Brew52 » schell

A big commitment

Rett — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:52:14 +0000

I’ll be honest, I preferred last year’s Snowstorm. I think it had to do with the surprise of what looked to be a darker winter ale actually being a fruity Belgian. But then it’s unfair to compare these two completely different styles. So for the rye that it is, I enjoy it quite a bit. Enough that I just picked up another 12 pack, and for me, the guy with a 9 months pregnant wife who’s cut way back on beer intake, that’s a big commitment.

Flurries

Joe Lunchpail — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:19:50 +0000

While much better than the 2007 Snowstorm, I’m not really that impressed with the 2008 version. Definitely malty, with the rye coming through as well. They say hints of chocolate, but I’m not catching it. Good head and carbonation. Not bad, not great. Pretty much par for Schell.

The Best of Schell’s Line-up

Joe Lunchpail — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:51:52 +0000

Not that it takes much, but the Stout is far and away the most flavorful and impressive of all Schell beers. Looking more like a bottle of root beer that you might buy at Gander Mountain or Cabela’s than an actual bottle of the suds, it’s a bit deceiving to the eye. Good, bold choco-coffee stout flavor and heavy enough to fill the belly with warmth, I really enjoy this beer.

Third is the word

Joe Lunchpail — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:42:57 +0000

I have to agree with Rett here. Putting the Schell up against the Summit and Surly varieties is a guaranteed bronze for the New Ulm nectar. Not that its a bad beer, which it is not. It is just that it lacks the personality and “flava” of it’s Oktoberfest counterparts. On par with most Schell offerings, which always just seem to lack a little punch. Schell:the C-student Minnesota beer. Don’t get down, though, you can still be President.

The Bronze Medal

Rett — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:47:13 +0000

Alright, time for catch up. Schell Octoberfest definitely had a tough act to follow, coming after both Summit and Surly. If I had to rate the three, I’d probably put Schell’s in third, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. Definitely had the characteristic Marzen style taste, heavy on the malt, but pretty smooth. I think it was just a little less flavorful by comparison.

I give it one big spiraly circle!

Rett — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:50:23 +0000

Much of my experience at the Autumn Brew Review is a blur, but fortunately I was smart enough to keep detailed notes in my program guide as to what beers I tasted and which ones I liked. And by detailed notes I mean a series of different pencil scribbles that I seemed to abandon about half way through. I hit up the Minnesota booths first so most of them are marked, and next to Schell’s Bavarian Forest Dampfbier is a big spiraly circle while many just have a check, or a dash, or in some cases a sad face. (Note to self: if Brew52 happens again in the future, replace star rating system with a series of pencil scribbles)

Anyway, I went to Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar on Thursday and had a pint of the Bavarian Forest just to make sure that the big circle in my program guide wasn’t a mistake (or the beginning of a sad yuck face). Good news, it was definitely a “this beer rocks!” circle. It’s got a really great crisp taste with some light fruity aroma (they say banana) which I love. I will hopefully be snagging another pint before they run out.

the jig is up

Rett — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:40:58 +0000

I tried Schell’s Stout while over at Josh’s on Saturday night. It was important to me that I drink a thicker man beer as we were being coaxed into watching Baby Mama with our ladies. Actually I had wanted to see that a bit myself, mainly because Tina Fey is awesome, and hot. Anyway, the beer was really good, very sweet and chocolatey, which now as I’m typing I’m realizing means that it is probably not very manly at all. But at least it’s dark. Ok, I guess the jig is up, I like girl movies and sweet chocolate beers.

Pils popper

Joe Lunchpail — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:02:22 +0000

Per usual, the Schell folks put out a good, not great, beer that is light in flavor and easy to drink. I can’t think of much to say about this offering, except that I prefer it to the typical domestic light beers. A little more body, a lot better flavor, and overall a more satisfying bottle of suds. A good balance of malt and hops. I will drink it again.

Standard Lager

Josh — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:39:12 +0000

The label on this beer is the best part. The tricky Photoshop work is almost worth the price of the 12-pack. I wouldn’t call it tasty but it isn’t bad either. I would buy something cheaper if I wanted this type of beer.

Mmmm, fish-chicks.

Rett — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:21:55 +0000

I’m no fisherman, but I have to agree that there is nothing better than the idea of a mer-babe surfacing on a lake to bring me a beer. Apparently the advertising firm Pocket Hercules was able to convince both Schell and Rapala of this as well. The best part is that in this fisherman’s fantasy there’s not one, but twelve bikini-clad fish-chicks, one for each bottle in a 12-pack. Being a classic American lager it’s easy to go through several of these in one sitting, perfect for boating on a lake, or in my case, sitting in front of the television.