Father Ray''s Swarztweizen
Abbey Brewing Co.

 

 

another unique german inspired beer in this awesome little belgian brewery. a combination it seems of schwarzbier and hefe or dunkelweizen. it is almost assuredly not a lager, although it does get dry and grippy in a hurry towards the finish, like i look for in a good schwarz, but the wheat and the fruity elements of this suggest a bavarian ale yeast strain of some sort, either way, exceptional and innovative beer, i think far more compelling and dramatic and unique than the simple dunkelweizen moniker generally provides for. the beer starts with the dark malts, more bitter and roasted than wheaty, although there may in fact be a midnight wheat or something like it in here, it has the roast so well integrated with the distinct wheat qualities, its literally equal parts of both of its parent beers. fuller bodied and creamy, but drier and dangerously refreshing. there is dried cherry, cocoa powder, banana, and clove elements all at play. this is something really special, and quite deserving of more attention, but i feel that way about abbey brewing in general. our whole experience here was incredible! more people should make beer like this one.