Schell's FireBrick
August Schell Brewing Company
- From:
- August Schell Brewing Company
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- Vienna Lager
Ranked #87 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #31,880 - Avg:
- 3.71 | pDev: 13.21%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 257
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Friday at 12:52 AM
- Added:
- Feb 17, 2002
- Wants:
- 44
- Gots:
- 75
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.
Ratings by Chaz:
Reviewed by Chaz from Minnesota
3.82/5 rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.82/5 rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Color is a brilliant golden amber. Medium-firm pour and produces a rocky, two-fingered medium-pale tan head - good duration and moderate lacing. Nose is fairly malty, with caramel and light honey notes and a lightly metallic tang. There's also some biscuity malt and a slightly herbacious character in the mix. Mildly sharp from the outset, with a nice tanginess dominating. Sweet/sour, but in a fairly light, refreshing sense. Mouthfeel is good, light and cleansing but not due to brisk carbonation. Light notes of green apple, orange, and honey on the palate, with interesting aromatics: bubblegum, clover honey, and light black pepper. A touch of alohol comes through, but it blends well with the biscuity malt experienced on the nose. A fairly lighter bodied lager but *wow*! No lack of flavor here. Hop use is very restrained and the bitterness is very mild - it doesn't linger nearly as much as the tangy malt does. More fruity notes (pear!) a this warms a bit. Finish is clean and dry. Firebrick's appeal has grown on me more and more with each encounter: a lighter bodied full-flavored lager, it's the sort of thing Killian's drinkers would enjoy if only it had a better distribution. A great session beer, and great with light grilled fair in the summer. Firebrick in a can is also one of the best canned beer experiences I've ever had!
Jan 22, 2007More User Ratings:
Rated by Owenkoenen from Minnesota
5/5 rDev +34.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +34.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Fantastic beer.
May 25, 2026
Reviewed by deleted_user_1366261
4.35/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +17.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From tap at Applebee's - not as dark as Nordeast but darker than a lager. Nose is barely discernible, but the flavor is...whoa. Sweet. Caramel, some light hops.
Apr 05, 2025Reviewed by DontKnowJack
3.42/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.42/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a bright amber, exceptionally clear. Smells is muted for a darker larger, would have expected more. Taste is solid, not overly sweet, still plenty of character. Nutty breadiness with slightly sweet notes. Easy to drink, heavy carbonation on front end, finish is dry. Leaves you wanting more. Overall good beer, not my favorite but a solid choice if you like ambers and you see it on a menu.
May 06, 2024
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.67/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Lightning round! Onto the beer:
Beautiful, looking orange Amber, which shines. Somewhat soapy head on top which retains much of its goodness even several minutes after the pour. You gotta put your nose into the beer to get the aroma. While lighter in intensity, gives appealing Noble hops and toasted malt notes.
Firebrick reminds you that this is a Vienna lager with its toasted caramel, kiss of mandarin orange, and finish of Noble hops. It’s light bodied with fuzzy carbonation, and despite its color, is quite easy to drink. All told, I would welcome Firebrick as an option at just about any social event.
Mar 08, 2024Beautiful, looking orange Amber, which shines. Somewhat soapy head on top which retains much of its goodness even several minutes after the pour. You gotta put your nose into the beer to get the aroma. While lighter in intensity, gives appealing Noble hops and toasted malt notes.
Firebrick reminds you that this is a Vienna lager with its toasted caramel, kiss of mandarin orange, and finish of Noble hops. It’s light bodied with fuzzy carbonation, and despite its color, is quite easy to drink. All told, I would welcome Firebrick as an option at just about any social event.
Reviewed by Papercut4 from Wisconsin
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev +2.4%
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 +9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev +9.2%
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
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