Das Schpadel
Ethereal Brewing

 

Where many German brewers have transitioned their Oktoberfestbier over to a lightly hopped, bolder bodied pilsner, its the American craft brewer that's keeping the toastier festbier of history and tradition alive. However most have made too many substitutions to accurately reflect the origins of the style. But not Ethereal Brewing.

Their Das Schpaded pours with a rich golden and brilliantly clear appearance. Crowned with a cottony white froth, the beer's scent is an appetizing blend of light toast, bread crust, honeysuckle and granola. Sweet on the tongue, a medley of honey, bread crust, cashew and cereal align for a elegantly malted upstart.

Its malt forward demeanor continues on the middle palate but while also lightening, turning from honey and more into those granola characteristics of freshly kilned grain, nuttiness and the mild toastiness of croissant. Floral hops also fade from its delicacy and trend tea-like, slightly of mint and pleasantly grassy on the late palate to provide just enough bitterness to take an edge off of the lingering malt flavors.

Medium light on the palate, the beer's lager influence is strong in a cleanly malted, semidry taste and a brisk, refreshing texture designed to drink multiple beers in a single sitting. A medium short aftertaste of cereal and nuttiness keeps enough flavor rewards without sacrificing drinkability. Its simply a perfect fall beer!