22 June 2008

Beer Review, Castle Brewery Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier

Beer Review, Castle Brewery Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier

Bottled 2005.

Appearance: Pours dark orange-red, slight tinges of straight orange at the bottom, with an initially-thick head that things quickly, expected for-style. Transparent, with some bubbles clinging to the sides and bottom of the glass. Very nice presentation. 4.5/5

Smell: Rich, strongly alcoholic. Very malty, nutty. Hints of maple, perhaps? Very strong, very nuanced, deep aroma. 4.5/5

Taste: This one starts with a strong sweet flavor, which is then balanced by the strongly astringent alcohol. This is much stronger than a normal dopplebock, and at times it's a bit too strong, but overall this is a very nice flavor. As the beer warms the nuttiness and, yes, that maple-like taste, come to predominate. Some beer geeks will find either the sweetness or the alcohol too much, but I think it meshes together well, and overall I find it enjoyable. 4.0/5

Mouthfeel: Thick, luscious, very strongly alcoholic. It burns the tongue and the palate at times, but an experience this nice justifies that intensity. 4.5/5

Drinkability: I wouldn't drink this every night, but it's amazingly smooth for a beer of its strength, more like a good Old Ale than a dopplebock, and I recommend it highly. 4.5/5

Overall: 4.3/5

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