Beer of the Weekend #538: Chimney Sweep
The beer of the weekend is a brew I have been eyeing for a long time: Chimney Sweep, brewed by the August Schell Brewing Company of New Ulm, Minnesota.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. “022814” is written on the neck, so I assume that is the best-by date.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is deep brown. Two fingers of fizzy (at first, anyway), thick, buttery, and light tan head settles slowly to leave a sticky ring around the edge.
Smell: Smoky and somewhat reminiscent of peppery, smoked bacon. It is not as intense as a rauchbier but still noticeable. A couple other scents sneak through: a hint of black licorice and nutmeg. It also smells like there is a little cinnamon, too.
Taste: The smoked malts dominate but do not overpower flavors of caramel and toffee. Cherry and a little cocoa slowly emerge and the smoked malts almost fall into the background as the beer continues to warm. However, it returns and predominates throughout the rest of the pint. Flavors of plum, nutmeg, and brown sugar also emerge. Missing from the aroma is black licorice, but I am not complaining.
Drinkability: This is a solid and delicious beer. I am glad I finally tried it.
Fun facts about Chimney Sweep:
-Style: Schell calls it “black lager.”
-Price: $7.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.2 percent ABV.
-IBU: 31.
-Description from the beer’s webpage:
-The original release date (the beer’s birthday, I guess) was November 14, 2012.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. “022814” is written on the neck, so I assume that is the best-by date.
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is deep brown. Two fingers of fizzy (at first, anyway), thick, buttery, and light tan head settles slowly to leave a sticky ring around the edge.
Smell: Smoky and somewhat reminiscent of peppery, smoked bacon. It is not as intense as a rauchbier but still noticeable. A couple other scents sneak through: a hint of black licorice and nutmeg. It also smells like there is a little cinnamon, too.
Taste: The smoked malts dominate but do not overpower flavors of caramel and toffee. Cherry and a little cocoa slowly emerge and the smoked malts almost fall into the background as the beer continues to warm. However, it returns and predominates throughout the rest of the pint. Flavors of plum, nutmeg, and brown sugar also emerge. Missing from the aroma is black licorice, but I am not complaining.
Drinkability: This is a solid and delicious beer. I am glad I finally tried it.
Fun facts about Chimney Sweep:
-Style: Schell calls it “black lager.”
-Price: $7.99/sixer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5.2 percent ABV.
-IBU: 31.
-Description from the beer’s webpage:
We are excited to announce our seasonal beer - Schell’s Chimney Sweep available from mid November through March! Dark and mysterious, with an intriguing wisp of smoke, a chimney sweep has long been considered a source of good luck. Schell’s Chimney Sweep draws its inspiration from these lucky individuals and the rich dark lagers of Upper Franconia in Germany. Expect a black lager with a roasty maltiness, sturdy hop bitterness and an underlying subtle smokiness.
-The original release date (the beer’s birthday, I guess) was November 14, 2012.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
