Aventinus beer

Many a beer geek will say that this is the best beer on the planet.

And many won't. I'm one of them. Not that it's a bad beer. It's just not a style I like.

The best term for it actually is a Weizenbock - wheat bock. And, yes, it's an ale, as German wheat beers always are (with maybe one or two scattered exceptions). Brewed with the same sorts of yeasts as "regular" hefeweizens, but to bock (or doppelbock) strength. Considerably maltier than the light, refreshing everyday weizenbock.

To me, the distinctive weizen yeast flavor doesn't mix well with the complex malt. But that's just me. A lot of people love the the combination, and it is widely regarded as the quintessential example of the style.

-Steve

Its one of my favorites, a weizen doppelbock. I like it especially with a few years on it.

Same here-I prefer a nice , hoppy Pale Ale or an IPA myself-

hefeweizens,

This one does the now you see me, now you don't trick in Casper Wyoming.

When I first tried it I thought it was a bit overpowering but...I've since learned to really like it. I didn't know that it was one that could benefit from aging. I'll do that the next time it shows up.

It's one of the beers I put on my all-time favorites. Having it fresh in Munich last Oktoberfest was an especial treat (hee, hee, is that even English?).

How did it differ in taste to the stuff we get here?(the US)

Best regards, Bill

on a similar note I ran across the Aventinus eisbock for the first time the other day unfortunately I was in transit and not in a position to carry it around. Its a bit of a trip to get back to the store I found it in but I'll do it if its worth it. So that's my question... is the eisbock interesting, different and/or better then the regular weizenbock or is it just a stepped up version.

mike

I've never had the Eisbock Aventinus but... if the Castle Eggenberg Urbock Dunkel Eisbock (what a mouthful) is a typical Eisbock, the Aventinus must not be too shabby.

Best regards, Bill

I can say that the first time I had it, I really didn't like it at all. I was later encouraged to try it again a couple of years later. The second time it was incredible. I don't know if my initial bad experience was a bad bottle or just an inexperienced palate, but its one of my faves now.

Oh, I don't know... I mean, it was a year ago, and I'm not a guy who takes tasting notes... But you know, fresh (in a good way), yummy with kaesespaetzle, magical. Just being there is magical. I also got to try bierschnapps at the same cafe, and I didn't think I'd ever find any. Magic. :-)

Heh, as I said in another note, I don't take tasting notes, but I like the Eisbock a lot too. I think it's mostly stepped up a bit from Aventinus, but that alone is an interesting thing. You gotta like high-alcohol beers maybe though...

Hmm, I do have one of each in the fridge, but I'm not sure when I'll get to drinking them since I'm away this weekend. But if I think of it, I'll try to do a back to back and note what I find different about them and post here. No promises though.

Bierschnapps?? You got to be kidding me??

Best regards, Bill

I think the Eggenberg is more typical than the Aventinus of an Eisbock, as there aren't many eisbocks made from weissbier. IMO, Aventinus is better. Is incredible. Buy as much as you can get, store some in the bomb shelter for the next generation to know what beer should taste like.

--NPD

Nope! Hey, the Germans love their schnapps, and they love their beer. Why not both?

I want to say it was actually made from Aventinus, but I can't swear to it. I'd thought they had the Eisbock there too, but someone else in this group (IIRC) said the Eisbock is an import only product.

well I'm headed back to the city this weekend so I'm thinking I'll pick up a bottle or to but at $9 a pop I think the next generation is on their own.

ND: Westmalle Tripel, just reappeared in my area after being off the shelf for a couple years at least. Still FG. Also picked up bottles of the Anderson Valley dubbel and tripel which up until now I've only seen on Draught and only at the Toronado. Its going to be a good evening.

mike

Hasn't Sierrra Nevada been making bierschnapps for awhile now?

Maybe, but I don't find it around here. Sierra Nevada beers, yes, but not bierschnapps. If anyone knows better, I'd love to know about it...

Forget it... The Aventinus seems to have some lactic taste to it, like the bottle is a bit off/contaminated. I may comment on the Eisbock, which I haven't opened yet, but it won't be a fair comparison since the Aventinus I have isn't totally up to snuff (first bad bottle *I* ever got, and it's not terrible despite the off taste).