Monschof Kellerbier

Kulmbacher Monschof Naturtrubes Kellerbier. I recall buying some Monschof beers domestically, but this one was imported "by hand" directly from Deutschland. Nothing but Deutsch on this label, so will pass on repeating it to you. ("Unfilterierter Biergenuss!") Oddly, the label info is in several languages. Did you know this is bier, beer, bier, birra special, cerveza, as well as miiypa? I could go on, but will not, so let us enjoy this product of Bavaria. 

Clouded, opaque, dark amber, nearly brown, with off-white head, leaving lace.

Malt and yeast-forward aromatics, some cereal grain, some sweetness.

Taste: again, yeast and dark malts are in large supply. Lightly fruity, just a little bit juicy. I'm immediately reminded why I like kellerbiers, that yeast really brings a lot of flavor. 

Schneider & Sohn Schneider Weisse Hefe -Weizen

Odd thing, here. I find this posted on BeerAdvocate as "Schneider Weisse Tap 7 Unser Original", and I haven't a clue what that means. Whatever it's sorted as, Schneider Weisse remains of my favorites hefe weizens, and here are my notes from March, 2003:


The color here is not what the average beer drinker expects a hefe to have, but this is the Bavarian style. A muddy dark orangish, nearly brown near the crown, lighter at the foot. The head on it is full,lush,voluminous, white.

Aroma is light, sweet, soft, delicious, delightful, focusing on flavors of citrus (lemon), honey, flowers, and mild spices.

 Texture and mouthfeel is extraordinarily smooth, with a graininess up front that fades fast.

Clean, brisk, uncomplicated, easily drunk, and yet brimming with taste. Substantial body, perfect malt, and a swift, but recurring, bright and lively finish. Citrusy hops return again and again to delight the tastebuds.

A very flavorful weizen, and a perfect brew for mealtime, hot Julytime, feellikehavinganotherbeertime.

Aventinus Vintage 2004

Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock Ale, (weizenstarkbier), Brauerei Georg Schneider & Sohn, brewed in 2004. Product of Bavaria, Germany. 8.2% ABV. Paper wrapped, with various events of that year lain diagonally across the sheet. Academy Award winners, Olympics, natural disasters, this odd fact: "Bill Haley invented rock'n'roll 50 years ago." Was that him? There must be a debate about that, somewhere. I'd bet Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard have something to say about that. Tied around the neck with string is a nice little card, and here's what it says: "Aventinus, the worlds oldest top=fermenting wheat doppelbock, has received accolades for the perfect balance of fruity spiciness (banana, clove, vanilla) and notes of chocolate (crystal and dark malts). In addition, the beer has demonstrated wonderful aging potential with aromas and flavors of chocolate (very soft), port and sherry when aged for three years or more.
Therefore, in 1999, the Schneider Brewery decided to age 240 cases of Aventinus each year in their historical ice cellar in Kelheim with each batch held for a minimum of three years.
Each fall for many years to come, B. United International is proud to release a small allotment of the latest vintage to all our customers across the USA. Please enjoy it now or hold on to it in your own cellar for further development…if you can handle the wait."

Well, I can't handle the wait. And I think that eight years is enough. So, let's crack this open and take in all this development.

One small detriment of age is noted immediately. Utterly still, no foam, no head, no nothing, very un-like the normally bilious Aventinus. There's a lot going on when you examine the surface, plenty of active bubbles spreading swiftly from the middle to the sides, but that's as far as it goes.

Aroma, here's where it's happening. Very much like the young Aventinus, but taken further in complexity. Banana and clove are there at first, followed by raisins, grape, figs, dark rum, port wine. Raspberry jam in a wine cask, chocolate looks below. Beautiful.

Taste: again, very still, no carbonation on the tongue. At least, very little. But the palate is washed over with the smooth wheat feel and the dark malt flavor I've come to love from Aventinus, pushed a little farther. Gets richer and fuller in the mouth, the more it takes command of the senses. A little pepper to match the clove, a touch of fire in this to stir up the fruit and chocolate notes. Mmmm, mmm.

One good thing about this venture in aging is that they charge no more for it than for a new bottle of Aventinus. One bad thing about it, if I may, is that while very good and some kind of an improvement, it's not quite a mind-blower and shies seriously short of transcendence. Although…although…I'm liking this more and more. Mellow and mostly magical.

Porticus, Leipziger Doppel-Porter

Porticus, Leipziger Doppel-Porter, Bayrischer Bahnhof Leipzig, Germany, Special Edition of Historic Styles. 7% abv, 11.2 oz.

I know very little of this beer, and will now forget what I did know.

Dark brown color, cocoa-tinted head, nearly pink, actually, rocky and lacy. Starts huge, drifts down.

Aroma: sweet and sour, wild and funky. Some sherry, some cherry, a lambic-like kiss of raspberry. Interesting stuff, indeed. Getting very little from what I'd expect out of either a "doppel" or a "porter." But, I'll keep sniffing: Nope, not there, all but smothered by this fruity funkitude.

Taste: Damned interesting, once again. Bitter, dark malts, chocolate, espresso, dark fruit, anise, then the lambic-like funky fruit steps in, but without ever losing time with the dark malt flavors. This certainly tastes more Belgian than German, and I'd be utterly flummoxed if presented with it not knowing it's origin. Fullish body, longish finish, great complexity, lots to like.
Yum, I'm liking this more and more. Bitter and gritty, sweet malt, hops and …where does the sour come from? What is the yeast? Great questions...

Sunner Kolsch

Sunner Kolsch. Brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516. "Brewed and bottled by Gebr. Sunner Gmbh & Co. KG, Cologne, Germany, Est. 1830."
Ale, i pint, 0.9 Fl Oz. Alc. 5.3% by Vol.
"Sunner is a kolsch style ale, which is unique to Koln, (Cologne) Germany. Like Champagne (Appellation Controllee) it is protected by law so that only ales brewed in that region can bear the name. It is an ale with a stylish character derived from extended layering. "…and, blah, blah, blah…let's open and drink up!

Wait, some of that blah, blah was important, It seems that Sunner is the oldest brewery in Koln, and has been family owned and operated for six generations. That's, like, serious stuff to know!

Okay, now, we drink up. In a Reissdorf Kolsch glass, because I have no Sunner kolsch glasses. Maybe some day…

Clear, light golden color, straw, under prodigious head, hearty, and lasting. Fierce carbonation.

Bit of a cereal note in the nose, more lager-y than ale-like. Not skunky, though I'm tempted to say that. But not what I'd expect from a top-notch kolsch. No, it's not giving it to me, sorry.

Taste: Light, clean, easy-going…I'm holding back on "crisp", because it's not, there's no hoppy snap, it's rather soft, and lacking any spark. Some fruit flavors slowly unfurl, some green apple, some pear, it's starting to taste a little more kolsch-like, from what I've known of other true German bottling.
Those, that I had years ago, that informed my understanding of the style, were delivered directly from Germany by a friend. Maybe some damage has been done here in the transport, all the way across the Atlantic.

There's some hoppy play on the palate, there's the delicate malt flavor, and, hey, yeah, I am liking this more. It's growing on me, getting to resemble more of what I wanted it to. Getting better and better, a little more hops, great texture, excellent consumability. Some of those delicate, lighter flavors are showing at last, though they were quiet in the nose. It all holds together quite well, plenty of flavor, though delicate, plenty of taste, plenty of drinking.

Tastes great, this one, and urges more consuming. Hail, hail, Sunner Kolsch. Not the greatest Kolsch, but one of the best.

13th Century Grut Bier

"13th Century Grut Bier, brewed according to recipes dating back to before the German Purity law in 1516, Historic Signature Series, Forgotten styles brewed according to their historic recipes by Dr. Fritz Briem, of the Doemens Institure, Brewed by Dr. Fritz Briem, Munich, Germany.

"Before the German Purity Law "Reinheitsgehot" of 1516 it was common practice to use any kind of different spices, herbs, fruits and other plants to provide balance to beer. Hops was not yet well known at this time.
Grut beer has roots in many cultures and each culture has it's own "special ingredients."Egyptians, NAtive Americans, Arabian Tribes, Gaulles, Germanic Tribes, and the Vikings.
This interpretation of a traditional grut bier is spiced with lobber (bay leaves), Ingwer (ginger), Kummel (caraway), Anis (anise), Rosemarin (rosemary), & Enzian (Gentian)." 4.6% ABV.

Enough of the long-winded explanations. Let's crack it open!

Cloude, pale yellow appearance. Head starts, then quits forever. Not particularly appetizing. Visually, that is.

Sniffing it: Beautiful, floral, spicy and arousing. Ginger is loudest in this, but the others play their part. Anise and rosemary…very pretty. Wonderful mix.

Now, let's drink it!
Wow! Very sharp on the palate, big spicy lemon citric bite! The promise of the nose is spoiled by the flavor. Harsh, sour, and bitter. Light medium body. Faint finish, the sour and trails off, leaving spice. Effervescent mouthfeel, nice carbonation, but the lack of body and absent malt profile leave me wanting.
In the end, it's all lemon, and I'm finishing it, but I'm not really liking it

Erdinger Hefe Weizen

Another from the sampler pack. First enjoyed in July, 2003, here are those notes:

Appearance in this weizen fits the bill to a T, with a hazy, pale, straw-yellow color, and a thick, fluffy, cloud-like head of foam.

Aroma is likewise on the mark for a typical hefe, lemony and sweet, but with a little bit of citric sour, as well.

On meeting the lips, this beer is remarkably smooth, with a nice texture, and a light body.
Extraordinarily drinkable, but utterly lacking in any complexity or nuance.
A simple, pleasing, nice little ale, with continual contributions of flavor
. Not bad at all, by no means, but lacking anything in it to rise above the ordinary.
As hefe weizens go, it's an adequate sample, and goes down nice, and refreshing.

Schneider/ Brooklyn Hopfen Weisse

Schneider & Brooklyn Hopfen Weisse, hefe-weizen ale, 8.2 % alc./vol. "…pale weissbock robustly dry-hopped with the Halltauer Saphir variet grown in the fields near the Schneider brewery." And more, blah, blah, blah, …I'm trying to avoid copying the verbiage employed in the selling and marketing of the brew. Don't want to repeat their words or ideas, so let's bend this bottlecap and check this baby out.

In a Georg Schneider's Wiesen Edel-Weisse glass, looking very good.

Highly hazed, pale orange, furious carbonation, gigantic head, slow to settle, and leaving lace.

Citrus notes, hops, and yeast lead up the aroma. Tangy and slightly sweet, orange, lemon, softly beautiful.

Taste: Exceptionally smooth entrance on the palate, plush and pleasing. Hops are happening, here, and they bop back, sip after sip. Damn, this is delicious, a Brooklyn/Bavarian combo that bridges Euro-tradition and American hoppitude. Soft and easy mouthfeel seals the deal, and makes this a rewarding ale on many levels.

I'm kind of embarrassed it took me so long to get this one down my gullet, but now I have a new favorite, to add to my many other favorites.

Moosbacher Schwarze Weisse

Moosbacher Schwarze Weisse Dark Wheat Beer, Private Landbrauerei Scheuerer, Moosbach, Germany, 92709. Since 1887. Product of Bavaria, Germany.

Clear, caramel-y brown tint, lush, lace-leaving cocoa-toned head.

Sweet, cola-like nose. Hints of raisins and plum. Malty, with a slice of spice.

Tasting it: Clean and even malty mouthfeel. Flavors of cocoa and nuts. Minor hops. Smooth wheat character comes through, very scrumptious.

Don't ask me what separates a schwarze weisse from a dunkel weisse, though. Maybe they're the same?

Radeberger Pilsner

Although this German bier just entered the U.S, market, here I am with a bottle brought back from Deutschland. Because, why not?
Radeberger Pilsner "Seit 1872" lot of German on here. I understand about 3 % of it. 4,8% Alc. Vol., that I get. "Zutaten: Wasser, Gerstenmalz, Hopfenextrakt, Hopfen."

Let's drink 'er already.
Ultra-clear, pale yellow, if even that. Nice, fluffy, bone white head.

Aroma: clean, lean, light ceral/grain flavor, minor hops.

Taste: light, water-y, just a mere layer of malt. Hops are speaking up a little more, giving a trim, tidy blitz of hop bitterness. The more we empty the bottle, the more mighty the mouthfeel, the higher the hop flavor. Very friendly beer, this, a most impressive pilsner.

Although I haven't been turned into a pilsner lover, I can understand why this is considered tops in it's field.

Schell's Schmaltz' Alt

I've always been fond of this one, whether because of the rhyming name, or the ol' man Schmaltz on the label, or the story of how he taught Ted Marti's Dad how to shoot rats in New Ulm. The beer's nice, too. Got a sample bottle recently, and instead of relying on ages-old notes, wrote some new ones. Here they are:

"Schell's Schmaltz's Alt…the Schmaltz is back!

Dark brown, color, creamy light tan head, with…very strange things on top. What is this? Spices? Herbs? Malt, hops? It ain't no bugs, I hope…

Aroma:
very mellow and even-tempered, warm and nutty, clean and malty. Nice.

Taste: Big, rich, chocolatey malt flavor. Fills the mouth. Brisk carbonation. Taste arrives at delicious rumminess, but a sidecar of raisins. Yum, this just gets better and better. Clean, even finish."

What the heck, here's what I wrote back in April of 2003:

"I've enjoyed this brew many times over the years, but never truly stopped to consider it. There's something irresistible about the rhymy name and the label photo of sour Old Schmaltz sitting on a keg, stein in hand.
Color is a dark brown, almost black, with a fine, 1" creamy tan head. Aroma is largely clean and airy, but there are traces of cocoa and nuts. Hops are there, too, but laying low. On the palate, though, they reveal themselves in all their might. Big burst of fruitiness (bananas,and citrus, primarily!), that soon smooths out bigtime. The malt contingent is firm and swiftly becomes large and in charge. That doesn't stop an overriding fruitiness to continue to ride throughout the flavor and the finish. The rest of the drink is a well-rounded, and fruity flavor, with a slightly coppery edge. I'm no expert on alts, but I know what I like, and this is that.

Andescher Doppelbock Dunkel

 Andescher Doppelbock Dunkel,
Klosterbrawerei Andechs,
Bayern, Germany
7.1 % ABV, 19 IBU.


original notes from my first tasting, back in May, 2004:

A bottle procured for me by Dave, a loyal customer at my restaurant/bar, who has recently been bringing German gems back from business trips for me. All hail Dave!
Appearance: partially clear, dark ruby hue, an enigmatic appearance, really, clear here, dark there, obtuse in places, with a lovely, lush layer of pale, tanned foam standing guard on top.
Aroma: caramel & spice, soft & creamy, lightly toasted, with subtle fruit.
Taste: luscious fruit proclaims itself at the onset, a beautiful blend of grape, cherry, berry, & more, supported by a warm, generous malt bill.
More flavors interject as we continue, raisins, figs, chocolate climbs aboard, too, for a spell, contributing a subtle, sensuous cocoa feel all over the palate.
Sublime, really.
This mere 7.1% ABV doppelbock only peeps up the tiniest bit in alcohol feel, so smooth it is, so rich with flavor, not harsh, nor brash, mellow, cool, yet bold with flavor, getting winey-er and winey-er in taste as we go.
Got to hand it to the monks at Andesch, for they are gentle, benevolent geniuses, and those who know their work are doubly blessed!

This world famous bock from Bavaria’s Holy Mountain is not meant to be rushed, but savoured slowly. As solid as a rock, Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel presides over the evening meal with a colour reminiscent of dark copper with nuances of fiery red. Its clear gleaming look harmonises with its firm, fine pored head.

Also the aroma delights the connoisseur: soft roasted accents and a nuance of dried fruit carrying a vein of caramel. This Doppelbock Dunkel from Bavaria’s Holy Mountain presents a pleasant effervescence. And then there’s the unmistakable flavour: mouthcoating and velvety, strong and yet pleasantly malty – a powerful, robust body. At the same time, it develops an easily recognisable sweetness, embraced in roasted cocoa and a light, bitter hoppiness.

Concluding with a powerful punch, this Doppelbock departs with a lingering aftertaste of quality plain chocolate. A strong Doppelbock that embodies the centuries old Benedictine brewing tradition, sip by delicious sip (original extract: 18.5%, abv: over 7.0%).

Sly Fox Royal Weisse

Let's finish up the Sly Fox beers Woody sent me. Here's the Royal Weisse.

Sly Fox Royal Weisse, A Bavarian style Wheat Beer brewed with German Pils and Wheat Malts, and hopped with German Northern Brewer hops. Medium bodied, tan in color, fruity. OG 13.5 Plato, 11 IBUs, 5.6% by Vol."

Very clouded, dusky orange, you could say "tan", slimmish head, not quite what I'd want in this.

Aroma: banana and cloves, very airy and light. Some citrus in there, a little orange and lemon. Lemon meringue, banana cream pie, mmm, mm, mmm.

Taste: soft, malty, a little spritzy. A bit juicy. Wheat malt flavor prevalent, …very drinkable, but…lacks…a lot. Nice, but fairly average. No zing, no zang, no …I'm about to get silly again, best to stop now.

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager

This little brewery out of Lakewood, NY has made their name with their imperial series, whenever they make 'em big, they turn heads. So, here's my first review of Southern Tier Krampus Imperial helles lager.

Not a bad brew for Christmas Eve. Leave it to ST to name the holiday brew not after Santa Claus, but his partner who punishes bad kiddies, while St. Nick rewards them, Krampus. Beware his switch, children. I'd love to quote the label, but it is soooo long. In brief, it'll warm coldest hearts…Christmas Devil, sticks and chains….fanged, goat-horned bully…naughty or nice?….replace the cookies, lager yeast, aged cold, Merry Kramp-mas to all, and to all a good pint!
So there you have it!

9% abv, 2-row pale malt, munich, caramel malt, chinook & willamette hops, cool place, snifter, best at 48, blahbetty blah…

Let's drink it, look at it, smell it, you know…

Clear, pale reddish hue, eh, more like amber, slim head, lace leaving, …looking pretty nice. ( On further pours, it's bigger, taller, prouder.)

Aroma: malty, sharp, smooth, mild hops, somewhat sweet, …but a little shy, not giving much else up.

Taste: grainy, malty, fierce, and hot. And yet smooth-…ish, despite the high alcohol.
Clean, and smooth, and pretty tasty. Sweet malt, delicious booze. Yum, me like.
I'm still not crazy about imperial lagers, still like ales better, when they're bigger. Just not enough flavor coming through…mmm, imperial lager, wait, what's happening to me?

Sly Fox Pikeland Pils

#4 in the Woody Sends, Sly Fox can series.

Sly Fox Pikeland Pils

"North German Style Pilsner, light in body and refreshingly dry on the palate, this multiple award-winning Pilsner is the ideal beer for any season or occasion. Brewed in classic fashion with German Pils malt and German and Czech hops. OG 11.7 Plato, 44 IBUs, 4.9% abv. "

I'm putting this into a Samuel Adams glass, because I can't find any real German pilsner glasses in my collection. Plenty of pints and strangely shaped Belgians, but none of those, alas and alack.

Cloudy, and pale dirty yellow appearance, nice white head, lace-leaving, starts big and drifts down.

Aroma: noble hops and yeast predominant. Light, airy, floral, perfumey. And a little off…

Taste: Crisp hop bite up front, grabs the palate, and wakes the sleeping senses. Malt is almost thick in this. Unfiltered. Judging by appearance, and now taste, yeah, there's plenty of yeast flavor in this. But, though I normally like yeast in my beer, this one feels like it shouldn't belong. I want to use the word dirty again. And I almost never want that. Too murky to be a classic German pils, if that's really what it wants to be…but, wait, Al, aren't you the one who likes lagers better with yeast in them? Yeah, that is me, undeniably…

In this one, though, the yeast isn't integrated enough with the rest of the flavors and competes and drowns out what should be clean, crisp and refreshing. I drank it, and I didn't dislike it, but it just didn't work out.

Sly Fox Dunkel Lager

Another one from the Woodman, fresh from the CANquest.

Sly Fox Dunkel Lager.

"A traditional Bavarian style Dark Lager, made with Munich, Pils, and German Roast malts, and a variety of Bavarian hops. OG 13 Plato, 21 IBUs, 5.3% by Vol."

In an Einbecker Dunkel glass, because why not, that's why.

And I love the dunkels, so I'm looking forward to this one.

Clear, caramel brown body, slim beige head, gets tight, but stays strong.

Aroma: clean and malty, caramel and toffee, light hops, sweet, rich and getting richer.

Taste: very tidy, minimal hops, good blend of cocoa, caramel and toffee in the malty flavor. Even-tempered, well-balanced, medium-bodied, expertly drinkable. A little mineral, metallic feel, flinty, maybe, but overall a nice, if unimpressive dunkel.
And what's wrong with that, I'd like to know.

Schell's Snowstorm 2010

The SnowStorm series from 150-year old August Schell Brewing Company, second oldest family-owned brewery in America, is a yearly showcase for the brewer's talents. There was a streak in the middle of the last decade when I was not impressed with their offerings of this wintry output. Sure, it's a one-off, but a brown ale or an ESB, even if it's not what a traditional German brewery normally makes, just doesn't stand out. Give us something big, deep, dark, spicy, complex, give us something to stand up to a snowstorm! (Years ago, I believe it was called Blizzard Ale. )
I may be wrong, but I think the cap has to go off to Dave Berg for steering the ship straight on this series recently. A stout several years ago, that's now a staple. A Belgian Dubbel (my favorite style) 2 years ago, and a Baltic Porter last (tapped that at the Nile, and it was gone quick!). It only got better this year, and so, ...

Schell's Snowstorm 2010, Weizen Doppelbock Beer

12 oz. bottle. Pouring into an Aventinus glass, because I don't have any branded Schell's glassware that suits the style. Perhaps I need to remedy that, but, on the other hand, this is the beer that sets the standard for this style.

Dark purplish-brown coloration, huge fluffy beige head, lace-leaving, very impressive.

Amazing aromatics, huge and in orbit, banana cream pie, with cloves on top. Drizzle of lemon, and a double hit of spice. Light and airy, yet deep and substantive. This is exactly what I'd want from a weizenbock. Love it.

Drinking it: High carbonation, spritzy, yet smooth, lush malt, tastes lovely. Sweet, yet mild, lightly spicy. Maybe a little lighter on the mouthfeel than I'd like, but I'm oh, so picky. And, actually, I have a hard time finding a flaw with this one. So, let me have that one thing, okay?

Tasty as all get out, hits the right notes for the style, delivers deliciousness. Another knockout in the Snowstorm series, and, damnit, the last one in my six-pack. Time to go out shopping!