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| Brauerei Hebendanz in Forchheim |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:31:26 AM |
| This centrally-located brewery is right between Brauerei Neder and Brauerei Greif on the same street in Forchheim?s picturesque altstadt. The beer vom Fäss (Export-Hell) was okay, but bland compared to Neder?s characterful offerings. The food was even blander, a basic slab of meat with steamed vegetables, no inspiration, and bare cooking skills. Decoration was minimal, and gave the impression that we were in a precursor of decorating minimalism. Don?t let the cute façade fool you, this is one veeeery simple tavern. Export Hell (tap review): -A full, big-bubbled head diminishes swiftly atop the clear, deep golden. -A quiet aroma, typical of the region apparently, produces some sweet cereal allusions, and not much more. -Honey and wet cereal keep things interesting, but can?t stir up any emotion in me. -Supporting hops are felt towards the end, but everything is so timid. -Neder next door was much better the day we visited. |
| Brauerei Neder in Forchheim |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:29:26 AM |
| Now this is a weirdly-populated brewery! Situated on the same street as 2 other small breweries(!!), this was definitely the most characterful of them all. My wife was the only woman in the place, and probably with good reason. Apparently, the men that day came to "let go", "relax", and not be judged. And it shows. Let?s leave it at that. Beautiful paintings on the wall, lamp fixtures were small replicas of boiling tanks, plants are lined up on the windowsill, decorations are crowded but well-chosen. We had the Schwarze Anna and Kellerbier from the bottle, and both were very good examples of their respective styles. Much better beer quality than Hebendanz next door imho, and that ambiance is...memorable. ;) Kellerbier (bottled review): -A lofty head bobs atop the hazy orange. -Balanced hop herbs and malty structure provide ample enjoyment. -Another beautiful extraction job offers a lascivious body. -Oranges and coriander leaves quietly peek through the otherwise low-key aroma. -Herbal hop bitterness is frank and down to earth. -A very drinkable and full-bodied kellerbier, with all the classic signposts of what I understand of the style. From the bottle at the brewery. A bottle drunk back home a month later seemed to have lost most of its hoppiness, and was overcome by the yeast character. A shadow of the fresh one I had purchased and drank at the pub itself. From very good to okay. Schwarze Anna (bottled review): -Ample head sits over the opaque blackness. -Roasted malt bitterness and molasses efficiently attract in both aroma and flavor profile. -Huge malts and perfect carbonation make for a smashing body. -Dark chocolate and nuts roam in this very fine schwarzbier. -Not the most complex example, but it?s so rich and satisfying! |
| Brauerei Hennemann in Sambach |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:26:31 AM |
| Another typical Franconian countryside brewery, situated in the village center (it?s a tiny village anyway), right next to the church. You?d be quite unlucky if you didn?t see an olden tractor bark by when you are sitting there for a beer or three. Their 2 beers, Zwicklbier and Lagerbier, are remarkably similar, but moreover very tasty and rich, focused on scrumptious malt extraction. They also have a drinks shop behind the brewery, with some soft drinks, their own beers, and the Rittmayer Weissbier. If you feel like getting more beer when you?re here, just head in any direction and you?ll hit another brewery before 3 kilometers. Such is the wonder of Franconia! Zwicklbier (tap and bottled review): -A coulis of maple syrup garnishes the full yet discreet sweet malt aroma. -Creamy foam lays upon the glowing russet. -A luscious body galantly develops caramel malt and toastiness. -This is quite simply all about the malt?s here, beautifully extracted malts. -The supporting hop bitterness is sequenced perfectly. -Could this be an unbunged version of their Lagerbier? Or a younger version? They are so alike! Lagerbier (tap review): -An exact russet colour replica of their Zwicklbier, with the same creamy head. -Crème brûlée dances for the nose, alongside some candied berries. -Hay-like dryness and grassy hops both rise smoothly in the finish. -Caramel malts and toastiness are gorgeously brought forth. -This is ridiculously similar to the Zwicklbier, in all aspects! Maybe this is simply a longer-lagered version of the first? Still, someone from the brewery confirmed to us that they were both different recipes...Hmmmm. |
| Brauerei Barnikel in Herrnsdorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:23:51 AM |
| This brewery has belonged to the same family since 1366!! In-credible. The decor is of a standard Franconian countryside brewery, lots of wooden tables and grandmotherly comfort. The beers were sadly off when we visited, even the Lager which was vom Fäss. The bottled Dunkel was infected, but the Rauchzart was rich and tasty, although bothered by a parcel of diacetyl. I?d like to come back if these issues are cleared up. The brewery is not located on the street where the bus will drop you off, but rather a side street right behind it. Rauchzart (bottled review): -Dark burgundy, with a ring of head to decorate. -Pleasant roastiness, caramel and amicable smoke live within a healthy body. -Butterscotchy currents evoke a possible diacetyl attack. -Subtle berries frolick around the maltiness once in a while. -I have a feeling here, after having 3 beers of theirs and reading other people?s comments, that their beers are terribly inconsistent. A shame, really. Lager (tap review): -Bready malt is inconvienced by approaching diacetyl. -A veil of head covers the clear golden gown. -Caramel sweetness in rather thin bodies don?t exactly agree with my palate. -Puréed bananas, yellow apples, and French toast make a fun breakfast. -There are many other better examples of this ilk, Mönchsambacher?s, Kraus?s, Drei Kronen Schesslitz?s, and on, and on... Dunkel (bottled review): -A ring of head circles the dark brown gown. -Some fruity tartness in the aroma startles and worries. -Caramel sweetness clashes with the squashed red fruit. -Feels like an actively carbonated red wine vinegar, or marinade gone awry. -There is no date notched on the bottle, but that?s what they served us at the brewery, so... |
| Brauerei Wagner in Merkendorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:20:19 AM |
| A very friendly countryside locale, full of regular patrons playing cards. Every beer they offered that day was okay, but all were very approachable to the point of nearing blandness. The Weisse was my favorite simply because it didn?t make me investigate it to find any flavors (and they were well presented as well), but others were simply very timid and lacking in character. The next time I?m in Merkendorf, I will head straight for Brauerei Hümmel, only a few steps away. Weisse (tap review): -Plentiful banana esters and frolicking yeast tickle the nose. -The hazy yellow is covered by a creamy head. -Mouthfeel is well-fed, rich but drinkable. -Finishes softly, with yeast brushes and doughy cereals. -I?m happy to see that Joss and Joris got here on a better day; all we got, except this Weizen, was bland and uninspired. Ungespundetes Lagerbier (tap review): -Fruity cereal and diluted caramel form a curious nose. -Caramel comes back in the flavor, shyly, undecided if it?s going to take control or let another component attempt balance. -The smooth carbonation can?t help it, there?s just not much going on here. -There is but a ring of foam around the veiled bronze. -Body is relatively thin for an Ungespundetes, Spezial?s must be twice as nourishing at least. Märzen (tap review): -Dry cereal and peppery hoppiness first greeted me, politely. -A ring of head evaporates from the filtered dark golden. -Some dry hay blades rest on running caramel. -Body is a little thin again; I don?t think they were getting as good an extraction as they can have. Other people here have tasted much better results it seems. Pils (tap review): -Some citrusy hops escape the timid aroma. -There is barely a ring of head to crown the pale yellow. -Body is frail, and near lifeless. -Straw is looking for hops to help it out, but is still waiting. -A few buildings away, Hümmel had a much better pilsner that day. |
| Brauerei Hummel in Merkendorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:14:45 AM |
| This place is a real gem in the Franconian countryside. The brewer here is really having fun, and it shows. He had 10 available beers when we visited! This is particularly impressive when you consider the fact that most breweries around these parts are in the 1-4 beers range. Moreover, these beers were all at least decent, but in some cases brilliant. The 5 on tap were all clean and flavorful, the Pils being my favorite. Of the 5 bottled (which I brought back home), the Räucherator (smoked doppelbock) is the definite knockout imho, a truly complex, scrumptious, and never exaggerating lager. The place has your typical Franconian countryside decor, so a small room with long, wooden tables, and a group of old men playing cards. Classic. Check these guys out, they?re only a few kilometers from Bamberg. Räucherator Doppelbock (bottled review): -A languid foam shield reigns atop the royal ruby red. -A richly tapestried perfume projects salty red meats, earthy smoke, and therapeutic berry fruitiness. -An expertly designed body of wealth and nourishment offers all of the flavors portrayed in the aroma, and then some. -Wooden hop bitterness splendidly supports the generous maltiness. -A superb smoked doppelbock, never excessive, but never timid, an object of beauty. -Next time I?m in Merkendorf, I?m buying a lot more than a couple bottles. Pils (tap and bottled review): -Wealth reaches the nose in the form of hay, bread, and fresh cereals. -Pretty lacing hangs above the scant head and clear golden gown. -Huggable mouthfeels are intrinsic to Franconia apparently. -Earthy, wooden, and grassy hops meld into a doughy, bitter finale. Märzen (bottled review): -A sheet of foam protects the clear, orange gown, drawing bubbly lacing. -Bready, toasted maltiness evokes that of a wealthy pils. -Wooden hops, pils malt, and orangey fruitiness converse in friendly tones. -The body is rich, yet drinkable, a Franconian standard. -Peaches deepen the aroma. -Willful, supporting herbal hops convey ample bitterness. Räucherla Märzen (tap review): -A ring of head circles the clear copper/amber. -A whispering fruity smoke makes up a diplomatic aroma. -Flavor presents stronger smoke, and may be compared to Spezial?s levels of smokiness. -Earthiness closes the glass, along with drops of water. Maibock Hell (tap review): -A ring of head surrounds the clear golden. -Aroma is bland for a maibock, a few more hops or honeyed malts would have been nice. -Hay and honey do appear in the flavor profile, thankfully, ably balanced to an earthy hoppy bitterness. -The soft effervescence is comfortable, and the malts know how to take advantage of this fact. -A decent maibock hell, but Klosterbräu makes a much more enticing example, imho. Kellerbier (tap review): -A shy aroma proposes earthy hops and passionfruit. -Earthy, wooden hops are tame for the style, I was expecting a little more hoppiness than the Pils, admittedly. -The natural carbonation builds another stupendous mouthfeel. -Bitterness is weak, this one is more about the malts? structure than most kellerbiers I?ve had. Weissbier (tap review): -Some tartness escapes the nose in the form of citrus fruit. -Funky flavors whirl around the banana esters, leading to light tartness again. -The creamy head atop a hazy yellow-beige had announced a classic weizen... |
| Brauerei und Gasthof Drei Kronen in Memmelsdorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:12:28 AM |
| A beautifully-kept brewery/hotel/restaurant with a slightly upscale feel to it (for a Franconian brewery anyway). The food we had was above average for the region, and the service was very professional. The main reason you?ll visit I imagine is for the beer, so you?d probably like to know they had 3 beers on when we visited, all vom Fäss. The Stöffla, a mildly-smoked lager was very delicate and fit well with the meal, but disappointed in its lack of assertiveness (compared to Spezial?s or Schlenkerla?s smoked beauties for example). The Hefe Pils, an unfiltered pils, was very shy yet nourishing, lacking decent levels of hoppiness for the style. In light of this, we skipped the Lager, and went a few buildings down to Brauerei Höhn, just to change venues. Such is the paradise that is Franconia. All in all, a very nice place for a meal and a few beers, but don?t expect any gambrinal masterpieces here. Stöffla (tap review): -Pancetta and feeble smoke mingles with herbal and vegetal tones. -Smoke is more prominent in the flavor than the aroma. -The rich mouthfeel is driven by natural carbonation and well-extracted maltiness. -The veil of head laces atop the reddish copper. -Dirty apricots, dusted earth. -Finishes a little too subtly, but is crafted with finesse. Hefe Pils (tap review): -Whipped cream foam atop a lightly hazed pale golden. -Grassy hops barely appear in the dry, bland aroma. -Lychee esters are obvious in the sweet fruitiness, accompanied by honeymelon and a citrusy touch. -This was served pretty warm, intriguing. -Herbal and grassy hops show up discreetly in the flavor profile. -This is rather clean for an unfiltered pils, not too yeasty, and, well, not that pilsner-like either. -The lean body is a little too easy to drink, while not challenging or hooking the tastebuds. |
| Brauerei Höhn in Memmelsdorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:10:12 AM |
| Another small brewery on Memmelsdorf?s Hauptstrasse, a few meters only from Brauerei Drei Kronen. They only brew one beer at Höhn, a severely unfiltered landbier, called Görchla. It was full of character and fruity esters, with yeast swirling about dancing with the hops. Well, you can see my rating for more info. Bottles are available for purchase in many formats, even 3-liter bottles! We didn?t eat here, since we had already eaten at Drei Kronen, but the food being served around us looked very interesting and to similar high standards as imposed by Drei Kronen. The whole place is very classy for the Franconian countryside, even the bathrooms, which were by far the cleanest, shiniest, and most modern I saw on my trip. When visiting Memmelsdorf, you must visit these 2 small breweries! Both are right in the center of town, looking onto the main bus stop, so you have no reason to avoid either. ;) Görchla (tap review): -Earthy, citrusy cereals fly above the glass. -A thick head remains atop the murky orange, this is severely unfiltered! -Peachy fruitiness infiltrates the dry haystack and leaves. -The grassy, spicy hopping is subdued but fitting. -Another landbier with a rich but drinkable body, all in the purpose of making a complex but sessionable lager. -Aftertaste is yeasty and fruity, shyly hopped. |
| Brauerei Witzgall in Schlammersdorf |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:06:34 AM |
| As it was sunny and balmy, we sat in the yard behind the brewery and the pub, where most locals were that day. They only had the Völlbier from the tap, which was a fun quaff, but nothing as challenging as their Landbier, which was served from the bottle. I liked the latter so much that I asked to bring back a bottle, which the friendly matron gave me for free! Great conversations with the curious locals, very good beer, relax atmosphere, what more could you want from a Franconian countryside brewery? Landbier (bottled review): -Great bobbing foam recedes swiftly into the krug. -Grapefruity, spicy (gingery?), and herbal hops form a seductive perfume. -Grassy, peppery hop bitterness surveys the back of the tongue for quite a while. -The tropical fruitiness functions efficaciously with the hops. -Active, but soft carbonation serves the delicate body well. -A marriage of complexity, and tasteful drinkability. Vollbier (tap review): -Golden clarity benefits but from a veil of head. -Fresh cereal and caramel politely entice. -Effervescent carbonation is still softer than the usual gassed up lager, but evokes a frail body in this particular case. -Simple-minded maltiness is still effective. -Finishes softly, with whispering hop bitterness. -This doesn?t evoke Franconian lagers at all, strangely enough. |
| Brauerei Kraus in Hirschaid |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:03:39 AM |
| A pretty extensive beer menu was available when we visited, 8 house beers were available in all, which is rare in the region. We had the Lagerbier, a classic hoppy and well-built ungespundetes lager, and the Hirschentrunk, a lightly-smoked beer which was indeed very subtle, while still being an entertaining quaff. The white asparagus in hollandaise sauce turned out to be white asparagus with butter, and the accompanying potatoes were standard quality. We lunched and drank in the nicely shaded biergarten behind the Gaststätte. I?d go back if I were to pass through Hirschaid again. Lagerbier (tap review): -A dancing, classy, grassy, herbal hops flavor and bitterness soothes the soul. -A clean and drinkable body enhances the sunny experience. -Bread, cereal sweetness, and herbal hop all invite further gulps. -A veil of foam almost shields the unfiltered dark gold. -Cereal freshness, and even caramel, drop the curtain. Hirschen Trunk (tap review): -Peachy sweetness and earthy, smoky toffee deliver a choice aroma. -There is scant foam over the copper/russet gown. -Wooden, earthy smoke reappears, well-mannered, in the svelte body. -A little too clean for my tastes in rauchbier, though the caramel maltiness is certainly appropriately built. |
| Brauerei Barth-Senger in Schesslitz |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:01:53 AM |
| Now this is a unique place. Four long tables make up the pub, easily filled by blue-collar workers working nearby. There is one beer on gravity cask, a well-balanced, flavorful, very quenching Völlbier. The people here have a fun tradition of knocking on every occupied table when they get in, a gesture of salute which took me by surprise at first. They do the same when they leave as well, so be ready to do it yourself when you leave after your satisfying pint! Vollbier (tap review): -Majestic head thrones atop the copper clarity, designing impressive lacing. -Convincing caramel maltiness agrees with the earthy, resinous hoppiness in both aroma and flavor. -An embracing herbal hop bitterness happily stays, producing a drying effect. -The soft, prickly carbonation renders a great mouthfeel. -Lovely, clean, drinkable authenticity from the gravity cask; a regional standard it seems. |
| Brauerei Drei Kronen in Schesslitz |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 10:00:31 AM |
| We waited for the place to open up for dinner after their midday break (from 2 to 5), but at 5:15 there was still no sign of anyone inside. The door was open though, so we walked about in the schwemm until the matron showed up. She looked obviously worried that we wanted to eat something (the lights had remained closed in the Gaststätte), but luckily I was only there for a taste of their ungespundetes Lagerbier, otherwise known as Schäazer Lagerbier. So the grandmotherly matron set me up in the yard at the back of the schwemm, between the pub/restaurant and the actual brewery. The Lagerbier was rich and very drinkable, a very good example of Franconian brewing knowledge. I wouldn?t mind coming back here to get a bottle of their Weizenbock, or just to sit in the small Gaststätte and actually get a better feel for the place. Lagerbier (tap review): -A huge head sits atop the golden transparence, receding to a veil. -Creamy cereal delicately attract and deliver what they had promised. -Straw and toasted malts are carefully carved. -Moist passages encourage drinkability, but this one goes a little too far I think. -Again, the soft carbonation helps the mouthfeel. -Aftertaste is shy, with some supporting, wooden hops. -Maltiness evolves into delicate honey sweetness with time. -Another Franconian lager which grows on you the deeper you get into your pint. |
| Mahrs - Bräu in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:36:04 AM |
| Right in front of Keesmann, this is yet another classic beer establishment in Bamberg, with wooden warmth and 2 gravity cask beers at a time, namely the Ungespundetes and the Pils. Both were okay, but finished with a mineral touch which suggested hard water. We sat in the biergarten, and it took forever to get service. The waitress, while being very nice, was apparently the only one serving the Gaststätte and biergarten at once. The biergarten is very comfy though, and makes for a pleasant experience. Ungespundetes (bottled and tap review): Funky, dusty earth gets quickly acquainted with the prevalent, quite dry yeast and grassy hops...Oranges swim through the tired body as dust reappears in the back...Not expressive enough for my tastes, a bit chaotic too... The gravity cask version at the brewery was slightly better with its earthy and grassy hop flavors mingling with caramel sweetness, but the dry, mineral water finish and aqueous feel were detracting from the pleasure to be had. There are much better examples around Franconia. Pilsner (tap review): -The thick foam recedes to a ring around the clear golden. -The smooth, full body, emulates thickened water after getting acquainted to it. -Finishes with a mineral touch and shy hoppiness. -Some hay converses with the fruitiness of pears and plantanes. -Both beers on gravity cask here were extremely low in carbonation and ended in a watery, mineral note which suggested either a too hard brewing water, or simply the fact that they don?t handle natural carbonation as well as most Franconian breweries. Weisse Bock (bottled review): From a clear fruity bubblegum perspective, introspective bready yeast appears...Floating grapes and prunes encounter gloating cloves...Lighter spiciness than Aventinus but as pleasantly fruity, without reaching the master?s level... |
| Klosterbräu in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:32:12 AM |
| Beautiful establishment, the oldest still-running brewery in Bamberg. The beers are very good (especially the Maibock Hell, if you are in season), and the food is your classic regional fare. Staff is indeed very friendly, lively, and very helpful. This place is worth revisiting every time you?re in Bamberg, I?m sure. Maibock Hell (tap and bottled review): -Ample foam protects the clean bronze/golden, and laces admirably. -At first, honey and alcohol is prominent in the nose, not unlike the Czech světlé speciální sub-style. -Straw and wooden hops soon attempt to balance out the sleek aroma. -Flavorwise, a haystack stands guard and keeps the alcohol and sweetness in check. -The frothy carbonation lightens the deal, but the body is pretty lean anyway. -Apple and pear fruitiness brings it even closer to drinkability. -A healthy peppery, herbal hoppiness builds in the back, fitting with the hay. -This just gets better as you get acquainted to it, and delve deeper into your pint. Schwärzla (tap review): -Plenty of foam tops the blackness and its brown and amber highlights. -Roasted maltiness and raisins tingle in the nose. -Roastiness mingles with the caramel sweetness, as figs and raisins communicate healthily. -Carbonation isn?t overdone, letting the malts express themselves. -Aftertaste is quietly roasty, and dark chocolate expresses humble origins. -This is a well-built schwarzbier, simple and straight to the point. Gold-Pils (bottled review): -A veil of head drapes the clear, deep golden hues. -Bready, toasty pilsner maltiness is nicely laid out in the aroma. -Straw slowly dries out the cushiony pils malt flavors. -The full maltiness and doughy body is very enjoyable. -Finishes predictably, but still pleasantly, with decorous herbal hop bitterness. |
| Greifenklau in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:28:42 AM |
| Up top the Kaulberg hill, on Laurenziplatz, sits this traditional Franconian establishment, which looks and feels like a countryside brewpub, rather than a Bamberg brewery. The old matron could be anyone?s grandmother, caring and friendly, and the biergarten in the back has a bierkeller feel to it that can only be equalled by Spezial Keller and Wilde Rose Keller in Bamberg. The Lagerbier is a fantastic ungespundetes lager, well-hopped with beautifully extracted malts. I will definitely come back everytime I?m in Bamberg. Lagerbier (tap review): -Decent foam laces the steinkrug, shading the colour. -Herbal, grassy, floral hops approach soapiness at times. -The soft carbonation makes the malt?s sustaining job easier; this is the standard Franconian quality extraction. -A firm herbal hop bitterness lingers. -Flavor brings forth what the aroma had announced, but in a more convinced manner. -Very much a countryside Franconian lager, in the comfort of old Bamberg. Pils (bottled review): -A ring of head crowns the clear, pale yellow. -Dry straw and fine herbal hops announce a skillfully-crafted flavor profile. -Bready malts and spicy, herbal hops are aptly juxtaposed in the cleanest of manners. -A wooden, herbal hop bitterness is subtle but effective. -The rather lean mouthfeel helps the crispness. -This is a sanitized, flavorful German Pils, which doesn?t have the intricacies of Greifenklau?s ungespundetes Lagerbier, but that remains a decent companion for long bar sessions. |
| Brauerei Spezial in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:23:25 AM |
| Classic Bamberg establishment, brewing all rauchbiers, save for the Ungespundetes Lagerbier. The Rauchbier Lager and the Ungespundetes are the only 2 on tap, the rest being available in bottles. The food was your standard Franconian fare, and similarly priced to its peers. Service is fast and friendly, particularly efficient even though the crowds are demanding when full. The hotel rooms upstairs are also recommended, clean, nice, comfortable. One of the top beer places in this lager paradise. Ungespundet (tap review): -A sticky foam recedes to a ring on the cloudy golden brightness. -Love handles galore in the mouthfeel, tons of wet hay to bite into, aided by the natural carbonation of course. -Citrusy cereal are a bit muddled mind you, the mouthfeel is so rich, they must be in awe. -Finishes pretty softly, with herbal hop flavors and bitterness, although slightly higher levels would have been lovely. -Not bright enough to stand out amongst the best (in my tastes), but this landbier could not be better balanced and rich. Another high quality product from Spezial. Rauchbier Lager (bottled and tap review): A subtle smoky mist rises and lingers atop a deeply beautiful rural simplicity...Oranges lying on the ground with a few grassy vegetables from the garden...Caramel winks meditatively as the chirp of a single bird breaks a profound silence... The wooden cask version at the brewery has a better mouthfeel, fed by natural carbonation, but satisfies as much as the bottle. A well-crafted rauchlager, no doubt. Rauchbier Märzen (bottled review): -A creamy head tops the dark red elegance. -A memorable aroma of earthy, smoky maltiness is linked to innumerable candied berries. -A succulent body remains drinkable, as is never as drying as Schlenkerla?s own Märzen. -Flavors are an exact replica of what the aroma had suggested, if a little more tame. -Earthy, wooden hop bitterness tops off the elaborate labyrinth. -A perfectly-executed, deluxe rauchbier which simply deserves as much notoriety as Schlenkerla?s. Weissbier (bottled review): -Generous foam covers the cloudy, dark orange. -Banana esters erupt, just in front of an earthy, wooden smokiness, which is lightly perceptible in the aroma. -The smooth yet active carbonation helps towards a creamy mouthfeel. -The dry fruitiness slowly fades into a doughy yeastiness. -Tamarind consults the nose. -Weizen lovers will like it, staunch rauchbier lovers might be disappointed by its subtleties, some might be weirded out by the rauch malt/weizen yeast combo, but the open-minded will find a well-crafted product with a nicely-developed personality. |
| Brauerei Keesmann in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:18:29 AM |
| More modern decoration than most establishments in Bamberg, but then again for North America this would be old. Everyone there was drinking the Herren Pils from tap, so we followed along. It?s a decent enough pils, but nothing special. The food though was a hit, the spargelsuppe (cream of white asparagus) was sumptuous, and the matjesfilets were equally delicate and flavorful. One of the best meals we had in our trip, but then again it doesn?t take much to stand out there food-wise. Sternla Unfiltriert Lager (bottled review): Any first impressions? -A bobbing head collapses into the peachy golden. -Bready pils malt makes up a very shy aroma. -Crisp herbal hop bitterness is splendidly balanced by the toasty, bready malts. -The comfortable carbonation lets the suave maltiness take the lead. What if you dig deeper? -A knowledgeable herbal, earthy, leafy hop bitterness amicably remains. -The biscuity bread crumbs come back after the hops? bitter scenario; this one is really balanced all the way. -Well-crafted throughout...what else can you expect from these Franconians? Herren Pils (tap review): -Wooden hops reach lightly citrusy fruitiness in the aroma. -Foam disappears within the clear, pale golden. -This is very light-bodied, and bureaucratically clean. -Spicy, wooden, herbal hops procure pleasant moments for the tastebuds. -A beauteous bitterness produces a drying effect. -Although a fun name, this Herren Pils is far from a "man?s" pilsner. -This is a well-made, flavorful yet accessible German pils, which doesn?t feel Franconian at all, imho. |
| Brauerei Fässla in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:11:00 AM |
| Superb brewery (visually) right in front of Spezial on Obere Königstrasse. They have 2 beers on tap, the Pils and Lagerbier, the rest being available in bottles. The 2 I had weren?t especially Franconian in confection, but were clean and drinkable. Lots of characters stand in the schwemm on weekends, makes for some very curious people watching! Gold Pils (tap review): -A ring of foam stands above the transparent, aqueous golden. -Dry hay and herbal supporting hops make up most of the flavor profile. -Very clean, watery, and frail-bodied, just too light and characterless for my tastes in pilsner. -Aroma and flavor are consequential, no surprises here. -Herbal hop bitterness lingers amicably. -Tiny, spritzy bubbles can?t revive this serviceable, but too-easy-for-the-region pils. Zwergla (bottled review): -Frothy foam and clear reddish-brown hues adopt an icea tea look after but a few minutes. -Like their Pils, this has an aqueous, überclean feel, which is ridiculously drinkable. -Toffee and roastiness present simple ideas to the flavor spectrum. -Charred meats subtly suggest depth in the nose. -Flaky roasted malt bitterness rises in the back. -The tiny bubbling and lean body are too slippery for my tastes. -Everything?s so timid and watery, this is ultimately boring and appears to be brewed for the masses. |
| Brauerei Heller ('Schlenkerla') in Bamberg |
| Comment from Martin T. on 6/17/2006 8:05:00 AM |
| A classic Franconian tap room with gorgeous dark wood everywhere, lamp ornaments, carved chairs, etc. The abbey room is particularly spectacular. The food is your standard regional fare, and was reasonably priced. The only beer on tap (gravity cask) is the Märzen, and it is quite simply a hallmark of the genre. An absolute must visit when in Bamberg, no doubt.
Schlenkerla Märzen (bottled review): Eating prosciutto while walking in a damp, smoked filled tunnel...Wooden torchlight in hand, you finally reach the end of the corridor and find a creamy apple pie waiting for you...Quite an illuminating, heavy fog... The tap version at the Schlenkerla Ausschank in Bamberg is even a little smokier if you can imagine that, but also very drinkable. The lingering, coating smoke is beautifully blended with quaffability, and the finishing drying effect just makes you want to have more. As good as the bottle, though more quenching. Schlenkerla Urbock (bottled review): Hang gliding over flamboyantly rich smoked gouda lakes, earthy grilled fumes reach your dripping saliva...I could just sail over this ubiquitous fragrance for hours...The voracious appetite which is created fuels the dive and welcomes the sweet dryness of a sticky, muddy roast...Light vinous mirth ensues, as balanced and quaffable flambéd characters reign...A centripetal force of bountiful rejoicing... Schlenkerla Weizen (bottled review): Beefy smoked salmon gracefully pushing upstream in rich, minty banana rapids...Sparse citrus trees look down on the splendid spectacle and sometimes send down some of their fruit...Museum-quality smoked malt which fades into a somehat faint aftertaste...Quite a thirst-spawning and mind-opening experience... |
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