Bayernbiere Bought and Drunk

Yeah,HBs winterfestbier is pale golden and at 6.3% or so.

 

I have to chuckle... the doppelbock, which is that classical Spring beer in Germany, is now the "Winter Warmer". I've always said that most people associate the bock flavors with Winter/Thanksgiving/Christmas, HB now the first to re-name the beer to fit that expectation. I think that's pretty smart.

BTW, I had never heard of or seen this before either, must be pretty new. On our current pricelist, only the Delicator is listed, no mention of Winter brew.

 

Yeah, but it was called "Winter Spezial" the one time they released it here -- the Delicator is now being marketed here as the "Spezial." Let's hope it's not a one-and-done like the other.

@einhorn HB has such a following for their Maibock in Spring, it only seems fitting that they find a door for the Delicator. Besides, there are many breweries in Germany that release a Doppelbock as a Weinachtsbier.

 

I learned from the midwest rep for HB that the "Winter Spezial" is their Delicator Doppelbock (the "spezial" appears to be just that, a "special" offering). The sales PDF he sent me is titled, Hofbräu Winter Spezial - Delicator -

I'll try to attach the PDF later as a picture if I can.

Interesting, year round availability according to BA.

 

Here's the ad slick from HB and S&H Brands:


Funny thing is that I'm pretty sure the label was exactly the same on the Festbier they released two seasons back.

 

Delicator is one of the only major Bavarian doppelbocks I've never had. Plus, I love HB.
I'm very much looking forward to grabbing a 6'er.

 

I think you're right, here's the label from when it was released a few years ago.

 

Me too... if I can ever find it.

Of note: The ad slick says the Delicator is 8.4, but BA lists it as 7.5... maybe a difference in export vs. in situ?

@grantcty -- you don't have images of the current label do you? Be interesting to see the back label spiel.

 

It seems like the old one is a normal Winter/Christmas Bock while the new one is a Doppelbock. Even more complicated, there are now different ABV versions. Odd, but I'm okay with it.

 

The back label is a little different. That's where it says "Delicator." I'll try to remember to post a pic when I get home tonight.

 

Oh, no doubt. Just wonder how the description compares and contrasts to the 2012 label.

"Times like the Christmas season call for special, elegant brew with a festive touch." I guess that could apply to a Festbier or a Starkbier.

 

The old one was definitely a Festbier, even though I mis-identified it as a Maibock in 2012 -- my palate has learned the subtle differences since then.

 

My sources tell me the local distro has this on the floor as of this week, but I haven't seen it anywhere. Binny's "Beer Buzz" newsletter is telling me the Chicago Binny's have the beer... and a free HB glass with every 6 Pack purchase -- did you get a glass Spartan?

 

Nope. I didn't see anything about a glass.

 

BTW, post a photo of the glass when you get one.

 

Probably won't be getting the glass. It's available only at Binny's and there are no Binny's in any convenient proximity to me.

But to that -- I was near one yesterday and excitedly stopped in for the HB -- no luck, only Binny's in the area without it. Beer manager told me he didn't order correctly and wouldn't have it for another week. I'm convinced it's a conspiracy.

 

After seeing this Delicator chat, i decided to look at the Hofbräuhaus website. Looking at the weekly menu, can anyone shed some light on what the Winterzwickl is? I didnt think HB did a kellerbier?


http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/de/00/wochenkarte.pdf

 

The local franchise of HB (just outside Chicago) has informed me that they're brewing this beer on premise. Definitely want to try it.

This unfiltered dark beer is full bodied and features notes of delicious caramel. Prost with a stein of this limited flavor throughout November.

Hmm. May have missed my chance.

Looking at the HB Chicago web site, this may be the Dunkel unfiltered. Not a bad choice considering I had their Helles unfiltered in the past and it was terrific.

 

AKA HB's Sommerbier, correct?

 

I believe so, but I don't think it was called that in the establishment where it was served -- they may not have started using the marketing moniker yet.