Beer of the Weekend #216: Schild Brau Amber
This week, Bobblehead asked me for a beer recommendation. He and his Missus will be having dinner this weekend with a lover of Newcastle Brown Ale, and Bobblehead is in charge of bringing beer. “What,” he asked, “do you get the man who likes Newcastle? (Other than more Newcastle, that is...)”
I shot him a couple recommendations: Moose Drool, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Millstream Schild Brau, and Fuller’s London Pride. Schild Brau, I thought, would be the best local beer, and I wanted to send him my BotW review. However, after searching and double searching The Quiet Man archives I could not find a review for Schild Brau.
Could it be? Have I not yet reviewed Millstream’s Schild Brau? Nope, and I am remedying that tonight. So without further ado, let me officially introduce Schild Brau Amber, brewed by the Millstream Brewing Company of Amana, Iowa.
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles. The bottling month notch along the right side of the label is located at the “J” for January.
Appearance: Straight pour into a becker glass. Not the correct beerware, but it will do. The color is a light amber/copper. One finger of white head developed and dissipated almost immediately to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Mostly caramel and toffee, but there is a hint of chocolate to give it a little darker richness.
Taste: Mirrors the aroma and is very straightforward. Caramel, toffee, and a hint of chocolate. There is a subtle hop bitterness at the end of each sip.
Drinkability: Not much complexity, but it is tasty, rich, and very drinkable. As an Iowan I hate to say this, especially since this beer just won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup: when it comes to Vienna style lager, I think Trader Joe’s Vienna Style Lager beats Schild Brau. By a hair, though.
Fun facts about Schild Brau:
-Style: Both Millstream and BA classify it as a Vienna Lager:
-Price: $6.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 4.9 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Recommendations from the Millstream website are “Carmalized foods, such as Barbeque, Grilled Vegetables, Charbroiled Steak. Excellent with Pizza. Also try Sausages, Baked Ham, Pork chops, Smoked Fish.”
-Gravity: 13.6º Plato.
-IBU: 16.
-Color: 15 SRM.
-Schild Brau Amber hauled in three very prestigious awards in 2010. It was awarded a bronze medal at the North American Beer Awards, a gold at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition, and gold from the World Beer Cup.
-Millstream has apparently put the franchise tag on Schild Brau Amber, saying on the beer’s webpage that it is “our flagship brew.” Most microbrewers have a distinctive flagship beer that was usually their first offering, but, frankly, I have no clue what Millstream’s would be. I suppose this labeling is an effort to declare one.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.
I shot him a couple recommendations: Moose Drool, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Millstream Schild Brau, and Fuller’s London Pride. Schild Brau, I thought, would be the best local beer, and I wanted to send him my BotW review. However, after searching and double searching The Quiet Man archives I could not find a review for Schild Brau.
Could it be? Have I not yet reviewed Millstream’s Schild Brau? Nope, and I am remedying that tonight. So without further ado, let me officially introduce Schild Brau Amber, brewed by the Millstream Brewing Company of Amana, Iowa.
Serving type: Six 12-ounce bottles. The bottling month notch along the right side of the label is located at the “J” for January.
Appearance: Straight pour into a becker glass. Not the correct beerware, but it will do. The color is a light amber/copper. One finger of white head developed and dissipated almost immediately to leave a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: Mostly caramel and toffee, but there is a hint of chocolate to give it a little darker richness.
Taste: Mirrors the aroma and is very straightforward. Caramel, toffee, and a hint of chocolate. There is a subtle hop bitterness at the end of each sip.
Drinkability: Not much complexity, but it is tasty, rich, and very drinkable. As an Iowan I hate to say this, especially since this beer just won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup: when it comes to Vienna style lager, I think Trader Joe’s Vienna Style Lager beats Schild Brau. By a hair, though.
Fun facts about Schild Brau:
-Style: Both Millstream and BA classify it as a Vienna Lager:
Named after the city in which it orginated [sic], a traditional Vienna lager is brewed using a three step decoction boiling process. Munich, Pilsner, Vienna toasted and dextrin malts are used, as well wheat in some cases. Subtle hops, crisp, with residual sweetness.
Although German in origin and rare these days, some classic examples come from Mexico, such as: Dos Equis and Negra Modelo. A result of late 19th century immigrant brewers from Austria.
-Price: $6.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 40-45ºF.
-Alcohol content: 4.9 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Recommendations from the Millstream website are “Carmalized foods, such as Barbeque, Grilled Vegetables, Charbroiled Steak. Excellent with Pizza. Also try Sausages, Baked Ham, Pork chops, Smoked Fish.”
-Gravity: 13.6º Plato.
-IBU: 16.
-Color: 15 SRM.
-Schild Brau Amber hauled in three very prestigious awards in 2010. It was awarded a bronze medal at the North American Beer Awards, a gold at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition, and gold from the World Beer Cup.
-Millstream has apparently put the franchise tag on Schild Brau Amber, saying on the beer’s webpage that it is “our flagship brew.” Most microbrewers have a distinctive flagship beer that was usually their first offering, but, frankly, I have no clue what Millstream’s would be. I suppose this labeling is an effort to declare one.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.
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