This one came to us first as part of the Anniversary Series, eight beers that came out every three months in the two years leading up to the sesquicentennial. Since I reviewed this in March, 2009, that would make it #6, by my best guess. It was the popular favorite, and won the right to represent Schell's as the 150th Anniversary beer. I have no idea whether they're going to continue it, since here we are going into year 152, but there it was in my sample pack. Notes from March, 2009 follow:
"...the elegant drinkability of a pilsner, the bready maltiness of a Vienna lager, and the hopping of a pale ale." Vienna, Caramunich, & Caravienne malts, Cascade and Tettnang hops, dry-hopped, fermented with lager yeast at ale temps, and aged 6 weeks for smooth lager crispness. 12.7 Plato, 36 IBU, 5.8% abv.
Clear, amber appearance, slim, whitish head.
Lightly spicy, citric hoppy aromatics, with a classic lager aroma right behind it. Interesting.
Reappears in the flavor, the zest, the pepper, the tangy citric feel, then all is smooth, the hop attack riding softly on the palate, then fading back. Each sip returns the pleasant hoppy character, followed by soft, biscuity malt.
Good flavor, great drinkability. I like this unique lager/ale hybrid. Another tasty easy-drinker in the Anniversary series.
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