Fastenbier

My Fastenbier was not cloudy. I really can't recall my pouring technique for this beer.

 

Same here -- and I hadn't read the unfiltered part before the first bottle -- saw the haziness and floaties and was a little concerned -- no more.

 

But what the hell do they know?

 

Tough to tell...it was certainly dark, but not as dark as the Urbock.

 

I noticed the floaters right away and then held my Becher to the light to (try to) look through it -- that's when I noted the haziness.

 

Ah. Well, as I've said before, I'll just have to buy more! I think the second picture I have above does a good job of displaying the creamy head. And the head lasted like that for the entire session I believe. Almost cask-like.

I had it on draft this past weekend as well, I preferred it in the bottle. Still enjoyed it on draft though.

 

Getting more myself from a new source tomorrow.

Same here -- the head was massive, dense, and very persistent.

Very much so. Natural carbonation adding to the mouthfeel and appearance, quite nice.

 

Here is Matthias Trum's reply. As you will see, no "special yeast," just the natural cloudiness (as if it had been pulled straight from the tanks) from being unfiltered and bottle-conditioned:

Hallo Scott, das Fastenbier wird mit derselben Hefe vergoren, wie das klassische Märzen Rauchbier. Wenn man das Märzen im Lagerkeller verkostet (noch unfiltriert), hat dies ebenfalls die cremige Note. Eine minimale Nachreifung in der Flasche findet beim Fastenbier wohl statt, ich denke aber, daß der Beitrag zum Geschmack hier minimal ist, zumal es bei 6 Monaten MHD nur relativ kurz drin verweilt. Wir haben von dem heurigen Fastenbier-Jahrgang aber noch einige Kästen mit längerem MHD abgefüllt, quasi als Jahrgangsbier. Wir sind schon sehr gespannt, wie sich der Geschmack in den nächsten Jahren entwickelt. MfG, Matthias

 

"If you tasted the Märzen in the storage cellar (yet unfiltered), it also has the creamy touch."

Again, what the hell does he know?

 

I am fortunate to have bottle and keg at home; my initial reaction is to agree with you regarding bottle vs tap. I will comment more tomorrow with fresh palate but keg seems to be more subdued - aroma, bitterness and smoke. Clarity is definitely a variance - bottle is clearly unfiltered, keg pour very clear. Will let everything rest overnight.

 

Found this place in Raleigh that has it ; Tasty Beverage


Found this as well, posted to show the truck...
I hope some Chicago BA's got in on this.
http://www.barnative.com/chicago/events/firkin-friday-schlenkerla-fastenbier-from-wooden-barrel/

 

Picked up a bottle of this on Wednesday and popped it open on today for the last day of Lent. Definitely lots of 'floaties' in here- it's way beyond that for what is normal for an unfiltered beer. It looks like I chewed up a cracker and sipped the beer repeatedly with lots of backwash. Kind of offputting to be honest. It looks like dandruff on the bottom of the glass.

Beyond the large floaties, the beer is marvelous.

 

i can't find that at my local beer store here in Stuttgart...

 

It's still in tap around DC at 2 places ... Kind of taking that for granted as I drink other things...

Still would like a bottle though for comparison.. perhaps one will show up in the future...

 

I don't know that I've seen any standards for floaters in an unfiltered beer -- and the fact that they advertise it as such ought to be fair enough warning (at least to the experienced beer drinker). Fear no floater.

Exactly. Embrace the natural residue!

 

You should be able to order some from the website, though, oder? Not sure about the Fastenbier but I do think you can order bottles by the singleton if you prefer not to get a 10er or entire case.

 

i could i suppose - I'd only want a couple bottles at the most.

 

Fastenzeit ist vorbei. Frohe Ostern...und Prost!

 

I said that, too...now that they're gone, though...

 

Thanks to a generous BA (I don't want anyone pester him, so he'll stay anonymous), I'm now drinking a bottle. It's probably the closest thing I've had to a fresh/draft Schlenkerla beer. The joys of bottles that haven't been sitting for months.
The smoke heavy on the nose, but it isn't strong on the palate. Plus, the sweetness is dialed down a bit, so that the hops shine and the smoke stays away from BBQ sauce territory. Great mouthfeel, which I assume is because it's unfiltered. Carbonation sticks around, too. I'd have never guessed it's as mild as it is, though. Anyone who thinks mild beers can't have tons of flavor would be leveled by this one. It's not even subtle.
Krausen remains my favorite from H-T, but this is excellent, too.
On a weird note, I ran into draft Maerzen, Urbock, and even Schlenkerla schnapps in Boulder yesterday but this is nowhere to be found. I wonder if the distro just never picked it up?