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Greetings my thirsty BAR members,
I’ve been invited to regale you with my encyclopedic knowledge of that mystical elixir known as beer. Every month in this column I’ll be picking a beer that’s been on my mind (and lips) that month and share my observations on it.
It’s (finally) the end of winter and so I’m polishing off the last of my winter brews. Tonight I’m drinking Schell’s Snowstorm (2010 edition). Schell’s is a craft brewery in the northern U.S. and they brew a different Snowstorm recipe every year to get them through the abysmally dark and cold winters. The 2010 is a Dunkel Weizen Dopplebock. Gesundheit! That’s a complicated beer for our first month together, so I’ll go slow. Dunkel = dark, Weizen = wheat, Dopple = double, and bock = bock (which is basically a strong lager). So what we have is a Dark Wheat Double Bock.
So, how’s it taste, you ask? Divine, but this is a connoisseur’s beer. The aroma is a bit like banana or bubblegum (which is typical for a traditional dark wheat beer). It’s great when you get used to it, but it can seem strange at first. The color is medium brown, with a hint of amber, and a light brown head. It is moderately carbonated with a full mouthfeel. You notice a slightly chocolate taste, along with the banana from earlier, but what you really notice is the alcohol. 7% alcohol packs a wallop. Three pints of this a few weekends ago and I was talking stupid (some would say stupidER). I mean, they were generous pints.
Finally, the ratings. I’ll rate my monthly brews as follows: 1 mug = bad, 2 mugs = drinkable, 3 mugs = good (recommended), 4 mugs = excellent (top choice in most establishments), 5 mugs = world class. I give the 2010 Schell’s Snowstorm 4 mugs. It is a truly excellent beer and I’ll be sad to see it go (as it is a one-time brew). If you can find it, get this beer before its gone!
Your friend in barley,
JS
Schell's factoids:
1) Schell's is the second oldest family owned brewery in the U.S. (behind Yuengling).
2) Schell's does fantastic brewery tours, especially around Oktoberfest.
3) Several of the Snowstorm beers have become regular offerings in the Schell's line (including my beloved Firebrick).
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