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Schell's FireBrick
August Schell Brewing Company
- From:
- August Schell Brewing Company
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- Vienna Lager
Ranked #65 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #24,264 - Avg:
- 3.7 | pDev: 13.24%
- Reviews:
- 253
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sep 27, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 17, 2002
- Wants:
- 41
- Gots:
- 72
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good
FireBrick was introduced in 1999, and is named after the bricks that line Schell's old boilers. It is the culmination of an effort to bridge the gap between the "popular-tasting" beers and the heartier, hand-crafted ones.
FireBrick is a refreshing all-malt lager with an amber-red hue that reflects the feeling of the brewery itself.
It has been described by Ted Marti as having a "subtle maltiness combined with a hint of hoppy taste that creates a mild, pleasantly drinkable beer." It is made with four specialty malts, along with Vanguard, Chinook and Hallertau hops.
FireBrick is a refreshing all-malt lager with an amber-red hue that reflects the feeling of the brewery itself.
It has been described by Ted Marti as having a "subtle maltiness combined with a hint of hoppy taste that creates a mild, pleasantly drinkable beer." It is made with four specialty malts, along with Vanguard, Chinook and Hallertau hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Papercut4 from Wisconsin
3.8/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours out of the can a crystal clear deep rusty color with two fingers of head and mild retention. Smells of malt and bread. Tastes robust and malty. Full mouthfeel that might make you drink it a bit slower. Maybe not the best time of year to enjoy one, but I didn't mind it!
Jul 19, 2023
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois
4.05/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
a great burnt amber look malt smell = rich malt lager taste one of their best beers
Dec 19, 2022
Reviewed by Jacobier10 from New Jersey
3.74/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz can, dated 1/10/21.
Medium amber with brilliant clarity. Creamy white head that hangs around for a while and leaves behind patchy lacing.
Deep malt aroma that borders on being too rich upon tasting. Light floral hops try to provide balance, but the malt reigns supreme. Clean, medium-full bodied. Finishes a little on the sweet side.
Jul 09, 2021Medium amber with brilliant clarity. Creamy white head that hangs around for a while and leaves behind patchy lacing.
Deep malt aroma that borders on being too rich upon tasting. Light floral hops try to provide balance, but the malt reigns supreme. Clean, medium-full bodied. Finishes a little on the sweet side.
Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
3.87/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz can best by date July 1, 2021 poured into a 16oz pint glass. I also drank one straight outa the can.
Look: Pours a gorgeous clear deep dark copper amber with a rather tall head that eventually becomes soapy on the outside. Minimal spotty lacing.
Smell: caramel, malts, grains and a little bread.
Taste: Tart, raisins, sweet, hop, malt, hop oil. Light smoke dances around in it all. Kind of resiny for it's style and there's a little more smoke at the end again.
Feel: It has a mouth feel that is slippery, soft, firm, a little bit sticky, and has a med-long red tang finish. It is lightly and nicely carbonated.
Overall a very smooth, drinkable beer that is good for it's style and it is consistently brewed.
May 13, 2021Look: Pours a gorgeous clear deep dark copper amber with a rather tall head that eventually becomes soapy on the outside. Minimal spotty lacing.
Smell: caramel, malts, grains and a little bread.
Taste: Tart, raisins, sweet, hop, malt, hop oil. Light smoke dances around in it all. Kind of resiny for it's style and there's a little more smoke at the end again.
Feel: It has a mouth feel that is slippery, soft, firm, a little bit sticky, and has a med-long red tang finish. It is lightly and nicely carbonated.
Overall a very smooth, drinkable beer that is good for it's style and it is consistently brewed.
Reviewed by Bshaw22 from Wisconsin
3.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours amber white frothy head.
Smell is caramel and a little roast. Maybe some dark fruits in there.
Taste is following the nose. Pretty clean and drinkable tho.
Got this one in the old mix pack too that I sat around drinking while buddies appendix almost burst.
Cheers to you schells and your tasty lagers. They are underrated to be sure!
Feb 13, 2021Smell is caramel and a little roast. Maybe some dark fruits in there.
Taste is following the nose. Pretty clean and drinkable tho.
Got this one in the old mix pack too that I sat around drinking while buddies appendix almost burst.
Cheers to you schells and your tasty lagers. They are underrated to be sure!
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio
3.78/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I got a can of this beer off the single shelf from a beer store in LaCrosse, WI. It poured a clear amber with off white head that is leaving some lace. The scent had caramel malt notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with caramel forward base and nice subtle bitter hop finish. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer .
Nov 14, 2020
Rated by Poops from Minnesota
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Malty, a little sweet, typical Schell's bite. Subtle hops and fruit. One of my favorites. Good price for a craft beer too.
Oct 22, 2020
Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin
3.5/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a deep, clear, amber color with a white head. SRM of 14. (4.00)
Aroma: Aromas of grassy caramel, brown bread/toast, toffee, and moderate amount of phenolic sharpie which is reminiscent of a touch of red fruit. Mostly earthy caramel and brown bread. A cream sweetness. Smells very English. (3.25)
Flavor: Mild flavor. Some faint caramel and bread. Earthy. A touch of tart raisin and red fruit. Finishes clean and dry. Giving a slight cherry profile. Malty and no hops. (3.50)
Feel: Lighter bodied. Clean. Decent carbonation. Crisp enough, but allows the malts to come through without being too sweet. (3.75)
Compared to Abita Amber 4/25/20: Pours an identical color with a stronger head. More caramel flavors. Less toast and wheat bread. A stronger carbonation. Similar sweetness.
Compared to Odell's Isolation Ale 2/4/21: Pours a slightly lighter and more orange color. More brown bread/toast, and caramel notes. Slightly more toast, caramel, and Vienna crema flavors. Very similar and hard to differentiate.
to SA Boston Lager 12/16/21: Pours a similar appearance. Milder aromas. More toasted bread and vienna malt. Less bready, red fruit, and cinnamon roll. Milder.
Overall: It's nice and clean, but the flavors are somewhat muted and seem lacking. Some English and German flavors with some phenols, alcohol, and sharpie flavors. Malty for sure though. Reminds me of a milder German Bock. Very much lighter than even a Boston Lager though. I don't know if I could peg this as a Vienna off the top of my head. It's pretty good, but nothing great. (Final Rating: 3.40)
*Compare to Anchor Steam
Apr 25, 2020Aroma: Aromas of grassy caramel, brown bread/toast, toffee, and moderate amount of phenolic sharpie which is reminiscent of a touch of red fruit. Mostly earthy caramel and brown bread. A cream sweetness. Smells very English. (3.25)
Flavor: Mild flavor. Some faint caramel and bread. Earthy. A touch of tart raisin and red fruit. Finishes clean and dry. Giving a slight cherry profile. Malty and no hops. (3.50)
Feel: Lighter bodied. Clean. Decent carbonation. Crisp enough, but allows the malts to come through without being too sweet. (3.75)
Compared to Abita Amber 4/25/20: Pours an identical color with a stronger head. More caramel flavors. Less toast and wheat bread. A stronger carbonation. Similar sweetness.
Compared to Odell's Isolation Ale 2/4/21: Pours a slightly lighter and more orange color. More brown bread/toast, and caramel notes. Slightly more toast, caramel, and Vienna crema flavors. Very similar and hard to differentiate.
to SA Boston Lager 12/16/21: Pours a similar appearance. Milder aromas. More toasted bread and vienna malt. Less bready, red fruit, and cinnamon roll. Milder.
Overall: It's nice and clean, but the flavors are somewhat muted and seem lacking. Some English and German flavors with some phenols, alcohol, and sharpie flavors. Malty for sure though. Reminds me of a milder German Bock. Very much lighter than even a Boston Lager though. I don't know if I could peg this as a Vienna off the top of my head. It's pretty good, but nothing great. (Final Rating: 3.40)
*Compare to Anchor Steam
Reviewed by marcobrau from Illinois
3.19/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
3.19/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours amber with plenty of foam that settles to a thin collar of bubbles. Smells of creamed corn and a hint of toffee. Straightforward barley malt flavor laced with a touch of toasted marshmallow sweetness. Balanced with just the tiniest hint of hop bitterness. Finishes a bit thin and sweet. Very drinkable despite the sweetness.
Sep 10, 2019
Schell's FireBrick from August Schell Brewing Company
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
534 ratings
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