Sunday 28 February 2010

Now Drinking: Schneider Aventinus Weizen Eisbock

I don't know about you, but I'm just about ready for winter to be over. As I was taking off the security grilles at the shop the other day, in the pouring rain, I thought "This is odd, we've not had pouring rain for ages". That's because it's been mostly frozen, and fallen as snow.

I don't mind the snow, but I'm bored with winter. The only good thing about it is that my home cellar (a proper, unheated, slightly damp underground room) is at fridge temperature, which means that all of the beer I have is ready to drink (or will be after a few minutes in the glass). It's perfect for nights like this, when I come home after a stupidly busy day, and need something to satisfy me. Cold weather means big beers, and they don't come much bigger than Schneider's Aventinus Weizen Eisbock.

This bottle had sat long enough that the sediment was totally settled out, so after the first pour, and before the all-important swirl, the beer was perfectly clear. Out of curiosity, I took a sip - too obvious. Big, slightly hot, too much, even for a cold evening at the arse-end of winter. I gave the bottle a swirl to disturb the yeast sediment and added it. A storm cloud swirled through the glass, blocking out the light. Another taste, and a different beer is revealed. Both the taste and the texture have been enriched, with a silky smoothness being added to the rum-soaked dried fruit character, and a dusting of cinnamon, nutmeg and mace. It's still big, but it's balanced.

Beers like this only really work in the cold weather. They're a real seasonal treat, a reward for dealing with cold weather, or long, hard days at work, when you feel that you need to be nourished rather than refreshed. When it's cold out, there's nothing more satisfying than a well-made strong beer. If you believe that beers can act as punctuation for the day, then this beer is an emphatic full stop at the end of it. And what a lovely way to finish.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to miss winter when it's gone.

8 comments:

  1. What's the OG? Sorry, I'm showing my age there, I mean what's the ABV?

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  2. Ed - it's 12%abv. I should really start including basic facts like that in the text

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  3. Just came back from my extended birthday bash. Don Julio Reposado, Courvoisier Napoleon, Glenmorangie 25 year old, and about 5 large bottles of Grimbergen Double!! Where were you Avery?? You should have came!! The Beef Bourguignon was to die for!!! Don't feel like writing about it because I don't give a toss.
    No wine glasses were used in the piss up, but some fancy stemware was used. I slay the king of the wolves!! Nothing is impossible!! Dream your destiny!!

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  4. Several of us tried the Eisbock behind the bar at GBBF and found it to be an undrinkable alcohol bomb. Half was poured away.

    Mind you it was summer - allegedly.

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  5. Whorst - thanks for writing about your birthday bash and telling us that you won't be writing about it. It sounds good.

    Tandleman - I don't know what to say. I've had it many times, and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially last night. I'm surprised that it was classed as a drain-pour by such an experienced panel. I mean, you can taste the alcohol, for sure, but that's sort of the point, isn't it?

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  6. Too much so I'm afraid. Still, if I don't like it, all the more for you.

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  7. Quite so - we all know what a strain you can put on the Germany brewing industry when you visit.

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