Steinbier
Privatbrauerei H. Egerer

Privatbrauerei H. Egerer "Steinbier"
50 cl can coded "EXP 2024/03 12:34 2405MU"

Notes via stream of consciousness: So what exactly is this? Is it an authentic steinbier brewed by adding red hot river rocks into the kettle? I kind of doubt it but you never know; I saw one brewed by Brimstone Brewing in Baltimore, MD so it's certainly possible. It's poured a mostly clear deep copper / light brown in color beneath a khaki colored head. The aroma offers a caramelish malt that's clean and pleasant. The taste follows with the addition of some very nice, soft and smooth smokiness and roastiness, some lightly herbal and spicy hops in the background that give it an almost cola-like side, and a suggestion of cocoa powder. There's a little bit of malty sweetness to it, and that's balanced by a firm bitterness that brings it to a dry finish with some of the smokiness lingering. I think this is a fabulous beer that's remarkably well balanced and rounded. In the mouth it's medium bodied and gently crisp and then smooth with a fine-bubbled, seemingly natural carbonation. Unfortunately the head retention and lacing are lacking but this is still a great, interesting and easy to drink beer that's worth seeking out.
Review #8,769

 

I got a can of this beer from the Costco 2022 beer advent calendar pack. It poured a dark clear amber with off white head that is not leaving much lace. The scent had grain and subtle smoke. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with sweet malt base with grain and finishing hop presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.

i believe this is only contracted at egerer here, its also listed as made by zwonitz, which i think is its original origin, but my can, from the american advent calendar, says egerer, so reviewing it here. i think they do a number of these for the box. anyway, this is sold, not quite as dark as i thought it would be, very light brown, almost amber in color, unremarkable visually, although it has a tall tan head of tiny bubbles and nice retention. the nose and taste are subtle too, some cocoa in the malt, still very german, and very obviously a lager too, mineral forward, a little oxidized like all of them have been from this pack, but with light smoke and raisin making this interesting, seemingly some terroir in the grain too, but all very light. the flavor is more amber than brown, and if there is smoked malt in here, its mighty subtle, all on the finish, and balanced almost too much but some mild malt sweetness that runs through the swallow. a familiar old world german lager yeast, a little tired, but earthy in an appealing way, a tad dusty overall, and just turned down a bit from where i kind of want it, drier, more smoke, more roast, this is in some weird middle ground, uncommitted almost to a specific style, but nice and drinkable, richer than some others in the box, and a nice morning beer. curious if this is any different from its original maker or closer to the source, this might suffer from long travel too. autumnal though, a chestnut note, dry cocoa powder, and bready yeast. solid.

Added picture you see
Single 16.9oz can part of Costco 2022 Advent Calendar $69.99
17 months before best by date
Smells faintly of wheat, not much else
Clear golden color. Not what I expect from a dark ale.
Medium mouthfeel
Medium-high carbonation
Tastes of light malts, light bitterness finish
Overall this is more like a lager and is easy drinking and straightforward. Not at all like a dark ale so it fails at that and rating it as such.

 

Pours a cl;ear copper with a full white head leaving spot lacing. Nose is toasted malt. Bitterness is minimal. Taste is caramel. Body is medium light. Enjoyable. Drunk on Day 4 of the 2020 Costco Beer Advent Calendar as this beer is designated. 500 ml can Exp 5/22