Featuring some quotes by Ron Pattinson. There are some real howlers of mistakes in here, but kinda interesting nonetheless. http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/travel/20beer.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&
Spezial over Schlenkerla?????? Damn, now I am hungry for Leberkase. The bakery right by Spezial makes/sells amazing Leberkase sandwiches and their bread is crusty and chewy with salt on top. Damn that's good beer food!
The author, Evan Rail, is also author of http://www.beerculture.org/ He's been a part of the European beer scene for some time and often comments around the blogosphere. I haven't read thru the article yet, but I find it hard to believe he's made some whopper mistakes as he's based in Eastern Europe. No one is perfect, right?
Well, I have to admit that "howlers" was too extreme. Apologies to the author. I guess I'm wondering about his palate more than anything, as he first describes the Schlenkerla Fastenbier, which is 5.5%, as "still smoked, but much stronger [than the Maerzen], like a bock." Then he goes on to say it is "peaty as a fine single malt." Never got any of that peaty flavor from beech-smoked malt. Fairly minor complaints that distract from what is otherwise a good article.
Scott, thanks for the link to that article! I really enjoyed reading it. I have read a fair bit of Evan Rail’s writings in the past and I think he really knows his stuff. When I read: “ …Radeberger, the dishwater Pilsener from the region…” I thought of boddhitree! Prost!
Heh -- as much discussion as I've heard from European beer drinkers (especially the British), I think anything over 4% is BIG to their palates. As to taste perception, we all know how that can jump up and down the scales from drinker to drinker. Must say that I never got any peat character from any of the Rauchbier I drank -- of course, I don't call it liquid bacon either! BTW -- did you scan the slide show? Great shot in Schlenkerla right at the end.
Not sure what, "I'm not necessarily proud of being German" refers to, but I like that they're quick to say they're proud of their beer.
I think it is similar to how quickly some will point out they are Franconian and not Bavarian or German. Gott Sei Dank, Ich bin a Frank and all that.
When dit Heller start brewing the Fastenbier? Had it myself for the first time in 2010, and as far as I can remember it had been introduced the year before. The article dates from 2007!
I think it was 2005 -- I had emailed Matthias Trum in early 2006 to ask if the Fastenbier would be put it 5L Party Fässer -- so it must have been around before then. When it was introduced, many of the locals (including a couple of brewers) thought it was a blend of the Lagerbier and the Ur-Bock. I first met Evan at Keesmann when he was in Bamberg researching that article.
No, it is because in Germany saying things like "I am proud to be German" is still very much associated with revanchism and the far right.
I didn't realize that was the case so many years later. A shame, too, as there are so many things -- before and since those dark days -- to be proud of as a German.
