Hurlimann Samichlaus

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

1997 tried alongside a 2003 Eggenberg version. I’m assuming this was the last Hurlimann vintage, and was brewed in 1996 and bottled in 1997. Dark red brown colour with a tan coloured frothy head. Aroma of soy sauce, what someone else described as vegemite, cherries, raisins, toffee, and alcohol. Roasted, almost burnt toffee, flavour dominates, with honey, alcohol, molasses, and slight soy sauce trying to creep in as well. Thick and syrupy but smooth.

Vintage 1986. I was not going to open it when the package arrived from an eBay transaction, but somehow this had leaked about one-third of the bottle out. I decided not to waste the rest and chill it and consume it without regard for my health. It poured a lifeless dark clouded brown with no head. The aroma was still vital and saturated with dark chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, lighter alcohol notes, and dark fruit - plums and raisins. Wonderful! The taste was just like I’d imagined. Molasses, dark chocolate, sugar, alcohol soaked fruit and caramel make up this relic. The mouthfeel was uncarbonated but still sleek and smooth. It’s obviously flat but it does not hinder this in the least and almost "fits". The finish was sweet with more alcohol, caramel, and sugary notes. AWESOME! Despite the fact I was forced to drink this before I wanted, I do not regret it now. Glad I have some other Samichlaus oldies to look forward to in the future!

1996- Roasty, Malt, Alcohol, Burnt Chocolate. Pours a deep brown amber. Very sweet and complex with tons of caramel, alcohol is pretty well covered. A very good dopplebock.

Reddish in color. Pretty oxidized. it was a old bottle. Tasted like sherry, no carbonation. ok.

Re-rate. 1997 vintage. Fantastic candy aroma. Huge syrupy candy flavors. Really nice and holds up well. This smells and tastes delicious. Upping from 7-4-7-4-13.

A friend had saved one bottle of this. Other than the oxidation, this had not seemed to change much. Reddich color, with low carbonation. Sherried aroma and flavor with some alcohol burn notes throughout. Cardboard noted. Fun to try after all these years.

1996, looks like the last year: Light carbonation. Deep dark red. Oxidation very prevelant. Otherwise, almost like a cognac. Finishes with a warming alcohol sensation. The oxidation hurt this otherwise fine beer.

1994 vintage: I paid 20 bucks for a 6-pack of this (2 bottles each of '92, '93, and '94). Pours deep burgundy, with minimal head. Aromas of malt, cognac, port, prunes, cheese. Tastes malty, sweet, and overpowering. This beer is very complex, but I could only drink it in about 4 ounce portions. I found it to be very strong and dense.

Bottled 1996, 8 years old
Deep amber color; the head disappears quickly.
Intense aroma of malt, then the caramel and finally a light phenol; then, in waves, the phenol, spices, cookies, liquorice.
Thick, oily, very sweet; a lot of caramel and malt, with nuts, roasted nuts and a delicate fudge; light soy sauce.
Ends with a very strong caramel aftertaste, along with some liquorice and (only now) a warming alcohol feeling; correctly balanced by the necessary bitterness.

Perfectly matured (doesn't show the age), this brew could last forever; despite the many opinions against it, I can really say I love it.