Starkbierzeit 2022

Used to be just a "Day", but, you know - beer drinkers.

 

If Hofbräu is available in your area I would suggest Hofbräu Maibock to you.

Cheers!

 

I was referring to Eisbocks in general, not just weizen-based Eisbocks.

As far as I know, you are correct - Aventinus Eisbock is the only Eisbock that is based on a Weizen.

The story is that Eisbock was an accidental creation due to leaving barrel(s) in a non-heated location (maybe even wagons or delivery vehicles) during the German/central European winter. Part of the water in the beer froze; the rest of the contents in the barrel were 'rescued' and served as is (likely after some taste tests ).

 

Here's a couple of Muenchner doppelbocks I had last night.


I started off with Spaten Optimator (I enjoy it year-round):



Then enjoyed some Augustiner Maximator


Gruss aus München! ("Greetings from Munich!" Postmarked 1929--from my collection)

 

Dude! I don't actually want to see Optimator year around. Just when it is at its freshest.

 

I'd say it's rich, darker-toasted bready malt, with restrained caramel sweetness. It's also got a great mouthfeel. Very easy to drink a few without fatiguing the palate.

 

The Optimator that I'm able to buy is regularly 3-4 months old. It may be a bit fresher on the east coast, but I'd say that's pretty darn fresh.

 

Enjoying the crap out of my first Beer from Brauerei Heller-Trum. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock. Did some research on this, Urback is a Bock brewed with Pilsner and Munich malts.
Thanks to @zid for the review, it has the most info on this Beer in one place that I can find!

Questions;
Is Aecht Schlenkerla a brand name?
What are some examples of non-Rauchbier Urbocks?
This has likely been on the shelf for a long time, no way of dating it?
Where has this fantastic brew been all my life?

5/5 rDev +20.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by Amendm from Rhode Island

A moderate pour released a fat finger of tan creamy foam which sunk to a rocky head. Sticky lacing surrounds the glass.
Clear dark brown color with fiery ruby highlights.

Bold smell of smoked ham and bacon, dark bready malt and raisins

Smokey, meaty taste that is right on the line of sweet and dry. Moderate bitterness at first that comes from smoked malt, hops are present yet indistinguishable to me. The smoke is mellow, reminds me of standing near a BBQ smoker and burning wet wood. Raisin and baked stone fruits almost add sweetness. The finish is quick, but the smoked meat taste lingers on. Bitterness builds a bit as it becomes semi-dry.

Medium-full bodied with soft lasting carbonation. Very smooth and balanced despite the smoke. Malty like Scotch Ale.
Big flavor similar to Baltic Porter. Higher than average bitterness for Lager, however this is no ordinary Lager. This is one of the best Beers I've tried so far.

I gave this Bier a 5 all around, first time I've done that!

F-in Prost.

 

You gotta try the other Rauchbiers they offer man! I particularly enjoyed this one and the Weizen, The Lentbeer (#1 for the style) I honestly found to be a bit lackluster, but I'm saving one can since I had it very fresh. I also have not figured out any way to date these beers, I only knew for that one because I picked it up at OEC in Connecticut and B United (importer) is right next door and supplies them with fresh imported beer for their bottle shop

 

It's nice to see that someone enjoyed the only review I ever left outside the forums after my arm was twisted to do so.

Heller-Trum are two last names of people who owned the brewery at different points. I believe that Hellerbräu is the official name(?) and Schlenkerla is essentially a nickname that everybody uses instead. In a sense, they do use it like a brand name. The brewery also produces beers under the Heinzlein brand name, which are low alcohol beers that aren't made with "smoked" malt.

Bock is a strength designation and can be applied to a large variety of beers in Germany as long as they meet the original gravity requirement. The more famous Schlenkerla Märzen is brewed to a Märzen strength standard - which has a lower original gravity than a Bock. I wouldn't put too much stock in the "Ur-" marketing. It basically means "original" and brewers use it as a prefix for various beers: Urbock, Ur-Märzen, and Urweisse are some examples. Since brewers like to use it to indicate an "original version" or more accurately - a less contemporary version of a style, it's often used for beers that are not golden in color (but I'm just stating this based on what is sold in the US). Probably the most well-known beer marketed as an Urbock (besides the Schlenkerla beer) is the Hofbräuhaus München Maibock... which is unlike most Maibockbiere... and not a beer like Schlenkerla's... and therefore also an answer to your question about "non-Rauchbier Urbocks."

Not that I know of. I occasionally get Schlenkerla bottles that weren't good purchases due to age, but more often than not I'm satisfied with a bottle... which is very fortunate. I'll still take an undated Schlenkerla bottle over any fresh US craft "smoked" beer I can find in the store.

Waiting for you on the shelf.

@herrburgess - Please correct anything that needs it. (Have you had any of their low-alcohol beers?)

 

I've had both of the Heinzlein beers. Both pretty good. And, I agree on the older bottles holding up well. Smoke is a well-known antioxidant, so a little age won't hurt too much.

 

Nope, merely a day the regional brewers' organizations agreed to release their bocks - you drank 'em until the ran out...

In some regions of the country (much to the chagrin of the "I'll drink what I want when I want!" libertarians) the bureaucrats even got involved .

 

Prost @steveh