Hurlimann Samichlaus

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

1992. Brown color. Really complex nose, hinting of mocha, chocolate, raisins, caramel, nougat and nuts. Flavor is in perfect balance. Incredibly complex with a port-like character. Lots of taste. Caramel, toffee, figs, dates and raisins. 30 second finish. Such a treat. One of the best beers for collectors.

1996 vintage (bottled 1997). Pours a dark, ruddy, reddish-brown color. A small, frothy, cream colored head quickly settles to a wispy film with a bubbly edge. The nose is barley wine sweet, with tons of caramel, toffee, chocolate, and alcohol-soaked dark fruits. Figs and plums dance on the nose, seemingly as fresh as they day they were brewed some 11+ years ago. Surprisingly, I’m even picking up some traces of earthy hop bitterness. Flavors are fruit dominant, with figs, dates, raisons, and plums all showing face. Caramel adds further sweetness, while smoked chocolate malts add a touch of bitter saltiness. The hops aren’t as prominent as they are on the nose, but they are still there in all their subtly-spicy glory. The body is medium-full, smooth, slightly syrupy, and lightly carbonated. Its hard to imagine that a beer that was brewed when I was a senior in high school has held up so well. I’m honored to have tried this long-retired gem. Awesome beer.

355ml - 1996 vintage found on the bottom shelf of a local store in Noblesville last year. Very pungent aroma of chocolate, toffee, caramel, alcohol and peat. Pours flat muddy brown with some bubbles on top and decent lacing. Flavor is also strong. Lots of caramel with the toffee and peat sneaking in. Alcohol is well hidden in the flavor but still very warming with every sip. Palate is sticky but finishes creamy. Pretty damn good for being 12 years old.

1991 Vintage. Bottle opens with a small hiss, letting me know there is still a small amt of carbonation. Pours a very murky brown with the faintest covering of tan bubbles. Aroma is crazy good, prunes and raisins, wood, leather, chocolate, alcohol, produces like only fine malts with lots of ageing can. Taste is just as nice, tawny port like qualities, sweet, dark, ripe fruit, wood and a good dose of alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium, not as thick as a fresh sample but then this beer is mostly still. Slightly dry and warming in the finish. An experience for sure, the oldest samichlaus I’ve had the pleasure to taste and I must say that at 17-18 years it seems to be at its peak. At least I can’t image in it much better. Major thanks to George for the opportunity.

Bottled in 1997 - Ruby red pour with almost no head. Aroma is big and sweet with plum, raisin, tropical fruits and brown sugar. Taste starts with very sweet raisins, sugar, candy - by the back end I’m getting some light smokiness and a little alcohol. Full bodied. Really good when you want something sweet - reminds me a bit of Kuhnhenn 4th Dimentia. Based on my tasting I want to make it a rule that no version of Samichlaus is ever drank before its 10 years old. This stuff is just damn good.

Serious caramel nose. The beer pours a dark amber, almost antique gold with a very thin and quickly evaporating head. The flavor is as intense as the nose. It has a sugary mouth feel and a nice bitter end. I don’t care for sweetish taste but I know that some people love it.

Bottle from 1995. Pours a slightly hazy brown color with a very small off-white head. Has a malty caramel and dark fruit aroma. Sweet malty caramel flavor with lots of chocolate and dark fruit. Sweetish malty finish with hints of chocolate and dark fruit in the aftertaste.

Bottle from 1995. Pours brown with no head. Smells of licorice, lots of dark fruit, some sugar. Taste blends the mess this beer is fresh into a beautiful layered treat that yields lots of licorice, dark fruit, some residual sweetness. An excellent beer that does well as an after dinner cordial. This beer never ceases to amaze me.