Fans of under-appreciated styles ...

Doppelbocks do get some fair share of love, but I personally would love to see more of their lower gravity bretheren. Heck, it's even hard to find traditional bocks in the import section, so they seem to be getting it from both directions .

 

As a loyal fan of GLBC, I'd add Dortmunder to the list of under appreciated lagers (as well as it's cousin, the Pilsner).

 

Here's a fantasy scenario: If there was a marketing buzz that numerous really well respected small village/obscure German beers (various German styles..Kolsch, pilsners, Helles, Bocks, etc) were going to be shipped super fresh over to US and a few bottles would get distributed to bottle shop around the country, would people get excited and go after them? If we knew they were coming in advance, fresh/highly rated/very hard to get in US, then I think they would disappear nearly as fast as many of our top limited release DIPA/Barrel aged stouts are. Everyone would love to try fresh European beers from those tiny villages that few people know about.

Or another scenario..a cask of very obscure but highly rated Irish, Scottish or English ale (Wee Heavy, ESB, doesn't matter style) beer shipped overnight to your favorite local craft bar and it was advertised properly...that cask would get kicked really fast I'd assume wouldn't it?

 

Hefeweizen. Love the arse off it.

 

Your scenario has been happening with unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell kegs, and they do seem to be appreciated when they are announced. It really is just a few at a time, so it's not widespread enough to cause a major stir.

Also, on the Germany board, a select few have been anticipating the distribution of Rothaus Pilsner to the US.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/rothaus-in-the-us.229953/

I don't know how much 'buzz' there is, though- just excitement from the beer enthusiasts who follow such things. The crossover effect doesn't seem to have had any impact.

It was similar last year when Andechs finally made it to these shores, and you can still find them easily.

 

I enjoy them both, too. In fact, the more I had of the Straub the more I came to appreciate it. But I did notice that lack of malt depth right off the bat with my first one, and that is what the question was about.

As to preferences, you are definitely correct about each of us having our own unique palates and expectations. Personally, if I were to try a Mild Ale where I thought the yeast signature was too neutral, even if the malt and hops were correct, that too would stand out right away. Side by sides can definitely be instructive, and I have done a number of them within the past year, but I still find the the best one stands out in the end .

 

For many, the answer is the latter. And no, there's nothing wrong with that.

And no, those that adore only hops should not leave Beeradvocate. Because then all that would be left is the European forums.

 

Rothaus is unique in that their pilsner is highly rated (highly rated for pilsners) and is only outranked by Prima Pils, which Beeradvocates love. I know when I first started out I made it a point to track down Prima due to its high rating. If I saw Rothaus 10 years ago I would have purchased it to at least see why it was rated so highly. I also would like to think I would have loved it as much as I did this past weekend.

 

I'd like to see some more american renditions of Dunkelweizens and Schwarzbiers, and other german lager/ale styles

 

I definitely hope there is enough interest over here to make Rothaus a regular item on the shelves. Here's hoping that happens!

 

Some of my favorite American brewed Schwarzbiers

· Shiner Bohemian Black Lager

· Sam Adams Black Lager

· Sprecher Black Bavarian

· Jack’s Abby Smoke & Dagger (a subtly smoked Schwarzbier)

Cheers!

 

My favorite U.S. version -- though not a straight up Schwarzbier, but rather with a touch of smoke -- is Schell's Chimney Sweep. In terms of straight up Schwarzbiers, none I have had here get very close to the originals. Typically there is too much crystal/caramel malt and/or chocolate/roastiness to them.

EDIT: note that I am distinguishing between German Schwarzbier and the dark Czech beers. Haven't had the pleasure of drinking any of Notch's beers yet....

 

I've heard they're pricing it in the Augustiner range -- and right out of my radar. $14 a six-pack is more luxury than I can afford most times.

 

That does seem to be on the high side, but I paid $3 and change each for a couple of singles in NYC about a month ago. So from at least my point of view, the price is going down .

 

In Schwarzbiers I can handle a little roastiness, but not my Munich Dunkels. Gotta get you some Sprecher Black Bavarian sometime.

 

Sure, there should certainly be some. But many the ones I have had here were *way* heavy-handed with the roasted malts.

 

Huge Kölsch fan here.. among many other obscure styles... well I'd say under represented.

It is a snowball effect and also people like things here beer wise that are often big... large an obvious. I like those things too but I also like them in different doses and different times... I bounce around a lot too.

Now can I get some bier brut love or what!!

 

I agree with the sentiment that IPAs and their variations tend to dominate the discussion. I love the darker German beers - Dunkel, Schwarzbier - substantial brews with plenty of roasted malts. My vote for least-discussed, hard to find, but oh so worthwhile would be Altbier. This version, a collaboration between Creemore and Zum Schlussel, is amazing
http://www.creemoresprings.com/en/Our Beers/Altbier.aspx

 

Stouts, Lagers, Ambers and Browns for me.

 

I love Czech Pilsners! Hugely underrated.