Wrecking Heaven Grätzer
Wrecking Bar Brewpub

 

 

 

 

 

Per the Wrecking Bar website: "The name is indication of our first collaboration with another brewery – we brewed this with Eric Johnson of Wild Heaven!! Grätz is the German name for the town of Grodzisk, Poland, which was famous for brewing the Grodziskie style. The style was popular in the 1700's and 1800's, but had all but disappeared by the 1990's. Almost all of the malt is German wheat that has been smoked over oak wood, which gives it a much more subtle smokiness than other smoked beer styles. German hops are used at the beginning with a small addition of New Zealand’s Nelson Sauvin for flavoring, which a special twist of our collaboration."

So, style-wise, where does one put this on BA? Smoked, maybe? Or how about APWA? I'll calling on my pal, George Washington for a little assistance with a coin toss.

Appearance: Lightly hazed, washed out golden hue with a lasting inch of whitish foam. A shimmy and shake of lace on the descent.

Smell: The promised oak-smoked wheat malt is present and the predominate scent, but it's not overpowering, and even allows for subtler notes of mealy dough, light fruitiness, and some hops to emerge.

Taste: Smoked, well, wheat with some Cream of Wheat soft, viscous coagulation. Low grape fruitiness. Spicy, lightly herbal hops, medium-light bitterness. Drying finish with a final touch of the smoked wheat malt.

Mouthfeel: Medium (skosh over). Medium carbonation (skosh over).

Overall: It's different.