Samichlaus Bier Helles - Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.68/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: A small head, light and airy. The color of the beer is deep golden.

S: Out of this world; the sweet dark dried fruits reign supreme. The smell could as easily been from a Port. The well-balanced malt and the high ABV make the a very complex beer.

T: Very nice; a thick syrupy sweetness from a very powerful maltyness. Lots of dark dried fruits; apricots, raisins and figs. Also a fresh fruitness in the back. Very complex.

M: A short sweet aftertaste, not that surprising though, considering the ABV and style. The body is so thick and the carbonation is almost non-excisting.

O: I've had lots of dark Samichlaus - this is my first pale one. The only thing that could improve this beer is a couple of years cellaring - but my character is too weak...

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 16:18:38 | More by Sunnanek

Axnjxn

North Carolina

3.84/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

2010 bottle poured into a DFH pint glass.

Pours a very light brown color with a light white head on it. Smell is sweet and bready. Malts dominate the aroma, no alcohol on the nose. Taste is sweet as well, also quite malty and bready. It is definitely a doppelbock but is a bit too sweet for my liking. Alcohol is not detectable on the palate but is quite detectable after swallowing this beer. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a medium carbonation. Drink ability is pretty good for a beer of such ABV.

Overall too sweet for me but quite drinkable for a beer with such high alcohol. On the bottle this is described as malt liquor! Wouldnt buy again but not unhappy that i tried it.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:13:16 | More by Axnjxn

hooliganlife

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

1987 bottle, from original eggenberg castle brewery.

Pour was a slight mahogany brown, light cola. Little head.

Sweet nose, dark fruit. Some alcohol.

Very similar to nose, although less alcohol. Sweet dark fruit and roasted , malt. Back end was complete soy sauce. Like sushi dipping.

Smooth, hint of burn.

Pretty good minus the soy sauce.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 15:14:19 | More by hooliganlife

keithmurray

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - clear crimson color, aggressive pour produced a very thin film of white head

Smell - cherry, brandy, alcohol, syrup

Taste - very sweet, reminiscent of a liqueur, cherry, brandy, caramel, malt, alcohol

Mouthfeel - thick, sticky, syrupy, very very sweet, good flavor in the aftertaste, low on the carbonation, burn of booze on the way down

Overall - Good beer, not as enjoyable as the Brown Label Samiclaus, worth a try

Price Point - $5.69/11.2 oz Bottle

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 23:50:28 | More by keithmurray

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Samichlaus Helles has a thin, off-white head, virtually no lacing left behind, and a minimally bubbly, orange-gold appearance. The aroma is strong to the extreme- sweet, cloying, sickly nail polish remover, alcohol, rock candy, brandy, and ginger. Taste is rich, gagging, overly sweet, caramel, rock candy, postage stamp glue, syrup, apricots, and brown bread crust. Hop bitterness is very slight. Mouthfeel is heavy, thick, and cloying, and Samichlaus Helles finishes sticky, harsh, retching, and intense. Overall, this is not for the weak of heart or even the strong. Avoid! But, it’s still excellent.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 18:33:29 | More by RonaldTheriot

Docrock

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2010 12oz. Bottle poured into tulip

A. Nice golden amber, minimal head if any at all

S. nice aged malt fragrance, can tell this is high octane

T. Smooth and warming with little to no hop character. Vaporous alcohol feeling, very smooth.

M. Warm but very drinkable, very much a sipping beer. Hard to compare with any other beer.

O. An enjoyable beer, a bit pricey but will try again.

Consumed while sharing with a friend 12-7-12

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 03:12:45 | More by Docrock

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours much like a soda into my pint glass - very fizzy with a thin head that disappears instantly. Color is a a muddy, multicolored brown that almost has a hint of green. No head after pouring, the beer seems barely carbonated. Aroma is not nearly as intimidating to me as it was to other reviewers. Not unlike the regular Samichlaus Bier offering. Then again I love big beers. It smells good, but I am mostly getting just very sweet caramel, syrup, and malty notes here. Taste - It tastes aged, and I just now realized this was bottled in 2007... As I sip I am reminded of Sugar Daddy candy, until there is a distinct sharpness on my tongue and a somewhat drastic warming in my gut. Some earthiness to it as well and a tiny hint of chocolate. Full-bodied and noticeable heat. If you are a fan of the regular Samichlaus I would say this is worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 05:48:11 | More by Neorebel

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2010 bottle.
Into a tall glass. A dark straw color with minimal head.
It smells unlike any beer I've had. Banana and rubbing alcohol is the best way to put it.
Taste like alcohol, sweet candy, and licorice root. Sweet aftertaste. Very earthy overall.
Low carbonation, heavy body.
Wow. A lot happening here. Maybe share the bottle. Worth trying for the experience. Almost like drinking medicine.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 21:19:05 | More by Fatehunter

stouts4me

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a chalis from a 12 oz bottle.

A: nice golden yellow to orange color, thin white head, tiny bubbles coming from the bottom of the glass.

S: smell is malty, sweet deliciousness.

T: Out-of-this-World delicious !!! You have got to try this beer, malty mouthfeel, sweet, just downright damn good !

M: just like above, malty, smooth, sup this and just keep it in your mouth to "feel" the liquid, and "chew" it down your throat, then do it again, it is so delicious...

O: I cannot give it anything but the highest accolades, read the description on the back of the bottle, and you will agree, " one of the rarest specialities in the world ".

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 23:44:32 | More by stouts4me

acevenom

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass mug. Pours clear medium copper with a quickly dissipating frothy white head. There are lots of tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. The smell is of malts, toffee, booze, and apple. It's an inviting aroma. The alcohol comes through pretty strongly in the taste. I catch the rest of those flavors I picked up from the nose. There is some hop bitterness on the back end, but it has that cloying taste that sticks to the mouth. There's enough carbonation to make the aftertaste disappear quickly. It becomes more bready as the beer warms up. The body is medium to full with abundant carbonation. This is a sipper. Overall, this is a very good beer. It's certainly worth a try if you like you want to try a different sort of doppelbock that pushes the limits of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 22:12:39 | More by acevenom

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2010 version.
The most dissatisfying aspect was the aroma. It tamed to acceptable in time and at first there was a spicy alcohol aroma, but for much is was a grainy (okay) vegetable/corny aroma that wasn't to pleasing at all.
Especially considering how big this is the head was smallish but dense, showing soft lacing and very long stamina. Nearly brilliantly clear body of gold. Nice.
Flavors are complex and mostly enjoyable. Very, very sweet - candy sugar flavors that are surprisingly enjoyable getting close to a brandy quality. Alcohol appears now and then, usually up front and not always that welcome, but later, as warms blends more acceptably adding a spicy quality that tones down the sweetness. The alcohol seem to bridge the sweetness to the long finish that shows whatever hints of hops there may be (a touch of mild bitterness) with a long and surprisingly dry finish that lingers so nicely.
Smooth and rich in a big lager feel. Nice.
I don't love all aspects of this, but there is a lot to enjoy here. Sipping is nice as it is so robust that is fills the mouth with so much enjoyment with such little amounts. Glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 01:46:46 | More by garymuchow

lifeboyq

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2007 vintage poured into a gouden chalice with minimal head and little retention. it is a translucent burnt orange with ruby hues.

the one i drank last night was oxidized at first but with a vigorous swirl and some time to let the oxygen hit the surface of the beer, it opened up beautifully and the penny taste was gone. this one didnt need that as its bouquet was there from the offset so you may note that ify ou do get an oxidized taste that beer bottle isnt ready and needs to open up so just let it sit there.

it has that syrupy silky velvety heavy mouthfeel but not quite as thick as say a jw lees.

the tongue is sorghum sugar, maple syrup, some peaty earthiness, vanilla with candy apple and wood on the finish.

world class offering and drinking very well right now if it is given time to open up. pour it and let it sit there , swirl it some to help it. dont drink it too fast or you will miss what it has to offer.

great great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 03:54:41 | More by lifeboyq

Drinkerofales

California

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2007 vintage, aged 5 years by my good friends at Hollingshead.

Pours copper orange with a tiny dirty tan head which dissipates in less than one minute. No lacing, but not surprising considering the huge abv.

Smell is sweet booze, toffee, roasted malts and more cloyingly sweet plum skin. What a daunting, yet enticing aroma.

Taste is awesome, nicely sweet candied malt. There is some booze, but it's not overpowering. Deep and malty, huge and balanced.

Feel is thick and syrupy. There is almost no carbonation, but that's alright. The beer warms my stomach like a fine spirit, but doesn't burn as much on my tongue.

What a strange and awesome brew. I am glad I picked up this nicely aged beer. Everything about this is scary, but once I filled my mouth with this concoction, I was very pleased. While alcohol is present in every aspect, it's balanced, and only by it's aging.

This beer is the true Arrogant Bastard. Huge and takes the other beers to school, and makes them their bitch. Be afraid, if you can't handle this, it's alright, you aren't ready, or perhaps, you didn't age it long enough.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 05:19:06 | More by Drinkerofales

yamar68

Minnesota

2.4/5  rDev -36.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

2010 vintage poured into a snifter:

Pours a deep pumpkin orange with a finger of off-white head that falls over within minutes. Decent lacing. The nose is still pretty aggressive. Big boozy licorice with a bit of dark wood and raisin. On the tongue, this is just sherry and not much else. Confusingly oxidized for its age and comes across way hotter than 14 percent. Mouthfeel is fine but overall the beer is disappointing. "The World’s Most Extraordinary Beverage"? Extra ordinary, not extraordinary.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 02:19:49 | More by yamar68

ronniebruner

Arizona

4.28/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wow! What a great brew! The beer pours a beautiful orange and gold color with a perfectly clear tinge. Not alot of head or lace, just a good old fashioned, high alcohol beer here! The aroma is sweet and smells of fermented grains and sweet alcohol, with a nice bit of singe to the note. The beer has a nice taste of grains and alcohol and really warms up as it is going down. Leaves a wonderful slight burn on the tongue and is a very worthy contender in my book as one of the top 10 beers I have tried, without a doubt. A bit expensive, but worth every penny.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:49:39 | More by ronniebruner

ao125

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Let me tell you a tale of four beers.

Once upon a time, there was a 4 pack of beers bottled in 2007. They had a pink label and said "Malt Liquor" on the outside. They were put aside and forgotten about.

A year later, the first beer (drank in 2008) tasted like alcoholic Kool-Aid. It was almost a drain pour - but I suffered through it because my palate was unrefined. The "Malt Liquor" label was appropriate.

The second beer (drank in 2010) was more refined. It tasted less like rubbing alcohol and more like cherries and malt. It too needed time to mature. Its two remaining brothers were put aside.

The third beer was called upon (drank in 2012) and it had come into its own. Served in a Brugse Zot glass; it boasted of intense malt, dark fruits, and a less intense (but still present) alcoholic bite. There were hints of caramel and butterscotch. A beer that changed in many ways as it warmed.

The final beer waits for good times ahead.

This is without a doubt, a beer that needs time to come into its own, and a lot of it. Is it worth the wait? Only time will tell - but so far, it has been very telling.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 12:27:45 | More by ao125

Doppelbockulus

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2007 Vintage poured into the Naked People special edition Duvel glass.

Pours a wonderful rosy color, ver transparent and no head. There is a light stream of bubbles rising from the bottom. I think this is the best LOOKING beer I have had so far.

Smells like candied fruits, peanut shells, and barbeque sauce, I suppose that would be a faint vinegar character. Stir it a bit to get some fizz and it resembles the scent of a saison. You could compare the nose to a brandy.

Yep, tastes like a lighter Samichlaus. Flavor is a bit woody and resembles a fruit cake that is wet with a nice rum or whiskey. After taste is dryer with a more grainy malt afterthought.

It feels slightly more tingly than the appearance would suggest and a bit dryer than the smell would suggest. But it is clean, delicate, and warming.

Over all, don't let it warm up too much, it is better cooler, not old, but certainly not as warm as some other beers. Very similar to some of the other classic long term cellar beers

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 04:45:42 | More by Doppelbockulus

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip

A: A vigorous pour only yields half a finger of off-white head which fades within the minute leaving no lacing. The beer itself is a clear, amber hue.

S: Smells very sweet and malty. There are notes of toffee, roasted nuts. Also some grape and raisins. As it warms, raisin is actually the most potent part of the smell.

T: Incredibly sweet. Almost overwhelming malty. Toasted malts, caramel and figs. Big alcohol content provides a little heat but is covered well by all the sugar. Apple and raisins.

M: Moderately thick with very little carbonation. Slick and sticky.

O: The sweetness of this beer is almost overwhelming. Tons of raisin and alcohol makes this beer definitely a sipper.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 04:38:27 | More by WankelEngine

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

No head whatsoever (although not much expected at 14%). No lacing at all either. Clear light orange-ish amber body with lots of yeast floaties.

Big sweet boozy alcohol nose. Figs, golden raisins, apple juice, apple skins, syrupy sugary notes, and sherry.

Very sweet fruitiness on the palate right away. Big alcohol heat calms down the sweet flavors midway, but doesn't take them away. Fruit flavors come through big in the finish. Flavors of honey, apple skin, sherry, and figs coated in sugar. Very sweet and boozy. The alcohol and sweetness play off each other quite well. Very very low carbonation, barely even detectable.

A very interesting beer. Drinks like a mead, sherry, and beer hybrid. Good beer to have as a night cap.

[88/100]

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 06:35:24 | More by mindspin315

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 bottling

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a modest cap that leaves a web of lace

Smell: Caramel and rum-soaked figs; rather boozy aroma

Taste: Caramel and fig, with a building alcohol flavor developing by mid-palate; sweet and fruity in the finish

Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with low to moderate carbonation; plenty of warmth in the gullet

Overall: Really rather sweet but I enjoyed the flavor profile

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 23:37:36 | More by brentk56

Pintofbrown

Iowa

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I served the 2007 vintage in a glass stein.

Appearance- No foam to be found here. There is a small bit of white fizz in one corner of the stein. This one has a transparent copper body. Meh.

Smell- Holy raisin bomb! Raisin is packed on top of more raisin. There is also a bready / rye quality. I will admit it is really one note in nature, but I love it!

Taste- The palate follows the nose almost exactly. Tons of raisin almost overwhelms me. After I get over the shock of this extremely sweet beer, I can make out some chocolate in the finish.

There are also some brandy in the mix, have to expect that in a 14% drink. Just, this is really incredibly sweet.

Mouth feel- This beer is medium bodied and extremely slick. It is not creamy or carbonated at all. Oh, and don't forget sticky! I feel like I have been drinking straight maple syrup.

Overall- I really enjoy sweeter offerings, but this is almost too much. I would prefer it if it had more to offer than the heavy raisin. Because this is a good beer, and I can almost imagine how this would be if it were to make the leap to great.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 00:08:52 | More by Pintofbrown

ncketchum

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2007 Vintage served in a Duvel Tulip

A - pours a dark orange with lots of sediment/floaters. Very quickly dissipating minimal head.

S - aroma is fruity, almost a fruit punch - orange, lemon, cherries, a hint of booziness, much more booziness as it warms

T - taste is almost cognac with a splash of maraschino cherry juice, lots of alcohol burn

M - Thick, minimal carbonation

D - Definitely a sipper. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I've been holding on to this one for some time. Nothing like I'm used to, as above, more a cognac than a beer for me. I could see enjoying this one maybe once a year on St. Nick's Day (eve?), and next year, maybe splitting the bottle...

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 03:54:55 | More by ncketchum

WYVYRN527

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thank you Brad Beerguy for supplying this one. 2007 Vintage. Pours a rich golden color with little head and some serious haze. Smell is all booze at first, but opens up to caramel and toffee malt character. Hops don't give their presence until a sip is taken. For how boozy this beer it is it is very well-balanced. All is toned down by a sweet, caramel malt profile and some serious floral hop notes at the end. This stuff is very tasty. Not a session beer, as one will do in a given night. Worth trying though. I want more.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 08:31:05 | More by WYVYRN527

crossovert

Wisconsin

3.35/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Have been searching for this one for awhile. Never bought it then suddenly it disappeared everywhere. Got a single bottle of it. Bottles in 2010.

It pours a beautiful color, a bright, vibrant, shining clear honeyish/orangeish amber. The head it tightly-foamed and white. Leaves a bit of lacing. Lots of small carbonation bubbles. A beauty of a beer appearance-wise.

The smell is good. It is a bit mead-like. Some definite apple and honey along with sweet, bready malt and alcohol.

Flavor is big and sweet. Like the regular Samichlaus. I think the less-octane Eggenberg beers are better. They just have to find a way to cut the sweetness just a bit.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 02:54:02 | More by crossovert

FosterJM

California

3.43/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

943rd Review on BA
Bottle to Weizen Glass
12 oz

2007 Bottling

Purchased from: Mass Bev, Lawrence, KS

App- A good bit of a dark apple juice color with a little bit of gold/yellow if you will. A small impish 1/2 finger head presented and faded quickly. No cling or lace. A good bit of floaties in the glass.

Smell- Much like a mead in strength with a lot of malt and sweetness behind it. The sweetness and ABV really comes out easily even for a 4 year old bottle. A little bit of honey, vanilla, and oak from the aging.

Taste- This is more along the lines of what 120 felt like. A gigantic malt bomb with a little sweetness behind it. Another example of a bottle I am glad is 12 oz. This was sweet, malty, booze and a little one sided. Tasted pretty good but needed little sips to get through it.

Mouth- Medium bodied and a medium low carbonation. A bit harsh smooth with a duality of malt and sweet battling for rights to the palate on this one.

Drink- Overall, I felt this was a pretty average attempt at a beer with some age. Yes the ABV is well above normal, but needs more smooth vs. harsh and more flavor besides sweet. I am glad this was on sale when I got in KS. No need for full retail on this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 05:19:51 | More by FosterJM