Hurlimann Samichlaus

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

Tap. Aroma is strong plum/prune. Very malty and caramel. Very little head. Good malty beer.

1996 vintage, sampled April 2007. Dark brown pour, creamy tan head. Aroma has oxidized wine and figs, with some sherry notes. Flavor is oxidized too, but in a very good way. Dark berries and prunes lurk in old wine barrels with some slight sweet yet dry molasses and cacao hints. Alcohol is barely noticable, carbonation is slightly annoying. But great flavor and balance. Great aged beer. High ABV plus some good flavors battle out the oxidation nicely. I could see this being great to try in another ten years, but wonder if it is peaking now. Now, entering this rating a day later... I fear the seemingly delicate and definitely well put together nature of this

Bottled (thanks Bov!). 1996 vintage. Dark amberish brown colour, not much head. Aroma is alcohol, raisins, madeirawine and slightly spicy. Also very ryeish. Flavour is raisins, vanilla, alcohol, spices, rye and some wooden hints. Aged well, and the alcohol is not disturbing, even though it’s noteable.

Bottled vintage 1996 (BB 09/1999)
This is an interesting one: vintage bottle, aged over 10 years. I just sampled a month ago fresh new version. Beer is dark nutty brown, no head. Cookies, fruits and typical vintage oxidation notes in the nose. Sticky mouthfeel in this full-bodied brew. It is sweet; raisins, rye bread, madeira wine and toasted malts in the flavor. Very complex beer at its best now I suppose. Very different from fresh ones, alcohol does not come up much.

[1994 Vintage, sampled at Steve Bernard farewell tour] Pours a nice dark amber color, with some coffee-ground-like floaties in suspension. Very minimal head. Aroma is massive: musty frutiness, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon) and booze. Warm and inviting aroma, I spent plenty of time just inhaling the potent fumes. Flavors are deeply complex, loads of caramel, dark fruits and sugar... but not cloying in the least. Funky tobacco/leather and molasses really shine towards the finish. I can’t believe I had the chance to sample this. Outstanding!

Had this at a tasting with chocolate covered scottish cookies, so my notes aren’t that good. However it was an excellent pairing for this sweet beer.

1996 - Deep beautiful mahogany red brown body, big but fast disappearing beige head that leaves a creamy edge all the way trough; Beautiful aged nose, could be both a little deep and more complex even though it has great amounts of both, lots of alcohol, lots of age, lots of tobacco, lots of burnt dried tomatoes, lots of Creme Brulee, lots of dark caramel, lots of soil, lots of dried fig; Super smooth body, balanced deep and complex, very little sharp carbonation, it has everything sweetness salt and bitterness combined perfectly with the alcohol; Incredible long finish with a whole set of new aromas, lots of pineapple, lots of ripe pear, lots of burnt caramel, lots of ....yeahrrrrr, again a superb balance in a complex body, great amount of alcohol that burns out slowly. Incredible beer! Thanks Papsoe (I think you should send me some more)

Bottle. 1995. Amber brown colour, rathr small head. Sweet dark malty, spiced, fruity and chocolateish aroma with alcohol. Flavour is thick and sweet caramelllic, spiced with dark fruits, some bitter chocolate and with a good touch of alcohol. Amazing great tasting brew!