Chris.Derecola

My backlog of beers to write about has grown to somewhat significant proportions. The number of beers and the realization that people who read this blog probably don’t care about tasting notes has me considering slimming down what I say. I tend to use these entries as a record of what I like and don’t like, so I think I’ll go in that direction. If you’re really curious about what these beers taste like, check out Beer Advocate.

A year and a half ago, I first had Schneider Aventinus at a local restaurant. I’ve spent that time looking for it, when I remember, and finally found it at Wegmans thanks to a tip. I wrote previously about it being a great brew and my opinion hasn’t changed. The beer is darker than I usually like but being a wheat doppelbock gives it that banana, caramel, chocolate thing that I seem to fall for. It drinks remarkably well for its 8.2% ABV so it’ll sneak up on you if you aren’t paying attention. I’d prefer 750ml over the 500ml bottles I’ve found, so I guess I have some searching to do. This beer is going to get a spot in my top three all time, which should say something about what I think of it. (Hemme, this is the part where you say you know your beer.)

While I was buying the Aventinus, I saw his little brother Weisse sitting next to him begging to be taken home. It turns out this is the original beer produced by Schneider Weisse (hence the name [also call Original]) but I’d never heard of it or them before trying the other beer. This is much lighter, fresher and dryer than the other, but I’m not as crazy about it as I am about Aventinus. It’s definitely better than a lot of other wheat beers floating around, but I’d rather get Hoegaarden and save a bit of dough. I think it’s a good beer, but if I’m buying Schneider I’m buying their doppelbock.

I think I’m going to have to add this brewery to my To Do list when we go to Germany. I really have no idea when that’s going to be, but considering the growing list of things I want to do in the country, it’s gotta be within the next 5 years.

When I previously picked up La Fin du Monde, I meant to get Don de Dieu. It’s a triple wheat, a variety that has rarely failed me in the past, so I had high hopes going in. I’m happy to report it really delivered because I can easily say this is getting added to the list of my top three beers. Most of the reviews I’ve read treated it fairly well and I obviously agree. I was going to drivel on about all the tasting notes but one of the founders of Beer Advocate had the following to say. I think it’s spot on so I’ll save myself the work.

Smooth and creamy mouthfeel. An outrageous fruitiness of blissful sweet apricots come to mind. A soft hop twang follows with some gentle spice, esters and pepper notes. The beer then goes crisp & dry (no doubt from the wheat). Toffee/toasted malt flavours also come forward as the beer warms, as does some honey-like qualities. Finishes with spicy alcohol notes, slightly bready, grain dryness/light grain tannins and a touch of earthy yeast flavour. At 9% abv this beer is surprisingly light and refreshing. It’s also one of the best beers that I’ve ever tasted.

My quest to taste all the Allagash varieties continued with Allagash Curieux. This version is a triple ale, but it had the distinction of being aged in Jim Beam barrels for two months… fancy. As it was my first foray into the world of barrel aged beers, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I like bourboun, I like beer… surely the two could mix, right? Yes and no. The beer was good, above average really, but the taste of bourbon was so very present. I’m a bourbon drinker, so it works for me, but sometimes I’m in the mood for beer. It has a solid bite, almost like carbonated liquor, so it delivers exactly what you’re probably looking for when buying a beer of this type. I can’t recommend the beer as a routine drink, mostly due to it’s $15 for 750ml price, but it’s a nice deviation from “the usual”.

As an interesting side note, I’ve been reduced to surfing this site in Total Wine to remember what varieties I have/not had. If I was smart, I’d bookmark the beer category page, ’cause that’s where I always seem to end up. I guess buying less beer or being less adventurous is an option… but what fun is that?