Samichlaus Bier Helles - Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured a beautiful medium to dark amber color with a white, frothy head, very nice active amount of carbonation, more so than I expected.

Oddly enough, the aroma reminds me of the Avery Samael, not exactly the same, but close from what I can remember. The nose is pretty much all malts. Smells thick, syrupy, huge malt presence, sugary apricot, some booze.

The taste is absolutely fabulous. This comes accross more as a dessert type of beer, I should have poured this in a snifter instead of a pils glass. Thick malty carmel sweetness, slight pear flavor, possibly a slight hint of honey, light oak tanins in the flavor. There's a slight boozy warming like a nice cognac, the warming starts almost immediately on the tongue and remains throughout the sip. The booze character isn't as prevalent as one might think for a 14% beer. The warming in the throat lingers more as I get through the beer.

Medium to heavy body, silky, and quite drinkable. This would be a perfect dessert or after dinner beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2010 04:14:03 | More by jzeilinger

dqrull

Sweden

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

2007 vintage.

An immediate fluffy, creamy tan head, that quicly dissipates and leaves little to no lacing, a placid-looking beer, with a wonderful clear amber colour. Foams up a bit after a swirl, but the head disappears fast. The absence of head-retention makes it feel a bit inscrutable!

Whoa. The smell is phenomenal. Huuuuge malty sweetness, with some dried fruits in the back, a slight hint of grass is detectable also, along with a fudge-like sensatio. But this is a really awesomely complex malt-onslaught, beautifu.

Wow. Not nearly as prominent alcohol taste as I had anticipated, the viscosity isnt as thick as I was expecting either, but it sure is sweet. This is a really magnificient bouquet of tastes. The initial sweetness is the first thing that strikes you, but it is backed up by a slightly tart fruitness, some dried red berries, almost a bit of blueberry, some oaky tastes come through as well, with a hint of the usual suspect vanilla... all the while having a syrupy slightly clingy sweetness reminiscent of caramellized brown sugar. There isn't much else to this beer apart from the huge maltiness, but damn, this is SOME complex and interesting maltiness. The complexness here is very much of the same kind I might find in a glass of cognac, or even a non-smokey whiskey.
I'm really, really amazed that the alcohol is not more prominent in the taste here, but the body is so full, so bursting of sweetness and awesome flavours that the alcohol only lingers in the background all the while, contributing with a cozy warmth that complements the sweetness of the brew throughout, amazing.

Really syrupy thick, viscous mouthfeel, the carbonation is a little bit weak though, but that's pretty much expected from a beer like this.

I'm really eager to try the Samichlaus classic I have in the cellar, but damn, if that is only half as good as this, it will still be the second best doppelbock I've had.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2009 21:51:30 | More by dqrull

natelocc787

California

4.47/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled in 2007.

Poured with a nice frothy head. This beer was reminiscent of Avery's "Beast" but much better. The nose was all booze, vanilla, cognac, corn syrup and grain. While others noted the taste wasn't complex, I had a different experience. Nice graininess, high alcohol which was warming and soothing, bourbon, vanilla bean, heavy caramel malt and sweet, sweet oak chips in the taste. I loved the high alcohol, I suppose the same people who make a sour face when drinking liquor straight might say this was too much. It was just right for me, very tasty, much to offer. Slick and oily mouthfeel with mellow carbonation-just right. This is like a V.S.O.P. version of the style. The cognac of beer no doubt. Would absolutely love a case of this. This is what a boss should drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2009 04:07:51 | More by natelocc787

srandycarter

California

3.4/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Light orange, a little murky. Half inch head, leaves fast to ring.

S - Booze, hairspray, dark fruit and malt.

T - Thin malt center, almost all BOOZE. Very, very hot.

M - Medium body, good coating and carb, harsh finish.

D - Yeah, one. One will do.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 04:52:03 | More by srandycarter

BeerSingh

India

2.78/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A : Golden caramel coloured with no lacing, no head. Still life.

S : Toffee and boozey. Reminded me of a candy called Poppins.

T : Overwhelming alcoholic and toffee / candy / cognac mixture. Cutting and dominating. For this level of alcohol, the taste should have been subtle, but it was overly sweet.

M : Syrupy and quite cutting due to the carbonation

D : I guess i should have cellared it first, could finish with great difficulty

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2009 08:08:01 | More by BeerSingh

drabmuh

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Received through a trade with ironbike1. Bottled in 2007. Poured from a bottle into a Samichlaus Bier glass (I'm a glassware bad ass, don't you love the correct glass?). Beer is light amber in color, head forms quickly and disappears just as quickly, leaving nothing behind. No head, no lacing, nothing. Carbonation is mild to weak, this is expected though. Bubbles form around the lower bowl of the glass, beer is clear, completely clear.

Aroma is a little off putting unfortunately. Initially there was a sulfur flavor to it. This is quickly replaced with some alcohol / sweetness and some malt character. The aroma overall is not strong. Time to drink.

Sweet, strong. Wow, this beer actually made me cough when I sipped it. Probably not a good sign. Second taste was considerably better. Much more pronounced sweetness, some raisin like character, great malt body. Mouthfeel is good, not thin at all like you might expect with a 14% beer. Not dry like you might expect with a 14% beer. Just a great full body and high drinkability. This beer seems lighter than the other Samichlaus doppelbock I've previously reviewed and am currently aging. A great rarity for me.

I imagine this beer would age well, removed the warmth from the front end and mellow out the solvency of the flavors. This is a relatively young for a Sami.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2009 03:03:47 | More by drabmuh

Casey10

Maine

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

A nice beer that I picked up rather strong not anything to write home about thogh.

A - Very light copper brown.

S - Strong apricot alcohol and raison.

T - Thin lots of alcohol and raison, maybe plum.

M - strong mouthfeel of ethanol leaves a residual hard grainy taste.

D - If looking for a strong ABV might look for this otherwise would not.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2009 01:17:50 | More by Casey10

jayfarley3

Nevada

2.78/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottle states it was bottled in 2007 and states it as "The World's most Extraordinary Beer" so I had to buy it! Pours a real dark brown amber color with a small tan head. Smells very sweet and strongly of alcohol but I guess that should be expected with a 14% abv. Taste is very very sweet almost syrup like with a touch of roasted malts in there. Maybe if it was aged a few years longer it would be better but I think I'll pass on this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2009 03:15:35 | More by jayfarley3

coldmeat23

Oklahoma

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

GLASS: Kostritzer Mug
TEMP: Cellared @ approx 50 degrees
BOTTLED IN 2007

This one pours a clear, dark, golden honey color. A fingers worth of loose foam forms, then recedes quickly. Not much lacing to speak of.

Very rich malt notes dominate. Lots of fruit presence also, like golden raisins, pears, apricots and nectarines. Large notes of honey. Hint of booziness.
It's very rich and sweet smelling.

A super dessert beer is what we have here. Very rich, sweet and decadent. A smooth, rich maltiness is prominent. Tons of sweet fruit notes also, mostly white fruits/orchard fruits. A very light booziness is here, which is somewhat surprising, because it was a little more obvious in the nose.

This is almost more like a nectar than a beer. It's a thick body with very minimal carbonation. This would be wonderful poured over ice cream or custard.

It should be said that this is certainly not an everyday beer. It is an excellent dessert beer though. It's very easy to drink, but you'd regret drinking multiples in a single session.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2009 17:18:06 | More by coldmeat23

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Clear pale golden coppery color with a bolder center of thickness. A minimal scratchy white head of foam appears briefly to a thin ring and no lacing. Given the malty weight of the brew however, it's not expected.

Aroma is heavy of a slushed over malty tropical mush of warming ethanolic pear, yellow raisin, and apricot.

Warm to the gullet immediately with a malty rich goo of warmth that eludes to a tropical illusion of milding caramel, pear, yellow raisin, and star fruit. A touch of white grape skin dryness perks the finish with a fluff on the tongue of syrupy tropical jam.

Body is slick, bold, filling, warm, sleek, smooth, and more warm. The girth is perfect in its fullness as it lets the malts create a slight stick and chewy aspect behind each warming, hearty sip.

This tremendously malty, sip at, treat is quite nice and tropically set within a gooey mush of yummyness. It will warm any palate quickly and swim any head that drinks it down just as quickly, as it should.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 19:47:15 | More by tavernjef

erz316

Indiana

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

got the last bottle at sahara mart, 11.2 floz into brooklyn pokal. bottled int 2007, the first year since 1986.

A - not much head even with a nearly vertical pour. head is a bit off white, undoubtedly from the bright colour of the body, and about one fingers high. simmers down to a thin layer in under a minute. the colour is this majestic setting sun orange; a rich amber. the colour is very beautiful. I wonder why they decided to do a clear bock? well they did very well, at most the beer could be classified as a medium-dark orange, which is nothing compared to the rich dark brown of the regular samichlaus. head eventually becomes a whispy layer on top.

S - despite the reduction in colour, the beer's nose hold up for its own. a very rich malty, fruity and booze nose. the top notes are boozy sweet fruits, booze is quite pungent and noticeable; it cuts right through the sweetness at times, and others it blends seamlessly with it to make a super booze soaked fruitcake kind of aroma. the middle notes are of the muted malt body, still very sweet, but not as malty in essence as other x2 bocks. nothing discernible holding up the beer. a fairly straightforward nose, simple but still quite delicious. smell develops quite nicely as it warms up a bit: malts become a lot more noticeable.

T - initial taste is a very strong, piercing fruity-booze, with some minor hop bitters, and a big malt presence. the malts really make themselves noticeable here; if it werent for them, then this would be so much more boozy. the alcohol is quite manageable when first tasting it, but it develops into this dragon in the later stages. the subtleness of the hops is, well, quite elusive; only when one has cornered out the malts and the booze does that characteristic bitterness become evident. the finish is almost cloying in both sweetness and alcohol burn. the alcohol sheds its fruity skin and tears down the throat with a ethanol like character; the booze is completely raw. right after the sting from the alcohol is this huge sweet malt body, this is the taste that was keeping the alcohol in check during the initial tasting. wow, is it sweet. really almost like rock candy or something else that is basically pure sugar. it is quite interesting to get to see these two flavours by themselves in one stage of drinking. the aftertaste is a bit of that warming alcohol at first, then it subsides into the really sweet malt character. the taste evens out pretty quickly, leaving a more balanced flavour. overall I think the finish is a bit too strong and sweet; I can deal with the alcohol, if anything it is a good burning warming feeling, but the sweetness is too much for my palate.

MF&D - as mentioned above, i think the drinkability will suffer because it is too sweet, maybe it should be a dessert beer. the feel is pretty good, right amount of carbonation and the body is just enough syrupy to be a x2 bock. I'm guessing that because it is the helles bock, the feel is a bit thinner. understandable, but not desirable.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2009 19:14:53 | More by erz316

zeff80

Missouri

2.88/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A - Poured out a clear, golden-orange color with little to no head. No lacing either.

S - It smelled of sweet honey, caramel and sugar with a boozy nose, too.

T - Very, very sweet. Over the top sweet with boozy taste.

M - One of the better qualities of this brew. It was crisp and sharp. A medium-bodied beer.

D - To me this beer is just over done. Too much alcohol, too much sweetness without any hop character.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2009 15:35:56 | More by zeff80

jgasparine

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Poured the color of orange blossom honey, with minimal head, and some nice bubble trains.

S- Smells of honey, vanilla, fruit nectar and alcohol. The nose wasn't as prominent as I expected from such a big beer, but that may have to do with the champagne-saucer-style glass I was drinking out of.

T- Honey and almond flavors are up front, followed by candy sugar and an alcohol burn.

M- Oily on the tongue and creamy in texture. Lots of unattenuated sugars lend to a full body here despite the high ABV.

D- This beer is wonderful as a nightcap, but I couldn't have more than one in a sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2009 02:32:23 | More by jgasparine

brokenleadedcask

Ohio

2.58/5  rDev -31.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

My girlfriend went to San Fran and this is one of the beers she purchased for me at City Beer. Best girlfriend ever!

Unfortunately, this beer wasn't what I was expecting. It poured a golden orange with a fizzy soda pop head that disappeared and I couldn't make it return, no matter how much swirling. I have to say, the smell was the best part. Honey, Euro hops, clove and alcohol ( it IS 14%). This beer is on fire, plenty of alcohol in the taste. Some honey and bread are all that were left. Thin and astringent in the mouth. I found it odd that a beer this strong could be watery. Some lingering cloying sweetness and fire in the belly. 14% but not a lot of depth. This one is "one and done". I would sample again, if offered, but it would have to be aged for 5-10 years.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2009 23:37:25 | More by brokenleadedcask

kingcrowing

Vermont

2.78/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

11.2oz Bottled in 2007, poured in a snifter.

Very sweet, slightly alcoholic aroma, no hops, little malt. Small head dissipated very quickly. light carbonation.

Very sweet and somewhat hot. It as a quite full mouthfeel similar to a very sweet red wine, almost syrupy. It gives a good warming feeling.

Overall I'd say that for a beer brewed 3 years ago this is still very young, if you've got a cellar going toss this down there for a few more years and give it another go. I wouldn't drink this fresh again.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2009 01:18:38 | More by kingcrowing

theghost3

Louisiana

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

Pours a transparent deep copper with no head. No lacing.

The smell is strong of alcohol, sweet malts, whiskey. The taste is really sweet of malts; almost a drambuie type taste, alcohol. Mouthfeel is sticky, smooth, almost no carbonation.

This is drinkable but the ABV is very apparent. Tastes & smells almost more like liquor than beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2009 02:25:55 | More by theghost3

jballeng

Florida

2.15/5  rDev -42.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Pours dark amber with little to no head. Malty aroma. Accents of malt, chestnuts, and pears. Alcohol makes a VERY strong presence at the finish. So sweet as to induce gagging. An unpleasant brew; felt like I was drinking cough syrup. On the other hand, I admire the bottle design.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2009 19:34:11 | More by jballeng

thequeen711

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle to my tulip glass, golden pour, tiny head that left a light lacing. Strong nose of malts...strong taste of alcohol and malts...however the lightness of the mouthfeel made is most enjoyable. I also detected a fruitiness in there mixed with the malts. A truly superb beer from start to finish, not for all to enjoy, only those with a true appreciation for the higher ABV's will appreciate this Helles.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2009 01:01:00 | More by thequeen711

janubio

Spain

4.9/5  rDev +30.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I didin't know about this one until I saw a bottle in De Bierkoning in a trip to Amsterdam last year. Wish I had bought more bottles. Served in my rare Samichlaus glass, it pours some more head than its sister and lasts a bit more, but you can say it doesn't last. Very nice maber-orange colour, and absolutely beatiful when you hold it to the light.
Smells of honey, tropical fruits, dried fruits, and even almonds or hazelnuts or similar. Licorice, caramel. Silky sweet, maybe too sweet, flavor. Palate is similar, orange, honey, hazelnuts... only add a touch of oak. The finish is more like an orange liquor than a brandy, a difference to the Samichlaus we all know. The only "bad" thing that I could find is that I would have like it a little less sweetness, but when you have a beer like this, who cares?

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2009 21:31:36 | More by janubio

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a small bottle into a pint glass... light golden color with a little bit of a white head. The aroma is hard for me to place... maybe a little bit of banana in there? Smells like something burned a little, weird I know. The taste is strong, maybe a little fruit and the 14% alcohol is definitely there. I'm still having a little trouble with the flavor, but it's good. Strong, but good.

I'm not enamored by this one, but it's definitely a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 05:48:46 | More by theboozecruise

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm not so sure if the beer was this good, or if it was the fact I was enjoying it at the head of the bar at the Brick Store. (+1)

It pours a great amber with a very clear presentation. Somewhat of a white head, but I would qualify it as a white sheen coating the surface. This beer seemed to be pretty effervescent for the style and ABV.

Caramel and vanilla flood the senses. Big and sweet upfront with an inviting maltiness that stimulates my salivary glands. Smells slightly yeasty with a bit of alcohol.

Very complex taste, comparable to a nice cognac. Rich and extremely sweet, with a slight oaky aftertaste. Dark fruit-> brandy like (apricots, dates, figs) with tons of caramel up front.

Viscous and medium to full bodied. Silky smooth with tight bubbled carbonation that is lively in the mouth. Very sweet with residual sugars. Definitely coats the mouth and leaves the tongue and cheeks feeling "satisfied". There is a big alcohol bite on the finish.

The flavors definitely reveal themselves as this beer warms. Much more pronounced, but so is the big alcohol character of this beer. Very drinkable at 14%, but 2 is enough for anyone. There is no doubt, this beer warms from the inside out.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 18:48:40 | More by ncstateplaya

Monsteruss

Colorado

5/5  rDev +33%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of my favorite beers. The foam was a light wheat/white which dissapated very quickly witha small ring afterwards. The color was nice golden honey with hints of red and orange in the light. Taste was exceptional - it was darker and heavier than percieved by color. It also had berry undertones. Smell - crisp, clean and a variety of exotic complex fruity hints. Mouthfeel was deep. Drinkibility - smooth and rich a nice aquired taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 00:11:41 | More by Monsteruss

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.3/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A 750ml bottle shared with my wife. It didn't look like a doppelbock, being a pretty light amber color with a small white head. Caramel malt and honey aroma. The alcohol hits you in the face when you take a sip, followed by a strong malt presence, and a pervasive incredible sweetness. This beer was way too sweet, and the alcohol was way too intrusive. I doubt I'll be drinking this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 14:45:16 | More by lordofthewiens

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: Very classy looking pry off brown bottle, 2007 batch

Appearance: Light orange/amber beer with a white ring; mild TINY bubbles, almost Champagne-like

Smell: Light candied fruit and malt notes; sweet bready tones underneath

Taste: Ultra sweet, there are sharp (but light) notes of alcohol, very faint cotton candy notes, with sweet orange peel as well...this is much more like a brandy than a beer

Mouthfeel: Viscous, medium-heavy bodied with nice long finish

Drinkability: Pretty good for a 14%abv beer

Conclusion: This is not something I'd drink often, but it would be quite nice to split with the lady after a nice meal

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2009 01:42:29 | More by BedetheVenerable

Floydster

California

3.13/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

11.2 ounce bottle purchased from Stuffed Sandwich for around seven dollars, 2008 vintage, split with my dad last night, poured into my Duvel tulip glass

A-Golden orangish amber color with some golden yellow highlights, one inch foamy white head, decent retention, some lacing
S-Alcohol, honey, sweetness, lots of citrus, caramel, good amount of malt, toasted bread
T-Starts off hot with a lot of booze, sweet malts and other fruit in the middle, slightly toasted in the finish but still a big boozy flavor, this becomes so damn sweet that I can barely get it down towards the end, honey comes out later and adds to the sweetness and booze
M-Hot, sweet, and slightly toasted mouthfeel, medium to full bodied, carbonation is on the softer side which surprised me after seeing the head, taste lingers too long
D-Should have shared this with one or two more people, alcohol is not hidden at all and really affects its drinkability, overly sweet all the way through, very filling and reminds me a little of cough syrup at various times

Not my favorite dopplebock and quite light in color for the style, originally thought this was a hopped up version of a Helles Lager and I seemed to be wrong after the very first sip I took, not in a hurry to drink this again, a little too strong in my opinion, worth trying

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2009 16:26:58 | More by Floydster