Local Styles in Bottleshops/Breweries/Webshops

I have only had a handful of Freigeist/Monarchy beers but I am of the opinion that Sebastian Sauer is a very talented brewer!

Some of the beers I had:

Freigeist Ottekolong – Unfiltered Kolsch: I recently posted about this beer here: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-524.265571/#post-3384577

Friegeist Ehrenfelder Alt

Freigeist Bierkultur Hoppeditz: “This beer is a Sticke Alt that was brewed in Koln (Cologne). This is only the second time that I have had an Alt that was brewed in Koln. I asked the bartender about this and he educated me that Freigeist means Free Spirit in German. This beer was OUTSTANDING! In the parlance of Tony (@boddhitree) this beer was WOW-WOW-WOW. There was so much complexity in this beer. There were some subtle smoke flavors but tons of dark malt flavors going on simultaneously: toasty, woody, licorice, toffee … plus some spice & a tiny bit of fruitiness. There is so much going on here (in a good way) that I can’t really do justice to this beer in describing it. This beer has more layers then Shrek! This beer is worthy of a review by Tony. I am sure that Tony would appreciate the complexity of this beer. This beer was served in what Matt (@mjtierney2) would call a Fancy Pants Glass.”

The Monarchy Year of the Dragon: From Shelton Brothers:

“The first of an ongoing project which will see the brewery create a special beer to commemorate each the 12 corresponding figures of the Chinese calendar, Year of the Dragon pays tribute to the Far East in its addition of a large percentage of Jasmine rice to the brew kettle. A rich malt-accented concoction, Y.O.T.D. is yet another mysteriously drinkable strong ale from The Monarchy.”

Cheers!

 

Just so everyone is clear, I'll call a Teku a Teku but my Teku-ish lookalike glass has been dubbed Fancy Pants Glass. I learned that (not unlike Kölsch, btw) a Teku is a specific, defined thing. Since what I have is not a Teku, I will not call it one. For reference, here is my Fancy Pants Glass.

 

Yeah the Hoppeditz is awesome!

and @mjtierney2 nope not a Teku, but a very nice glass, but the Teku has just a bit more sexiness.

 

@Akerstache

S Bahn oder RE/RB nach Aachen until Ehrenfeld (1 stop), then head towards Braustelle (North on Venloerstr), its at the park on the left side.

or

Ubahn 16/18 to Apellhofplatz (2 stops?), switch to 3/4 and get off at Leyendeckerstr (maybe 7 or 8 stops) and head South on Venloerstr.

 

Expect a large room or hall (cologne has two and a large tent outside) wir beer-stalls around the walls and a large crowd in the middle - not as "high class" like BKL - more familiar atmosphere, but not too different from the setting - just "a bit" different:
This picture is from Cologne:


and this as well (featuring Sebastian in the picture):



and this is the tent outside (early afternoon, not very crowded yet):

 

Serious question: how do Germans feel about the decidedly "ungemuetlich" atmospheres that generally characterize these events?

 

I would say that the vast majority comes there for drinking only - especially cologne with the cheap entry and the low prices. And as soon as you're drunk, you don't care about the atmosphere

 

I've never been to a US beer festival that wasn't packed. The above would be a refreshing change.

 

That sounds like a very intriguing beer! A sour Alt that is brewed with American aroma hops. A very inventive selection of ingredients (hops) and brewing process.

Cheers!

 

What did that poor glass ever do to you that you'd make it hold a Klosterhof Helles?

 

Thank you for noticing! I had quite the smile on my face as I was pouring it.

I will be the first to say that I have no idea what I'm talking about with respect to "off-flavors" in beer, but I'm guessing "aroma of pureed peas/taste follows nose" is not what the brewer intended with this one. After tasting their Dunkel, which also smelled and tasted of pureed peas, I e-mailed the brewery asking if they would consider changing their name to the more accurate "Klosterf#ck". I haven't heard back as yet.

 

As soon as you're drunk, you ARE the athmosphere