And The Valley Drinks - Aventinus Eisbock

Aventinus Eisbock

Weisses Brauhaus G. Schneider & Sohn

What’s the bottle say?

Aventinus, the Wheat Doppelbock of Bavaria, has always been known to be the most intense and complex wheat beer in the world. This was the case for the past sixty years, but not anymore... Up until the 1940’s, Aventinus was shipped all over Bavaria in containers lacking temperature control. Consequently, the precious drink partially froze during transportation. Unaware that the brew was concentrated by the separation of water from the liquid. People were baffled by this unique version of Aventinus. By chance, the first Aventinus Eisbock was created. Well aware of this story, Hans Peter Drexler, brewmaster of the Schneider brewery, decided to recreate this classic “mistake” in a modern controlled facility. Thus, the Aventinus Eisbock is reborn sixty years later ... Prost!

What’s it taste like?

The initial taste while the beer is still cold is of plums, bananas, apple, cloves, and rich malts almost like rye bread, in a heavy, somewhat syrupy body. There’s definitely some warming once you swallow it down and that’s when the 12 percent abv makes itself known. As the beer warms up all of the above flavors become more intense and there’s a certain decadence that develops. I found there are a lot of similarities between this beer and a good barleywine. The beer is great to start with and becomes excellent after ten minutes in the glass.

Final thoughts?

I’ve had a lot of beers since the New Year and this has been the standout so far. The complexity, robustness, richness, and superb balance make this beer top notch.

Where can I get it?

I haven’t seen this beer in many places around Baton Rouge but where I bought mine was from Calandro’s on Perkins for around $7.

Rating?

Most beers aren’t perfect but this is as close to perfect as it has got for me in a long time.

4.75 out of 5.