Beer Gallery - Special Releases - Midnight Wheat & 14% Bronze Lager

OVERVIEW

We brewed these amazing concoctions especially at the behest of our dear friend Michael Jackson for his Rare Beer Club. (That would be the world famous British beer writer, not the uni-gloved pop star.) The tasting notes are Michael's--the beer is pure Herold.

 

Midnight Wheat -Currently Available in Chicago!!! (01/06)

ABV: 5.2%
OG: 12.5 degrees plato
Malt Varieties: These malts were made for Herold, and are generally not used in the Czech Republic - specially-malted wheat from Moravia, local barley from Breznice, and dark specialties malted at Tabor and Brno.
Tasting notes: It is a very interesting combination. What I like about this type of dark wheat beer is the sort of toffeeish maltiness from the dark beer, and the slightly crisp, sharp acidity – a bit like apples – from the wheat beer, is a bit like having a liquid toffee apple.
Brewing notes: Starts as a light wheat, brewed with 60% wheat malt and 40% local golden malt and Bavarian yeast, then lagered up to 6 weeks for smoothness. Double decoction brew, primary fermentation in open vats for 8 days at step-controlled temperature; secondary fermentation is cold in lager tanks, where it is combined with Bohemian black lager (which has been filtered to reduce yeasts, reviving the fermentation). This adds the chocolate color, enriched body, and complex taste highlights of smoke, coffee, and a touch of caramel.
Food pairings: The acidity that comes out from the fruitiness in the beer cuts the fat in a down-home meal like sausage, egg and chips.

 

14% Bronze Lager -Available in US Markets March 2006!

ABV: 5.8%
OG: 14% plato
Hop varieties: Saaz hops from Zatec and Bor
Malt varieties: Locally produced Czech and Moravian carmel malts
Tasting notes: I would call this one a bronze color, perhaps, with a very good Czech Bohemian Saaz hops aroma. It’s a very fresh, herbal aroma. Quite a big, firm malt background. The malt and hop are really in very good balance, but it’s more than a good balance. It’s almost an interplay, as though at one moment the hops seem to be winning, and the next moment the malt seems to be winning. But it is a lively tasting beer.
Brewing notes: First crafted during last century this beautifully robust bronze colored lager is brewed according to its original recipe. Definitely not your ordinary pilsner, nor does it pretend to be. Made from the finest Saaz hops, Czech malts and crystal clear waters from our own natural springs located at our 500 year old castle brewery.