Beer # 260 Samichlaus Classic
Doppelbock 14.0% ABV
Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
I love controversy and this beer certainly qualifies. When it first came to Ontario there was a big backlash over the name of this beer "Samichlaus," which is Swiss German for Santa Claus. It was feared that this would appeal to kids and make them want to drink it. Honestly I doubt that many kids would know Samichlaus would mean Santa Claus without being told and I think any kid who tried this skull splitting 14% ABV Doppelbock might be turned off beer for a while... but that's just me.
So back to that number. Yes, you read that right it's 14% ABV Which makes this one of the Lagers with the highest alcohol percentage. (Yes there is a race on lately to get the highest alcohol in beers with some topping 65% but they are usually ales... and that's another post.) The beer has been produced since 1979, it is originally Swiss, being produced by the Hürlimann Brewery in Zurich When the brewery closed in 1997, the beer stopped production only to be revived in 2000 when Schloss Eggenberg took over production with the original recipe. The beer itself is only brewed once a year on December 6th, St. Nicholas' feast day. It is then cold lagered for 10 months and then bottled for sale in the Christmas season of the following year. This bottle bears a bottling date of 2015 so it was brewed on December 6th 2014. Interestingly the best before date is actually September of 2020! (see what a little extra alcohol can do! Maybe I should buy a few more and keep them and try them in 2020)
Deep breath, here we go...
Pours a burnt-umber colour with a skiff of an off-white head that disperses quickly. Alcohol is the first scent on the nose along with some whisky, cooked grains, some port, wood, dried fruit, and sugar. First sip is... HOLY CRAP! Wow. alcohol is super present as is deep caramelised sugars, a licorice/ouzo tone, hints of vanilla and rum and fruitcake. Taste gets progressively port-like. Lips are left sticky by residual sugars. Aeration gives us a slight cooked feeling, not unlike a Madeira or a tawny port. Finish is hints of vanilla.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 4/6 PASSExperience: 5/6 PASS
Christmas Cheer: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Final Thoughts:
This is a really intense beer, despite it's small size i would still prefer to share this with someone. and it definitely needs food, do not attempt this beer on an empty stomach. I think you should enjoy this beer more like a whiskey. Put it in a snifter, not too cold, and savour it with a friend, maybe with some of that dreaded fruitcake.
Cheers
CJT
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