I just can’t keep away from this Aventinus stuff. And now, their Eisbock.
Paraphrased from the back of the bottle…up until the 1940′s, Aventinus was shipped all over Bavaria in containers lacking temperature control. Consequently, as one might expect traipsing through the cold and snow of southern Germany, the beer partially froze during transportation. People drank the beer, not realizing it was essentially a more concentrated version thanks to the separation of water from the liquid, and they enjoyed it immensely. A much stronger, more caramelized version of the regular doppelbock. And thus, a star was born.
In addition to the regular Aventinus, both of which can be picked up in bottles around town, I’m pretty sure Fitgers in Duluth has brewed an eisbock at some point. But other than that, I’m not familiar with any other local examples (anyone? Bueller?).
Poured with little head into a weizen glass. Big clove and banana aroma with a somewhat medicinal quality, likely due to the alcohol content. Like a warm piece of banana bread coated with gooey caramel, and then finished with a tinge of warm fusel alcohol. Taste is a sweet, syrupy, caramelized flavor, almost extract-like in its deep maltiness. More of the clove, with a nice mouthfeel concealing an incredibly deceiving 12% ABV. Almost like a nice Belgian quad in its rich caramelized quality. Regular Aventinus to the extreme. I could definitely see this pairing well with a stronger cheese, maybe a gouda or havarti.
Man, this is a great beer. As my buddy Aaron over at The Vice Blog said, you might consider making it your first and last beer of the evening.
Rating: A
August 25, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I had a 5 year old keg of this for my birthday party at the nile. I should turn 41 more often.
August 25, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Oh god, and I thought I was cool having a keg of Two Hearted for my wedding reception. That had to be incredible!
August 25, 2009 at 9:09 pm
It was amazing. Actually lasted a couple of days, because you just can’t have that many 12% eisbocks in a night.
August 25, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Very true. Not that you wouldn’t like to, though. Kind of reminds me of my experience at the Surly Three release over at your place…totally snuck up on me after a couple.
August 26, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This is a truly terrific beer. I think it’s a little peppery and tequila in some of it’s tones, at least that’s what I thought about it.
August 26, 2009 at 12:36 pm
The alcohol is certainly a factor in this one, so I can see where you’d get the tequila quality. Although most would have a hard time thinking it was 12% ABV, almost like port in its depth, really.