fizzy, beige head that fades to a persistent ring.
Smell (4.5): The aroma is deep, rich and malty. There are notes of caramel and fruit, especially raisins. There's also a strong alcoholic aroma that really becomes dominant upon swirling.
Taste (4.5): Sweet maltiness upfront, with caramel, raisins and vanilla. Strong alcohol brings a peppery spice to the finish, which lasts long into the aftertaste. There's also a very mild bitterness. I agree with David that this is very brandy-like.
Mouthfeel (5): Thick, creamy and full-bodied, smooth with just enough carbonation. Spicy warming alcohol remains through the finish and leaves a tingly sensation in the mouth and a nice warmth throughout.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is definitely strong, but I find myself wishing that I had another bottle. Something to sip and savor, but surprisingly drinkable.
Overall (4.3): This was a great beer to finish the day with. It's been colder than normal, and it actually snowed today.
I've had a bottle of Samichlaus from the 2005 bottling sitting in my fridge for a few months. I haven't tried it yet because of a combination of its strength and my lack of free time, but last night I got a text message about it from David who was in Portland for a business trip. I let this warm and served it in my New Belgium glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Castle Eggenberg
Year: 2005
Alcohol: 14.0%
Serving: Bottle, 11.2 oz.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a crystal clear copper with a fizzy, beige head that fades to a persistent ring.
Smell (4.5): The aroma is deep, rich and malty. There are notes of caramel and fruit, especially raisins. There's also a strong alcoholic aroma that really becomes dominant upon swirling.
Taste (4.5): Sweet maltiness upfront, with caramel, raisins and vanilla. Strong alcohol brings a peppery spice to the finish, which lasts long into the aftertaste. There's also a very mild bitterness. I agree with David that this is very brandy-like.
Mouthfeel (5): Thick, creamy and full-bodied, smooth with just enough carbonation. Spicy warming alcohol remains through the finish and leaves a tingly sensation in the mouth and a nice warmth throughout.
Drinkability (4.0): The alcohol is definitely strong, but I find myself wishing that I had another bottle. Something to sip and savor, but surprisingly drinkable.
Overall (4.3): This was a great beer to finish the day with. It's been colder than normal, and it actually snowed today.
Labels: Brewery Castle Eggenberg, Doppelbock
464. Weihenstephaner Korbinian
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits last week and had it last night. It was served in my NERAX pint at 50ºF.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Weihenstephan
Alcohol: 7.40%
Serving: Bottle, 500 mL.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear ruby-brown with a fluffy beige head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (5.0): Malty with notes of caramel and fruit: dates, raisins and tart cherries. There's lightly smoky and faint chocolate aromas as well. As the beer warms a faint alcoholic spice becomes evident.
Taste (4.5): Malty, but not overly sweet: caramel, toffee, raisins and dates. The finish is lightly smoky and roasted.
Mouthfeel (5.0): Thick and full-bodied, with light carbonation. Very smooth and creamy.
Drinkability (4.5): Well hidden alcohol with nice malty sweetness that never becomes cloying.
Overall (4.55): An excellent doppelbock, very flavorful and well crafted.
I purchased this at Downtown Wine & Spirits last week and had it last night. It was served in my NERAX pint at 50ºF.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Weihenstephan
Alcohol: 7.40%
Serving: Bottle, 500 mL.
Style: Doppelbock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear ruby-brown with a fluffy beige head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (5.0): Malty with notes of caramel and fruit: dates, raisins and tart cherries. There's lightly smoky and faint chocolate aromas as well. As the beer warms a faint alcoholic spice becomes evident.
Taste (4.5): Malty, but not overly sweet: caramel, toffee, raisins and dates. The finish is lightly smoky and roasted.
Mouthfeel (5.0): Thick and full-bodied, with light carbonation. Very smooth and creamy.
Drinkability (4.5): Well hidden alcohol with nice malty sweetness that never becomes cloying.
Overall (4.55): An excellent doppelbock, very flavorful and well crafted.
Labels: Brauerei Weihenstephan, Doppelbock, Reviews
