Keller Biel/Zwickel Bier Help

Another vote for Surly Hell. Delicious!

 

Urban Chestnut Zwickel in the STL. Now in four pack pints. Good stuff.

 

I agree that Southhampton Keller Pils and Sam Adams are enjoyable versions of the style, but the style is really meant to be had on draught. Stiegl Paracelsus is my absolute favorite. Lemony, bready and oh so drinkable. After that, I really like Aktien, which is slightly darker, and more of a keller than a zwickle.

In bottlles, Monchshof, Velndensteiner (available in pony kegs!!!) and Moosbacher are all good too. Surly Hell is amazing as well, but I consider that more of a Helles. I know that it's unfiltered, but I don't get that yeasty character from it like other zwickl beers.

Either way, Keller/Zwickl is one of my absolute favorite styles in the world. Glad to see you like it too!

In fact, I did a tasting of Monchsof and Southhampton here: http://craftbeertemple.com/videoblog/2011/09/keller-beer/

and Alpine Spring here: http://craftbeertemple.com/videoblog/2012/02/sam-adams-alpine-spring/

 

Chris,

I enjoyed watched your tasting of Monchof Kellerbrau and Southampton Keller Pils. Based upon the appearance of the Southampton Keller Pils I am assuming this was taped in the summer of 2010?

I found the 2010 Southampton Keller Pils to be more similar to a Pilsner: golden in color and with a noticeable hop presence. The 2011 Southampton Keller Pils was more like a Franconian Kellerbier; amber in color with more bready/malty taste to it. I am a big fan of hoppy Pilsners so I enjoyed the 2010 version a bit more but I did appreciate the ‘balance’ that the 2011 version had. I look forward to trying the 2012 version to see what that tastes like.

I have only had one Monchof Kellerbrau and it was in bottled form. Like you, I found it to me very malt forward with very little hop presence.

I have been fortunate to drink Mahr’s Ungespundet-hefetrüb many times on draft and on cask. It is along the lines of the Monchof Kellerbrau; malt forward with a subdued hop presence.

I have had Southampton Keller Pils both on draft and bottled (more so on draft). I have enjoyed this beer in both formats.

Oh, and I had a chance to drink Urban Chestnut Zwickel on draft once. It made a ‘guest appearance’ in the Philly area and I even got a chance to talk to Brewmaster Florian Kuplent of Urban Chestnut. That was indeed a tasty Zwickel (but surprisingly clear).

Cheers!

Jack

 

Mahr's "U" and St. Georgean Brau are 2 that I really enjoyed in Germany last March.

This beer was on draft in Portland, of all places. Went well with the meal.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16829/44415

 

Just finished my first Southampton Keller Pils. Definitely more of a Pils, but still an excellent lager that I am going to have to revisit again an again.

 

I had the Arcobräu Zwickl Lager on tap, it was pretty solid....

and how can I forget from Voodoo brewing company PILLZILLA!!! RAR!! great stuff...

keep them on your radar

 

I really should have tried more from Columbus before I left the state.

 

Veldensteiner Zwick'l available in 500ml & 5L in the US.

I thought Alpine Spring was a helles. I sure seemed filtered.

 

“I thought Alpine Spring was a helles.” I only had one glass of Alpine Spring (on draft) and FWIW it tasted like a Helles to me.

“I sure seemed filtered.” My one glass of Alpine Spring was very clear but you will read below that it is indeed unfiltered.

“Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor.”

Cheers!