Choc Brewmaster's Signature Grätzer
A bottle of Brewmaster's Signature Grätzer from Choc Beer Company in Krebs, Oklahoma, at Oliver Twist in Stockholm.
Grätzer is a historic beer style named after the city of its origin: Grätz in Prussia (what is now Grodzsizk Wielkopolski in Poland). Though very popular a hundred years ago it had virtually died out by the end of the 20th century. This top-fermented beer style was characterized by its high hop bitterness and rich smokiness, but unlike the rauchbiers of Bamberg, the Grätzer was brewed from 100% oak-smoked wheat malt, not beechwood-smoked barley.
According to the bartender at Oliver Twist, this Grätzer had a strength of around 4% abv. It was released as part of brewmaster Michael Lalli's signature series, brewed at Pete's Place / Krebs Brewing Co just outside McAlester, Oklahoma.
It poured a slightly hazy, golden yellow color with an offwhite head. It sported a very interesting aroma, that struck me as "fruit bacon" (!) as the beer had a nice citrusy smell with a good dose of bacon. Mouthfeel was light with a good sourness and a fairly sharp carbonation. Flavor started out with a good smoke character, bonfire more than peat, with a mild citrus tone. It felt a bit short though, perhaps a bit thin?
Despite the short aftertaste, this was a really interesting and reasonably good beer - I really like that citrus and bacon combination.
Choc Brewmaster's Signature Grätzer
A bottle of Brewmaster's Signature Grätzer from Choc Beer Company in Krebs, Oklahoma, at Oliver Twist in Stockholm.
Grätzer is a historic beer style named after the city of its origin: Grätz in Prussia (what is now Grodzsizk Wielkopolski in Poland). Though very popular a hundred years ago it had virtually died out by the end of the 20th century. This top-fermented beer style was characterized by its high hop bitterness and rich smokiness, but unlike the rauchbiers of Bamberg, the Grätzer was brewed from 100% oak-smoked wheat malt, not beechwood-smoked barley.
According to the bartender at Oliver Twist, this Grätzer had a strength of around 4% abv. It was released as part of brewmaster Michael Lalli's signature series, brewed at Pete's Place / Krebs Brewing Co just outside McAlester, Oklahoma.
It poured a slightly hazy, golden yellow color with an offwhite head. It sported a very interesting aroma, that struck me as "fruit bacon" (!) as the beer had a nice citrusy smell with a good dose of bacon. Mouthfeel was light with a good sourness and a fairly sharp carbonation. Flavor started out with a good smoke character, bonfire more than peat, with a mild citrus tone. It felt a bit short though, perhaps a bit thin?
Despite the short aftertaste, this was a really interesting and reasonably good beer - I really like that citrus and bacon combination.