On the third day of Beermas…..
Name: Aventinus Eisbock
Brewed By: Schneider-Weisse
Style: Eisbock
Brewed By: 12%
Eisbock or “ice bock” is an interesting brew, believed to be created by mistake, the result of casks of bockbier being left out in the cold and freezing. Because Alcohol freezes a lower temperature than water, the water freezes first leaving behind a concentrated version of the original beer. This isn’t a Christmas beer, but its connection to the cold of winter and its elevated ABV’s potential to put you in a festive mood is why it made my list.
Pours a deep brown to black, when held to the light what little breaks through illuminates the beer with red and gold highlights. The pour produced a frothy, khaki colored head that settled to a fine layer across the surface of the beer.
Dark fruits, reminds me of dates, some light chocolate notes and a touch of alcohol.
Eisbock is a very rich beer, meant to be sipped and enjoyed slowly. A deep malty character, wheat, hints of chocolate in the background. The dark fruit from the nose are present in the flavor, dates and raisins come to mind, there is a slight sweetness associated with them. At 12% ABV, the alcohol doesn’t register as hot in the mouth but a soft warming sensation in the back of the throat and out through the nose as you exhale.
I’m a big fan of this beer, it’s one that I look forward to seeing on store shelves and always pick up when I can. If this beer was truly born from a mistake then it’s one of those few brewery mistakes you have to love, maybe only second to a favorable Brett infection creating some funky wild offering. This isn’t a beer for everyone, it’s complex and full in flavor with burly ABV, half a glass and my face is feeling pretty warm, but if that sounds tasty to you then it’s worth a try.
Cheers!
Chaddah
12 Days of Beermas
Day 1: Harpoon Brewing Co. Winter Warmer
Day 2: Gritty McDuff’s Brewing Company, Christmas Ale
Day 3: Schneider Weisse, Aventinus Eisbock
Day 4: Rogue Ales, Santa’s Private Reserve Ale
Day 5: Shipyard Brewing Company, Mint Chocolate Stout
Day 7: De Struise Brouwers, Tjseeses
Day 8: Friars Brewhouse, Whoopie Pie Porter
Day 10: Ridgeway Brewing, Criminally Bad Elf