Fastenbier

Chris,

Thanks for your report! I am always impressed by Fastenbier by the "tons of flavor" and also the complexity of flavor.

I am glad that you got a chance to drink some of the 2015 Fastenbier!!

Cheers!

Jack

 

This will be my last comment on Fastenbier. I have been fortunate to drink this beer many times over the past two weeks. Enjoying it more each time but my initial reaction seems off from current perspective. Now there is a gentle smoke that (hate to sound romantic) lingers on the roof of my mouth before dissolving into a combination of caramel and smoke. Initially likened aroma and taste to some type of meat but that doesn't seem appropriate. Perhaps because it was first Rauchbier in long time? Also not a meat eater so maybe that was the first assimilation in my mind? Just over analyzing, definitely love the beer.

 

“Now there is a gentle smoke that (hate to sound romantic) lingers on the roof of my mouth before dissolving into a combination of caramel and smoke. Initially likened aroma and taste to some type of meat but that doesn't seem appropriate.”

FWIW, I agree 100% with the above!!

The smoky aspect of Fastenbier does not explicitly come off as ‘meaty’ to me (which I cannot say the same for other Schlenkerla beers) plus the combination with caramel and the noble hop flavor/aroma results in an overall complexity that I personally find appealing.

Cheers to Schlenkerla Fastenbier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sounds like you would like Schlenkerla Maerzen #3 (especially from the wooden keg)!

 

While the Fastenbier is great and maybe the best of the bottled offerings (although I love the helles, different as it may be), I think their beers are best on draft. Even when fresh, there's something about bottling that seems to concentrate the smoke. Before having any of their beers on tap, I genuinely only thought their beers were "okay to good" but probably not my favorites. On tap over here, even just normal metal CO2 kegs, it's different, and better.
Spezial's smoke is milder, so I think their bottled rauchbier actually tastes somewhat like Schlenkerla Maerzen does on tap.
Sadly, I rarely see their bottles anymore. I'm not even sure if they're still available in CO.

 

Couldn't you say that about, just about, any beer? I know I could.

 

Having my first EVER Fastenbier right now. The flavors are definitely more immediate with this one. Reminds me in some ways of Brauerei Barnikel's (very rustic) Rauchbier. Gonna have to gather my thoughts a bit more -- and maybe have another 2 -- before I can make any sort of meaningful 'judgement.'

 

Scott - where did you find it?

 

Was generously sent some by a fellow BA (Cheers!).

Had a bit of time to think about the beer -- and I shared and discussed with my old Bamberg roommate and current brewing buddy. Here's a part of our conversation:

Me: Fastenbier kinda reminds me of Barnikel Rauchbier. very rustic.

Him: yes. love the maltiness. a touch of bandaid that i know wouldnt exist fresh vom Fass - i would love to get a pull off a fresh keg.

Me: I think the extra phenolics may come from the bottle conditioning.

Him: something going on in the bottle
i will say that the schlenk bottles i got at the schlenk last december tasted much better that the ones i get here... though maybe thats the red-stripe-in-jamacia or guiness-in-ireland effect

Me: this one has some qualities that remind me of the negative aspects of the bottled versions.

So I do think that the flavors are balanced and very immediately gratifying; thus I understand why it gets rated the highest of Schlenkerla's beers here in the U.S. -- everything (smoke, caramel malt, nice spicy hops, etc.) is fully and readily accessible at first sip. Finish is nice and clean, too. Invites drinking more (and more and more).

That said, I don't think it is as refined and sublime a beer as the Maerzen at all. Yes, the Maerzen can be disarming with that initial punch of smoke, but the complexity that IMO reveals itself after 2-3 half liters is still unmatched. I will say that #2 of the Fastenbier did get better, but I just don't think the beer unfolds the way the Maerzen does.Needs more research

Really, though, while these beers may seem very similar, I don't think they should be compared 1:1. The creamy mouthfeel of the Fastenbier and its cloudy, Kellerbier-like look and taste (yes, mine was exceedingly cloudy) invite comparisons more to the more rustic styles from the area -- and less to the more refined Maerzen. Like I said earlier, a lot like a Barnikel Rauchbier (which is a very good thing indeed).

Great addition to the Schlenkerla lineup. Prost!

 

I realize you might not have any more, but I do think it goes great with food. I had it a number of times on its own this year before sitting down with one with dinner, and I definitely enjoyed that one the most. It reminded me the most of what I had at the tavern.

 

"...everything (smoke, caramel malt, nice spicy hops, etc.) is fully and readily accessible at first sip."

This is what I had difficulty conveying in my posts. And it does seem to round out after several. Hope to have fresh Maerzen after Fastenbier runs dry, sounds like I will enjoy those half liters!

 

It's worth it to try the two side-by-side. A great comparison -- same with the Urbock.

 

Purchased 2 Maerzen bottles today for the side-by-side. Unfortunately, smell and taste are completely metallic. Comparison will have to wait for fresh shipment.

 

The 'challenge' with Schlenkerla beer is that it isn't bottle dated. There is a two letter production code on the beers but without a 'secret decoder ring' you can't know the production date. You could contact the brewery with the code and they could then tell you when that beer was bottled.

Cheers!

 

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!



Brauerie Heller-Trum - Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Fastenbier by imbibehour, on Flickr

what does our hero think after some re-review, and thoughts having on tap of late...

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Poured from the bottle into a becher Aecht Schlenkerla pint glass. Vintage 2015.

Fluffy booming but easily controlled head top, three fingers on the punch with creamy and fluffy big retention and a cream dark brown color to almost dark vanilla white. Body color is deep copper up to the light, chestnut brown overall with deep red notes in the center of the glass. Still a classic looker.

Aroma can't be beat. Sweet malts, moderate smoke, and salivating salty sausage and meat jerky with a great balance. Soft bacon, campfires and greatness.

Palate hits all the right notes. SLight creamy character, but not as big as on tap, and even some very playful prickly carbonation, but doesn't take away from the feel. Chewy malt density and softness with light smoke character and even a touch of sweet brown sugar but oh so slightly. Sweet leaf tobacco finish just ever so slightly as well.

Looks like Schlenkerla can do no wrong.

look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5 | BA Rating 4.48

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Wonderful to find this again... now get out of my way... while there's smoke there's fire... and this drink will satisfy me while 6-8 hours of grillin should do the trick..



Time to BBQ with my Schlenkerla on the side by imbibehour, on Flickr

CHeers!