Hacker-Pschorr Anno 1417
Hacker Pchorr 1417 Keller Bier Reviewd today on 10/8, on the bottle produced 10/6, so super fresh bottle of "old" bier, kinda ironic...anyway Flip-top "bugelverschlussflasche"-(my new favorite word!) 1/2 liter bottle, opens with with a champagne like pop. The brew pours out that beautiful Keller/Zwickel bier color of murky hay-like gold. Light fluffy head, nearly two fingers rising out of my glass. I really like these kind of beers, really old stlye, naturally unfiltured, almost looks exactly like a Hefe. The aromatics on this beer(and style) is where it sets itself apart from a Hefeweisen. Smells of musty, lightly toasted grains, bitter sharp hops, light citrus fruityness from the hops and yeast. A light grassy smell of freshness, this is a really interesting smell, really digging it.Almost like walking into a cellar filled with grains. Taste is full of creamy, mixed flavors, yet each remain cleanly distinct. Upfront a light grassy, floral freshness, then grainy, musty fullness, and a sharp peppery finish, with a bit more grain. The graininess creates an almost nutty flavor, akin to a walnut or beechnut. This beer is an intriguing drink, as I find this style to be. Its grainy, musty, slightly rich, yet clean, well-hopped and lightly spicy. The flavor indicates the ancient style this is, the unfiltured unpasturization makes a rustic flavored beer, but is remarkably balanced and delicate. The bold, strong grain flavor gives enough strength for this beer to match well with good pub fare, I think a nut-encrusted cutlet of lamb would go beautifully with this, served with a porcini risotto. The gamy flavor of the meat, and the musty flavor of porcini would meld perfectly with malts in the beer. I really enjoyed this, and will buy it again. Great beginning-of-Autumn beer.