Drinking an "impure" beer
I had an impure beer last night, a Grut Bier from Germany. This is a real old-style beer, brewed the way beers were before the German purity laws went into effect in 1516.
Before purity, brewers all over the world made beer with what they had on hand. This modern reworking of the recipe includes a lot of spices. Are you ready for bay leaf in your beer? Howsabout ginger, rosemary and wild hops? Grut Bier is part of the Dr. Fritz Briem Historic Signature Series brewed by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan.There is short, well-written, dissertation on the label recounting brewing history.
What does it taste like? Well, lots of spice (not my favorite ), but this brew was surprisingly refreshing. The straw color -- very close to pale green -- put me off. But the citrus, somewhat lemon-like finish was delightful. I could drink one, but after that it was back to purity.
Grut Bier is distributed in the Baltimore area by Legends. I found it at the Wine Source in Hampden, and Joe Falcone at Wells Discount Liquors on York Road says he has it. A large ( 1 pint 9 ounce bottle) runs $6-$7.
Anybody else try this?
Could you get past the greenish glow?
Did it make you pro-purity, or can you tolerate some impurity?
Comments
You can check my blog for my comments, but to answer your other question: I have as much use for Reinheitsgebot zealots as America does for the Taliban or al-Qaeda. Or, if they insist on "no adjuncts". well, that's all the more Heather Ale, Cassis, New Glarus Belgian Red, braggots, and spiced ales for me!
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | July 10, 2008 8:11 PM
Call me picky - but I do prefer my beers to be free of sediment. I know it's a sign that the beer is small batch brewed or whatever - but I just think it's gross to have all that schmutz down at the bottom of your glass/bottle.
Posted by: bryanintimonium | July 11, 2008 8:14 AM
Rob, I have yet to taste one. I noticed that it is also sold at State Line Liquors in Elkton.
The only similar style I have noticed that is local is Shenandoah Millennium Ale by Shenandoah Brewing Compnay in Alexandria, VA.
I am always on the look out for more intersting brews. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: Justin | July 14, 2008 1:26 PM