Hurlimann Samichlaus

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

I might be odd man out on this, though I do have a different opinion from years ago grabbing one out of a warehouse and attempting to slam it. Nice chocolate notes, sweet/malty, but I did think the alcohol was still a bit out of balance. Oh, to have a case from way back ...

1994 Vintage. Dark red/brown w/ lots of "floaties." Very little carbonation w/ almost no head. Very full, sweet nose w/ molasses, toffee, pit fruit (plums, prunes) & brandied christmas cake. Thick, chewy body. Very sweet flavour again with molasses, prunes, plums, brandy, & christmas cake. Unfortunately flavour also tends to be cloying.

1996: Pours a murky dark copper brown with little carbonation. Complex thick, malty aroma. Body is very sweet and malty with a viscous fruity complexity. Chocolate chip cookie flavor is balanced with a light caramel bitterness. This masks its alcohol very well but is a little too sweet.

1996 Vintage: Very dark red in color with virtually no carbonation. A very rich, sweet nose. Alcohol is present, although not annoying or detracting. Caramel, molasses, soy sauce, brown sugar all present. Extreme complexity and a wonderful drink.

This is the only beer I will ever rate from complete memory, but it made such an impression on me, it must be done.
" Warning: You can only drink 1, it is very potent!"
It was a few years ago when I had this Vintage 1995 Swiss beer but I will never forget it. It was dark amber, and had the aroma of chopped almonds. My first impression is always to compare it to a brandy or cognac when tasting this rare delicacy. I paid about $25 for a four-pack, but for a beer that is only brewed one week out of the year, it is worth every penny.

Brewed in 1996.Nice marroon color, thin head. The first thing you taste is a rather unpleasent teriyaki sauce flavor, followed by a lot of alcohol. As your palate becomes more accustomed to it, though, subtle flavors of walnuts, figs, butter and toffee begin to emerge. More complex than I remembered.

Aroma of chocolate and toffee was immediately powerful. Poured a nice deep amber brown with a decent head. Flavor had more chocolate malt notes than any other beer in recent memory. Very subtle toffee, caramel, and roasted malt flavors also. Finished still slightly sweet but never out of balance. A malt lover's dream beer.

Bottle of the 1996 vintage sampled on 2/20/03. Dark brown color with basically no head on the pour. A strong nose with bread, syrup, molasses, honey, caramel, and sweet malts. Strongly sweet with caramel, honey, and a balance of fruitiness. A smooth and creamy body with a lingering warmth. I thought the alcohol was, on balance, well hidden in the sweetness of the beer.