Entries tagged with “Germany” from Malt & Barley Chronicles

A tech-focused news site offers advice to the English on which beverages to consume while watching the World Cup knockout match between England and Germany. Polite chortling ensues.

I enjoy schwarzbiers (literally, "black beers") -- the malty, slightly sweet cousins to standard pilseners. And though I didn't notice it on my previous visit, Berlin seems to be awash in this particular style. Eibauer (literally and nominatively) hails from Eibau, near the Czech and Polish borders.

Characteristics: Brownish-red color; medium carbonation and head that dissipates fairly quickly; light-to-medium body; consistent flavors of biscuit, malt, yeast, and a little sugar throughout with a little hoppy bite in the finish.

Minor Gripes: Lagers are steady but unexciting (unless hopped within an inch of their lives). In particular, the black lagers follow enough of a formula that distinguishing among them is a challenge.

Bottom Line: Schwarzbiers are a saving grace for those who generally shun yellow lagers and pilseners but find themselves in Germany. Though Kostritzer is my standard reference point, I would certainly choose Eibauer without hesitation.

Rating: 6 / 10

It's a week after Easter and therefore close to the end of the classical season for doppelbocks (but just about the peak for me locally).  I was a little surprised that Weihenstephan doesn't have a classic "-ator" name for its variation (cf. Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator, Spaten Optimator), but the beer itself certainly holds its own within the doppelbock category.

Characteristics: Rich brown color with reddish highlights, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation and a minimal head, slightly smoky opening with a round, sweet malty middle and a slightly spicy hop element that grows through the finish.

Minor Gripes: If it gets too close to room temperature, the sugar and alcohol flavors overwhelm the subtle mix of spicy hops and round malts.  Otherwise, the 7.4% ABV is hardly noticeable.

Bottom Line: None of the doppelbocks are session beers, with the possible exception of Moretti La Rossa. Knowing that, spend a nice evening by the fireplace curled up with an oversized bottle of Korbinian (truly a "dunkles starkbier" -- "dark strong beer") and enjoy.

Rating: 6.75 / 10

I've tried reviewing this particular beer a few times now. It's pretty special (and rarely seen in the US) -- a "smoke beer" in the bock tradition from northern Bavaria.

Characteristics: Rich reddish-brown color, medium body, light to medium carbonation and head, with a dominant smoky flavor from start to finish over sugary malt and smooth hops that emerge in the finish. As the beer warms, the 6.5% ABV comes out and slowly overpowers the malts.

Minor Gripes: Thanks to the vagaries of importing and shelflife and the variability of bock brewing, I've experienced varying levels of smokiness over the 4-5 times I've tried this beer.

Bottom Line: Most bocks are not everyday beers, and Schlenkerla is no exception. It is certainly worthy of your time and attention, particularly if you like smoky and peaty beers and whiskeys. I'd love to hear a report from anyone who's made a trip to the source, since it's now on my list if I am fortunate enough to make a return trip to Germany.

Rating: 6.5 / 10

A collection of items tangentially related to the Chronicles that I've been gathering for some time ...

• Courtesy of the BBC: Irish pubs are dying out in the homeland.  And the reasons cited for the decline?  The nationwide workplace smoking ban and stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws.  Talk about unintended consequences...


• Courtesy of BoingBoing: History Magazine's article on mealtimes throughout the ages. Note the quality "nuntion" or "nuncheon" offered to peasants in Shakespeare's time...


• Various sources report on the fallout from the unfortunate death of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock.  The Milwaukee Brewers decided to uphold the principle of personal responsibility by continuing to permit alcohol in the clubhouse -- not necessarily surprising, but still notable when the Cardinals, owned by the Busch family, took the opposite action.


• Next time I'm back in Milwaukee, I need to stop by the Comet Cafe for a Wisconsin Cow Bomb (scroll down almost to the bottom).  Guinness, Jameson's, chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream.  Sounds like a fantastic dessert to me, but then again I prefer to chase my Jameson's shots with Guinness anyway.


• Eric Asimov of The New York Times continues his occasional substitution of beer for wine in  the weekly "[Beverages] Of The Times" feature... recently hitting brown ales and bocks.  I still think the reviews run a bit to the snooty side, but at least he's making an effort to level the playing field.


• Staying with the NYT, the Travel desk offers a lovely vacation idea of touring Germany looking for the unique regional beers.  I take exception to only one remark, that of never finding rauchbiers again outside of Bamberg.  I've sampled the Schlenkerla Rauchbier a few times from my local specialty store (in a half-liter bottle) and enjoyed it greatly, even agreeing in large part with the reviewer's take.


• From Gizmodo, a heads-up that the annual Crumpler "Beers for Bags" event is coming soon to New York and Toronto. If you're in the market for some kind of messenger bag, this might be a fun way to pick one up.
  


• Finally, courtesy of Gridskipper: As if we need another reason to love Seattle, one of its state legislators has proposed allowing dogs in the bars. I'm all in favor of this change, having spent a fair amount of time on outdoor terraces and even low-key dog-friendly bars in Milwaukee.

One of the classic lagers of Bavaria, I first experienced Hofbrau at "The Great Beer Palace" (R.I.P.) on the north side of Chicago back in 1998 when I was still primarily a Celis White devotee.  I haven't ever been to the Hofbrauhaus (or anywhere else in Germany for that matter), though I will likely stop by one of its US outposts the next time I'm in Milwaukee.

Characteristics: Rich clear gold color, light body, clean and slightly bitter (but not hoppy) taste with perhaps a little caramel in the finish.

Minor Gripes: There isn't much of a "flavor" to be moderated by the bitterness -- that bite hits so quickly that the underlying malt hardly has a chance to get through.

Bottom Line: Not as sharp or crisp as the Czech pilseners, but still a substantial and worthy alternative to any "yellow" American macrobrew (and quite a few of the micros as well).

Rating: 6 / 10