12 oz. capped bottle
Braurei Schloss Eggenberg, Vorchdorf, Austria
Sampled: December 9, 2009
Before I indulge in the world’s strongest beer (Utopias, which has since been passed by Tactical Nuclear Penguin, I dug up this former record-holder.
For more than two decades, Samichlaus only came in one variety, but for 2008, it reintroduced Samichlaus Helles, a lighter incarnation of its fabulously strong lager. Samichlaus, formerly Swiss and now made by Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg in
The brewery resurrected the blond version the first time since 1986, and sat in my beer cave for nearly a year. Apparently, it brewed this "lighter" take just for the American market.
The lager has a massive nose of pepper and malt. Those flavors push into a medicinal arena, giving it a complexity not dissimilar from a fine single-malt Scotch whiskey. The malt radiates a little red fruit, with mild notes of apple and cranberry. A slight tartness arrives, then blends into the massive peppery finish that roles down the throat. Anyone hoping for hops should dampen those wishes quickly, because the bittering agent barely appears in Samichlaus Helles.
Samichlaus is the Swiss German word for Santa Claus, and I won't deny this massive brew deserves a special night once a year. But only once a year.
The fierce alcohol content does become burdensome after half a bottle. No one would mistake it for a malt liquor, but it doesn’t drink easily. The alcohol content imparts many rough edges not normally present in strong lagers. An entire bottle would ruffle most constitutions, so share.
While I didn’t compare them side-by-side, Samichlaus Helles does not seem overly lighter than its standard edition, but remains worth the effort. Save it for a cold night, when the incessant pepper won’t feel out of place.
Rating: 7.5/10
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