Sunday, October 24, 2021

Hammerheart Herbstflagen Bamberg-style Smoked Märzen Lager

Hammerheart Herbstflagen Bamberg-style Smoked Märzen Lager.

7% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Lino Lakes, MN. 


Largely opaque, russet-toned, slim beige head. Much darker than your average märzen. 

In the nose: Smoked out wafts out first, thoroughly Bambergian. Bring on the bacon! Everything else is buried below. 

In the mouth: After a taste of the smoked malt, the flavor softly subsides, and reveals the hearty, rich malt flavors beneath the smoke. Hops are minimal, flavors are unique and delicious. Splash of malty flavor with each new sip, a touch of sweetness until the smoke rises up and curls around it, while it lingers long on the palate. 

I am sad that Hammerheart is leaving the Twin Cities metro area (or, more accurately, the northern suburbs) to go live and brew up north and in the deep woods. But I'm glad they will continue to make beers like this that no else else will even contemplate. 

Herbstklagen is named for Waldeflüster's fantastic first album. It is brewed with beechwood and applewood smoked malt and aged in the märzen tradition. Enjoy with friends. Prost! Art by A. Lunn, reinterpreted from Waldgeflüster. 

Okay, we know where Herbstflagen comes from (but not what it means), now, would it be so hard to tell us what a Waldgeflüster is? Other than a metal band, that I get. 

No comments: