Hurlimann Samichlaus

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

Name: Samichlaus
Date: 07/27/1996
Mode: Bottle
Source: total beverage, DC
Vintage: 1994

dark amber, whispy head, strong sweet ester aroma that was very apparent as I poured, kick ass wine like ester flavor balanced with good hop bitterness, light body. Brewed once/year on 12/6

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Score: ***+/4
-------- /> Name: Samichlaus
Date: 07/20/2003
Mode: Bottle
Source: Trade
Vintage: 1996

dark brown, headless, yeast chunks, sweet alcoholic malt aroma, sweet chocolate malt flavor, no hops
-------- /> Name: Samichlaus
Date: 02/09/2005
Vintage: 1996

muddy brown, headless, lots of sweet carmel malt aroma, very fumey, fruity flavor with lots of raison and rich over ripe dates, age is a wonderful thing
-------- /> Name: Samichlaus
Date: 05/20/2006
Vintage: 1996

sweet raison and soy sauce aroma, still hot, some great chocolate comes through

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: **4

Bottle, 1985 vintage, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Dark brown murky colour. Intensely rhum-raisiny aroma, notes of oak and prunes. Intensely sweet and cloying flavour, quite complex but WAY too sweet.

Really liked this one. Bought from Montreal SAQ. Going from memory here, but my recollection is of a beautifully brandy-coloured liquid - exceptionally clear with very little carbonation. Taste was intensely sweet - candied fruit, sticky toffee, etc. I thought it wasn’t too far from the better Fuller’s Vintage ales in terms of taste, just far sweeter and, of course, boozier.

1995 Vintage - When properly cellared, showing no sign of infection or oxidization, this beer is miraculous. I am a bit biased, as Samichalus is one of my top three beers of all time, next to JW Lees Harvest Ale and Thomas Hardy Ale. As a dessert beer or nightcap, it does not fall short in any way- nose, mouthfeel, palate, nor finish. Creamy chocolate, toffee, nougat, and warming with alcohol, this makes a perfect winter warmer.

I’m sorry but this beer definately wasn’t what I expected... The alcohol flavor is so overwhelming that it tastes like someone secrety poured a shot of Jack Daniels in it when I wasn’t looking. I will say though, once you get past the taste of alcohol the beer itself doesn’t taste too awful. Just not for me.

11.2 oz. bottle. 1990 vintage. 17 1/2 years old. From my cellar. Poured out a deep garnet red color, with a thin tan colored head. I was surprized to see it still had some carbonation in it. Aromas are of licorice, raisins, rum soaked prunes, some oxidation present also. Some oakiness in the nose as well. Extremely caramelly, very thick body. Coats the tongue well. Almost syrupy. Flavors comprised of mostly raisins, rum soaked dark fruits, slight oakiness too. Sweet aftertaste, alcohol is hidden entirely, even in the finish. It has aged surprisingly well. I’m glad I saved a six pack of this, too bad I only have 5 left now.

Huge thanks to Boboski for clearing this from my wats list. 1988 Bottle. I was a junior in High School when this was bottled. Huge sherry, chocolate nose. You can smell that it is oxidized, but the alcohol side of things is still strong. The body is a murky red/brown and there is not even a suggestion of a head. Huge black licorice/treacle fore with notes of fig, prune and stale fruitcake. Almost chalky mouthfeel. Very warming finish. The flavor concentration is very high, but it has definitely become heavily oxidized. I’d like to try a 1996 bottle. It tastes very much like a amped up English Barley Wine and I have to remind myself this is a lager. Anyone who says there is no variety in beer should have this right after having a corona.

A beer first brewed in Suise now brewed in Austria. Tasted both versions. The suis one on bottle the austria one on draft in 2001 in Philladelfia. Still have some Suise bottles and trying to retaste it together with 2 botles of Austria of a different year. A hard beer to taste. A real scotch under the beers. Just nip from it, to strong to taste it differently.