Kress Bayrisch Zwickel
Privatbrauerei H. Egerer
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- German Kellerbier / Zwickelbier
Ranked #133 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #39,667 - Avg:
- 3.63 | pDev: 13.22%
- Reviews:
- 26
- Ratings:
- From:
- Privatbrauerei H. Egerer
- Germany
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 0
- Gots
- 11
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 26
| Ratings: 86
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3.74/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a slightly hazy dark golden amber in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly along the edges of the glass and moderate medium golden yellow + medium orange + copper colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall foamy beige head that reduces to a handful of small patches of thin film surrounded by a medium to large sized patch of slightly mottled very thin film covering a little more than 50% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of toasted + caramel + bready malts with a light amount of caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness as well as light aromas of earthy + floral hops. Light to moderate aromas of lager yeast.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of toasted + caramel + bready malts with a light amount of caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of lager yeast. Finally there are light flavors of earthy + floral hops which impart a very light amount of bitterness which fades away quickly leaving lingering caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness.
M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol. Enjoyable but not noteworthy - I could easily have another of these but would be unlikely to search it out.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a slightly hazy dark golden amber in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly along the edges of the glass and moderate medium golden yellow + medium orange + copper colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall foamy beige head that reduces to a handful of small patches of thin film surrounded by a medium to large sized patch of slightly mottled very thin film covering a little more than 50% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of toasted + caramel + bready malts with a light amount of caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness as well as light aromas of earthy + floral hops. Light to moderate aromas of lager yeast.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of toasted + caramel + bready malts with a light amount of caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of lager yeast. Finally there are light flavors of earthy + floral hops which impart a very light amount of bitterness which fades away quickly leaving lingering caramel + light fruit (apple + pear) sweetness.
M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol. Enjoyable but not noteworthy - I could easily have another of these but would be unlikely to search it out.
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3.03/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Pours a completely opaque murky dark orange color. Thick three finger white head dissipates quickly leaving no residual head whatsoever.
Aroma has some notes of fresh baked bread, musty earthy notes, and some nuttiness to the malts. there is also a aroma here that is reminiscent of wet cardboard or paper - probably some oxidation. I feel like I got a bad can or something as this does not seem to jive with what there people are noting from the nose. As the beer warms the wet cardboard aroma does die down, but it still is a bit off.
Taste has notes of bread, earthy notes, nutty malts, dried grassy hops, and some caramel notes. Mild bitter nutty earthy hops on the back end.
Feel is medium to full bodied. Smooth and filling. Moderately carbonated.
Overall this beer was somewhat better as it warmed up, but it still had that wet cardboard character that I just couldn't shake. To me this was the first true dud from the Costco Advent calendar
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look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Pours a completely opaque murky dark orange color. Thick three finger white head dissipates quickly leaving no residual head whatsoever.
Aroma has some notes of fresh baked bread, musty earthy notes, and some nuttiness to the malts. there is also a aroma here that is reminiscent of wet cardboard or paper - probably some oxidation. I feel like I got a bad can or something as this does not seem to jive with what there people are noting from the nose. As the beer warms the wet cardboard aroma does die down, but it still is a bit off.
Taste has notes of bread, earthy notes, nutty malts, dried grassy hops, and some caramel notes. Mild bitter nutty earthy hops on the back end.
Feel is medium to full bodied. Smooth and filling. Moderately carbonated.
Overall this beer was somewhat better as it warmed up, but it still had that wet cardboard character that I just couldn't shake. To me this was the first true dud from the Costco Advent calendar
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3.77/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 50 cL can into shaker pint glass. Exp 05/2021 stamped on the bottom of the can.
A: Pours a golden amber hue with moderate carbonation producing a 1 inch light tan head with decent retention.
S: Caramel malt, banana and clove.
T: Caramel malt, banana, clove, and a hint of grains.
M: Light body. Caramel sweetness. Hints of spice. Mildly dry.
D: Decent brew and nice example of style.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 50 cL can into shaker pint glass. Exp 05/2021 stamped on the bottom of the can.
A: Pours a golden amber hue with moderate carbonation producing a 1 inch light tan head with decent retention.
S: Caramel malt, banana and clove.
T: Caramel malt, banana, clove, and a hint of grains.
M: Light body. Caramel sweetness. Hints of spice. Mildly dry.
D: Decent brew and nice example of style.
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3.58/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light carbonation with about a medium body, with the grainy feel coating the tongue and lingers
Aroma is orange, orange peel, yeast malt,sweet fruit cake
Taste is mildly sweet fruit cake,grainy, with a wierd almost dry finish.
Overall a more than respectable beer that I wouldn't mind having again
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Light carbonation with about a medium body, with the grainy feel coating the tongue and lingers
Aroma is orange, orange peel, yeast malt,sweet fruit cake
Taste is mildly sweet fruit cake,grainy, with a wierd almost dry finish.
Overall a more than respectable beer that I wouldn't mind having again
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3.82/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500mL can, EXP 05/2021. #5 from the 2019 Costco Advent calendar. A frothy ivory head fizzles away fairly quickly atop a hazed amber body. Malty aroma with caramel, grain, and spicy hops. Well balanced flavors of caramel, toasty grain, spicy and floral hops, and yeast. Medium body, moderate carbonation, balanced finish. This was good and very sessionable.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500mL can, EXP 05/2021. #5 from the 2019 Costco Advent calendar. A frothy ivory head fizzles away fairly quickly atop a hazed amber body. Malty aroma with caramel, grain, and spicy hops. Well balanced flavors of caramel, toasty grain, spicy and floral hops, and yeast. Medium body, moderate carbonation, balanced finish. This was good and very sessionable.
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3.76/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From Kalea's Advent Calendar (I seem to be a day behind the faithfully observant as this was #5.)
Having had only 6 from the Keller/Zwickel style and only remembering having New Glarus' rendition of the Zwickel (who is to be trusted for staying close to the traditional lagers), it is hard to rate Kress to style.
But it is a very enjoyable beer. (And if you want to prepare for the season, go get Kalea's offering of 24.)
Kress Looks fine; a pretty amber (I expected golden) with sufficient foam to say "drink me." I did and the Smells seem more fruity than the classic lager. Tastes are fully integrated, balanced by only a bit of hops. Sits in my mouth like I want more.
Before I give my Egerer review, I'm totally impressed by this way of packaging German beers for the U.S. And Kalea should think of doing the same for American holiday beers for the EU.
For Egerer, I don't see Kress in their lineup. https://www.brauerei-egerer.de/en/ In English, go figure if you have the urge.
Egerer seems to be a full beverage company (probably a distribution hybrid allowed by Bavarian law); but they own a brewery and also make refreshing drinks that involve fruit. All good. But.... reviewing beer is work enough and cultural commentary can get to be more work than I am capable of at this particular moment.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From Kalea's Advent Calendar (I seem to be a day behind the faithfully observant as this was #5.)
Having had only 6 from the Keller/Zwickel style and only remembering having New Glarus' rendition of the Zwickel (who is to be trusted for staying close to the traditional lagers), it is hard to rate Kress to style.
But it is a very enjoyable beer. (And if you want to prepare for the season, go get Kalea's offering of 24.)
Kress Looks fine; a pretty amber (I expected golden) with sufficient foam to say "drink me." I did and the Smells seem more fruity than the classic lager. Tastes are fully integrated, balanced by only a bit of hops. Sits in my mouth like I want more.
Before I give my Egerer review, I'm totally impressed by this way of packaging German beers for the U.S. And Kalea should think of doing the same for American holiday beers for the EU.
For Egerer, I don't see Kress in their lineup. https://www.brauerei-egerer.de/en/ In English, go figure if you have the urge.
Egerer seems to be a full beverage company (probably a distribution hybrid allowed by Bavarian law); but they own a brewery and also make refreshing drinks that involve fruit. All good. But.... reviewing beer is work enough and cultural commentary can get to be more work than I am capable of at this particular moment.
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3.87/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: It pours amber with a tan head. Head retention is good.
Aroma: Bready malt aroma with some caramel notes. There are light spicy notes with light cherry as well.
Taste: It has bready and caramel flavors with spice that is a little more prominent in the flavor than in the aroma. The cherry is more pronounce as well creating a fairly even balance between the four element.
Feel: It has a medium body that is slightly slick.
Overall, a fairly flavorful beer that is easy drinking.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Look: It pours amber with a tan head. Head retention is good.
Aroma: Bready malt aroma with some caramel notes. There are light spicy notes with light cherry as well.
Taste: It has bready and caramel flavors with spice that is a little more prominent in the flavor than in the aroma. The cherry is more pronounce as well creating a fairly even balance between the four element.
Feel: It has a medium body that is slightly slick.
Overall, a fairly flavorful beer that is easy drinking.
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4.85/5 rDev +33.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A really lovely light brown color, off white head. Extremely lovely flavor; bready malt flowing into stereotypical medicinal/herbal hops, followed by this... All most musty flavor, that's very slightly sour/acidic.
An amazing beer.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A really lovely light brown color, off white head. Extremely lovely flavor; bready malt flowing into stereotypical medicinal/herbal hops, followed by this... All most musty flavor, that's very slightly sour/acidic.
An amazing beer.
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3.42/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 500 ml can into a willi Becher pint glass.
L - Pours a dark amber color with a slight white head.
S - Smells of caramel.
T - Tastes of caramel with some apple on the finish.
F - Medium body and carbonation
O -
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 500 ml can into a willi Becher pint glass.
L - Pours a dark amber color with a slight white head.
S - Smells of caramel.
T - Tastes of caramel with some apple on the finish.
F - Medium body and carbonation
O -
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4.15/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Fifth can in the Costco/Kalea 2019 Brewer's Advent calendar.
Decanted from a 16.9 oz (500ml) can into a custom taster pint; exp 05/2021.
A: Pours an ever so slightly hazy, amber color with a nearly one finger, short lived, wheat colored head, minimal rim retention, and little lacing.
S: Aromas of caramel, apple, and honey.
T: More semisweet than semidry. Flavors solidly follow the nose. Relatively light, peppery bitterness.
M: Light bodied with light carbonation. Smooth.
O: A delicious and flavorful Bavarian Zwickelbier. Put a smile on my face.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Fifth can in the Costco/Kalea 2019 Brewer's Advent calendar.
Decanted from a 16.9 oz (500ml) can into a custom taster pint; exp 05/2021.
A: Pours an ever so slightly hazy, amber color with a nearly one finger, short lived, wheat colored head, minimal rim retention, and little lacing.
S: Aromas of caramel, apple, and honey.
T: More semisweet than semidry. Flavors solidly follow the nose. Relatively light, peppery bitterness.
M: Light bodied with light carbonation. Smooth.
O: A delicious and flavorful Bavarian Zwickelbier. Put a smile on my face.
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3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured at 46 degrees into a weihenstephan tall glass:
L: Amber caramel with 2 inch fluffy cream head
A: toasted malts and bread with hints of caramel and toffee
T: creamy caramel toffee bread
F: creamy, thin, fizzy, dry finish
O: quite delishous and light with a Christmasey feel.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured at 46 degrees into a weihenstephan tall glass:
L: Amber caramel with 2 inch fluffy cream head
A: toasted malts and bread with hints of caramel and toffee
T: creamy caramel toffee bread
F: creamy, thin, fizzy, dry finish
O: quite delishous and light with a Christmasey feel.
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3.03/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
$ 2.50 (Including tax)/500 mL can ($0.148/oz) from Costco, Schertz, TX. Part of the Costco 2019 Advent Calendar. Reviewed 10/28/19.
Can dated “EXP 05/2021”. Stored on the shelf at the store, stored at home at 42 degrees and served at 45 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Appearance – 3.5.
First pour – Light orange, hazy.
Body – Orangish-brown, opaque. Neither precipitate nor floaters. Otherwise looks like cider, down to the effervescence.
Head – Large (Maximum 4.2 cm, aggressive center pour), tan, bordering on fizzy, rapidly diminishing to neither crown nor cap, leaving a small island of tiny bubbles in the center and several short effervescence-driven fragments of crown.
Lacing – None
Aroma – 3 – Very weak fruity malt.
Flavor – 3 – Begins with very weak fruity malt. No alcohol (5.4 % ABV) flavor or aroma, no diacetyl, no dimethylsulfide. Ends with a slight metallic twang.
Palate – 3 – Medium, watery, lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3. Passable unremarkable zwickelbier.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
$ 2.50 (Including tax)/500 mL can ($0.148/oz) from Costco, Schertz, TX. Part of the Costco 2019 Advent Calendar. Reviewed 10/28/19.
Can dated “EXP 05/2021”. Stored on the shelf at the store, stored at home at 42 degrees and served at 45 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Appearance – 3.5.
First pour – Light orange, hazy.
Body – Orangish-brown, opaque. Neither precipitate nor floaters. Otherwise looks like cider, down to the effervescence.
Head – Large (Maximum 4.2 cm, aggressive center pour), tan, bordering on fizzy, rapidly diminishing to neither crown nor cap, leaving a small island of tiny bubbles in the center and several short effervescence-driven fragments of crown.
Lacing – None
Aroma – 3 – Very weak fruity malt.
Flavor – 3 – Begins with very weak fruity malt. No alcohol (5.4 % ABV) flavor or aroma, no diacetyl, no dimethylsulfide. Ends with a slight metallic twang.
Palate – 3 – Medium, watery, lively carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3. Passable unremarkable zwickelbier.
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3.25/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
500mL can stamped EXP 05/2021 (19 months from now!) poured into a pokal glass at fridge temp 5.4% ABV per can label. The beer pours hazy light orange amber with minimal khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. No lacing. The aroma is mild with some Munich malt sweetness and a touch of yeasty character. The taste is semisweet caramel and apple up front with a drying, nutty, toasty malt finish. The finish is mildly bitter and mostly dry. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slightly unfinished and not as clean in the lagering as I would prefer. Overall, ok. This would be a fine beer to enjoy with food or friends. I'm not sure it belongs in a case of mixed singles for evaluation and it's not very true to style. It's basically an unfinished Marzen or Vienna.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
500mL can stamped EXP 05/2021 (19 months from now!) poured into a pokal glass at fridge temp 5.4% ABV per can label. The beer pours hazy light orange amber with minimal khaki head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. No lacing. The aroma is mild with some Munich malt sweetness and a touch of yeasty character. The taste is semisweet caramel and apple up front with a drying, nutty, toasty malt finish. The finish is mildly bitter and mostly dry. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Slightly unfinished and not as clean in the lagering as I would prefer. Overall, ok. This would be a fine beer to enjoy with food or friends. I'm not sure it belongs in a case of mixed singles for evaluation and it's not very true to style. It's basically an unfinished Marzen or Vienna.
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3.5/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Deep copper-colored, with a moderate, off-white, head, somewhat coarse, but with excellent retention. Thick, Belgian-style lacing adorns the glass walls.
Aroma: Rather sweet, with prominent caramel, and a distinct, slightly earthy molasses note, and a rustic brown bread note. Apple rind is present, as well.
Taste: Opens with a saccharin-like sweetness, strong notes of caramel and dark bread soon follow. If it needs to be said, this beer is intensely malty. Later in the taste, flavors of slightly bitter apples and pears present. Towards the finish, there are moderate leafy noble hops, which serve to blunt the sweetness a bit. Finishes with a lingering note of apple rind and a faint nutty character.
Mouth feel: Smooth, full, and very soft, quite pleasing.
Drinkability/notes: Well made, though a bit sweet for my taste, and perhaps for the style.
Presentation: Packaged in a 500 ml, 16.9 ounce steel can, served in a South American-style Pilsener glass. Beer number twenty-three (December 23rd) from the 2017 Costco Advent Beer Calendar.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Deep copper-colored, with a moderate, off-white, head, somewhat coarse, but with excellent retention. Thick, Belgian-style lacing adorns the glass walls.
Aroma: Rather sweet, with prominent caramel, and a distinct, slightly earthy molasses note, and a rustic brown bread note. Apple rind is present, as well.
Taste: Opens with a saccharin-like sweetness, strong notes of caramel and dark bread soon follow. If it needs to be said, this beer is intensely malty. Later in the taste, flavors of slightly bitter apples and pears present. Towards the finish, there are moderate leafy noble hops, which serve to blunt the sweetness a bit. Finishes with a lingering note of apple rind and a faint nutty character.
Mouth feel: Smooth, full, and very soft, quite pleasing.
Drinkability/notes: Well made, though a bit sweet for my taste, and perhaps for the style.
Presentation: Packaged in a 500 ml, 16.9 ounce steel can, served in a South American-style Pilsener glass. Beer number twenty-three (December 23rd) from the 2017 Costco Advent Beer Calendar.
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2.09/5 rDev -42.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
CAN: 500ml pull-tab with a blue label. "Exp 05/2021" (rather ambitious). Sold as part of Costco's 2019 Beer Advent Calendar 24 pack ($60 USD plus tax for 24x500ml cans).
Unfiltered. Zwickelbier. 5.4% ABV. 4.3% ABW.
Pours a dark copper body and a fluffy off-white head. A bit murky, betraying its lack of filtration. Head retention is good - ~6 minutes.
AROMA: Malty sweetness, 6-row, sweet bread, doughy yeast, caramelized malt, treacle.
Suggests an imbalanced/overly sweet beer that doesn't fit neatly into zwickel style conventions.
TASTE: Definitely too sweet and malty. hitting on bock or Marzen levels of bready malt sweetness along with unnecessary caramelized sugars and heavy residual sugars...very filling and rather poorly attenuated. Lacks the vitaminy faux-oxidated taste I'd associate with a good zwickelbier.
I get some plum as it comes to temperature...why that is present at all in a Zwickelbier is beyond me.
Doughy treacle-like sweetness is present throughout to its detriment. Heavy on mineral flavours throughout...raises questions about basic water chemistry quality control at the brewery.
Imbalanced and poorly built. Lacks intricacy and subtlety...very plain and one-note.
TEXTURE: Heavy for an ostensible zwickel. Smooth, wet, medium-bodied, unrefreshing. Bready and filling...fits the "liquid bread" association beer as a whole has.
OVERALL: A sad attempt at a Zwickelbier made worse by its German origin...frankly, this is an embarrassment. A bit of a chore to drink given its sweetness and lack of any complexity whatsoever. A good beer to remind one to schedule dentistry.
I'd happily drink any readily available malt liquor over this.
D (2.09) / NOT RECOMMENDED
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look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
CAN: 500ml pull-tab with a blue label. "Exp 05/2021" (rather ambitious). Sold as part of Costco's 2019 Beer Advent Calendar 24 pack ($60 USD plus tax for 24x500ml cans).
Unfiltered. Zwickelbier. 5.4% ABV. 4.3% ABW.
Pours a dark copper body and a fluffy off-white head. A bit murky, betraying its lack of filtration. Head retention is good - ~6 minutes.
AROMA: Malty sweetness, 6-row, sweet bread, doughy yeast, caramelized malt, treacle.
Suggests an imbalanced/overly sweet beer that doesn't fit neatly into zwickel style conventions.
TASTE: Definitely too sweet and malty. hitting on bock or Marzen levels of bready malt sweetness along with unnecessary caramelized sugars and heavy residual sugars...very filling and rather poorly attenuated. Lacks the vitaminy faux-oxidated taste I'd associate with a good zwickelbier.
I get some plum as it comes to temperature...why that is present at all in a Zwickelbier is beyond me.
Doughy treacle-like sweetness is present throughout to its detriment. Heavy on mineral flavours throughout...raises questions about basic water chemistry quality control at the brewery.
Imbalanced and poorly built. Lacks intricacy and subtlety...very plain and one-note.
TEXTURE: Heavy for an ostensible zwickel. Smooth, wet, medium-bodied, unrefreshing. Bready and filling...fits the "liquid bread" association beer as a whole has.
OVERALL: A sad attempt at a Zwickelbier made worse by its German origin...frankly, this is an embarrassment. A bit of a chore to drink given its sweetness and lack of any complexity whatsoever. A good beer to remind one to schedule dentistry.
I'd happily drink any readily available malt liquor over this.
D (2.09) / NOT RECOMMENDED
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3.49/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from can into a pint glass
Appearance- The beer pours a very lightly hazed orange amber color with a one finger had of fizzy white foam. The head fades super-fast leaving almost no lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is very big of a caramel smell mixed with decently strong bready smell and a touch of hay. There is a little bit of a light fruit and molasses smell as well, giving it a sweeter and malty smell overall.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and doughy taste that has a decent level of harvest fruit sweetness (pear and apple) along with having some oddly placed light sour taste of lemon. As the taste advances there is some biscuit malt and a bit of herbal and earth that develop. Toward the end, a caramel sweetness becomes more and more potent, balancing out the slight sourness of the lemon and with some light grainy flavors and a surge (but nothing overpowering) of the earth, one is left with a rather pleasant and quite malty taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is a bit on the chewier side for an only 5.4 % brew with a carbonation level that is slightly lower. A little higher carbonation would have been slightly better to make it more approachable, but in light of its flavor profile, the feel was pretty decent overall.
Overall – The beginning of the taste is sorta off, but other than that and the lack of higher carbonation, the brew is pretty nice overall. Nothing I would seek out, but fun to try if you get a chance.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from can into a pint glass
Appearance- The beer pours a very lightly hazed orange amber color with a one finger had of fizzy white foam. The head fades super-fast leaving almost no lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is very big of a caramel smell mixed with decently strong bready smell and a touch of hay. There is a little bit of a light fruit and molasses smell as well, giving it a sweeter and malty smell overall.
Taste – The taste begins with a bready and doughy taste that has a decent level of harvest fruit sweetness (pear and apple) along with having some oddly placed light sour taste of lemon. As the taste advances there is some biscuit malt and a bit of herbal and earth that develop. Toward the end, a caramel sweetness becomes more and more potent, balancing out the slight sourness of the lemon and with some light grainy flavors and a surge (but nothing overpowering) of the earth, one is left with a rather pleasant and quite malty taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is a bit on the chewier side for an only 5.4 % brew with a carbonation level that is slightly lower. A little higher carbonation would have been slightly better to make it more approachable, but in light of its flavor profile, the feel was pretty decent overall.
Overall – The beginning of the taste is sorta off, but other than that and the lack of higher carbonation, the brew is pretty nice overall. Nothing I would seek out, but fun to try if you get a chance.
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3.75/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I know I've had a couple beers that called themselves this style, but this one is from the region, so it's not surprising that it is authentic.
It pours a deep orange to light brown with just a bit of head. The aroma is malty, yeasty, hoppy all in a delicate balance. The taste is slightly bitter and has plenty of yeasty malty goodness balanced in there as well. It works. A completely old-school recipe.
Recommended.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I know I've had a couple beers that called themselves this style, but this one is from the region, so it's not surprising that it is authentic.
It pours a deep orange to light brown with just a bit of head. The aroma is malty, yeasty, hoppy all in a delicate balance. The taste is slightly bitter and has plenty of yeasty malty goodness balanced in there as well. It works. A completely old-school recipe.
Recommended.
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3.57/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Hazy copper-brown color. Thick tan head that lasted. Not much aroma - faint earthy notes and fainter floral hops. Bready malt flavor with mild bitterness and some floral and earthy notes. Medium feel. A slight metallic taste on the finish.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Hazy copper-brown color. Thick tan head that lasted. Not much aroma - faint earthy notes and fainter floral hops. Bready malt flavor with mild bitterness and some floral and earthy notes. Medium feel. A slight metallic taste on the finish.
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3.72/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a foggy, cloudy amber with a finger and a half of hearty khaki foam. Head retention is great, with good lacing left behind. Aroma is bready, biscuity malts, with a twinge of earthy, crystal malts. Flavor profile is smooth biscuit and bread malts. It has a lightly earthy, crystal malt taste as well. It's medium in thickness, with a crispy, watery edge to the beer. Overall, nice malts, which layer semi-dark with light and refreshing keeping this beer drinking clean and balanced.
Served in a 12oz snifter from a 16oz can.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pours a foggy, cloudy amber with a finger and a half of hearty khaki foam. Head retention is great, with good lacing left behind. Aroma is bready, biscuity malts, with a twinge of earthy, crystal malts. Flavor profile is smooth biscuit and bread malts. It has a lightly earthy, crystal malt taste as well. It's medium in thickness, with a crispy, watery edge to the beer. Overall, nice malts, which layer semi-dark with light and refreshing keeping this beer drinking clean and balanced.
Served in a 12oz snifter from a 16oz can.
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3.29/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Served in a pint glass from the can.
Appearance: Semi hazy Amber color with medium bubbles creating an off-white head rising high at first but settling just under half a finger's length.
Smell: Sour scent make you think of lemon skin which isn't too appealing and dissipates quick, good and bad.
Taste: Smooth malts and slightly creamy feel making me think of hops and half n half.
Mouth: Thirst quencher. But not the best finish..lacking stickiness but wasn't expecitning it to.
Overall: Not bad, wouldn't hunt the world for it but descent to have if it crosses your eyes. Always in a glass, Salud!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Served in a pint glass from the can.
Appearance: Semi hazy Amber color with medium bubbles creating an off-white head rising high at first but settling just under half a finger's length.
Smell: Sour scent make you think of lemon skin which isn't too appealing and dissipates quick, good and bad.
Taste: Smooth malts and slightly creamy feel making me think of hops and half n half.
Mouth: Thirst quencher. But not the best finish..lacking stickiness but wasn't expecitning it to.
Overall: Not bad, wouldn't hunt the world for it but descent to have if it crosses your eyes. Always in a glass, Salud!
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3.53/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Burnt orange colored beer, definitely a zwickel, can't see through it. Head is nice, frothy, great retention.
S: Not really getting much aroma, not much to rate. What I can detect is bready malts, slightly marzen like in character.
T: Tad on the sweet side for me. Not much hops unfortunately, could really use a bitter balance. Malts are nice though, robust. Slight toasted flavor, very lightly dark fruit flavor. Bready, not really grainy though.
F: Super smooth mouthfeel, light, pretty refreshing though on the heavier side for a lager.
O: All around not bad, not something I'd seek out but something I might drink again
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Burnt orange colored beer, definitely a zwickel, can't see through it. Head is nice, frothy, great retention.
S: Not really getting much aroma, not much to rate. What I can detect is bready malts, slightly marzen like in character.
T: Tad on the sweet side for me. Not much hops unfortunately, could really use a bitter balance. Malts are nice though, robust. Slight toasted flavor, very lightly dark fruit flavor. Bready, not really grainy though.
F: Super smooth mouthfeel, light, pretty refreshing though on the heavier side for a lager.
O: All around not bad, not something I'd seek out but something I might drink again
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3.23/5 rDev -11%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Kress poured a pale gold with amber tints. I'm having a hard time placing it on the SRM scale; somewhere between 5-10. There wasn't much head on the pour, and it didn't last long. It is a little hazy, which is to be expected for an unfiltered beer and is appropriate for the style.
I get almost nothing from the scent. Common scents for the style include apple, bread crusts, and a peppery hop aroma, but I'd be lying if I said I detected any of that. The flavor is sweet up front, and while there is some dryness that creeps in, it overall remains sweet. There is some very light butterscotch flavor, usually a sign of diacetyl. I do get light hints of the tongue coating that usually comes with it as well.
Overall, Kress is a decent beer, and though the style is novel to me, the flavors are familiar. I would order it on tap if I didn't see any of my favorites.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Kress poured a pale gold with amber tints. I'm having a hard time placing it on the SRM scale; somewhere between 5-10. There wasn't much head on the pour, and it didn't last long. It is a little hazy, which is to be expected for an unfiltered beer and is appropriate for the style.
I get almost nothing from the scent. Common scents for the style include apple, bread crusts, and a peppery hop aroma, but I'd be lying if I said I detected any of that. The flavor is sweet up front, and while there is some dryness that creeps in, it overall remains sweet. There is some very light butterscotch flavor, usually a sign of diacetyl. I do get light hints of the tongue coating that usually comes with it as well.
Overall, Kress is a decent beer, and though the style is novel to me, the flavors are familiar. I would order it on tap if I didn't see any of my favorites.
868 characters
3.73/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Day 1 of the Brewer's Advent Calendar. Dark amber, quarter-inch head that disappeared quickly. Tastes decent, slightly sweet with a bitter aftertaste.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Day 1 of the Brewer's Advent Calendar. Dark amber, quarter-inch head that disappeared quickly. Tastes decent, slightly sweet with a bitter aftertaste.
150 characters
3.71/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the Costco Beery Advent Calendar. From the can, it pours a very slightly hazy medium dark amber with a moderate head. Mostly malt in the nose. The mouth gets the same: malt.
2018 Update: Yum!
2019 Update: Eh!
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
From the Costco Beery Advent Calendar. From the can, it pours a very slightly hazy medium dark amber with a moderate head. Mostly malt in the nose. The mouth gets the same: malt.
2018 Update: Yum!
2019 Update: Eh!
220 characters
3.75/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
500ml can, day 10 of the 2015 Costco Beer Advent Calendar - aaahh, back to the H. Egerer brews, I see.
This beer pours a slightly hazy, medium copper amber colour, with three fingers of puffy, loosely foamy, and bubbly tan head, which leaves some etched limestone face lace around the glass as it quickly dissolves out of sight.
It smells of bready, doughy caramel malt, indeterminate roasted nuts, faint citrus and pome fruity notes, and a soft earthy, leafy, and herbal hoppiness. The taste is grainy, sort of sweet cereal malt, a hint of free-agent wet ash, muddled apple and pear mush, ethereal overripe orange pith, and more plain earthy, leafy, and kind of floral noble hops.
The carbonation is nice and fluffy in its endearing and playful frothiness, the body a sturdy middleweight, and generally smooth, with a small nascent creaminess arising as it warms. It finishes on the sweet side, as the caramel malt evolves a minor pastry-like sidekick.
Overall, a decent brew, but a touch more bittering offset from the hops would have been appreciated, as I can't imagine putting back more than the one can in any single sitting/standing/crawling. Full-flavoured, other than that, and verging on dessert-worthy.
1,220 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
500ml can, day 10 of the 2015 Costco Beer Advent Calendar - aaahh, back to the H. Egerer brews, I see.
This beer pours a slightly hazy, medium copper amber colour, with three fingers of puffy, loosely foamy, and bubbly tan head, which leaves some etched limestone face lace around the glass as it quickly dissolves out of sight.
It smells of bready, doughy caramel malt, indeterminate roasted nuts, faint citrus and pome fruity notes, and a soft earthy, leafy, and herbal hoppiness. The taste is grainy, sort of sweet cereal malt, a hint of free-agent wet ash, muddled apple and pear mush, ethereal overripe orange pith, and more plain earthy, leafy, and kind of floral noble hops.
The carbonation is nice and fluffy in its endearing and playful frothiness, the body a sturdy middleweight, and generally smooth, with a small nascent creaminess arising as it warms. It finishes on the sweet side, as the caramel malt evolves a minor pastry-like sidekick.
Overall, a decent brew, but a touch more bittering offset from the hops would have been appreciated, as I can't imagine putting back more than the one can in any single sitting/standing/crawling. Full-flavoured, other than that, and verging on dessert-worthy.
1,220 characters
Kress Bayrisch Zwickel from Privatbrauerei H. Egerer
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
86 ratings
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