St. Georgenbräu  Keller Bier
I am drinking a 650 mL bottle poured into a chilled earthenware mug at the Old Stein Inn in Edgewater, MD. The ale (and mug) are cold (too cold). Appearance: The lager is an amber colored bier, similar in color to an amber/red ale. There is a slight haze to the beer, as a result of it not being filtered. The beer is carbonated, but did not leave any hint of lace in the mug. Smell: The beer has a malty aroma, resembling biscuits. There is also a hop presence that is not overbearing. Taste: The lager has a strong malt character, almost to the point of being a a bock or doppelbock. The hop character is evident, but not enough to overload the malt presence. Although the beer claims to be aged in oak, I don't notice any buttery-sweet flavor that I've found in other oak-aged beers. Mouthfeel: The malts and restrained hops play nicely together. Drinkability: Drinkability is alright, the lager-style flavors are softer and the alcohol is not overpowering. An interesting offshoot for fans of German lagers.