Samichlaus Classic Bier - Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

The World's Most Extraordinary Beer Well, let's see if this beer lives up to it. It pours a very deep ruby amber brown hue, with little or practically no head ( probably due to the 14% by volume). Aroma contains hints of caramel, or toffee along with some mild fruit aroma possibly figs. Taste is very astringent with alcohol, and it tends to mellow with flavors of a fruity sweetness from the malt. The body of this beer sits at the consistency of a light syrup. I believe it helps carry the flavor and aroma very well. Definitely a complex selection, and for my first beer from Austria I am very impressed. Overall, this is no session beer, however I find it pretty drinkable and enjoyable. Not a beer I would push upon everyone, but this is a beer that does deserve to be sampled very rich in taste and brings much warmth to the body. This one was bottled in 2001.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2003 00:54:11 | More by WVbeergeek

ZAP

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Re-rate 1/8/03 2001 Vintage...

Notes are pretty much the same....dark fruits...alcohol semi-evident...I probably should have cellared this but couldn't wait


Had one of these over the Holidays at my brothers and took some notes..

For what it is supposed to be it is outstanding..a powerhouse of flavor...kind of a souped up doppelbock..defintely a sipping beer...tasted heavy molassis, maple, brown sugar...grapes...fruity....very sweet...alcohol taste evident...This is definitely a one-beer sipping beer....quite a treat courtesy of my brother..

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2003 22:08:27 | More by ZAP

BeerManDan

California

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured sort of a thick deep amber/reddish brown with a little bit of foam that dissapated fast. The smell was of a caramel, with a hint of fruit.

The taste was of caramel/fruit and alcohol. At 14%, it really gives you kick in your mouth and on your palate. Also, the taste was not as alcoholic as you would think though. The balance of sweetness and bitterness is well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2003 13:15:49 | More by BeerManDan

mzwolinski

California

4.88/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2000 vintage. Ruby in color with no head. Quite viscous and leaves good fingers on the glass when swirled. Aroma is figgy with lots of dark fruit scents, and a bit of roasty maltiness. Flavor is big on malt, with a somewhat granular sugar characteristic which I find to be typical of Eggenberg's beers. Caramel malts big up front with mild fruit notes coming out mid-palate, and a crisp, toffee-like finish. Signficant and pleasant alcohol warming and a good hop bitterness which asserts itself as the beer warms. Full-bodied with a dry-finish -- a beer for sipping and respecting! Great winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2003 08:48:57 | More by mzwolinski

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This poured with a rapidly subsiding light tan head, over sparkling clear light reddish gently carbonated liquid. Intense maltiness in the nose, followed by...more maltiness! Taste is ultra-malty sweetness, a brandyish mouthfeel, hot alcohol burn going down the throat. Finish is sugary sweet as well. I'd like to keep this in the cellar for year or more...it's just too sweet to really enjoy right now.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2003 21:07:15 | More by beerluvr

jreitman

California

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Wow is this one a real kick you in the ass kind of beer. Poured a dark black in color with some ruby red hues. Head was nowhere to be seen, most likely eaten by the alcohol demons. Fruit, spices, and liqurous were percieved as well as the smell of evaporating alcohol. Flavor profile was amazingly complex though balanced a lot towards the sweet side of things. Pears, liqourice, raisins, and a port-iness were perceived in the mouth. Perceived alocohol is not at all what this beer is about, but it makes it's presence known from the first sip with a nice warming feeling. This one is definitely a sipping beer. A very intriguing brew that I would recommend people try, but I don't know if I would order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2003 07:27:58 | More by jreitman

Realale

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottled in 2000, a very generous gift from BA MJR. Thanks Mark!

Pours a thick, beautiful reddish bronze. My mouth waters just looking at it. Zero head.

The nose is stunning. A rich malty sweetness provides the bass notes, while all sorts of fruit notes provide the lead - I get dates, orange zest, plums, grape, and a bit of apple. Some spice notes join is as well. Wow. Actually, smells a lot like a good 10 year Tawny Port.

Its very, very rich and malty on the palate, with a lot of the complexity from the nose, making it to the tongue. The alcohol is as well-disguised as I imagine one could make 14% in a beer.

The lack of carbonation hurts it a bit in the mouthfeel, as it becomes a bit ponderous. That, along with the very high alcohol hurt the drinkability. All total an impressive, and unique beer. I appreciate the experience.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2002 07:33:00 | More by Realale

Winter

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled in 2001. Clear dark amber with a light tan head after a semi-hard pour. Aroma consisted of spices, malt, raisins, caramel and alcohol. Taste is strong and reminded me a lot of a brandy or sherry. Flavors meld into that of malt, raisin, smokey oak and alcohol. Mouthfeel is rich and coats the tongue. Alcohol warms the back of the throat and stomach as it goes down. This is most definitely a sipping beer. Downgraded the drinkability a little because it would be overkill to drink more than one of these in an evening. Samichlaus is a rare treat and should be enjoyed as such. I look forward to cellaring the rest of my 4-pack and see what happens to the flavors in years to come.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2002 20:09:08 | More by Winter

MJR

Missouri

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

'Bottled in 2000'

Appearance: This brew has a deep red/garnet body with good clarity. There's no head to speak of, even with an aggressive pour, just a tiny ring of lace around the edge of my snifter.

Smell: Very strong smell of butterscotch and toffee. There's a big fruit presence in the nose too, as well as alcohol. Rum soaked cherries. Huge malt aroma. No hop presence at all...

Taste: Starts with a big, sweet malty flavor, then moves to a spicy, fruity one. An alcohol flavor makes itself known the whole time, but finishes even stronger. Lots of butterscotch and toffee too...lots of complexity here! Plums, raisons, rum soaked cherries... Very faint hop twinge on my lips too...very little actual hop flavor, and the bit that's there is of a floral type. The faintest cardboard taste is in there as well...perhaps this brew wasn't handled all that well before I bought it?

Mouthfeel: Fairly thick and syrupy with a semi-crisp mouthfeel. The alcohol ends everything very dry. Not much carbonation left after two years.

Drinkability: Fairly drinkable, for what it is. You have to remember that this is 14%abv, so it's something to end the night with and enjoy slowly. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2002 20:35:19 | More by MJR

StevieW

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

"Bottled in 2000" clearly printed on the front label.
Shiny dark burnt Chestnut color. Thin, and wispy head, off-white and bubbly. Left after seconds. Some faint smells of vanilla, maple syrup, and high alcohol hits your nose. First taste is sticky sweet, and subtle. Some vanilla, sweet malt, molasses. Then shocking hot burning alochol shot kicks in. Closer to bourbon than any beer I have had. Syrupy, sweet flavor lingers on the tongue. Reminds me of the Utopias MII, but not nearly as smooth and balanced. I think Jim Koch tweaked the Samichlaus formula. The hot alcohol was shocking, and really took away from the taste and enjoyment of the beer.
Side Note : Despite sipping and having water with this, caused me horrible heart burn until 2:00 am.
I have 3 more bottles, maybe I'll re-vist this one, but they are on the trading block. Didn't enjoy this one, as much as others.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2002 11:48:51 | More by StevieW

sinistersteve

Oregon

2.98/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

One big beer. I can smell the strong scent of alcohol and the ensuing damage that this may cause several feet away. The taste of this beer agrees with what the nose had forewarned. Great dark carmel color though. At 14% abv, this beer packs a punch that you won't soon forget.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2002 20:00:23 | More by sinistersteve

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Saved a bottle of the 2000 vintage for the Christmas Season.
The alcohol and malt aroma hits you almost as soon as you open the bottle. The color is a deep wood-like brown. Thin, bubby head lasts only a few seconds, and then is gone completely. Of course, who cares about the head with this beer.....you don't find too many brews that have "legs".
Aroma is dominated by alcohol. First taste is slightly sweet and woody. Second sip mellows significantly and the beer becomes grainy, with maple and molasses overtones. Alcohol warming is in the forefront through every sip....but the taste remains complex and wine-like.
Simply a wonderful beer....extreme, multi-faceted, and surprisingly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2002 17:49:28 | More by Suds

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.65/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I tried this on 12-17-2002 at a Beer Tasting held in the Rock Bottom, Long Beach.
Sixth beer of the night and……………. Whoooaaahhh.
Slam some more Coal in those Boilers, Beer Engines – All Ahead Full. The relative calm ‘routine’ of drinking the previous 5 beers is immediately broken by a smack in the face, a grasp around the throat, a shoulder throw to the floor, another punch in the face, a head butt and finally a good old kick in the hairy love plums. Hell, this beer is one of, if not, the most powerful beers I have ever had. I have had stronger ABV beers, but nowhere near as “powerful” as Samichlaus Bier. This was the penultimate beer of the nights tasting, but what about destroying the palate for the next one? Oh wait, we only have Unibroue Quelque Chose to go - so it’s not that bad after all. Time to enjoy this infamous beer.

Pours from the majestic looking labelled bottle, the black and silver label screams understatement. A dark, opulent, brown color with a mahogany sparkle. Smallish head created by a slightly jolted pour; thin brown whippy frothy coating that clings for dear life to the edges, and it fails miserably to survive the pungent alcoholic dark waters and soon drowns. Aromas stun the nasal passages, liquorice, strong dark fruity spices mixed with aged vinous malt vinegary tones, Port, old fashioned furniture polish, Sherry, caramel toffee covered in dark Belgium chocolate, fortified Rum and Raisins, all vie for position.
Tastes are just as rich, complex and deeper than the aromas. Initially a molasses-malty sweetness introduces the warmth; it coats the mouth as the high alcohols search out saliva to destroy. The second sip is accentuated by the warmth now developing in my stomach, and no doubt my liver and kidneys very soon. Mouthfeel is stunning and very high.
Personally, I always feel that this beer is best served in a Brandy Glass – though I am told by those in the know that this is not the done thing!

This is no ‘boy-racer’ Honda Acura with lowered suspension and a throaty muffler, not a V8 Thunderbird with a plastic body kit, nor even a BMW with an M5 sticker on the trunk; it is not even an Aston Martin. It’s much better – this is pure thoroughbred pedigree Formula One. Marvel and enjoy, that’s if you can handle it; if not, get Michael Schumacher to take you for a spin, but put on some clean underwear and your Seatbelt first!!! I drive a Nissan – and I am not worthy of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2002 19:20:37 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ElGuapo

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

this is my first real sample of a barley-wine style ale, so this review will be edited shortly as i have quite a few more to try.
Bottled 2001
it pours to a dark reddish color with absolutely no head at all. smells of alcohol and wine. i was a bit frightened by this.

the taste is wine, alcohol, and raisins. i was not really turned on to this at first, but i gradually grew more and more fond of the brew. i still think the flavoring was a little odd. mouthfeel was excellent, smooth and warming all the way down.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2002 05:11:18 | More by ElGuapo

yen157

New Jersey

4.7/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottled in 2000.

Wow.

This was simply one of the most amazing drinking experiences of my life. I split the 11.2oz bottle with my girlfriend telling her only that it was going to be a special treat. We were both blown away.

Rich brownish, orange-red color, like tawny port, and only a bubble or two sitting on top to begin with. Unfortunately, it popped. Stunning liquid coated the glass with every movement of my double old-fashioned glass. Vaporized perfection filled my nose with dark rum, alcohol, and smells I have only encountered before with the fortified wine madeira. Honestly, I can’t even begin to go into the flavors. All I can say is it tasted something like a raisin caramelized and a little burnt in butter. It was raisiny, nutty, and a tiny bit like bittersweet chocolate. Very light carbonation. Syrupy and viscous, but not in a bad way. Devine.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2002 06:18:19 | More by yen157

jackndan

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Samichlaus Bier, 2000: Somewhat surprising, as I had anticipated a much darker beer. This is absolutely clear, with no head. The color is a deep reddish tan. No head whatsoever. The aroma is like a fine sipping brandy, with a hint of the malts that drive this beer. Very powerful flavors, with lots of cherries, and chocolate. Think of a dark chocolate covered cherry soaked in brandy, and you are at least part of the way in explaining and understanding this beer. Very powerful after taste, spicy and even a little searing as it goes down Great alcohol warmth, long lasting aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2002 20:33:28 | More by jackndan

mophie

Delaware

4.78/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

2000 bottling. It's December 6th, so what better beer to drink than Samichlaus? What a marvelous beer. Deep reddish-brown in color. Initial tan head dissipates quickly. Pungent aroma of plums, figs, toffee, and brown bread. Sweet! Taste is magnificent: dark fruits (figs, raisins, dates), toffee, plums, grapes. Sweet but not cloying. Alcohol comes through like a fine whisky: spicy and smooth, but not overpowering. Wow.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2002 18:02:30 | More by mophie

mickeymac

California

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2001 bottling. It's a nice deep ruby with a beige head that comes out of the bottle strong but fades quickly leaving little trace. The smell is malty with a definite ripe fruit aroma. The taste is very complex, with flavors of raisin and bit of spice. The 14% abv makes itself known in the stomach with an almost immediate warming sensation, but neither the smell nor flavor of alcohol is overwhelming. Save this one for a nice cold night and treat it with respect.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2002 22:11:04 | More by mickeymac

maxpower

Missouri

3.78/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2000 vintage, brown in color, small head, malty- sweet caremel aroma, thick malty and roasty flavors , strong alcohol taste, thick, full bodied surupy mouthfeel. Not bad, high alcohol content, I like this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2002 17:18:16 | More by maxpower

astrobrewer

Arizona

4.78/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow! This is a big beer. I was a little put off by the 14% alchohol rating on the label, but the bartender said that it was special, and he was right. The 2001 bottle I had poured a sparklingly clear, light brown. The aroma was complex with lots of malty and fruity elements (plus more than a hint of alchohol). It wasn't as syrupy as I expected, but was heavy enough to balance the alchohol. Oh yeah, and did I mention that there's a lot of alchohol in this brew? This is a sipping beer if there ever was one. It makes a great after dinner drink. I'm heading back to the store to buy some to put away and age for a special occaision.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2002 15:39:43 | More by astrobrewer

psugrad98

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I don't like a lot of alcohol, and this definately has a lot of alcohol in it.
I do recognize for what its worth, it is a quality top notch brew. Thick and dark, very complex. Rich sweet, almost port wine like character. Very difficult to drink fast (if you were psycho). This is one you definately savor.
Tastes better a little warmer. Not my preference, but A+ for style.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2002 06:23:50 | More by psugrad98

Jon

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

So you're looking for a rather alcoholic beer? This one's got enough alcohol for you and your neighbors. The 2001 edition pours a clear ruby liquid with an incredibly short-lived head. Some light carbonation is present, even after it warms up. Nose is of alcohol, raisins and assorted fruit. Taste is similar, with alcohol being the key suspect. There are tons of flavors going on here, ranging from warming alcohol, raisins, apricot, figs, sweet malt, etc. This a pretty sweet beer overall. Mouthfeel is a bit carbonated at first for a beer of this size, but turns syrupy as it stands for a while. This is, of course, no easy drinker, but rather a fine sipping treat. Better get your snifter out for this one, especially to release all the characteristics this beer possesses. It's almost too much for me, but certainly worth a try. This 2001 vintage could stand to age a few more years.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2002 20:59:32 | More by Jon

HopheadEd

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with little off white head. Fades quickly and leaves little lace. Alcohol takes over here, aroma and taste. Malt and alcohol mouthfeel and finish. Now comes the good part. Definitely better as it warms. Room temp. finds aroma of a single malt, ala Oban. Great warming finish. My after dinner beer for the rest of the year. Year was 2000.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2002 04:21:42 | More by HopheadEd

putnam

Michigan

4.9/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2000
Going from an almost clear yellow at the rim to a deep, nearly opaque brown in the middle, there is almost no gas here. Served at room temperature.
Ungodly aromas of maple smoke, Christmas ham, honey, cedar...

Flavors are big, broad and sweetly suggestive of XO Cognac, brown butter, vanilla, red currants, black pepper...

The finish is bright and clear, like the liquid, and reminds me of a goose that we roasted once in a clay mold on a Weber grill. Maybe it was the sage, because that herb is running around in this castle of flavor somewhere...But there is a trace of the moist, hot clay as well.

I downscored the drinkability because I think it will be more drinkable in a few years.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2002 13:40:52 | More by putnam

Jason

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

2000 bottling. Head retention is close to nil, this is expected for a lot of the higher alcoholic brews … especially if they are aged. It is syrupy enough for the liquid to stick to the glass when swirling in the snifter. Clear burgundy red colour.

Alcoholic aroma with dark sugar tones that lead it to a rum like smell. Spicy solvent alcohol is big but in a clean way, ripe fruit is scattered all over the place.

Syrupy, smooth, creamy and slick on the tongue. Carbonation has dropped and is in a moderate state struggling to come through the very full body. The creaminess slabs down layers of malt sweetness and ripe fruit flavour of rum soak raisins on top of a big caramel foundation. The alcohol flares upfront with a solvent like character then comes slowly in growing warmth in the end which is emulates a sherry-like flavour as well. Pretty damn clean and finishes semi-dry.

A sure bet for a nightcap for me though I’d love to not only pair this up with some braised lamb chops that are cooked with this beer by incorporate it into a dessert also. A godly brew that many may not understand but the appreciation is there tenfold.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 19:52:08 | More by Jason