Hopry Short # 11 | Schneider & Sohn | Aventinus | 12% ABV
Eisbock | Kelheim, Germany | Rating: 86/100
Eisbock is a style of beer that isn’t for the faint of heart. Typically clocking in at around 12 – 15% ABV, these beers can be a gloppy mess if enough bitterness doesn’t come to their rescue. Luckily for me, there is enough alchohol in the Schneider Aventinus Eisbock to have made up for any lack of hop bitterness. As the very dark brownish ruby liquid pours from the glass, a half a finger of head forms on the top of the beer. The aroma pops up out of the glass immediately because of the sheer strength of this beer. The smell is of dark syrupy fruits and leathery caramel. The taste is just as intense with miles of caramel and dark fruits attacking the tongue right away. You can certainly tell it’s a 12% beer, too. Having been only one of a few Eisbock I’ve had, this one was definitely one of the more enjoyable. And because it’s so readily available, why not go out and get one for yourself?
Up Next: Bell’s Expedition Stout
Others: Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Serge Gainsbourg (with Jane Birkin) – “69 Année Érotique”
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Posted by theReaper16 on October 26, 2010 at 10:42 AM
I love this beer.
BTW — the ABV% is listed incorrectly on the text of this review.
Posted by thehopry on October 26, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Thank you for catching that. It is updated now…
Posted by Leo Daly on October 26, 2010 at 12:07 PM
I find that with this beer it took about four bottles (not in one session!) to really get into the tastes. But now I absolutely love it. The subtle note of cracked black pepper and the tingle of alcohol are just wonderful. Great beer.
Posted by thehopry on October 26, 2010 at 1:33 PM
If you like black pepper as a component in beer you have to check out DFH Palo Santo Marron and Saint Somewhere Saison Athene. Two very different but amazing beers. And yes, this is a tasty one. A bit syrupy for my palate, but as I stated it was nice to have the booziness to help cut through it.
Posted by Leo Daly on October 27, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Yeah, the Palo Santo Marron, now that’s a tasty beer – kind of like chewing the leg off a very delicious chair. So woody. I’ve not had the chance to taste the Saison Athene, as despite its size and history with beer London has only a handful of craft beer shops. And as can be expected most of the stock is European, with the American stuff being very expensive. At least the Brewdog beers are reasonably cheap – and their newer Paradox range (The Arran and the Smokehead) are absolute stunners.
Posted by Gabriel M on October 26, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Kind of a coincidence, but I was just looking for this beer over the weekend. Unfortunately my local shops we out, but I’m hoping they’ll get some more in soon. This seems like a perfect alternative to an imperial stout or something equally as big on the upcoming cold winter nights. Definitely hoping to try one soon.
Oh, speaking of German and warming drinks, I am also a huge fan of gluhwein, which is a hot wine beverage, akin to a hot cider. My fiance and I traveled through Germany last winter and drank this whenever outside (and of course we drank all we could of fresh Paulaner and Franziskaner when indoors!)
Posted by thehopry on October 27, 2010 at 7:35 AM
It’s funny how things work because I literally just saw a case of this on the shelves here last night. And you are correct, this is as big as a huge stout but with a very different flavor profile. If you’ve ever had port wine you can sort of guess what it tastes like.
As for the gluhwein, I can honestly say I’ve never heard of it. Sounds interesting to say the least.
Mark Starr
Posted by Nicholas Probst on November 10, 2010 at 10:30 PM
For anyone interested in Germany’s many traditions (food and drink being only one small aspect of their rich, cultural heritage), I would say Gluehwein plays a significant role in adding to the overall understanding.
Posted by Nicholas Probst on November 10, 2010 at 10:19 PM
I’ve got this in my fridge right now–will probably tackle it tomorrow night, but it’s nice to have your session as an intro to the experience. Ironically, I’ve covered Serge Gainsbourg on my own blog, which I’ll have to listen to when I try the Aventinus. If you like, you can find that article by clicking below:
http://awakingsense.com/2010/09/28/filmfest-hamburg-2010/