A unique style of beer is today’s gift: a Bavarian Zwickel. The lines translated from the can provide a description: Naturally pure cellar beer, unfiltered specialty. This beer is made with a cold fermenting yeast (known as lagering) and should preserve those flavors with its lack of filtration.
Kress - Bayrisch Zwickel
This beer fills the glass with a brown, copper color. Very little head forms and the liquid is completely opaque, as expected. I can’t even see my fingers on the other side of the glass.
The main character of this brew can be detected on the nose and palate. The yeast remaining in the beer provides a buttery, slightly tangy flavor. Combined with the malt it creates almost a slight butterscotch impression. I’m used to the floral, unique flavors of Belgian yeast featuring prominently in beer, but it’s nice to see another yeast variety hold the spotlight well.
The sweetness of bready malts are pulled back with mild, citrus hops with the impression of grapefruit skin. Carbonation is very low and the beer has a thick mouthfeel. Everything combines in a fair balance; even the prominent yeast keeps from being overbearing.
Nothing jumps out to grab your attention, but I enjoy the harmony of unique beer flavors utilized here. I’d definitely enjoy this one again if I ever saw it available.
Egerer again... or Schnaittach, Germany
Today makes three Egerer brews in a row. Although, I'm not sure if this is another rebrand of one of their own beers or contracted from another brewer. The name on the can, Kress, could mean Egerer has Brauerei Enzensteiner Familie Kreß produce this beer for them.
It’s like Egerer decided to live vicariously through alternate identities in this advent calendar. Brauerei Enzensteiner is a very small family owned brewery operating on their farm. If they do brew today's beer, there's no evidence of it on their website. There isn't much evidence of any beer on their website, but it is a very small volume production brewery, and if today's beer is contracted by Egerer it could be an exclusive type deal.
The Kress farm has been producing beer since 1998 and only once or twice a month. They're located in the quaint, rural Bavarian village of Schnaittach. Interestingly enough, the Wittelsbach family discussed yesterday (rulers of Bavaria for over 700 years) resided in Schnaittach for a period of years.
In the late 1300s, Rothenberg fortress grew into a small castle village when it was property of the Roman-German Bohemian king. When the king was deposed and Bavaria granted independence, the fortress became the hold of the Wittelsbach family.
Tomorrow will present the final beer in the German Brewers Advent Calendar. Sneak peek: it’s not another Egerer beer. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and are looking forward to a nice Christmas Eve. Until tomorrow, Prost!
Beer photographs by me. Picture of Germany: CCsource
Previous Advent Calendar entries: Intro - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22