Schlenkerla Krausen released in the US

Short update on the Kräusen for the U.S. I contacted the Midwest rep for B. United and he informed me:
"We don’t expect to can the Kraeusen (now called “Helles Maerzen”) until next Friday or so, then it’ll take a few weeks to get into the market."

Quick response and enthusiastic correspondence from their rep.

 

Yes. Very nice and distinct beer. Linwood in Ft. Lee has bottles available.

 

That must be the other shop at Hudson Lights then. I didn't see anything like that in the original store last week. I'm starting to think that they're focusing their energy more in the new place- I'll have to get over there the next time I'm in town.

 

Yeah, I haven’t been to the original. Hudson Lights is easier for me and it is a great store. Beautiful liquor and wine selection too. There’s free parking above the store too, FYI.

 

I was going to add the beer to the BA database until I realized it's just a rebranded version of the "Kräusen." In an attempt to avoid duplicate entries, I put in a request to add a note under that beer's entry that it is being imported to the US under the name "Helles Märzen Kräusen Blend." We'll see what happens.

 

@Jaycase -- that B.U. rep said to check the Beer Temple on Elston in the city for Schlenkerla stuff.

 

Good to know, thanks. I don't recall seeing Helles cans at any local Binny's so will have to head there then.

 

I thought the bottles we get here were filtered, but the cans were unfiltered? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Cans I get say unfiltered in the label, but bottles do not. I prefer it from the bottles flavor wise, but cans are cheaper and better on fridge space.

 

Definitely going to be giving this one a try.

 

Yeah - that's not gonna confuse anybody here.

 

If you listen carefully, you can hear all those slight popping sounds.

But ignoring the BJCP mindset, even by German standards, it doesn't seem to be Märzen strength or very "Helles" in color.

 

Jason,

99.999999% of the world doesn't live in Bamberg, don't be such a buzz-kill.

 

Never see it here, too bad. Makes me wish I still lived in Philly the beer scene there is just outrageous.

 

Different or not, I'm excited to try it. Agree that unfiltered Helles cans are much smokier than the bottle and draft versions.

 

In my previous post this was my question too. I'm curious what type of "Krausen" we'll get.

Definitely trying it though.

Oh God, I didn't even think of that. People are going to be thinking, "Is this an Oktoberfest? It's not October. Or wait, it's a Maerzen, why isn't it amber? And the ABV is low. So it's just a Helles? Maybe a Festbier?"

They should have called it a Session Helles Maerzen Festbier and really throw people for a loop.

 

The Maerzen from the bottle is quite different from the draft version. It's smokier. A lot of people here who like the draft wouldn't drink it bottled. Must be something to do with the barrel / bottle / can.

The Helles isn't brewed using smoked malt remember, and the draft version here is also unfiltered. The brewery doesn't sell the Helles in barrels unless you request it in advance and then the barrels are filled straight from the tanks as far as I understand. You can't even buy the Helles in the tavern (bottled or otherwise).

 

See my post recently - I've only had the Helles on draft at private functions, it's not available on draft commercially, certainly not in Bamberg.