Hello! I’m starting the new year by re-introducing the regular features of the Beeronaut blog, to explain just what goes on here.
While I make an effort to review craft beers that I have purchased myself, I also receive complimentary packages of beer from the brewers themselves, in return for my comment. I have checked with the Kahunae at Chicago Now (a proud division of tronc“), and I am allowed to write about these freebie beers, so long as I make certain to label them as such. Thus the title “Craft Beer Preview” instead of “Review.” That lets me pass ethical muster for a blogger, but I’d have to tighten my standards if I ever have a chance to replace Josh Noel at the Tribune. You’ll also see some of these “Previews” under the heading “Beer by the Grill,” because I can go through a few more of these sample beers while sitting at the grill.
This is one of a carton of beers that was sent to me by local distributor Louis Glunz Beer. The beers were mostly local holiday brews, with an invitation to interview Glunz’ brand manager for an article about Christmas Beer recommendations, and which was the springboard for my misnamed “Up to 12 Beers of Christmas” series.
This particular beer does not have much to do with Christmas, but it turns out to be a fair competitor for a New Year’s Eve toast. Stiegl of Salzburg, Austria, is better known for its Pilsener and a variety of light Radlers. But it also has a yearly series of “Vintage Beers (Jahrgangsbier).” For some happy reason, I was sent a 750 ml bottle of the 2015 vintage, called Sonnenkönig II after France’s “Sun King,” Louis XIV. There’s even a paraphrase of his famous quote on the label: “La Biere c’est moi!” The first Sonnenkönig was brewed in 2013 as a doppelbock. This one is an Imperial Wit, of which 50% of the batch has been aged in tequila barrels.
At 9.5% abv, I am tempted to lay it down for a few years, but the idea should be that I write about this while it’s still available on store shelves.
There’s a big yeasty smell from the moment I poured the beer into my tulip glass. The yeast dissipates, leaving a smell of fruit and Belgian funk. The beer is a slightly cloudy gold color, with a fizzy, short-lived head.
The first sip is bright and fruity, maybe strawberry and lemon, with some Belgian style yeast in the background. Not much wood in the taste, but a further “prickly pear” note that could be taken as being from tequila’s agave base.
There’s a pretty noticeable layer of sludge in the bottom of the bottle, but only a bit of it gets into the glass at the end.
Despite not having a cork and not gushing out like Champagne, this is a fine beer for a midnight celebration. And a good go-with for a meat course.
