August Schell Brewing (2022)

I've always thought Schells was a bit carmelly but ok. This is not even like that this year. Nowhere close to the style of Paulaner, HP, Spaten, etc. I've got all those in the fridge right now too and have had them side by side. It's tough splitting those three German beers (although I do consistently this year put them in that order in several blind tastings). Schells sticks out like a sore thumb drinking side by side with those..

Lupulin brings a more toasted maltiness as a flavor. Not sure I'd call it sweet. Maybe a little bit.

 

It's all cool, and wasn't trying to be argumentative. Just surprises me how much differently we view them. I actually had this year's Schell's alongside the Paulaner and found them very similar other than that German background taste I can't describe that is in a ton of Bavarian lagers (yeast?). It wasn't blind though.

Most American made Marzens are radically different for me than the German one. Schell's isn't.

Cheers!

 

Or wasn't. Sounds like something slipped up this year.

But I agree with both you and @ZAP -- Schell's Okto was not the caramalized mess most Ami-Oktos are, but it just wasn't as rich as the Bavarian imports.

 

I didn't take anything as argumentative. Hope I didn't seem that way. Just stating how I feel on these. I've had Schell enough in the past to feel fine buying a 12 pack untasted this year. That was a mistake. Every single one was harsh, with too much hop use and sharp alcohol. I pawned a couple off on friends, but drank the rest....so 10 or so....had three with cigars so throw those out but that still left 7 I had on fresh palate (with several in blind tasters) that were poor.

You could put Schell side by side with any of those three German beers and it would be an easy blind taster every time to pick the German beer.

Now the Schell Hefe was fantastic and I'm going past my honey hole where I found it a month ago this week and hoping some is left.

 

Given that there are rumors that we won't be seeing the beer for possibly quite some time, I thought I'd break out my Schell's Hefeweizen glassware for my last few cans. As others have said, this year's batch was pretty darn tasty.

 

That's beautiful.....

 

What a great sight. Tremendous Hefeweizen from Schell's this year. Best version in years.

 

Also...LAST version FOR years? If so, they went out on a high note.

 

I wasn't a fan this year of the Schell Oktoberfest but what do I know. I thought Summit was decent this year then took six weeks off for a Keto diet and had it twice since and wondered wtf I was thinking as it tasted as boozy and caramelly as I remembered from previous years with less toasted malt..maybe my taste buds needed to be refreshed...?

 

Has anyone seen Snowstorm this year yet?

 

It's been out for a couple of weeks. It's a mahogany lager.

 

Anyone had this yet? I'll still try it regardless.

 

According to their webpage, total wine Minnetonka still has it in stock.

 

It's pretty good, interesting fruity and earthy taste that reminds me of a Belgian dubbel, but with a heavier feel. I was surprised by it being so murky/not clear. Maybe they could have called it a "dunkel keller" instead of a mahogany lager.

 

Typical Schells distribution model where basically it's nowhere to be found outstate and tough to find elsewhere.

 

Yes, lots. It’s delicious!

 

The “beer finder” on their website is not 100% accurate, but seems to be mostly accurate from what I have found lately.

On the other hand, they definitely don’t seem to be getting easier to find with their new (master?) wholesaler in place.

Fuggit. I’m gonna drink my eight month old
Anchor Steam and drift back in my mind to an easier time (the early 1990s) when finding their beer on local shelves didn’t seem to be so hard.

 

I was at the Waite Park Westside a couple weeks ago and the only Schells they had in stock was the IPA. They are usually reliable for Schells (love me some Firebrick) so it was pretty disappointing. I hope they get the new distributorship situation figured out soon.

 

Yeah, that was one of the few places I found Schell Hefe this year..