Bayernbiere Bought and Drunk

I guess you don't have a timorous palate!?!

Cheers!

 

I think that Vitus relies on the regular Weihenstephaner weissbier as a base, while Aventinus definitely takes strongly after a Dunkelweizen. Obviously with the grain bill and whatnot increased for the Weizenbock, these flavors would get accentuated in each beer. That translates to massive smoothness and banana-y-ness with Vitus and the quad like characteristics of the Aventinus.

I like both, but I think they need to almost be considered separate styles of beer even though they are both "Weizenbock" in the sence of a Bock-strength Weissbier.

 

I haven't checked this sub-forum in a while so I wasn't aware of all the recent Rauchbier discussions. All I can say though is that I tend to give everything a fair shot at least once and that my palate is pretty open to a variety of flavors. I'm the antithesis of a picky eater- unless something looks detestable (like head cheese) or smells bad, I'll give it its fair shot.

That translated well to my first Rauchbier tonight. I was duly impressed by the strong, sweet malt backbone and the soft overlays of smokiness. For me, this Rauchbier was like soft rolling smoke rather than smoke that stings your eyes, if that makes sense.

The smokiness was definitely dominant in both the nose and the actual flavor profile, but, similar to what a DIPA fanatic would say about hops, it was "extremely balanced" and "complemented the malt backbone."

I'll definitely have to go and pick up the Rauchbier Märzen and Eiche before I graduate.

 

One thing I've noticed is that the longer the Schlenkerla rauchbiers sit in the bottle, the more that smoke seems to concentrate. I figured it would mellow, but I think the mild oxidation it gets over time seems to multiply that "BBQ sauce" sweet/smoky note. If that Urbock has been sitting for a while I find it gets really, really rough. The Maerzen, too...but not to the same extreme. I prefer that one anyway.
Fresher bottles and especially on tap I find to be much better and probably more approachable for casual drinkers, too.

 

...although still definitely not for everyone. The first time we went to Schlenkerla there was a tour group of 15-20 Australians there. Most of them were NOT enjoying it. I actually wonder why their tour guide didn't tell them about the U as an alternative. A few of them ended up giving us their free beer coupons since my wife and I were happily enjoying it.

 

No matter how many times I hear or read "free beer coupons", it makes me giddy.

 

Chris, what is the Schlenkerla U beer?

Cheers!

Jack

 

They have an ungespundetes ("U") kellerbier or at least they did that day. On my second visit they had the Krausen instead. I wish I tried it as I don't think it's a regular thing.

 

Thanks for that input. I reviewed the list of Schlenkerla beers that are reviewed on BA and there is no mention of the ungespundetes brand. Maybe someday one the BA German forum folks will review this beer and add it to the BA list.

Cheers!

 

You sure you're not confusing it with Spezial's Ungespundetes? I have never seen or heard of a Schlenkerla U.

 

That's what I initially thought, but I have a picture of the menu somewhere. They were VERY slow in getting my order at the window, so I took a picture of the little printed menu. I'll look around and see if I can find that picture. In looking around a little online, it actually might be the Krausen under a different name. I saw a couple postings that seemed to refer to it as their version of "U."

 

Just saw a post on Cafe Abseits FB page that Weinstube Pizzini in Bamberg is now serving Pax Brau's beers. Pizzini has always been a fun little place that's both on and off the beaten path (i.e., it's right on Sandstrasse with tons of other bars, but is a bit of an insider tip/hidden gem). Next time any of you are in Bamberg and looking to sample the wares that @boddhitree touts so highly, Pizzini would be an excellent choice. Prost!

 

A few years back I was trying to meet up with the Spaten USA rep at the Oktoberfest. I was about 10 minutes behind him at every turn. One of the Spaten tent "marshals" at the Ochsen tent asked me why I was trying to find him and I said he'd promised to buy us a beer. "How many do you need?" "Only 4." He peeled off about 10 or 12 free Maß coupons for us -- I was making new friends all night!

 

"Faustwoche fangt an!"



Faust's Riesen Spezial, aka their Festbier. 5.5% ABV, best before of 13.09.14. 500 ml bottle poured into a 400 ml Willibecher.

Very pretty amber color with the standard foamy white head (the flash makes the beer appear darker in the photo than it is in real life). In many ways this reminds me a bit of Hacker-Pschorr's Oktoberfest. It's malty up front but with a dry finish. Maybe not quite so dry as H-P. To me anyway. It immediately transported me back to those fermentation tanks. This one is nice.

3.5/5.0

 

I'm screwing up Faust Week by having #2 of the four I brought home. I'll skip posting a review on Wednesday and watch Champions League instead. Don't judge me.



Delicious!

4.25/5.00

 

To elaborate: this beer reminds me a little bit of Kneitinger's pils. @MattRiggs had said he believes he can pick Faust's pils out of a blind line-up, and I can see why. I'd bet, though, that a Kneitinger would at least make him pause for a minute.

 

My wife still thinks this is the best Pils she had in Germany.

 

Where do you place this one in terms of Rothaus? I haven't had a Tannenzäpfle in nearly two years (boy do I miss it ), but it remains my standard in terms of comparison for German pils.

 

Sounds like a fun challenge.

 

Rothaus' pils is fantastic. Clean malt sweetness, sharp bitterness, and a dry finish.... I could drink it all day. It is one of my favorite examples of the style. It has the general flavor profile that 95% of today's German Pils have... and I'm not bashing that.
In my opinion, Faust's pils is on the opposite end of the pils spectrum. It's malt sweetness lingers into the finish and the hop character leans towards flavor rather than bitterness. Comparing the two is almost like comparing two completely different styles.