Hurlimann Samichlaus

Formerly brewed at Hürlimann (Feldschlösschen)
Style: Doppelbock
Zürich, Switzerland

1998 vintage (new!). Kind of raw flavored, probably because in is so young, but it is easy to tell the rich dark, dark fruit flavors and fruit malts and molasses flavors that will age and mellow with time. Put up three bottles to try every couple of years.

11.2oz bottle, 1996 vintage by Hurlimann, courtesy of hoppymeal, poured into a snifter. I know this review may not belong here, but since I can’t post it with the correct beer, I’m posting it here. Pours a super murky dark brown with tea-colored hints around the edges when held up to light. There is a quick fizzy head that goes away immediately after the pour and leaves no lacing, just some boozy legs along the sides. The aroma is super sweet with tons of complexity in the form of caramel malts, toffee and rum-soaked dark fruits. Lots of brown sugar and maybe even some chocolate thrown in. The taste is excellent as well and mirrors the aroma with the caramel malt and molasses really dominating from start to finish. The dark fruits come out in the form of raisins and plums. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and thick on the palate with minimal carbonation. It’s definitely a dessert sipper that verges on a cordial-like feel. This is a fantastic beer and one that has aged unbelievably well. There are only the faintest hints of oxidation and they have actually added to the complexity. Though the alcohol is evident, it’s very drinkable for a 14%ABV beer. Wonderful stuff.

1994 Vintage. Dark rich thick viscous pour with amazing legs just hanging on and never letting go. Aroma is simply amazing. Dark malts, caramel, dark rich fruit, raisins and molasses. Flavor has all of the above and just a touch of alcohol. Brown sugary goodness. Just awesome.

Deep amber/red pour with no head or lace. Aroma of dried fruit and abv. Flavor of dried fruit, brown sugar and a nice abv warmth. Medium bodied and well preserved. thanks

Lots of sweet fruit and dark malts on the nose of this caramel colored beer. More of the same on the flavor. Molasses and caramel. Pretty good

RBSG09 ’93 vintage on the bus courtesy of cquiroga. Pours a muddy reddish blonde with essentially no carbonation. Huge caramel aroma, brown sugar, toffee, butterscotch (not in a bad diacetyl way), candied dark fruits. Sweet caramel flavor up front immediately dives headlong into epic oxidation notes of cherries and vinegar. Massive mouthfeel, not much heat from the booze at all. Delicious.

Pour at GT 09 courtesy of jazz88. Thank you sir. This was the same vintage I had traded without tasting (1997) so was very pleased. Pours thick like amber-red syrup with no head. Smells bright, fruity and darkly candy-like. Taste is something I will remember for awhile: artificial cherry (cough syrup) right up front followed by roasty syrupy malt, dark fruit, and a buttery, oily rauch character like charred bacon. Very bacon-like in its greasiness, but only to a degree that works with the fruit. Very very nice.

Noogfest High 5. Sample from a bottle thanks to unclejedi. 1996 Vintage. Still brown-orange with a thin white cover. Aroma is brown sugar, sweet malts. Taste has hints of the alcohol, more brown sugar, maple syrup, dark fruits, licorice.